Queensland Sites
Cotton Tree Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Demonstration Precinct
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Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Project Summary
At the Sunshine Coast Regional Council we promote a water aware lifestyle encouraging sustainable use of our limited water resources. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council enjoys a rich array of natural assets such as creek and river systems, coastal plains, rainforests and rich agricultural and pastoral lands.
These natural assets underpin our lifestyle and the economic growth of our region. However these natural assets are also experiencing the pressures of rapid population growth, a consequence of the sea change phenomenon. Our major river system, the Maroochy River, continues to show signs of decline in its ecosystem health. Increased urban runoff is a contributing factor to our River’s health with increased sediment loads and uncharacteristic stormwater surges causing stream and habitat destruction.
In recognition of the importance of water to our environment, Sunshine Coast Regional Council has embarked on suite of projects aimed at demonstrating, promoting and encouraging responsible water management within our region. These projects are identified as the Maroochy River Recovery projects.
One component of the Maroochy River Recovery project suite was to establish a water sensitive urban design (WSUD) demonstration precinct at Cotton Tree. The construction of this precinct is a practical example of how the Council’s Landscape Design Unit is taking a lead role in integrated water management in the region. Since the early 1990’s, WSUD has been suggested as a key principle in moving towards more ecologically sustainable land development practices. However, a lack of local applications exists to assist in this practice progression.
This submission to the AILA Award for Design focuses on the design and construction of the Beach Parade Car Park and the retrofitting of Cotton Tree Library for rainwater harvesting to demonstrate practical applications of WSUD principles.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Landscape Design Unit played a leading role in the development of the project, through the progression of the concept design into design development and construction documentation. The construction outcomes of all landscaping works were under taken by council’s Parks and Bushland Services Branch and civil construction by the Road Management Services Branch under the guidance of the landscape architect.
The construction costs for the Beach Parade car-park (approx 100 hard stand parking bays) was $600,000. Of this cost, approximately $134,000 could be directly attributed to WSUD elements and materials. The direct cost to WSUD would be further offset by traditional materials and techniques if conventional design and construction had been adopted.
The site utilises five different proprietary pavement products and five different swale/ biofiltration styles. The 100 space car-park is heavily utilised and the WSUD initiatives have been enthusiastically endorsed by the community.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council landscape designers and asset managers continue to monitor the site as a case study for the long term performance and maintenance implications (if any) of each pavement product. Local industry developers and designers can also utilise the site to “shop” for different styles and combinations of porous pavement and biofilters to suite their individual needs.
This project continues to achieve two significant outcomes. Firstly, to educate the development industry and general public, through experimentation of new WSUD products and construction techniques. Secondly, to contribute to the improved health of the local waterways.
introduction / overview / images / location / Qld-Projects
2008
