DESIGN PRINCIPLES NOOSA How Noosa has been shaped

1 2 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Noosa Design Principles would not have been possible without the input and feedback from a number of people, including the Noosa community through their participation in the “Your Say” survey and forum. Principal Author: Ross Sanderson - Coordinator Design & Special Projects, Noosa Council Author: Joanna Ferris - Project Officer, Noosa Council Editor: Susan Ewington - H2Media, Tony Wellington - Noosa Councillor Special Thanks: Tony Wellington, Peter Bycroft, Stephen Kidd, John Mainwaring, Russell Green, Juanita Bloomfield, Carole Tretheway, Sharyn Kerrigan, Dragi Majstorovic, Raul Weychardt, Diana Playford and Council staff. Graphic Design: Design Central Photography: Paul Smith Images Noosa Council collection This publication is also available on the Noosa Council website at www.noosa.qld.gov.au © 2015 Noosa Council

ISBN: 978-0-646-94136-3

4 foreword FROM THE HINTERLAND TO THE COAST, NOOSA’S NATURAL GREEN ENVIRONMENT AND UNIQUE QUALITY OF LIFE IS CHERISHED BY ITS LOCALS AND ADMIRED BY VISITORS.

But this did not happen by chance. Noosa has been shaped not only by nature, but also by the actions of passionate residents, architects, designers, community groups and the Council.

Driving into Noosa after being away, I can’t help but notice the difference from other communities: buildings blend into the natural landscape, roads are not always straight lines, and we have roundabouts instead of traffic lights.

It is not only what is here, but what is not here that makes Noosa different. For example, there are no parking meters, no high-rise buildings and no obtrusive advertising billboards.

Maintaining Noosa’s point of difference is the joint responsibility of residents, local businesses and Council. The challenge is, when faced with a difficult decision, to avoid compromising our standards.

“Repetitive compromised decisions ultimately lead to middle-of-the-road, mediocre, standard solutions and thus standard appearance - no different to anywhere else. We must hold the benchmark to where it has been positioned for many years.’ Bruce Davidson, CEO of Noosa Council from 1989 to 2008.

This document outlines the principles that have fashioned Noosa’s distinctiveness and that will continue to set Noosa apart into the future.

Brett de Chastel, CEO of Noosa Council

5 contents

Introduction 9

Our Heritage 10

Iconic Place 13

Sensitive Growth and Development 15

Noosa Biosphere® Reserve 17

Our Local Character 19

Enjoying the Footpath 23

Footpath Dining 25

The View from Here 27

Designs for Living 29

Working with Nature 31

Wayfinding 33

Walking, Riding and Driving 35

Our Creative Environment 37

6 7 8 introduction THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE OF NOOSA HAS BEEN SHAPED BY PASSIONATE RESIDENTS SINCE THE 1950s. BUT IN THE EARLY 1980s A NEW COUNCIL WANTED TO SET NOOSA APART.

The new Council wanted to resist the who have helped shape Noosa, as well as pressures of unrestrained development research of past policies and guidelines. and preserve and enhance the natural Many of the unwritten beliefs and ideals environment, ensuring a low-key village feel. of the design community have also been captured. In 1986 Council consolidated policies into a Design Manual, which focused on the The Noosa Design Principles aim to inform visual appeal of the street environment and inspire the reader to understand the and its interface with private development. basis behind what many take for granted in (This was the first step in defining the our beautiful environment. Bringing these Noosa look and feel.) principles together in one place will allow decision makers to test proposals large Over subsequent years a distinctive Noosa or small against them to ensure that the style emerged in the architecture, the unique character of Noosa is not eroded. streetscape and the open spaces. This document captures the principles behind The future success of Noosa lies in being this discrete Noosa style. able to adapt to future needs while maintaining the core values that surround Bringing the principles together has these principles. involved interviews with many of those

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Council sold 447 acres to T.M Burke in exchange for constructing bridges to T.M Council sold 447 acres Creek over Lake Doonella outlet and Weyba Evidence of indigenous habitation Captain Cook sailed past of leave’ and escaped convicts arrived in Noosa ‘Ticket became an independent state areas forest opening up formally protected repealed Bunya Proclamation to from route direct Hay blazed a more Walter to take advantage of the Gympie gold rush town surveyed Tewantin allocated over Noosa Heads, Noosaville, area Aboriginal reserve and west to Doonan Sunshine Beach and Peregian Aboriginal reserve cancelled of Noosa Laguna Bay was surveyed for the Village The sand spit fronting for sale offered and allotments along Hastings Street Remaining indigenous inhabitants within the Noosa district removed and Barambah to settlements such as Cherbourg months later and three Railway line opened between Cooran and Cooroy constructed to Cooroy, the missing link, Yandina of scrub for dairyingKin systematically cleared Shire), Widgee from of Noosa constituted (severed Shire Pomona became the administrative centre became the first town in Queensland to be planned Noosa Village settlement and zoned before gazetted (excludes Alexandria Bay) of sand mining in the refusal Public lobbying resulted Noosa Beach and Cooloola estate that became group based environmental Emergence of a broadly the Noosa Parks Association in surf documentary “Surf Scene” and movie “The Hot Generation.” Noosa featured a planning resolved to prepare Noosa Council first scheme for part of the Shire Rock wall constructed on Noosa Main Beach State Government development lease granted over what is now Noosa Sound area Andrew Petrie explored Noosa on his voyage to retrieve escaped convicts Noosa on his voyage to retrieve Petrie explored Andrew at what is now known as Murdering Creek Indigenous people massacred and first timber cutters arrived for timber resources Noosa hinterland explored established as the main river port for Noosa Tewantin opened providing reticulated water to the towns of Noosa Shire reticulated Dam opened providing Six Mile Creek Noosa Heads sewage system completed 1927 1770 1820 1859 1860 1870 1872 1879 1887 1891 1910 1969 1971 1965 1966 1842 1860 1869 1871 1878 1904 1929 1939 1968 1950’s 1960’s 1960’s 1863-65 6000 BC

Fenwick Bros & Morrish Sawmill employees, Cooroy (c.1909) View from the Hay family property, Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads Lenske bullock team at the Hotel Premier, Cooran (c.1920) Noosa Beach 1960’s Noosa Junction 1980 Image courtesy of Noosa Library Services/Picture Noosa (c.1917) Image courtesy of Noosa Library Services/Picture Noosa Image courtesy of Noosa Library Services/Picture Noosa

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our heritage

This timeline shows some interesting points in the history of Noosa. There are several books that delve more deeply into Noosa’s past.

There have been several attempts to trace the origin of the name Noosa but the most likely origin is found in the records of early explorers and from Gubbi Gubbi elders1 who tell us that the name Noosa is an Anglicisation of the Indigenous word for this area nguthuru2 – meaning shade, shady place, shadow, ghost or spirit.3 Cooroy streetscape completed and became a model for designing in streetscape Cooroy consultation with the community first strategic plan was gazetted Noosa’s gazetted wide ban on buildings in excess of four storeys shire Council’s Dunes development development on the Marcus Thousands rally against proposed (later incorporated into Noosa National Park) lease area Noosa Main Beach reef to protect Council decided against an artificial (also known as the Glossies) Living Smart Building Awards Launch of the Shire’s Reserve designation UNESCO Biosphere Noosa received and City Council to form Amalgamation of Noosa, Maroochy Sunshine Coast Regional Council financial health as ‘sound’ Corporation identified Noosa’s Queensland Treasury First electric buses launched in Noosa “The Noosa Plan” replaced the existing planning scheme “The Noosa Plan” replaced and strategic plan Noosa Council formally de-amalgamated from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Noosa continued to be an idyllic place Town planning scheme for the whole of Noosa Shire was gazetted planning scheme for the whole of Noosa Shire Town Cooroy Timber Mill closed Timber Cooroy Noosa Spit extended to protect Noosa Sound after cyclone David Noosa Spit extended to protect Noosa Main Beach seriously eroded the Noosa Design Manual which introduced Council released the notion of Noosa ‘look and feel’ Noosa’s first traffic study identified the need for a Noosaville bypass Noosa’s Pomona Tewantin from Noosa Council head office moved to First series of development control plans compiled for Hastings Street, plans compiled for Hastings Street, First series of development control Noosa Junction and Tewantin Developers exchanged Alexandria Bay at Noosa National Park for a lease further south at Castaways 1982 1985 1978 1981 1981 1986 1988 1990 1994 2003 2004 2007 2008 2015 2016 2020 1975 1986 2006 2014 2000

1see the work of Community Linguist Jeanie Bell, in her Dictionary of the Gubbi-Gubbi and Language, March 1994, page 165, AIATSIS Library - L 040.003/1 - www.aiatsis.gov.au

2across there are many Indigenous words commencing with the ng - a single sound ng, like the ng in singer, not like the ng in finger

3many Australian Indigenous words are polymorphic – they have many meanings each of which is only clear within the context or the sentence in which they are spoken, or the situation or event to which they refer. Timeline Source – Noosa Library Services Noosa Design Manual 1986 Aerial image 2000 Free Noosa campaign 2007 Flag raising 2014

11 12 iconic place THE NOOSA SHIRE COMMUNITY RESPECTS AND APPRECIATES ITS ENVIRONMENT AND HAS GOALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE, “ QUALITY LIFESTYLE AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING. As a consequence the Noosa Shire community seeks – (a) built environments which fit into and do not dominate the natural environment; and (b) confidence that population growth and associated change does not adversely impact upon the character, lifestyle and environment enjoyed by its residents.

Extract from a declaration by the Honourable Paul Lucas MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, June 2008. ”

13 AN EMPOWERED COMMUNITY “NOOSA RESIDENTS FOUGHT AMALGAMATION FROM THE START BECAUSE THEIR COUNCIL HAD NURTURED A CULTURE OF SERVICE AND AN ATTITUDE TO ITS ENVIRONMENT AND LIFESTYLE THAT WAS WIDELY APPRECIATED. NOOSA RESIDENTS SAW THEIR ETHOS AS DIFFERENT.” Hinterland Times, 2013

14 sensitive growth & development “NOOSA’S ABILITY TO ADAPT WHILE MAINTAINING CORE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IS THE KEY TO NOOSA’S SUCCESS” Your Say participant

PRINCIPLES The Noosa Planning Scheme will Existing town and village centres continue to be based on the ability will remain the business heart and of services and networks to be able social hub of our communities. to meet future demands without New developments are expected to adversely impacting on our natural meet the vision and desired outcomes environment and quality of life. specified in the planning scheme. The natural landform and landscape The integrity of the planning scheme should not be compromised by will be safeguarded while encouraging unsuitable development. innovative design that meets Works should not have a detrimental appropriate development standards. impact on our waterways. Developers are encouraged to build Meaningful community engagement on and strengthen our uniqueness by will continue to be imperative in the continually innovating. preparation of any new planning Open space will remain a priority documents. even though the demand for car parking seems limitless.

15 16 noosa biosphere® reserve “THE WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES OF THE MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE (MAB) PROGRAM CONSISTS OF A DYNAMIC AND INTERACTIVE NETWORK OF SITES OF EXCELLENCE. IT FOSTERS THE HARMONIOUS INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE AND NATURE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT...” UNESCO, World Network of Biosphere Reserves

For more than 50 years, the Noosa While the designation recognises the community has worked to live sustainably unique and special natural attributes within its environment. On 20th of the Noosa Biosphere® Reserve, it September 2007 the Noosa Shire was also provides a focus for the Noosa designated as the Noosa Biosphere® community’s aspirations: to continue to Reserve under the UNESCO Man and strive for a sustainable future; to work Biosphere (MAB) program. together to build economies, communities and knowledge; and to ensure our natural The Noosa Biosphere® Reserve ecosystems and biodiversity is valued, encompasses a total of 87,000 hectares of cared for, improved and conserved. land and numerous waterways within the Noosa local government boundaries, and extends approx. 3 km seawards.

17 18 our local character GREAT PLACES ARE CHARACTERISED BY “A STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, RETAIL MARKETING AND SOCIAL PLANNING.” Legge 2009

PRINCIPLES Involve the community in design Analyse the functionality of all vehicle Respect the character of existing projects as residents are a highly and pedestrian movements. towns and villages - don’t force or valued source of local knowledge and Improve access for pedestrians, contrive designs that do not fit. information. cyclists and public transport before Have a hierarchy of park types Develop unique communication using more public space for car and provide a range of infrastructure plans with the community. parking to suit. Gain an understanding of each Provide space for seating and shade Assist with the comfort and needs place, its problems and issues, to promote opportunities for social of all users of high use areas by through focused consultation and interaction. considering appropriate infrastructure. investigation. Seek opportunities to support and Provide simple signage and natural Look at the wider context and don’t enhance the Noosa ‘look and feel’ in vegetation at town and village view projects in isolation. all design works. entrances but not at individual Consider the flow-on effect of all Facilitate space for footpath dining neighbourhoods or new estates. design decisions. in streetscape design upgrades. Allow advertising signage on private Observe the day to day activities in Be sympathetic to Noosa’s history by property which fits with the local the place before making decisions - incorporating aesthetic elements into character and scale of the surrounds. you may be surprised by what you see. the design of our streetscapes.

19 20 21 22 enjoying the footpath THE AREA BETWEEN THE ROADWAY AND PRIVATE PROPERTY IS OFTEN CONSIDERED A BUFFER WITH ITS PRIMARY ROLE BEING FOR THE USE OF PEDESTRIANS AND THE CONDUIT OF THE MANY SERVICES PROVIDED TO PROPERTIES.

In footpath projects, seek innovative opportunities that:

Support our environmental Provide places to rest such as seating objectives with plantings that enhance on hilly footpaths. biodiversity. Encourage appealing presentation of Highlight unique environmental goods for approved footpath trading. aspects with interpretive signage that Discourage high solid walls along indicates remnant vegetation and the front property boundaries. fauna that rely on that vegetation.

23 “NOOSA COUNCIL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES TO CHALLENGE THE LIQUOR LICENSING LAWS AND FACILITATE FOOTPATH DINING. THIS HAS NOW BECOME A FEATURE OF MANY TOWNS AND VILLAGES THROUGHOUT QUEENSLAND CREATING A VIBRANCY THAT IS WELCOMED BY BUSINESS AND PATRONS ALIKE.” P. Bycroft

24 footpath dining FOOTPATH DINING HAS THE ABILITY TO CREATE A VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE IN OUR TOWN AND VILLAGE CENTRES.

Vibrant outdoor dining areas include:

Different seating styles - high, low, Enticing menu boards and/or shaded and unshaded. merchandising. Umbrellas for shade, to attract Appropriate lighting ideally with people and create a relaxed 12 volt source. atmosphere. Free-standing heaters that cause no Adequate clearances for the safe damage to people or Council property, passage of pedestrians on the footpath. especially landscaping. Clear lines of sight for vehicle Well-maintained and presentable movement. areas. Sturdy non-permanent screens and Appropriate structures that fit with windbreaks. the streetscape. A variety of spaces arranged around existing features and constraints.

25 26 the view from here “WE DROVE OVER THE HILL AND GASPED AS OUR EYES WERE DRAWN TO THE COLOURED SAND HILLS OF NOOSA’S NORTH SHORE MELTING THROUGH THE HEAT HAZE INTO THE GLISTENING WATERS OF LAGUNA BAY.”

PRINCIPLES Protect vistas with good planning, Use smart technology to manage including well placed and parking to avoid unsightly appropriately designed development infrastructure. and infrastructure. Draw attention away from public Acknowledge that views and vistas utilities with a pleasing feature in significantly enhance the visitor preference to screening them with experience and thus benefit the local barriers. economy. Design is a language and a powerful Frame and filter views with trees. form of communication. People can be engaged through subtle design Exclude intrusive signage from vistas. elements, attention to detail in colour, Reduce street light spill by designing texture, form and finishes. lighting to aim downward.

27 “ALL PUBLIC STRUCTURES IMPACT ON THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE LANDSCAPE. NATURAL MATERIALS, SUBTLE SIGNAGE & COLOURS, MINIMISING THE VISUAL IMPACT OF ALL STRUCTURE IS VERY IMPORTANT” Your Say participant

Noosa Visitor Information Centre Architects - Bark Design

28 designs for living THE IDEA THAT GOOD ARCHITECTURE IS IN PART A RESPONSE TO LANDSCAPE IS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT IN A REGION SUCH AS NOOSA WHERE THE LANDSCAPE IS REVERED. “ When describing architecture and the built environment, the ‘Noosa Style’ is one that puts great emphasis on ‘place’, the integration of built form to the natural environment …Placed in the natural environment of Noosa, these structures are inadvertently ‘thinned’ at their outer edges to create an effective shelter much like a tree canopy. Dragi Majstorovic

The rich architectural vein left behind responses were equally respectful of, and by local architects such as Gabriel Poole, gained inspiration, from the surrounding” John Mainwaring and Lindsay and Kerry natural environment. Clare demonstrates varied responses to Today this legacy continues to inspire the unique regional and climatic variables generations of architects striving to explore found on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa new adaptations of what is loosely dubbed in particular. In common however, their the ‘Noosa Style’.

Marcus Beach House by Bark Design

29 30 working with nature THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF NOOSA’S CHARACTER. BUILDING IN HARMONY WITH THE NATURAL SURROUNDS IS THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE.

PRINCIPLES Work with existing natural features Use natural materials wherever wherever possible rather than viewing possible. them as obstacles. Design stormwater systems to filter Value existing significant trees and silt and rubbish before it reaches incorporate them into designs. waterways. Provide appropriate trees in Use rock facing or mass rock walls appropriate locations in all new rather than rendered block or other project designs. urban style walls. Choose endemic species to suit soil, Use natural timber features in our climate and the situation, so that the public environments to soften hard life span of trees is maximised with structures and blend with our green limited maintenance needed. backdrop. Define town entries uniquely with Use finishes that bring out the colour endemic tree plantings. and texture of timber elements. Accept that understorey plantings will Choose timber types that can fade need replacement more regularly. to grey without requiring high maintenance. Replace lost vegetation by planting either elsewhere on site or at other Define edges between different WE SIT IN DAPPLED LIGHT ENJOYING THE COOL BREEZES. OUR CHAT IS locations. surfaces and gardens to assist with INTERRUPTED BY BIRDSONG. LOOKING maintenance and visual appeal. DOWN THE STREET, OTHER PEOPLE SIT BENEATH THE GREEN CANOPY OF THESE WONDERFUL ASSETS – TREES, TREES, TREES.

31 32 wayfinding “WITH TIME THE SIGN WENT UNNOTICED, SO THEY DEMANDED A SIGN TO POINT OUT THE SIGN.” Anonymous

The more signage, the less effective it becomes.

PRINCIPLES Minimise the number of signs Use universal symbols rather than wherever possible by actively words when appropriate. questioning each request for signage. Employ a consistent template to Utilise the existing system of street distinguish wayfinding signs from name signs as the primary means road signs. to locate commercial or community Reduce road sign sizes wherever facilities. possible by using font sizes Use generic names for facilities on appropriate for the speed limit. directional signage. Consolidate multiple signs on to one Do not permit advertising signage in wherever possible. the road reserve. Classify as advertising any directional Classify commercial or community signage to commercial or community facility signage which is not on or facilities where that signage is not on, adjacent to the site as advertising. or adjacent to, the subject site. Minimise the number of words on all signs for ease of legibility.

33 “EVERY TIME I SEE AN ADULT ON A BICYCLE I NO LONGER DESPAIR FOR THE HUMAN RACE.” H.G.Wells

34 walking, riding and driving IT IS NOT EASY TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR CAR AND ONTO PUBLIC OR ACTIVE TRANSPORT.

However ensuring that transport infrastructure caters for all modes is an important step in reducing car dependency.

PRINCIPLES Provide a transport network that Design road systems to spread traffic Use colour and texture on footpaths caters for the needs of the community loads across the network. and roadways to signal approach to and blends into the environment rather conflict points. Facilitate the use of sustainable than dominates it. transport modes by providing bicycle Design for pedestrians, cyclists Design a transport network that does and scooter parking. and buses in all road corridor not attempt to cater for all peak traffic improvements. Avoid sacrificing public open space and parking loads but provides for a for car parking. Design to cater for the aged and high level of service during non-peak disabled community. periods. Provide shade trees along walking, riding and driving corridors as well as Challenge standards that do not Avoid the introduction of traffic car parks to improve visual amenity fit with our vision. Many Australian lights wherever possible and use and reduce heat sink effects. standards are advisory and not roundabouts instead. mandatory. Use curves in road and pathway Encourage alternative transport designs to slow vehicle speeds Accept that there will be rural gravel such as walking, cycling, scootering or particularly on approach to roads that contain significant remnant the use of public transport to reduce intersections and conflict points. vegetation that should be retained for traffic congestion and greenhouse gas visual amenity and visitor appeal. emissions.

35 “VANDALISM IN THE COOROY TOWNSHIP VIRTUALLY DISAPPEARED FOLLOWING A COMMUNITY ART PROJECT THAT WAS RUN AS PART OF THE STREETSCAPE UPGRADING PROJECT.”

36 our creative environment “YOU CAN’T USE UP CREATIVITY. THE MORE YOU USE, THE MORE YOU HAVE.” Maya Angelou

PRINCIPLES Encourage an environment where Generate ideas and innovation by innovation and experimentation is the seeking out stakeholders that may norm rather than simply accepting a have a different viewpoint. standard approach. Encourage public art that is subtle Explore new technologies for their and sensitive to the environment and ability to add value to projects or to local character. provide solutions. Include interpretive signage/art to Consider opportunities for enhancing showcase our unique environment infrastructure projects with public art and heritage. that tells a story about the place. Manage events held on community Involve the community in programs land to support the local economy that may foster better understanding and cultural diversity while of our locale and perhaps change maintaining local amenity. behaviour to better care for it. Balance the benefitsof the street Involve the local creative community entertainment with the needs of early in appropriate projects through businesses, residents and visitors. transparent procurement and decision making processes.

37 “OVER THE YEARS, NOOSA HAS MAINTAINED ITS CORE BEAUTY WHILE RESPONDING TO CHANGING FASHIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN ARCHITECTURE, COLOUR SCHEMES, LANDSCAPING, AND THE LIKE. THIS ABILITY TO ADAPT WHILE MAINTAINING CORE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IS THE KEY TO NOOSA’S SUCCESS” Ingrid Jackson, Your Say Participant

38 39 ISBN 978-0-646-94136-3

9 780646 941363 > Pages printed on 100% Recycled Paper 40