Location:
The Spit, Gold Coast
Summary:
8LA prepared the concept reference design for the Gold Coast Waterways Authority. The project was one of the first stages of The Spit Masterplan (May 2019) to be undertaken and is located in a particularly scenic, high profile and well-used area with exposure to challenging coastal conditions. The following objectives guided the concept design and inform the detailed design:
– Provide equitable 3m shared path access with consideration of existing and future possible car parking
– Improve the quality of the landscape experience and aesthetic for the length of the journey in both directions.
– Provide shade, picnic and seating areas, amenities and showers.
– Celebrate the end of Moondarewa Spit by providing an opportunity for public art, interpretive wayfinding and information signage set against the backdrop of Broadwater and Gold Coast skyline panoramas to maintain the compound area at the southern end.
– Maintain and improve the ecological value and sustainability of the vegetation on the eastern side of the road and all dune landscape.
– Retain as much vegetation as possible and under prune existing trees to open up views to the water.
– Consider the durability of hard and soft landscape treatments to minimise maintenance and replacement.
– Increase areas of high-quality and useable lawn.
– Maintain access to eastern and western beaches and consider methods to mitigate wind and wave-blown sand issues, including mounding, dune vegetation and fences.
– Appropriately respond to the harsh exposed setting.
