Product Overview

Summary: This Standard Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step‑by‑step approach to planning, installing and maintaining drought resistant landscaping across Australian workplaces. It helps organisations reduce water use, protect site amenity during dry periods, and present a professional, sustainable image to clients, visitors and staff.

Australian businesses are increasingly under pressure to manage water responsibly while still maintaining safe, attractive and functional outdoor spaces. Prolonged dry periods, water restrictions and climate variability can quickly turn poorly planned landscapes into maintenance headaches, with dead plants, dust, erosion and increased slip and trip risks. This Drought Resistant Landscaping Standard Operating Procedure provides a structured, repeatable method for designing, implementing and caring for landscapes that can withstand Australian drought conditions while supporting day‑to‑day operations.

The SOP guides users through site assessment, species selection, soil preparation, irrigation design, mulching, installation and long‑term maintenance, all with an explicit focus on water efficiency and resilience. It standardises how decisions are made across sites, reducing reliance on informal knowledge and ad hoc contractor practices. By implementing this procedure, organisations can cut irrigation costs, support ESG and sustainability targets, maintain WHS‑friendly outdoor areas, and demonstrate compliance with local water authority requirements and environmental expectations. It is particularly valuable for multi‑site organisations that need consistent landscaping outcomes across different climate zones and jurisdictions.

The document is written for the Australian context, reflecting local climate realities, native and drought‑tolerant species considerations, and typical council and water authority expectations. It aligns with broader WHS and environmental management systems, making it easy to integrate into existing policies, contractor management frameworks and induction processes.

Key Benefits

• Reduce water consumption and irrigation costs by implementing consistent, water‑wise landscaping practices.
• Standardise design and maintenance decisions across all sites, reducing variability in contractor performance and outcomes.
• Support organisational sustainability, ESG and environmental reporting commitments with documented, repeatable processes.
• Enhance site appearance and amenity during droughts, protecting brand reputation and visitor experience.
• Minimise reactive maintenance by planning landscapes that are resilient to heatwaves, water restrictions and changing climate conditions.

Who is this for?

• Facility Managers
• Property and Asset Managers
• Grounds and Maintenance Supervisors
• Local Government Parks Coordinators
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• Landscape Architects and Designers
• Commercial Landscaping Contractors
• School Business Managers
• Aged Care Facility Managers
• Strata and Body Corporate Managers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Concepts (Drought Tolerance, Xeriscaping, WSUD)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Planning and Site Assessment Requirements
• 5.0 Plant Selection Criteria (Native and Drought‑Tolerant Species)
• 6.0 Soil Preparation, Amendments and Mulching Standards
• 7.0 Irrigation Design, Watering Schedules and Water Restriction Compliance
• 8.0 Installation Procedures for New Landscapes and Retrofits
• 9.0 Maintenance, Inspection and Seasonal Adjustment Procedures
• 10.0 Integration with WHS, Contractor Management and Site Access Controls
• 11.0 Environmental and Water Efficiency Monitoring and Reporting
• 12.0 Recordkeeping, Documentation and Version Control
• 13.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Audit Process

Legislation & References

• AS/NZS ISO 14001:2016 Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 4419:2018 Soils for landscaping and garden use
• AS 4454:2012 Composts, soil conditioners and mulches
• National Water Initiative – Water Efficiency and Urban Water Planning principles
• Relevant state and territory water authority guidelines on outdoor water use and irrigation (e.g. Sydney Water, Melbourne Water, SEQWater)
• Local council landscaping and water‑sensitive urban design (WSUD) guidelines