Queensland Sites
Stradbroke Domain
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Landscape Architect: Cardno S.P.L.A.T.
Location: Stradbroke Domain is located on East Coast Road at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, East of Brisbane in South Eastern Queensland.
OVERVIEW
Location:
North Stradbroke Island is one of the jewels in the crown of South East Queensland.
Stradbroke Domain is located on East Coast Road at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island (refer Brisbane UBD map 334 J17), on the coastal flats behind Home Beach. Situated on the southern side of the road, it is nestled into the bushland reserve, which cloaks the steep ridgeline that rises protectively behind the site.
The site was once known as the Stradbroke Tourist Park, a privately owned and operated caravan park adjacent to the local lawn bowling club.
The consultant team’s brief was to remodel the existing holiday resort in such a way that retained the beach essence and leafy character, yet package it anew in line with the high environmental and holiday experience standards expected by the new generation of North Stradbroke Island residents and regulars. The objective was to create a Subtropical Queensland island resort landscape.
Cardno S.P.L.A.T. worked closely with the client (Consolidated Properties) and design consultants from planning (PMM), architectural (Donovan Hill) and hydrological engineering (Cardno Lawson Treloar) fields to establish the site layout and character.
The existing trees became the cornerstone of the team’s proposal for the 2ha site, overriding the ‘as-of-right’ development provisions for 35-metre long, three storey block buildings. The team’s preferred development scheme was for small individual dwellings –‘beach shacks’ and ‘villas’ – nestled amongst the existing trees in a coherent streetscape-like arrangement. The detailing at both architectural and landscape scales was to mimic nature, with the result envisioned as a resort seemingly carved out of the natural bushland.
Our role as landscape architects was to guide the design development along paths leading to ecological integrity. We were involved from an early stage and were able to review the team’s standard designs, practices and materials for alignment with the project vision and natural character of the Island. This guardianship continued through the construction process, ensuring on-ground decisions upheld the design intent.
Special Factors:
1. Tree retention
Large established trees are retained in extraordinarily close proximity to buildings, driveways and pathways. This is a result of Cardno S.P.L.A.T.’s coordination of an arborist and their day-to-day cooperation with the builder to customise the tree canopy, pile footings, or building frames as required.
2. Road Frontage
The entire road frontage is landscaped to match the Domain property, establishing a road verge typology to inspire other Point Lookout developers. Planting heights accommodate sightlines required by the Department of Main Roads, and groundcover species are resilient to maintenance with tractor-mounted implements as required by Redland Shire Council. The resultant landscape visually and ecologically integrates the Domain with both the bushland and the streetscape.
3. Materials palette.
Materials demonstrate sustainability with triple-bottom-line values. The plant palette is 100% indigenous to Point Lookout and, testament its success, the Domain is frequented by Lace-Monitors and a nesting pair of Bush Stone-Curlews. Sand pathways, reminiscent of dune beach access ways, permeate common areas. Frequently used pathways are constructed of a crushed Island stone for greater wearability and accessibility, yet maintaining an element of permeability. Large granite stones from the original Tourist Park were reused as informal seating. All materials specified were carefully considered in terms of weight and bulk suitable for transportation on the vehicle ferry. Imported soil products and ex-ground trees normally associated with resort developments did not feature in the Stradbroke Domain.
4. Stormwater treatment.
All storm water returns directly to the water table via gravel soakage pits at each downpipe, or swales, additionally, all internal roads have flush kerbs and drain into the landscape areas. Rock-lined swales were used within the Domain whereas a grass swale was used in the verge to comply with road safety and maintenance practices.
5. Revegetation.
The ‘embankment’ behind the site was degraded with weeds including many garden escapees from the original Tourist Park. These were removed and approximately 300m2 underwent supplementary planting.
Budget:
The construction budget for the landscape works was in the order of $400,000. It was spent across two stages and completed by early 2006.
The landscape design rejects the resort typology of tropical foliage and Balinese-style detailing. The direction taken instead draws inspiration from plant associations in local ecosystems, and uses high planting density and soil amelioration to encourage a ‘lush’ appearance.
The design concept required Cardno S.P.L.A.T. to extract the essence of the natural environment of the Island and translate it into a designed landscape. The resultant landscape is so ‘natural’ it appears it appears untouched by a designer’s hand.
Functionally, the planting design blends with the architectural composition to provide the ultimate private retreat, whilst carefully balancing human use and ecological integrity.
The Domain landscape responds thoughtfully to the brief to remodel the site. Retention of large gnarled Paperbark trunks and delicate Gum-tree canopies allow memories of a private shaded ‘hideaway’ to live on in the remodeled landscape, and capture new generations of holiday-makers. Sand pathways and coastal heath plant assemblages ensure the spirit of a beach holiday is emphasised.
Beach culture and the close proximity of bushland reserves are the raison d'être for all ‘special factors’ (listed above). The close proximity of the buildings – 700mm to 2400mm – made the need for privacy between the outdoor deck areas of each shack and villa critical. Thoroughfare into common areas was consequently limited and careful consideration given to mature species height to balance privacy and outlook.
Environmental responsibility and sustainability:
The materials palette (refer above) promotes the sustainable sourcing of landscape materials and celebrates local identity. Pandanus were sourced from an Island resident who grows them on from seed, ensuring local provenance and preventing pest/disease entry.
The plant assemblages in the Domain landscape and verge complete the ecological corridor between the remnant vegetation behind Home Beach and the ridgeline behind the site, and is already frequented by fauna. The planted verge sets a precedent at the gateway to the township of Point Lookout, promoting the use of indigenous plants in designed landscapes.
Other AILA environment principles employed include:
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WSUD techniques such as soakage pits, swales, minimal turf areas, and permeable path surfaces (sand and crushed Island stone).
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Sandy soils were ameliorated with a liquid seaweed extract produced in South East Queensland, which added colloids to the sand particles, enriching its water and nutrient holding capacity.
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The minimal turf areas within the resort minimise mowing equipment and the informal plant arrangements preclude hedging. Sand paths are best raked, eliminating the temptation to use a hose or blower.
The Stradbroke Domain landscape promotes the validity, practicality, and ecological integrity of using indigenous vegetation in designed landscapes on a large scale. Possibly the largest single site to be redeveloped under the Point Lookout Development Control Plan to date, it realises the theoretical principle of 100% indigenous species and sets a tangible and exemplary example to future development on the Island.
Client Statement:
The landmark location of North Stradbroke Island was very appealing to us as developers but we are acutely aware that location alone is not enough to ensure success. Careful tailoring of design and service is also needed to create a unique and unforgettable experience for our market.
We were very happy with the design team we assembled to remodel the Stradbroke Tourist Park into the upmarket and eco-friendly Stradbroke Domain beach resort that it is today. We placed our complete trust in the design team and, beyond the initial briefing, allowed them to present us with the possibilities for the site.
Cardno SPLAT worked closely with Donovan Hill and seamlessly coordinated their visions and designs. Their combined expertise and knowledge ensured that the resort was carefully designed to complement the beautiful natural environment of Stradbroke Island. The result has been a ‘winning formula’ for all concerned: Consolidated Properties, Redland Shire Council, and the Stradbroke Island ecology, community and economy.
The Stradbroke Domain began a new era in resort development for Consolidated Properties. The success of the Stradbroke Domain has inspired the formation of a series of Domain resorts in other beautiful natural locations. Whilst each Resort is tailored to its location, each follows the precedent set by the design team on the Stradbroke Domain: to be conceived, designed and constructed without compromise and created as a showcase in style.
introduction / overview / images / location / Qld-Projects
2008
