GOLD COAST Landscape Character Study Summary Report May 2014 Contact Gerard McCormick, Principal [email protected] PO Box 391 Nerang QLD 4211 Alvin Kirby, Project Manager [email protected] PO Box 5042 Gold Coast Mail Centre QLD 9729 Document issue 01 - 22.01.2014 Document issue 02 - 21.02.2014 Document issue 03 - 22.05.2014 Document issue 04 - 08.07.2014 Cover Keeaira Press C A T H E R I N E B R O U W E R L a n d s c a p e A r c h i t e c t s Frontispiece This document has been prepared for C A T H E R I N E B R O U W E R L a n d s c a p e A r c h i t e c t s 250 Harcourt Street Teneriffe Q 4005 p 3254 1817 e [email protected] page 2 Gold Coast Landscape Character Study Summary Report Executive Summary This is a summary report, for full details refer to the Technical Report. The purpose of this study was to undertake a detailed assessment of landscape character across the Gold Coast and an inventory of heritage landscapes. The study identifies important aspects of existing landscape character and heritage landscapes and will inform the new City Plan. The outcomes of this study include the integration of character and landscape heritage evaluations with planning and management guidelines, and are intended to inform planning scheme measures to protect, reinforce and enhance the city’s landscape character and landscape heritage. This study builds upon previous Gold Coast City Council studies, however it has required a new methodology which integrates urban and non-urban landscape character, integrates landscape character and landscape heritage, and acknowledges the dynamic nature of Gold Coast. At City-wide scale, the landscape is described and mapped identifying eight biogeographic Landscape Character Types (LCTs) and High Rise Development as a ninth LCT for the Gold Coast. Also at this city-wide scale a Geographic–Historical Framework Landscapes (FL) has been formulated for the analysis of the overall landscape heritage which forms the city’s identity. This landscape heritage classification is based on the relationships between the bio-geographic landscape and historical settlement and development patterns over those landscapes. This framework provides the context for identification and assessment at the finer subregional and local scales of the Heritage Landscapes (HLs). At a local level, districts and neighbourhoods have distinctive character derived partly from the broad LCTs, but also from other elements identifiable at a finer scale. This study develops and trials a method for analysis of place-specific Landscape Character Areas (LCAs), some of which have a distinctive character, with recognisable boundaries, others are distinguishable by differences in their LCT combinations and the mixture and proportions of finer grained land uses (LCUs). Four trial areas have been mapped and assessed in this study: Coomera, Currumbin, Robina – Burleigh and Parkwood. The study outcomes include the identification of the key elements of importance for each LCT, LCA, FL and HL in four trial focus areas. Further analysis generated recommendations to ‘protect and maintain’, ‘enhance and restore’, ‘encourage and reinforce’ these landscapes in the future City Plan. The key recommendations regarding the management of the distinctive landscape character and heritage of the Gold Coast are provided in an Action Plan for implementation. Further studies are also recommended to expand and complete mapping extents. In summary, this study provides an innovative methodology for assessing landscape character and landscape heritage which is robust and suitable for more widespread applications. Landscapes and attributes important to Gold Coast character and heritage have been identified and mapped to enable the distinctive identity and sense of place of the Gold Coast to be maintained and enhanced for the benefit of residents and visitors. page 3 page 4 Gold Coast Landscape Character Study Summary Report Table of contents 1 - Introduction and context 2 - Process 3 - Whole of city outcomes 4 - Local area outcomes 5 - Next Steps 6 - Supporting information page 5 1 Introduction and context Introduction In terms of landscape (and within view) the coastal high-rise Assessment Previous Studies and character and heritage, ‘spine’ of tall buildings is an intensively Schemes the Gold Coast is a urbanised ‘vertical city’. Parts of the The urban form of the Gold Coast and unique mix of natural city enjoy accessibility to sophisticated its relationship to its hinterland (“the The City of Gold Coast has previously and built form elements, urban attractions as well as beach and Green behind the Gold”), together recognised the importance of history, culture and bush, all within close proximity, but it is with its landscape diversity and character, scenic amenity and historic community perceptions. not a city which can be understood or bold architecture, defy established values in numerous studies, planning analysed just from a pedestrian level. approaches to landscape character schemes and policies (see Previous It is a mainly linear city of continuous The perceptions of many residents and assessment, which generally maps Studies and Schemes Table Below). strip development along the coastline, and evaluates urban areas on quite a visitors are also influenced by what is These documents provide a with a close relationship to the ocean different basis from the ‘countryside’. seen from linear highways and high background and context for this 2013 on one side and an extensive ‘green’ However, on the Gold Coast, the linear rise units. study, which builds on frameworks hinterland on the other, and a corridor urban form allows a close relationship established previously, and also of residential suburbs in between, but to natural, coastal and rural landscape incorporates and adapts key elements no city centre. settings. Also, the built form is part Change of internationally-accepted Landscape of the landscape frame. The coastal This is a vibrant and dynamic place Character Assessment methods, ‘spine’ of tall buildings is now well- which embraces change, but some integrating these with heritage Perceptions established as an iconic image of timeless or long-established aspects assessment. the city, in some ways analogous For domestic and international visitors, of its character are important to the to a visually prominent line of hills the Gold Coast is Queensland’s ‘glitter attractiveness and liveability of the City. marking the land-ocean interface, strip’ with glamour hotels, restaurants With a population projected to increase This study, and the and contributes equally to sense of and night clubs, and more than 70 to 750,000 by 2031, the changes and unique attributes of the place and character. It is also pertinent kilometres of ocean beaches and a urban sprawl associated with rapid Gold Coast, presents an that many established character strong surfing culture. However, behind growth have the potential to erode or opportunity to develop assessment frameworks evaluate this distinctive but simple image is a lose important character and heritage and trial a new and more ‘static’ character at a point in time, seductive complexity. Gold Coast City values. This Gold Coast Landscape integrated approach to whereas the dynamic pace of change is a paradox, variously described as Character Study aims to identify character and heritage. on the Gold Coast is in itself, part of “a place with polymorphic personality”, places, features and other attributes its character. The City is continually “a city where the theme park goes to of the city’s character and heritage renewing and reproducing itself, with town”, “Australia’s only Post Modern which are important to retain, reinforce ‘newness’ perceived as part of the City”, and also “a place where there and enhance. This has required a new prevailing spirit of entrepreneurialism. is a strong interface between nature approach to character assessment, and culture”. Large swathes of and to its integration with heritage rugged forest-clad mountains support evaluation. exceptional biodiversity with World Heritage listing and at the same time Date Previous Studies and Schemes 1996 Gold Coast Urban Heritage and Character Study 2000 Gold Coast City Landscape Strategy 2007 Gold Coast City Planning Scheme 2008 Gold Coast Interim Scenic Amenity Study 2009 The Bold Future Planning Scheme 1.0 2010 Significant Ridgeline Protection 2010 Strategic View Corridor Study 2010 Gold Coast Final Scenic Amenity Mapping Study 2011 Gold Coast Local Heritage Register Chapter 1, page 2 Gold Coast Landscape Character Study Summary Report Surfers Paradise Chapter 1, page 3 Purpose, Study Area and Objectives Identifying the character of the Gold Coast This study identifies, maps and regarded as an on-going inventory assesses landscape character and which will be further developed over heritage within the boundaries of time to include significant indigenous the City of Gold Coast in South-East cultural landscapes. The heritage Queensland, as commissioned by The components of the study are a work- City of Gold Coast. However, it is more in-progress, reflecting the resources than an inventory of significant places currently available, and represent the and features. The study is intended to natural progression of research in this provide the basis for later strategies field. Future integration of heritage and planning scheme measures to places is likely to result in significant protect, reinforce and enhance the re-assessment of some identified elements of character and heritage landscapes. identified as important to the overall This new approach to character and character of the Gold Coast, and to heritage integration is applicable the character of particular places while throughout the Gold Coast and other allowing the city to continue to develop. cities. To this end, the whole Gold Coast is mapped and assessed at a broad level and termed Landscape Character Types (LCTs), with GIS data layers corresponding to defined criteria, while more detailed assessment is restricted initially to several places or Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) within four focus areas selected by The City of Gold Coast.