Construcciones Yamaro: Native Space plants seeds of change
While landscaping is often the final touch on a project, for Native Space, it is just the beginning.
In under two years, Native Space has built a reputation for meticulous delivery, technical precision and a sharp design sensibility. From sports ovals and wetlands to vibrant civic landscapes, this Victorian-based company is helping shape some of the state’s most enduring public environments.
Whether it is planting 97,000 native species at Epping’s 4Ten Wetlands or installing 7,600 square metres of turf at Smiths Park in Clyde North, the company is laying the groundwork for lasting community spaces.
“We’re still a young business, so I’d say we’re young and exciting,” says Tom Earle, business unit manager at Native Space. “We’re expanding, establishing our position in the landscaping industry and building our reputation. We’re very much in the process of putting down roots.”
Though youthful in years, Native Space’s collective experience runs deep. The team combines decades of expertise in civil and landscape construction with a vision that embraces both the broader picture and the future potential of shared spaces. These are places where communities come alive, connect and create memories.
A seamless transition
The company specialises in managing the often-fractured transition between civil and landscape phases, addressing issues early to avoid escalation.
“Traditionally, the handover from civil to landscaping can be disjointed. Plans don’t always align, and communication falls short,” says Earle. “Because our team includes both landscaping specialists and veterans of civil works, we can effectively bridge that divide.”
Native Space uses that knowledge to assess the project’s timing, programming and opportunities for value management. That might include recommending adjustments to improve durability, enhance aesthetics or achieve a more efficient outcome. These suggestions are put forward to the client for consideration before the team proceeds.
“One of our key strengths in stakeholder relationships is getting involved early. When we are working closely with the civil contractor, we can plan and coordinate more efficiently,” says Earle.
“That early engagement means we are often completing landscaping before the developer even receives titles, which not only improves presentation but can also save money. For example, it can reduce or eliminate the need for developer bonds typically held by councils until landscaping is complete.”
From tender to handover, every project is approached holistically. This integrated mindset results in a smoother build, fewer surprises and a more polished finish.
“We aim to continue building strong relationships with civil contractors and clients,” says Earle. “That trust only comes with time, consistency and accountability, but it is already leading to repeat work, and it is a focus for us moving forward.”
Setting the pace
One quality setting Native Space apart is its pace. Supported by a fleet of equipment and tested methods, the company is earning recognition as one of the fastest players in the landscaping market.
Yet speed is only valuable when paired with accuracy. Striking that balance is the company’s hallmark, especially on prominent, community-focused projects like the $13 million Cloverton Active Open Space precinct – a landmark sports oval currently underway.
“This project perfectly showcases our ability to deliver large-scale community infrastructure, and it represents an area where we plan to deepen our expertise,” says Earle.
Other ventures include parks, playgrounds and wetlands, where Native Space’s end-to-end capabilities – from early coordination to long-term maintenance – are on full display.
The aftercare advantage
While many contractors step away after handover, Native Space remains present.
“Maintenance is often neglected across the industry, leading to client dissatisfaction and asset decline,” says Earle. “Some firms create beautiful spaces but fail to maintain them properly, which undermines the value and longevity of the project.”
With maintenance periods typically lasting two years, Native Space has established a dedicated team with its own systems, reporting routines, site visits, photographic updates and performance tracking.
“Our approach is designed to protect each project’s long-term performance,” says Earle. “It fosters accountability, curbs asset deterioration and nurtures client confidence.”
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People, systems and pride
Native Space’s strength lies in its people – a team built on technical capability and commitment. Most on-site team members hold Certificate III qualifications in horticulture or landscape construction, and those who don’t receive active support through formal training.
This investment in people goes beyond credentials. Younger staff are mentored from the outset, developing a workforce fluent in both the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of landscaping.
“We reinvest in our people,” says Earle. “Training is ongoing and tailored, and we prefer to grow talent internally.”
To complement its skilled workforce, the company has made strategic investments in operational infrastructure. Custom systems for maintenance tracking, safety auditing and quality assurance underpin daily operations, with an in-house HSE coordinator overseeing site-wide standards.
Taking control
In a market where supply chain issues can stall even the best-laid plans, Native Space is stepping up to secure its own future.
The company is developing a proprietary nursery to ensure a steady, high-quality plant supply. It will enable tighter quality control, streamline scheduling and reduce reliance on external vendors. Once operational, it will also support the growing demand for local provenance planting in public spaces.
“This means reliable quality, tighter timing and more cost-effective delivery,” says Earle. “It also frees us from relying on third-party suppliers, giving the team greater control over project delivery.”
The nursery is part of a wider strategy to internalise specialised services. Native Space is also importing a custom hydroseeding machine and expanding its cultivation and soil amelioration capabilities. These upgrades allow it to rehabilitate on-site soil rather than import new material.
Where legacy takes root
Though newly established, Native Space carries the wisdom of a much older enterprise when it comes to community impact.
“While streetscapes enhance a neighbourhood’s visual appeal, it’s parks, playgrounds, sporting grounds and open spaces where we see our most lasting influence,” says Earle. “These places outlast infrastructure, becoming part of daily routines and local identity.”
Completed projects such as 4Ten Open Space and Wetlands in Epping and the Scenic Botanica Streetscape and Park in Brookfield illustrate this philosophy. These are not just landscaped zones; they are lived-in spaces with local meaning and community value. From a child’s first scooter ride to a neighbourhood barbecue, Native Space’s work provides the backdrop for real moments.
Responsible by design
Sustainability is inherently part of what Native Space does in landscape construction, planting trees, improving soil quality and enhancing green spaces. But the company also considers how it builds and how it can minimise environmental impact through daily construction practices.
“A big part of that is reusing materials on site wherever possible,” says Earle. “Instead of removing soil and bringing in new material, which adds cost and increases environmental impact, we look for ways to improve existing site conditions.”
Through cultivation and amelioration, Native Space works with existing soil to bring it up to the required standard.
“That process of reconditioning rather than replacing is a major focus,” says Earle. “Reducing the volume of material moved on or off site also delivers tangible environmental benefits.”
The challenge is not just meeting sustainability standards but finding smart, site-specific ways to make them meaningful. For Native Space, it is about integrating those decisions into every stage of the project.
Inclusive in every sense
True to its name, Native Space embraces a broad view of its responsibility. Beyond its environmental efforts, the company is deepening its community involvement through targeted partnerships and inclusive employment pathways. One example is its collaboration with Waverley Social Enterprises, which supports employment for people with disabilities.
“This collaboration not only offers a cost-effective labour solution but also enables us to foster inclusive employment while upholding high standards of quality and care on site,” says Earle.
The partnership has infused the business with fresh energy rooted in respect, collaboration and shared success.
Inclusivity, says Earle, is central to Native Space’s identity. The team itself is diverse, with strong representation of both men and women.
“We create and lead an environment where people of all genders and backgrounds can thrive,” he says. “We take inclusivity just as seriously as our environmental and social responsibilities.”
Strategic growth
Native Space’s next steps are guided by the same clarity and care that define its built environments. With expansion on the horizon, the company is focusing on bolstering its core strengths in sporting infrastructure, refining internal processes and continuing to invest in its people.
It is not growth for growth’s sake. Each step is measured; each milestone grounded in trust, delivery and attention to detail.
“When challenges arise, we face them directly. That consistency is what earns long-term trust,” says Earle.
For Native Space, trust is not just earned – it is cultivated, project by project.
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