When we visited the Broadwater Parklands in Queensland at the beginning of the year, it was already a shining example of groundbreaking sustainable civic design.  
 
The $32 million dollar project commissioned by the Gold Coast City Council was designed by AECOM as part of the revitalisation of central Southport.
 
Josh Hinwood, Associate director of AECOM’s Design and Planning team, said the design embodies a commitment to ecosystem preservation that will propel the Gold Coast into the next evolution of environmentally sustainable design (ESD).
 
Now a series of new initiatives are boosting the area’s sustainability even further with its highly water sensitive urban design and energy efficiency.
 
“255 photovoltaic solar cells positioned along a series of linear shade structures generate energy for the site, significantly reducing the parklands’ reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity from the grid,” said Mr Hinwood.
 
Run-off water from a significant portion of the Southport CBD is treated in a number of vegetated stormwater treatment systems before its discharge into the Broadwater.
 
A newly installed irrigation infrastructure and mangrove wetland enhances the quality of stormwater and provides a safe habitat for local marine life.
 
Currently under construction, the ‘Rockpools’ childrens play area will also use saltwater drawn from the adjacent Broadwater.
 
AECOM
aecom.com.au

All photography by Ross Pottenger