Sue Tapping dreamed of having a waterfall in the garden, so Wayne, her husband, spent 10 months building a magnificent water feature in their backyard. It is constructed on three levels, with water cascading down in stages from top to bottom. Wayne built the pools using rubber liners, which he covered with Nepean River pebbles. Agricultural pipe has been installed underneath the pools to drain any subsurface water and prevent the rubber liners floating up. There is also a massive bridge made from 14-metre telegraph poles across the face of the waterfall.

Installing a pond

While most people would not attempt something on the scale of Wayne's waterfall, it's really not difficult to construct a water feature in the garden. The instructions below are for a basic pond using a rubber liner. You could build on this with another smaller pond or ponds on higher levels, submersible pumps, fountains, filters, lighting, fish, aquatic plants and the relaxing sound of a waterfall splashing down over rocks.

1. Clear the area of weeds and rubbish and check for and locate any services that may be in the way.
2. Mark out on the ground the shape of the pond using water based marking paint, then place the rubber liner over the marked area to ensure that it is big enough.
3. Excavate the marked area to a depth of about 450mm (18"), this allows for the sand base, liner and rock layers. The final water depth should be 300mm (12") which is the maximum allowed by law.
4. Once the basic shape has been dug out, finish excavations by hand, making sure the sides are as smooth as possible. (Tip: Use excavated material to create planting mounds around the pond.)
5. In the excavated hole place brickies sand to the required depth (a minimum of 50mm or 2"). This fine sand is used to reduce the risk of puncture to the liner. Smooth over with the wooden concrete float.
6. Place liner in position. Before trimming the liner ensure that there is an overhang of at least 300mm or 12". Trim liner, then anchor and disguise the overhang with river pebbles.
7. Place river sand and pebbles into the base and sides of the pond.
8. Fill pond with water.

Further information

Sand, mulch and pebbles are available from nurseries and landscape suppliers. Pond liners, pumps, fountains, aquatic plants and fish are available from water garden specialists and aquatic plant suppliers. Check your local Yellow Pages. Butyl rubber liner costs approximately $32.90 per square metre including GST and delivery Australia-wide. Phone: 1300 666 004.

Open garden

Wildwood Garden at 5 Powells Road, Bilpin will be open to the public on April 27-28, 10am - 4pm. Phone: (02) 4571 2036.

Copyright CTC Productions 2002