Birtinya Library Placemaking Analysis

Sustainability Outcomes

Environmentally Sustainable Outcomes

• Recognition and Restoration of Natural Landscapes: The project acknowledges the area’s history as Wallum Country, which was known for its heathland and wildflowers. A key historical lesson was the importance of coastal dunes; after a cyclone in 1972 washed away sections of the foreshore due to dune removal, developers were forced to raise the dune heights and add a vegetation buffer, a practice that influences the landscape today.
• Conservation and Environmental Activism: The report highlights the historical role of conservationists like Kathleen McArthur and the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, who successfully lobbied to preserve native wildflowers and vegetation in Kawana.
• Proposed Reintroduction of Native Flora: The design thinking for the future development includes specific proposals to re-establish the area’s natural heritage through the creation of a “Wallum Country Garden” with native wildflowers, Paperbarks, and Banksias, as well as a “Bush Tucker Garden”.
• Sustainable Design Proposals: Future plans for the space incorporate modern sustainable technologies, including proposals for:
  • Sustainable water capture and recycling for water-play areas.
  • The use of “solar trees” and solar-roofed shade structures to power lights on the site.
  • A plastic recycling program where recycled plastic is used to create filament for a 3D printer, which can then create useful items and art.

Socially Sustainable Outcomes

• Fostering Community and Social Connection: A core goal of the project is to create a central “living room” for the community where people can come together to share experiences and form connections. The plan is designed to serve all age groups through multi-generational activities and spaces.
• Development of a Health and Education Hub: The area has been strategically developed as a health and knowledge precinct, incorporating hospitals and health institutes. This has created an ecosystem that integrates work and social life, attracting professionals and fostering a culture of active lifestyles and communal gathering.
• Creation of a Vibrant Nighttime and Food Economy: The project supports the area’s evolution into a destination with a focus on entertainment and dining. This is evident in the inclusion of spaces for food vans and markets, communal dining areas, and venues for live music and performances.
• Celebrating Local History, Arts, and Culture: The report’s ultimate purpose is to ensure the development is place-driven and brings the Sunshine Coast’s culture, art, and heritage to life. Proposed uses for the new space include art exhibits, an artist-in-residence program, and outdoor displays sharing local stories and Indigenous history.
• Promoting an Active and Recreational Lifestyle: Building on Kawana’s history of sport and recreation, the proposed design includes numerous facilities that encourage an active lifestyle, such as a skate park, a “Fit Path” running track, spaces for exercise classes like yoga and tai chi, and kayak and bike racks.
• Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity: The design thinking explicitly includes provisions for accessibility, such as wheelchair-accessible tables and ramp access to raised decks, ensuring people of all abilities can use the spaces. The project also considers the needs of diverse demographics, including people with disabilities, through its planning.