Stage One: Beaudesert Main Street Tamborine Mountain … Introducti… · vibrant towns of the scenic rim. john mongard landscape architects Vibrant Towns Of The Scenic Rim. Stage

vibrant towns of the scenic rim john mongard landscape architectsvibrant towns of the scenic rim john mongard landscape architects

Vibrant Towns Of The Scenic RimStage One: Beaudesert, Main Street Tamborine Mountain and Boonah

By John Mongard Landscape Architects

September 2016

ii vibrant towns of the scenic rim john mongard landscape architects

scenic rim + towns =unique places

foreword

As Scenic Rim Mayor it gives me great pleasure to provide an introduction to this important consultation document.

In late 2015, Scenic Rim Regional Council commissioned John Mongard Landscape Architects to work with the communities of Tamborine Mountain, Boonah and Beaudesert to develop draft town centre master plans for each of these population centres. This draft document is the outcome of this collaborative process, a series of plans for the revitalisation of these three important town centres as part of Council’s Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages initiative.

These three plans represent just the first stage of a wider body of work which will ultimately capture the future vision for each of the significant population centres of the Scenic Rim, from east to west and north to south. Tamborine Mountain, Boonah and Beaudesert were selected first given their strategic position as the principal population and commercial activity centres of the region.

The Scenic Rim is blessed with a wonderful blend of natural environment, prime agricultural land and unique communities. The challenge for us is to position this region strategically to maximise our prosperity through sustainable growth whilst preserving our unique offering for future generations.

Central to this equation is fostering liveable regional communities where people aspire to live, work and play. This requires town centres that are vibrant and dynamic spaces where people are engaged both socially and commercially.

The draft town centre master plans provide a long-term framework for enhancements to the built environment of our town centres through the delivery of infrastructure and streetscape improvements which reflect the unique personality and characteristics of each. This is not simply an exercise in beautification, it is a revitalisation program underpinned by real economic outcomes. By investing in our town centres over the coming years, we seek to pro-actively create an environment which encourages increased community interaction. We want to create local hearts that pulse with the life, energy and DNA of our communities. Attracting people also provides the catalyst for business and employment opportunities. Thriving town centres are vital threads in the social and economic fabric of the Scenic Rim.

Our objective is to deliver a built environment which resonates with residents and visitors alike, but which also yields this economic dividend for our communities. These are exciting times for the Scenic Rim and I invite you to be a part of this journey by contributing your feedback to the draft town centre master plans for Tamborine Mountain, Boonah and Beaudesert.

Cr Greg Christensen

Mayor

iiivibrant towns of the scenic rim john mongard landscape architects

tableof contents

Chapter 1: Vibrant Towns Of The Scenic Rim 1:1Foreword written by the Scenic Rim Mayor 1:iiTable of contents 1:iii

The project team 1:1Bringing towns alive 1:2The communities need to own the plan 1:2Squares + community hubs = vibrant heart 1:3What is vibrancy? 1:4Vibrant towns 1:5Scenic Rim towns 1:6How to foster vibrancy 1:7Talking about the towns 1:8Ideas on the street 1:8Postcards from the squares of the Scenic Rim 1:9Finding the real town 1:10What do the towns need most? 1:11Scenic Rim + towns = unique brand 1:12

Chapter 2: Beaudesert 2:iContents 2:iii

Beaudesert at the crossroads 2:1Creating a heart 2:2Beaudesert’s future 2:4Post cards from Beaudesert 2:5Ten key issues to fix 2:6Key projects in Beaudesert 2:7Signature projects 2:8Short term actions in Beaudesert 2:8Town centre masterplan 2:9Beaudesert town square 2:10Beaudesert’s vibrant green heart 2:11Highlights 2:11Challenges 2:11Options 2:11Beaudesert’s vibrant green heart 2:12Beaudesert’s town square 2:14Beaudesert’s green boulevard 2:15Beaudesert’s town square 2:16

From cars to people: Changing Brisbane street south 2:18The Beaudesert gateway precinct 2:19Beaudesert gateway precinct masterplan 2:20Highlights 2:21Challenges 2:21Beaudesert gateway precinct 2:27District playground + skate park 2:28Regional playground + skate park 2:30Key streetscapes 2:32Urban design strategy 2:35Future development gateway precinct 2:37Urban design strategy 2:38Masterplan projects and costs 2:39Projects and costs 2:40

Background to the plan An Indigenous history of the Scenic Rim 2:42A very brief history of early Beaudesert main street 2:44Ideas and issues for Beaudesert 2:45Great things about Beaudesert 2:49Good ideas for Beaudesert’s town centre 2:49If we could do one thing in Beaudesert 2:50Planning issues on the main street 2:51Planning issues in the broader centre 2:52 Planning issues district level 2:53Traffic and transport in the main street 2:54Traffic issues for the broader centre 2:55Planning for people not cars 2:56 Plants of Beaudesert 2:58

Chapter 3: Boonah 3:iContents 3:iii

Postcards from Boonah 3:1Squares + community hubs = Vibrant heart 3:2Keeping Boonah bustling 3:3

Boonah’s future 3:4Ten key issues to fix 3:6Emerging key projects in Boonah 3:7Signature projects 3:8Short term actions 3:8Town centre masterplan 3:9Boonah’s town square plan 3:10Town square masterplan 3:11Boonah town square 3:12Boonah village green 3:13Highlights 3:14Challenges 3:14Town avenues 3:15Vibrant laneways 3:16Improved carparking 3:18Key streetscapes 3:20We are Boonah 3:25Urban design 3:26Masterplan projects and costs 3:27Projects and costs 3:28

Background to the planAn Indigenous history of the Scenic Rim 3:30A very brief history of early Boonah main street 3:32Ideas and issues for Boonah 3:33If we could do one thing in Boonah 3:39Great things about Boonah 3:40Good ideas for Boonah’s town centre 3:41Plants of Boonah

Chapter 4 : Tamborine Mountain 4:iContents 4:iii

Postcards from Tamborine Mountain 4:1Grounded in the mountain: A plan for main street 4:2Ten key issues to fix 4:4Tamborine Mountain’s future 4:5

iv vibrant towns of the scenic rim john mongard landscape architects

Issue F: 1 September 2016

BoonahBeaudesert Tamborine Mountain

Highlights 4:13Challenges 4:13A new library hub in the centre - option b 4:14Library interior option b : ground level 4:16Library interior option b : upper level 4:17Tamborine Mountain village greens 4:18Key streetscapes 4:20Adjoining areas Main Western Road 4:30Urban design 4:32Mountain architecture 4:34Masterplan projects and costs 4:36Projects and costs 4:37

Background to the planAn Indigenous history of the Scenic Rim 4:40A very brief history of early Tamborine main street 4:42Ideas and issues for Tamborine Mountain 4:43If we could do one thing in Tamborine Mountain 4:47Great things about Tamborine Mountain 4:47Good ideas for main street 4:48Plants of Tamborine Mountain 4:49

Chapter 5 : The Scenic Rim Way 5:iContents 5:iiiThe connected town experience 5:iv

Towns as connected experiences 5:1The Scenic Rim Way 5:2The east-west connection 5:3The regional destinations 5:4The Scenic Rim Way experience 5:6The Scenic Rim markers 5:7Announcing the towns: gateway markers 5:9Scenic Rim nature trails 5:10Eat local: the local food trail 5:11The vibrant traders grant 5:12Art built-in 5:13Public art process 5:14

Stories of the Scenic Rim 5:15The Scenic Rim Way: Connecting the lookouts to the towns 5:16Connecting towns and lookouts 5:17Tamborine Mountain gateway project 5:18The Scenic Rim Way: gateways and markers order of costs 5:21

AppendicesContents

Appendix A -Making towns vibrant - a new process A:1The challenge A:2Goals of the project A:2Of many plans... A:3Why country towns matter A:3Building with quality A:4A better way A:4Our town centre design process A:4

Main street renewal process A:5The big picture A:6

Appendix B -History of the vibrant towns B:1An indigenous history of the Scenic Rim B:2A very brief history of early Beaudesert main street B:4A very brief history of early Boonah main street B:5A very brief history of early Tamborine main street B:6

Appendix C -Policy and literature review C:1Vibrant towns of the Scenic Rim: project goals C:2Scenic Rim policy review C:3Policy and planning context C:4Scenic Rim literature review C:8

vibrant towns of the scenic rim john mongard landscape architects

the project team

Project Co-ordinators• Hugh Dunne• Jane Williamson

Project Design Team• John Mongard• Jacqueline Ratcliffe• Mel Bree

Assisting Specialists• Sue Kyte (Research and Cultural Planning)• Steven Burgess (Traffic / Transport)• Greg Ovenden (Town Planning)• Tory Jones (Cultural Tourism)• Dennis Gascoigne (Civil Engineering)

We thank the Councillors, Council staff and the Scenic Rim community for their creativity and

engagement in this project.

Vibrant Towns of the Scenic Rim is a landmark project to create an integrated region of outstanding towns and destinations focused on local culture and community life. The three flagship towns of Beaudesert, Boonah and Main Street in Tamborine Mountain are the focus of the first stage of the study.

The masterplans are guides which capture the ideas of each community and turn these into concepts to create better towns and places. The emerging masterplans are long term vehicles to progress the towns of the Scenic Rim towards a vibrant future. The plans identify both small and big actions to make each town outstanding places to stay and linger.


The purpose of the Scenic Rim Villages masterplan is to enhance the character and heritage of the Scenic Rim’s towns and villages, and deliver physical, economic and social outcomes for the community. An integrated approach has been taken which seeks to understand the distinctive places and the region, community needs, issues, aspirations and capabilities.

The Community Plan’s VATV theme highlights the physical attributes of place, their role in supporting community life, and the perceptions of residents and visitors. A key VATV priority is ‘bringing towns and villages alive through events, activities and celebration’.

bringing towns alive the communities need to own the plan

A significant asset of the Scenic Rim is its strong social networks, high levels of participation, and creativity. Recognising and drawing on these strengths throughout the VATV master planning process will not only improve the physical place but also has the potential to build community capacity and leadership, nurture the expression of identity, and develop skills and partnerships that will facilitate ownership and more sustainable outcomes. Meaningful community engagement through the process has provided a deeper and more immediate understanding of needs, aspirations and issues, and has helped to identify clear priorities and strategies for implementing a vision in a logical and timely way.

The VATV Master Plan provides an opportunity to create positive outcomes for communities through improvements to the streetscape and public space in Scenic Rim’s towns and villages.

Places and spaces that encourage human interaction and expression – the things that are the essence of community and country.


Our unique approach is to create vibrancy by activating main streets together with community hubs.

The community hubs of The Scenic Rim are the libraries, halls and community centres. They attract hundreds of people every day into the towns, but they are mostly disconnected from life on the main street.

The three libraries alone had over 180,000 visitors in 2015. If these visitors engaged more with the main street the towns would be full of life.

Council cannot control the future of shops and businesses, but it can shape and activate the main street and the community hubs which it manages for the community. This calls for change in both the quality of the main street and to the spaces and activities within the community hubs.

squares + community hubs =vibrant heart


Vibrant and Active Towns are towns which thrive, not just survive. Towns which bustle with life during the working day, but also in the evenings and on the weekend. Towns which embrace and celebrate their unique stories, culture and landscape, thus offering visitors authentic Australian experiences. Where events and festivals activate main streets and create destinations which encourage overnight stays. Where people are attracted to live and to stay, where businesses feel confident in setting up shop, and which are actively shaped by their communities.

Country towns are defined by the quality and experience of their main streets. The main street is characterised by shops which face the street and by footpaths and spaces that form a town’s public gathering place. Vibrant and active towns thus need great main streets and lively public gathering places to thrive and become destinations.

How to create authentic vibrancy: the things that attract and are meaningful for locals are also those that attract visitors. Towns and significant places across the Scenic Rim have a wealth of stories that can be shared with visitors. Public art, signage, and interpretive markers can provide recognition and promotion for valued natural and cultural heritage. This approach can also build a stronger connection with place for residents, especially if it involves and draws on the knowledge and creativity of the local community.

Linking and improving existing community facilities and events creates vibrancy by providing places for communities and visitors to gather and celebrate. Infrastructure improvements that encourage exploration, build community identity, recognise heritage and creative expression not only draw people to places - towns, villages and regions - but can also bring social and economic benefits.

what is vibrancy?


• Have lively day and night life

• Feature local foods, skills and people

• Are best experienced on foot

• Encourage people to live, work and play locally

• Feel community-oriented

• Are great places to visit

• Create active main streets

vibrant towns


Where we are now...

• Car-focused• Towns needing character• Nine to five activity• Lacking things for visitors, youth

and the elderly• A place for convenience

scenic rim towns

Where we want to be...

• People-oriented• Unique brands and flavours• Nightlife and weekend trade• Providing interesting places to see • Community life on the street• A destination

Cartoons drawn by Phil Day


how to foster vibrancy

Elected Councillors and Council

• Champion the plan

• Promote a region of connected places

Council departments • Promote an integrated strategy

• Align programmes and capital works

• Work collaboratively

• Follow the plan through

• Use local traders and promote local crafts

Traders and owners • Collaborate and help with sponsorship

• Support the plan

• Improve buildings and signage

• Improve customer service

• Don’t park on the main street

• Welcome visitors

Community • Support local businesses

• Support street activities

• Walk and ride into main street

• Be part of community life

• Collaborate with skills and knowledge

• Create local art and craft


Key issues and themes emerged from the town analysis process, which included a range of stakeholder and community walks, workshops and site planning held throughout November and December in 2015.

Consultation began with six workshops involving various Council stakeholders which were used to identify ideas and issues.

November workshops included local Councillors, Executive Team members and Council Officers from all sectors of Council (particularly officers who reside in the designated town) and community members. Workshops consisted of a walk through the main centres to identify issues and ideas, followed by a mapping workshop. These engagements occurred on successive Wednesdays:

• 11th November at Boonah Cultural Centre. Boonah.• 18th November Zamia Theatre, Main St, North Tamborine. • 25th November at Beaudesert Library, Beaudesert.

A workshop was held on Monday 30th November, where members of the Executive Team, the Manager for Planning, John Mongard from JMLA and Steven Burgess, Transport Planner with MR Cagney, toured relevant streets in Beaudesert to assist with problem-solving complicated traffic issues and planning issues for the major centre of the shire.

Additional engagement workshops occurred in December 2015. Community stakeholders from the local Chamber of Commerce, traders, tourism, arts and community organisations brainstormed to add to the ideas emerging from the other workshops. This was followed by shopfront / footpath engagements to get ideas on the street, and to allow for informal input from local people. Door to door informal surveys were done with some traders and shops to get further input. The following ‘ideas on the street’ sessions were carried out:

• Boonah Wednesday 2nd December at the Boonah Cultural Centre and the IGA shopfront, High StreetThursday 3rd December at the IGA shopfront, High Street

• Tamborine MountainWednesday 9th December at Zamia Theatre and the Library, Main StreetThursday 10th December at the Library, Main Street

• BeaudesertWednesday 16th December, Council Art Gallery foyer, The Centre, Brisbane RoadThursday 17th December, Council Art Gallery foyer, The Centre, Brisbane Road

talking about the towns...

ideas on the street

Community consultation was the key to understanding the needs and wants of local residents and traders.


Our research and active engagement with the three communities has shown a common thread which can be used to bind the towns into a Scenic Rim experience.

The thread weaves together emerging community desires in each town to create a gathering place for vibrant community life and to use these town squares to enliven the anchor community hubs of each town: the libraries and cultural centres.

postcards from the squares of the scenic rim

Postcards from the Scenic Rim will one day have snapshots of these beautiful town squares with people celebrating local events and culture.

The daily life of all three towns would feature these community ‘living rooms’, providing beautiful foyers for gathering and acting as generators for new trade and visitation.

Boonah High School formal night 2015

Scenic Rim Squares provide a nexus for cultural and economic renewal by focusing local quality and community activity in each town’s heart.

Cartoons drawn by Phil Day


finding the real town

How do we decide how a town or a region might be in the future? Whilst many things and many people tell us what needs changing, it’s the sense of the whole place and its people which should be the key driver.

The sense of a town is more than the sum of all of its parts: more than the roads, the shops, the landscape and the people. By being in a town and engaging with the place and its people, we learn about the sense of a town and the things that it needs. Talking the town up is a process of dreaming about a better future.

The place shapers are the traders, the community and the Council. As designers, our role is to orchestrate a collaboration between all the people who have the passion and responsibilities to move towns forward.

By listening and interpreting the collective sounds, experiences and stories about a town we become ‘insiders’ to the place and find the way to what makes each place and its community different.

When people listen and look at what others have to say, a collective picture emerges. A community vision can be created for a town by the collective talking, walking and brainstorming with people who care about its future.

By joining up ideas and thinking which might normally not be shared, we can create solutions which meet many needs and which cut through barriers and obstacles. The masterplans are the resolution of key issues, ideas and visions arising from this process.


We recognise that the Scenic Rim is amongst Australia’s most compelling and inspirational landscapes. The region’s ecological and picturesque values are well understood, protected and promoted. However, the cultural life and values of the towns and villages, and opportunities to capture the region’s cultural tourism potential have received less attention.

Scenic Rim towns and villages offer attractive experiences for residents and visitors who enjoy or seek to experience ways of life that are different to those found in urban and suburban places of big cities.

The most important qualities are their human scale, friendliness and sense of connection to the surrounding rural and natural landscapes.

This masterplanning initiative creates an opportunity to choreograph the heritage and narrative qualities of the region’s mosaic of towns and villages, and set a strategic plan for investment in initiatives that will protect, enhance and promote their amenity, vibrancy and distinctiveness.

Essential ingredients of vibrant towns and villages are:

• pedestrian streets where people can rub shoulders in public; and village squares; places that can accommodate public gatherings, festivities but for most of the time are simply outdoor rooms where people can hang out comfortably.

what do the towns need most?

What the Scenic Rim requires is memorable public outdoor places that will:

• host the business of daily life, programmed events, activities and community ceremonies;

• respect and enhance the unique heritage and character of each identified town and village;

• promote community spirit, creativity and enterprise; and

• connect the Scenic Rim together as a series of vital town experiences.

We will focus on energising towns so that they become great places to live, to stay and linger longer.


scenic rim + towns =unique brand

‘Communities can change places when they act

together to rebrand their vision of the future...’

‘Capturing the essence of a place: what excites people and what makes them love a place is the

stuff that powerful brands are made of’

The Purpose of Place Reconsidered Deloitte, 2015

The Town Squares of the Scenic Rim aim to create memorable and flourishing towns. Reimagining the main street with the community hubs is a platform for rejuvenation.

Documents

Stage One: Beaudesert Main Street Tamborine Mountain … Introducti… · vibrant towns of the scenic rim. john mongard landscape architects Vibrant Towns Of The Scenic Rim. Stage