Launched at last month’s Garden Week, the Western Australian Landscape Design Association (WALDA) is giving garden designers, horticulturists and landscapers somewhere to go for advice and support.
WALDA President, Melissa Challenor-Bevis says it is important for designers to have a voice in what is rapidly growing industry in WA.
‘We as a group are an important lobbying voice for the regulation of the (landscape) design industry in WA,’ she said.
‘Hopefully in the future, not any person with a lawnmower will be able to call themselves a designer, but those who have done the study and training will have the right to.’
Ms Challenor-Bevis says WALDA was developed for the purpose of getting designers together in a forum where they could exchange information, views and opinions as well as providing training evenings on different resources and a referral service.
At Garden Week, held annually at Perry Lakes, WALDA celebrated their launch with eight display gardens, each a collaborative effort between five designers. The display gardens were a great success and took out the first, second and third prizes for landscape design.
‘Our experience at our first Garden Week was a truly brilliant experience and any, if not all of the designers can now prove they are more than capable of designing, getting quotes for people and installing some or all of a garden,’ said Ms Challenor-Bevis.
When choosing a landscape designer, WALDA suggest people ask questions and have a clear idea of what they are looking for.
‘People should ask weather the designer has any qualifications relating to the design of gardens. The designer should have a semblance of a portfolio and some photos to show the client.’
More information can be found at the website: www.walda.com.au
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