Three Sunshine Coast projects have been nominated for awards in a program that recognises the work of landscape architects in Australia.
The Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards acknowledge the impact the profession has on people through the planning and design of the built and natural environments.
The awards, run by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), recognise landscapes ranging from parks to schools, playgrounds, master plans, streetscapes and more.
The three eligible local projects are Sunshine Coast Council’s Woombye Placemaking Streetscape Upgrade in the Civic Landscape category, the UniSC Sunshine Coast campus master plan in the Cultural Heritage and Landscape Planning category and the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park master plan in the Landscape Planning, Parks and Open Space category.
All award entries are also eligible for the People’s Choice Award.
Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards jury chair Liam Cridland said the awards recognised the important role landscapes play.
“Landscape architecture as a discipline can heal, regenerate, reinvigorate, or re-life our urban and regional landscapes and community and cultural spaces across a variety of scales,” he said.
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“Those designers and practices who can advocate, design, champion or be a voice for those other than human users, stakeholders or silent partners is critical in our varied and diverse roles.
“This year, the jury welcomed and applauded projects that showed examples of true and tangible leadership in these areas, through varied and specific community and cultural engagement.
“Processes in which the hand of the landscape architect was clearly visible in guiding and resolving the final outcomes.”
The AILA project overview for the Woombye project says the upgrades along Blackall Street have brought the centre of the town to life.
“Formerly a wide expanse of unwelcoming asphalt, the western end of Woombye’s main street has been transformed with the addition of new raised crossings, pathways, gardens and street trees, seating and a cultural trail, creating a much-needed civic heart,” it reads.
“Led by local government landscape architects, the project vision, aims and objectives emerged through a place-based approach to community engagement and design.”
The University of the Sunshine Coast project, by Aurecon and LatStudios with Blaklash, was done with “deep and collaborative consultation” with the campus Elder in Residence and representatives from the local Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) peoples, the project overview says.
“The master plan was underpinned by design with country principles to integrate, embed and acknowledge meaningful cultural and ecological storytelling and traditional practice learnings within the campus public realm and built form interfaces, and to connect the campus country itself into university coursework as a living lab for cultural knowledge,” it states.
The notes for the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park master plan, by Hassell, say it would become a “refuge for wildlife and the community”.
“The Sunshine Coast Ecological Park is set to transform 65 hectares of farmland into a place of ecological wonder for generations to discover and enjoy,” it states.
“The design establishes a framework for a new parkland that will deliver nature-based recreation, education and research, while ‘healing country’ by restoring its environmental and cultural heritage values.”
The People’s Choice Award will be announced at the awards on June 13. Voting is now open and closes on June 2.
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