Image: Artist impressions of the Sunshine Coast Ecological park (credit: Sunshine Coast Council) 

This transformational project has a 30-year vision to heal Country and give the community a green place to cherish for generations.

The scenic town of Maleny, located in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, has experienced significant population growth during the pandemic that is only expected to increase. In response to this growth,  Sunshine Coast Council wants to safeguard the growing region’s livability, while preserving and enhancing the natural environment. 

With this desire identified, Council acquired 65 hectares of pasture land adjoining the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve on Jinibara country. The vision was to restore pre-colonisation ecosystems on this land, creating a unique ecological park inspired by the natural environment while enhancing and strengthening the existing Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

Hassell led the development of the park’s master plan, engaging WSP to design and deliver a community engagement program. This program considered and incorporated Council’s desire for an extensive and inclusive engagement approach, facilitating community input into the master plan to deliver the community’s desired mix of activities, education, and ecological restoration. 

The interactive mapping tool allowed the community to rank the park features in order of importance. This gave Council a clear overview of community desires for the park and informed our client’s priorities for different park elements. From an accessibility and inclusivity perspective, the interactive map offered an alternative to text-based feedback processes such as surveys. Community members with language barriers could comment easily on the park’s proposed layout. 

In stage 3, the draft master plan was made available online, and the community was encouraged to comment via a Have Your Say Survey, available on the project’s webpage. Our team developed a summary of findings, drawing out key themes and master plan elements with the most feedback, which was published on the project site. 

Using both in-person and digital engagement methods allowed a wide range of community feedback, and our focus on inclusivity helped capture the diversity of the Maleny community.

Getting back to nature 

The community’s input has helped shape the park’s final design– which includes walking trails, a wetland, loop path, forest lookout, treetop bridge, opportunities for nature play, and facilities for research, education, community building, and land stewardship.

The master plan has been endorsed by the Council and will guide detailed design and construction over the next 10 years.

The park is a leading example of a win-win solution for the health of nature and for healthy, happy communities – both of which are central to making great places for life. As this green asset evolves and flourishes over time, it will continue to provide the community and visitors with opportunities to be inspired and rejuvenated by nature and to connect with Country.