With their distinctive open-cell design, Austral Bricks Grass Pavers have long been used to create firm yet natural-looking pavements.

Simply lay the pavers in a bed of crushed rock, fill the cells with soil and sprinkle grass seed ... it's that easy. Each unit has 12 cells, weighs about 14 kilograms and measures 387 x 290 x 90 mm.

The Friends of Dandenong Valley Park, a volunteer group associated with Parks Victoria, has found a new use for Grass Pavers. The Dandenong Creek frequently overflows a section of a popular walking track in Shepherd's Bush Metropolitan Park (adjacent to Jells Park in Wheelers Hill).

The path combines 'walkability' with a natural appearance and resistance to damage by flooding.

Numerous paving methods have been tried along this section of path including gravel and cement-stabilised crushed rock. "Over the past 15 to 20 years, the path has been resurfaced at least three times, each reconstruction being subsequently swept away in floods" states a report by the Friends. (The complete report follows here.)

The Friends saw the potential of Austral Bricks Grass Pavers and obtained a community grant to cover the materials cost. Volunteer labour completed the project in three working bees, each a month apart.

Excavation was the first step in constructing the 75 metre path. Jarrah edging was staked into position and the pavers laid in a bed of crushed rock. Crushed rock was tamped into each of the cells.

Creating a bend proved to be a challenge. Pavers on the inner curve were trimmed to two cells width, those on the centre curve to 21/2 cells. The outer pavers were untouched. After trialing a concrete saw, the volunteers resorted to cutting the pavers with a chisel and mash hammer, "rough but adequate" according to the report.

Bush engineering was also employed on the flood-prone sections. Revetments (sloping banks) were laid either side of the path to eliminate undercutting by flood waters. These were simply constructed by removing the pavers' side lugs (mash hammer, again) and laying the units upside down.

The result? "A day after our second working bee, the creek flooded giving the path a major test which it passed easily," reports Bryan Loft, president of the Friends. Some of the crushed rock in the cells was swept away but the pavers held firm. "Many users have commented on the path's 'walkability' and naturalness now that our edge plantings are established."

Why not take a walk through Shepherd's Bush Metropolitan Park one sunny afternoon and see the new path for yourself? For visitor information go to www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=184.

Austral Bricks Grass Pavers have a unique open-cell design that fosters drainage and planting while allowing a high load-bearing capacity.

During construction, a section of the path was subject to heavy flooding. Some crushed rock in the cells was washed out (right of photo) but the pavers held firm.

Austral Bricks Grass Pavers were used to form a revetment along path edges subject to extreme flooding.