Southport Broadwater Parklands

designed by AECOM /

Location: Australia / Gold Coast / Type: Parks / Playgrounds / Waterfronts / Built: 2010 /
Show on Google Maps / Published on April 16, 2013

AECOM Design + Planning (Studio: Brisbane): Incorporating exemplary landscape, contemporary built forms and integrated environmental design, Broadwater Parklands has been transformed into an iconic gateway for the Gold Coast and a popular destination, where events, history and water combine to create an active green waterfront. The redevelopment of the parklands has rejuvenated this magnificently located public land, previously dominated by a large asphalt car park, into a contemporary world class foreshore park.

The development of this $42 million project was led by Gold Coast City Council with AECOM’s Design + Planning practice as the lead consultant and White Architecture as the project Architects. Some of the main features of the Parkland include: event lawns, bathing boxes, barbeque shelters and play equipment, a central community pavilion, extensive walking and cycling network, a new Anzac Park, a new 100m+ pier and the incredibly popular ‘Rockpools’ (boutique children’s waterplay space).

The design of the Parkland successfully meshes the beauty of the natural environment with an urban overlay that reconnects the city with the waterfront, caters for events of diverse scale and provides a myriad of high quality recreational experiences for visitors. Environmentally sustainable and water sensitive design innovations include an urban wetland that cleanses stormwater runoff before it enters the Broadwater, photovoltaic panels strikingly integrated into shade shelters to power park lighting, a children’s water-play feature that uses saltwater from the Broadwater to minimise the use of valuable potable water, extensive end of trip facilities to encourage alternative transport modes and urban furniture constructed largely of recycled plastic.

The project team’s response to the Broadwater’s natural environment reflects a commitment to ecosystem preservation that positions the Gold Coast at the forefront of sustainable design in the public realm.

Awards:
Planning Award in Landscape Architecture, Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) Queensland, 2009 Australian Institute of Architects, Regional Commendation, Urban Design, 2010
Australian Institute of Architects, State Commendation, Urban Design, 2010 Healthy Waterways Partnership, Water Sensitive Urban Design Award, 2010

Landscape Architecture: AECOM Design + Planning (Studio: Brisbane)
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Client: Gold Coast City Council
Completed: 2010