Parklands push Gold Coast's sustainability cred

BROADWATER Parklands at Southport on Queensland’s Gold Coast is setting the standard for sustainable landscapes by implementing energy efficiency and water sensitive urban design initiatives. Commissioned by Gold Coast City Council, the parklands’ $32 million stage one was designed and delivered by AECOM as part of the revitalisation of central Southport, incorporating increased protection of the area’s natural attributes and better connections between the CBD and foreshore.

Associate director of AECOM’s Design + Planning team Josh Hinwood said the design embodies a commitment to ecosystem preservation that will propel the Gold Coast into the next evolution of environmentally sustainable design (ESD).

“255 photovoltaic solar cells positioned along a series of linear shade structures generate energy for the site, significantly reducing the parklands’ reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity from the grid,” said Hinwood. As part of the parklands’ water sensitive urban design, run-off from a significant portion of the Southport CBD is treated in a number of vegetated stormwater treatment systems including a central urban wetland and bioretention systems before its discharge into the Broadwater.

A newly created mangrove wetland enhances the quality of the stormwater discharged by providing conditions which support sedimentation, thereby increasing pollutant uptake. Encompassing an area of 1.2 ha at the outfall of the Nind Street catchment, the mangroves also provide a suitable habitat for coastal species such as fish and crustaceans along the parklands’ edge. “Initiatives such as the mangrove wetland and central urban wetland reduce stormwater pollutant loads entering the Broadwater and increase the diversity of marine habitat within the parklands,” said Hinwood.

Footpaths and paved areas are designed so that runoff is directed onto adjacent landscaped areas, providing for passive irrigation. A newly installed irrigation infrastructure allows easy crossover to future use and provision of recycled water. The ‘Rockpools’ children’s water play area currently under construction will utilise saltwater drawn from the adjacent Broadwater to minimize the use of potable water.

According to Hinwood, fundamental to these sustainability initiatives was the consideration of the needs and aspirations of the local community and focus on revitalisation, which then informed and influenced the design of the parklands. “The design links the city to the water physically and emotionally through the creation of a strong, at grade, linear axis from which all park amenities and activities stem,” said Hinwood.

The extended pier plays a major role in this connection, extending to the water’s edge and beyond, and providing a space for community events such as markets, fishing and boat mooring. The design also pays homage to the Broadwater’s natural beauty and the local Gold Coast lifestyle, with an interactive water playground, public stage, outdoor screen and pedestrian and bicycle paths to make the most of the warm seasonal climate.

“Colourful beach-style furniture, constructed using 100 per cent recycled plastic batterns, is located throughout the parklands to reflect the Gold Coast’s identity as a much-loved holiday destination, whilst the main lawn features a striped beach towel paving design and has been designed to accommodate a host of world-class events,” said Hinwood.

An enhanced pedestrian and cycle network is a key component of the structure of the design, establishing extensive walking and cycling opportunities in the parklands, with new end of trip facilities such as showers and lockers encouraging active transport use.

AECOM provided master planning, landscape architecture, water sensitive urban design and project management for stage one of the Southport Broadwater Parklands. AECOM was also responsible for providing the project’s civil, structural engineering, mechanical and electrical services.

Consultants List

• AECOM - lead consultant, master planning, landscape architecture, civil, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering
• Abigroup Contractors - main contractor
• Bitzios Consulting - traffic engineer
• Brad Comley - foreshore rehabilitation in conjunction with AECOM
• Design Flow - WSUD in conjunction with AECOM
• Design Stage - audio visual
• Digital Landscape - contractors
• Hydroplan - irrigation
• John Deshon - access consultant
• Opus Qantec McWilliam - hydraulic engineering
• Webb Australia - lighting design
• Whitearchitecture - architect