Queensland Sites
Cooroy Lower Mill Site
introduction / overview / images / location / Qld-Projects
Landscape Architect: PLACE Design Group
Location: Cooroy River near Noosa, Queensland
SUMMARY
Community spirit, initiative and the desire to create a sense of place have been the driving motivations in the creation of a new community precinct in Cooroy at the Lower Mill Site. The process of community engagement and activation, the sympathy to the site’s heritage, resolution of environmental issues and the resourcefulness of the design approach, is at the core of this project submission.
The Mill buildings have a monumental presence in the precinct and in Cooroy. The place has an arresting impact as an industrial ruin - the concrete hulk of the kiln chambers, the rusted galvanised iron and weathered timber, the slowly decaying remnants of machinery, equipment, fixtures and fittings - all combine to evoke a tough industrial aesthetic. The work to refurbish the buildings undertaken at the direction of the landscape architect, have deliberately retained this aesthetic with the new landscape work complementing, and being submissive to, this character: the Mill buildings are very clearly the focus.
The first stage of works has seen restoration and contemporary reuse of the remaining sawmill buildings, revegetation of Cooroy Creek and the creation of a forecourt space that provides the entry point to the interpretation walkway.
The process of community activation has lead to a high degree of interest, stewardship and motivation to participate in activities on the site, and discovery of the town’s history for newer residents. This activation process has taken time and social investment – but it is critical to ensure that this new precinct is part of the community, after being excluded from the site for nearly 10 years.
introduction / overview / images / location / Qld-Projects
2010
