National Climate Change Project Consultation

AILA BRISBANE - Jean Rousseaux

Discuss – Urban Renewal on the Brisbane River Waterfront - 7 April 2009

The Brisbane River is at the core of Brisbane’s history, development and sense of place. This importance certainly contributed to the success of the first Discuss event organised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architectural with a focus on Urban Design issues: Urban Design along the Brisbane River.

More than 30 professionals, including planners and arboriculturists as well as landscape architects, gathered to hear about innovative approaches conceived, planned or being delivered along the Brisbane River waterfront.

Kevin Hayes (principal, Kevin Hayes Architects) opened the event with a proposal to re-unite William Street with the Brisbane River. His plan is to capitalise on the role played by this part of town as an arrival point from Victoria Bridge, as well as an elevated bank suitable for early white settlement. His idea is for the removal of the two freeway ramps leading to Elizabeth Street and visually as well as physically separating the Treasury building and State Library from the River. These would be replaced by a landscaped urban plaza which would span above the lower lanes of the freeway, and provide a terraced edge down to the City Cat terminal. The project would also include integrated public transport connections underground. The debate on alternative ways to revive North Bank is alive and well!

David Cunningham (project manager, Urban Land Development Authority) provided an insight in how masterplanning contributes to giving shape to big ideas for urban renewal. The North Shore Hamilton project will reshape not only activity along the Brisbane River, but also affect and connect with the existing urban environment beyond Kingsford Smith Drive. The project for mixed use development is dependent on the provision of a quality built environment, including open space, as well as extension of existing public transport to cater for the precinct, and the careful staging of land release as well as the progressive departure of existing noxious industry to new premises.

Mandy Rounsefell (Project Landscape Architect, Conics) focused on the detailed design approach used in the development of North Shore park at Hamilton to translate the history and significance of the site over time in the new context of the North Shore precinct.

A very close liaison with the project management team and local artists contributed to overcome many challenges in the development of a unique park in Brisbane, complete with a café, play sculptures, and a new beach where the naturally occurring sand is heavily used by all.

 

 

National Council Update

It was an impressive baton handover – without missing a step – from Chris Boulton’s departing Queensland executive to the new team. There I was thinking that Chris’s presidency will be a hard act to follow, with some great and long lasting achievements, but to then see the enthusiasm of our new State executive and note the ongoing and committed endorsement of our growing list of sponsors is hugely encouraging.

Thanks Chris for leading the team to this point, and welcome to the new executive.

The challenge is on for the AILA to host a successful national conference in Brisbane after the outstanding success of the recent national conference in Melbourne in May. Our executive director is working on some interesting initiatives in this area for 2011: more soon from the National Office.

In the meantime we have our national one-day conference in Perth on 21st September this year, preceded by the next National Council meeting and national AGM on Sunday 20th September: come celebrate international day of peace in the west!

Don’t overlook the recent big announcement: The Australian Gallery of Design. A partnership between AILA and the university of Canberra, the National Museum and the AIA. Our first exhibition has opened.

Also, the AILA has been represented nationally with other partners in the formation of the Australian Design Coalition. Key objectives are currently being identified. The AILA National Representative on this is our own Professor Gini Lee.

The AILA is having increasing success in our advocacy activities and in seeking new partnerships in a number of areas. Two recent actions are:

• CHASS: Council of the Humanities, Arts and Social Science. The AILA has applied to join this Council and recently attended a workshop and presentations on Design and Research in Canberra.

• DRI : Design research Institute: Members of National Council and National Office met with members of the DRI in Melbourne to explore future relationships.

As you will be aware, our National Climate Change for the Professions Project has led to the development of the Landscape Principles which were used as a basis for the national conference. The next stage is to use the principles to influence the education policy and to underpin a program of CPD: and of course to frame debate in all our activities. Key dates ahead are: Stage Two: 2009 – 2010 – to develop CPD units; Stage Three: 2010 – 2011 – delivery of CPD.

In other areas of National Council Policy Development, the following is underway:

1. Urban Design Policy: Being developed with BEDP and other partners in conjunction with Innovation Council and Infrastructure Australia. AILA Executive Director /AILA as leader for this initiative.
2. Carbon Free Environment. (planned)
3. Green Infrastructure policy: a draft is being prepared by Catherine Neilson.
4. National Registration Policy: Drafted by AILA Executive Director for BEDP consideration.
5. AILA Research Policy. (planned)
6. AILA Education – Accreditation Standards Policy – currently being reviewed.

Regarding Education, our Accreditation Standards Review has completed the first round of consultations on the 28 May 2009. Some issues were identified and matters still to be clarified: we may look at a recent graduate survey following several key comments received as part of the consultations. A report and recommendations is being readied for National Council consideration.
Finally, nationally there are now some 1,300 members on our database, with we hope to welcome quite a few new members joining us soon in our own State.

 

AILA SUN – Greg Thomas

Sunshine Coast Landscape Architects making a mark on the Regions Public Spaces

A focus on public space regeneration and improvement is recently being experienced on the Sunshine Coast. Spearheaded by the recently amalgamated Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s (SCRC) Landscape and Urban Design Unit, has seen the recent completion of spaces such as Cornmeal Parade and a section of the Mooloolaba foreshore park.

Cornmeal Parade adjoining Cornmeal Creek is a public walkway that links the Sunshine Plaza shopping centre to the Esplanade, Cotton Tree. Quality surface finishes, sculptural seating walls and colourful feature lighting totems provides an interesting arrangement of the linear space. The obligatory WSUD swales and basins have also been included in the design.

Mooloolaba Foreshore includes upgraded children’s play equipment, picnic areas, pathways and beach access adjacent to the Mooloolaba Surf Club. PLACE Design Group’s design and documentation included the retention of existing trees providing instant shade to the upgraded seating and barbeque facilities together with the sea breezes means the space is extensively used.

Another recently completed work is the upgrading to the renowned Hasting Street in Noosa. Urban designers Architectus, assisted by Gamble McKinnon Green on planting works, recently received a RAIA Regional Commendation Award for this project. The replacement of pedestrian pavements with stone and coloured concrete that also incorporates sandblasted patterning has unified the street creating an individual identity that is reinforced with the unique street furniture.

The list of recently improved public spaces is soon to be expanded as other projects including Nambour Town Centre and Bulcock Beach Esplanade (Caloundra) are currently under construction.

Place Design Group has assisted SCRC in the design and documentation of the Bulcock Beach Esplanade. When complete the foreshore will incorporate an enlarged boardwalk, improved beach access and picnic facilities, public artworks and custom furniture, in total costing in the region of 8 million dollars.

Another first for the Sunshine Coast is the nearly completed commercial office complex ‘The Edge’ which is the first Certified Green Star Project on the Sunshine Coast. Having the advantage of being located on the shores of Lake Kawana with a north facing aspect, it achieves benchmark levels in providing natural daylight to large areas of the interior of the building.

Developed by RGD Property Group with the landscape designed by their in-house Landscape Architects, the extensive landscaped area uses drought tolerant species and irrigation water harvested from the roof of the two buildings. Substantial bicycle facilities have also been provided making cycling to work an attractive option and taking full advantage of the pedestrian/cyclist link from the site, to the lake and key north-south coastal cycle routes.

Landscape Architect for RDG, Tracey Carbis said ‘This project provides a benchmark towards a more sustainable future and the community with a tangible local product. ‘The Edge’ is a timely and important step forward for the Sunshine Coast development industry.’

This will also go down well with the SCRC whose aim is to be Australia’s most sustainable region.
So next time you’re visiting the Sunshine Coast spare a moment to visit one or two of the exciting projects designed by one of your Sunshine Coast colleagues.