Shoal Bay Poolside Landscape Transformation

A newly installed pool provided the starting point for this Shoal Bay backyard transformation. The goal was to bring the surrounding outdoor space together, creating a functional, family-focused environment with carefully considered finishes and the structural preparation needed to support it.

Our design and construction team worked through the project from the initial site planning and excavation to the retaining, concrete pool surrounds, paving, glass fencing, irrigation and planting.

While the finished landscape is what catches the eye, much of the work that makes a project like this successful happens well before the final finishes are installed.

Challenges and Forward Planning

Before construction began, our team met with the client to work through the plans, site levels, measurements and construction sequence.

These early discussions helped establish what needed to happen at each stage and allowed the team to prepare for the work ahead.

The swimming pool had been installed several weeks before our landscaping works commenced. This allowed time for the pool to settle before excavation and construction began around it, helping protect its structural integrity.

Working around a newly installed pool requires careful coordination. Excavation, retaining, concrete preparation and drainage all needed to be considered before the surrounding landscape could take shape.

Landscaping is construction work, and unexpected challenges can arise. Thorough planning helps minimise potential issues and ensures the team is better prepared to manage them when they do.

Tailored Solutions by Jason Reading Landscapes

Before any ground was broken, our design team developed a landscape plan tailored to the site and to the way the family wanted to use their backyard.

As part of the design stage, we prepared 3D renders to show how the pool surrounds, sandstone steps and retaining, gravel fire-pit area, glass fencing and planting would come together around the newly installed pool.

Renders make it far easier to picture the finished space than plans alone. They show how the levels connect, how each area relates to the pool and how the planting softens the hard surfaces, so the client can review the design and confirm the details with confidence before construction begins.

With the design locked in, the renders became a shared reference for our construction team, guiding the work from site preparation through to the finishing touches.

Site Preparation, Retaining and Drainage

The first stage involved preparing the site for the surrounding landscape.

Excavation established the areas required for the retaining, concrete preparation and drainage works. These elements formed the foundation for the construction that followed.

Much of this preparation would eventually be hidden beneath the finished landscape, but it played an important role in supporting the completed outdoor space.

Structural Concrete and Pool Surrounds

The concrete pool surrounds were about more than appearance.

Reinforcement, formwork and the structural beam were important parts of the construction, supporting the long-term structural integrity of the pool surrounds.

Getting these elements right before moving on to the finishes was essential to the overall construction sequence.

For projects involving significant concrete and structural preparation, the details beneath the finished surface matter just as much as the materials people see.

Sandstone Features and Outdoor Living Areas

Natural sandstone was used throughout the landscape to introduce texture and define the different outdoor spaces.

Sandstone logs created retaining and edging features, while sandstone landscape steps connected the different levels of the backyard.

A dedicated gravel fire-pit area was also constructed, creating another place for the family and guests to gather and enjoy the outdoor environment.

Stepping stones set into a gravel path provided a practical connection alongside the pool, while garden areas helped soften the surrounding hard surfaces.

Pool Fencing and Finishing Details

To complete the pool area, our team installed frameless toughened-glass fencing and a matching glass gate.

The glass fencing provides the required separation around the pool while maintaining a clear outlook across the surrounding landscape.

Additional finishing works included steel garden edging, preparation for garden lighting, and an acoustic enclosure around the pool equipment.

Steppers, Irrigation and Planting

The surrounding landscape brought the different areas together.

Steppers provided connections through the outdoor space, while irrigation, turf and planting introduced greenery and softened the hardscape.

The combination of paved surfaces, open lawn and garden areas helped create a more balanced outdoor environment, with room for the family to enjoy the space beyond the pool itself.

After: A Complete Outdoor Living Space

What began as a blank canvas around a newly installed pool has become a finished outdoor environment designed for family use and everyday enjoyment.

The completed landscape brings together the pool surrounds, paving, retaining, glass fencing, lawn and planting to create a cohesive space.

From the poolside areas to the surrounding lawn and entertaining spaces, each element contributes to how the family can use and enjoy their backyard.

Project Impact

Projects like Shoal Bay are a reminder that the best outdoor spaces are built on more than what you see once construction is finished.

The paving, pool surrounds and planting create the visual result, but the preparation, reinforcement, formwork and drainage beneath them are just as important.

By considering these elements from the beginning and coordinating each stage of construction, our team has transformed a blank backyard into a functional, family-focused outdoor space built to be enjoyed for years to come.

The Suppliers Behind the Project

A successful landscape project also relies on quality materials and the suppliers who help bring the design together.

The Shoal Bay project involved several local and specialist suppliers:

• 4 Seasons Landscape Supplies – Supplied drainage gravel, crusher dust, agricultural drainage pipe, geofabric, sand, Earth Engine turf underlay and compost, and Redcor steel edging.

• Gosford Quarries – Supplied the sandstone logs and landscape steps used throughout the project.

• Saddingtons Building Supplies – Supplied building and construction materials, including plywood, framing materials and reinforcing components.

• Maitland Ready Mixed Concrete – Supplied the concrete materials used for the structural and paved areas.

• Calo Crete – Provided concreting labour.

• Glendale Select Plants – Supplied the Little Gem Magnolia trees.

• Musturf – Supplied the Sir Walter Buffalo turf.

• Riverside Agricultural Services – Supplied the irrigation materials and services.

More Than Pool Surrounds: Complete Landscape Design and Construction

A successful outdoor transformation often involves several different construction elements working together.

At Jason Reading Landscapes, we bring landscape design and construction together, helping homeowners turn their ideas into complete outdoor spaces.

Our services include:

• ⁠Landscape Design – Thoughtful landscape plans that consider your property, priorities and how you want to use your outdoor space.
• ⁠Landscape Construction – From site preparation, retaining and concrete work through to paving, pool surrounds, irrigation and planting.
• ⁠Residential Landscaping – Complete outdoor transformations designed around your home and lifestyle.

Explore More of Our Work

Every property presents different opportunities and construction considerations. Explore more of our completed projects to see how our team approaches a range of residential landscapes.

Planning Your Own Landscape Project?

Whether you’re planning a poolside transformation, a complete backyard redesign or a new outdoor entertaining area, getting the planning and construction right from the beginning makes a difference.

Jason Reading Landscapes provides landscape design and construction services across Newcastle, Maitland, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter Valley.