Project Name: Surf Parade Place Making Project

Practice Name: City of Gold Coast

Project Address: Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Demonstrate that a professional lighting design was undertaken for this project?

City Place Making, Infrastructure Delivery, GHD and Creative Lighting, as a collaborative group through the planning and design process were able to deliver the desired outcome. Using a combination of Multipoles and [undisclosed] luminaries were selected for the path and street lights.

For the decorative catenary lighting, the RGBW [undisclosed] globe was selected, which was suspended from Ronstan tensile suspension cables attached to the Multipoles.

Curtain lighting was installed all the existing Phoenix Palms in the street during Stage 1 and connected to the restaurant power supplies as a temporary measure. During Stage 2, the power supply was then reticulated to the underground mains and local distribution boards with time clock controls.

The streetscape design is an updated reflection of the existing culture and lifestyle of the street and precinct. The outcome is an enhanced public space, a pedestrian family friendly environment with comfortable access to the businesses, the wider pathway areas allow for increased pedestrian mobility, improved outdoor dining and an expanded major event space accompanied by a full lighting design that enhances both day and night activity.

It was identified with stakeholders during the Broadbeach Core Business Master Plan that the street was dated and in need of an overall enhancement due to neighbouring developments such as Pacific Fair, the Oracle and the Star Casino redevelopments having an economic impact on the precinct.

Prior to commencement of the project, a complete lighting audit was undertaken identifying the requirement for significant lighting improvement in the street. The design for new street and pathway pedestrian lighting, to comply with lighting Category P3 for roads in local areas and pathways, was a large component of the upgrade.

From the first concept drawing it was intended that the upgrade would include new street and pathway lighting as well as placing a high priority on the decorative element. RGBW LED Catenary lighting was identified as an overhead element which would embellish the overhead space during standard weeknight operations and enhance the streetscape during the major events such as Blues on Broadbeach and the Country Music Festival.

As Surf Parade is a key night precinct safety was a high priority for the stakeholders. As a result, a new compliant street and pathway lighting has been installed throughout the project to suit a lighting Category P3 in accordance with Australian Standards AS/NZS 1158. In addition, decorative curtain lighting was installed to the palm trunks and overhead themed catenary lighting which stretches the entire length of the project area.

All the lighting within the street is controlled remotely from a tablet. During standard day/night operations, lights are at 100% luminance for compliance, however in event mode the roadway and pathway lighting can be dimmed and/or switched off to allow the decorative catenary lighting to enhance the event. A range of colours, bursts and sequences can be programmed to compliment the event and architectural lighting elements of the surrounding buildings. The catenary lighting is also in operation during regular weekday/weekend operation. Energy efficiencies have also been considered with use of dimmable LED’s which aligns with the developing City’s Energy Efficiency Strategy

What was the main design objective for the lighting scheme?

The design concept of the lighting was to enhance the existing character of the Broadbeach precinct. Apart from improving the street and pathway lighting, it was seen to be crucial to introduce colour elements through catenary lighting to amplify the existing landscape elements within the street without competing or conflicting with the surrounding architectural lighting elements.

This ambient lighting enriches the night time experience and encourages people to stay longer in the precinct by creating a welcoming atmosphere within the street.

Demonstrate how lighting complements the design of the space by day?

Lighting is a key element within the streetscape and creates a vibrant atmosphere. During the day the impact is subtle with just the light poles visible and the catenary lights and wiring almost vanish in the background against high-rise elements above.

Showcase how lighting enhances the use and experience of the space after dark?

The use of colour and decorative light was intended to increase the appeal and ambience of the streetscape and improve the visitor experience as people traverse through the space to their intended dining establishment/bar/café encouraging people to stay for longer within the precinct.

During events, the catenary lighting can be changed to complement the festival colour palette and transform the streetscape into an extension of an outdoor room to improve the festival and dining atmosphere. Having the ability to dim the street and pathway lighting adds to the ambience for the occasion.

Highlight lighting creativity, problem-solving and thinking-outside-the-box?

The Creative Lighting ‘Control Freak’ system allows the City to change the colours and sequencing of the overhead catenary lighting as required to ensure there is a point of difference on a regular basis, especially during major events. 

How did you take Dark Sky considerations (prevention of lighting pollution) into account for this project?

Designing street and pathway lighting for a local road, to a lighting category suitable for the precinct was identified early in the project. This consideration was fundamental in the project not to over light the area thus avoiding excess light pollution.

All the street lights and pathway lights have dimmable ballast which can be remotely controlled to suit the required illumination requirements. Providing dimmable ballasts to the pathway lights also provided control not to over light the pathway to taking excess spill light from ground floor traders into account.

The combination of these strategies ensured minimal light pollution to the environment.

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