Compare differences between the design concepts by scrolling through views

Scroll through the images below to see how the foreshore is transformed by each design concept.

Spot the differences that relate to the location and type of proposed open space, terraced seawalls, viewing opportunities, public amenities, meeting place, access, and vegetation.

Click on an image below to enlarge and take a closer look.

Compare differences between the design concepts by key features

Open Space and Seawall

Under Sunshine Coast Council's 'Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy' (CHAS) the existing seawall along Mooloolaba foreshore is to be renewed to protect Mooloolaba from the future impacts of hazards including coastal erosion from storm surges and rising sea levels from climate change.

The seawall is a key feature to be incorporated within the Central Meeting Place as its size, type and alignment have an influence on open space outcomes created on top of the seawall, and its impression on the beach, which includes:

  • 5-6m wide coastal pathway
  • Ocean view decks
  • Extensive landscaping and lawns
  • Accessible public amenities with Changing Places facility, family change rooms plus more toilets and showers
  • Shaded meeting place
  • Retention of existing trees (wherever possible).
  • Concept Blue

    The flowing terrace seawall and open-plan design allows for increased beachfront parkland with new viewing decks, grassed areas and terraced seating for relaxing and community events. The terraces present opportunities to sit and enjoy the ocean views from various locations, whilst allowing people to move easily between street and beach.

    Concept Blue has more grassed area (total 698sqm) and less timber decking and hardstand (total 1700sqm).

  • Concept Yellow

    The key viewing location and open space are consolidated with the public amenities in a similar location and vertical boat shaped deck.

    Adjacent seawalls will be terraced to help mitigate erosion from climate change and doubles as public seating to relax with friends and view events.

    The terraces present to various aspects and views.

    Concept Yellow has less grassed area (total 385sqm) and more timber decking and hardstand (total 2500sqm).

Meeting place and arrival experience

The Meeting Place refers to a signature location to meet friends, sit, host events, and provide an arrival experience. It also needs to provide shade and weather protection.

In both designs, there is potential to integrate a range of historical, educational and public art elements.

  • Concept Blue

    A new reimagined beachfront arrival experience that celebrates the beach and natural beauty as the hero of the foreshore.

    A new, visually permeable shade canopy (230sqm of shade cover) that is separate to the public amenities building.

    Inspired by the Casuarina tree, creates a new meeting place and event space, which flows onto a large, grassed area. Aligned with the Brisbane Road corridor to complement the arrival experience.

    Similar architecture and look and feel as Stage One Northern Parkland.

  • Concept Yellow

    The arrival experience and meeting place is consistent with the existing two storey Loo with a View structure on top of the public amenities block, with a lower viewing deck inspired by a boat theme to showcase ocean views.

    The building is larger than the existing to accommodate increased public amenities.

    New gardens, grass areas and terracing will integrate to surrounding design.

Public Amenities

Both public amenities designs offer the same increased level of service. Both proposals incorporate 10 unisex toilets (4 ambulant), 10 unisex showers (2 ambulant) and 2 family change rooms. They also include a Changing Places Australia facility, built to the highest compliance for people with disability and 1 standard people with disability change room.

  • Concept Blue

    The new public amenities are separated from the event and viewing area to prioritise public use of the beachfront and improve views to the beach and coastline.

    Built at the higher Mooloolaba Esplanade and coastal pathway level for ease of access in a similar location as existing.

    The public amenities are housed in ‘pods’ in the same architectural style as the new Stage 1 Northern Parkland.

    Walkways and breezeways provide enhanced ventilation, surveillance and views from the Esplanade to the ocean.

  • Concept Yellow

    The public amenities and viewing decks are designed in the same location and height as the existing.

    The design integrates a rebuilt and expanded “Loo with a View.” As per the original design there is reduced passive surveillance as the building is one-sided with reduced visibility through the building.

    The larger rebuilt amenity building has been designed to meet current Australian Standards and the National Building Code requirements.

Accessibility

Community feedback during Phase One engagement identified improved access and inclusive outcomes for all as the highest community priority. Both design concepts have been designed to achieve necessary disability access standards in the Central Meeting Place, as a minimum.

Compare differences between the design concepts

  • Concept Blue

    The amenities are built at the same level as Mooloolaba Esplanade, the coastal pathway and shops creating a convenient and inclusive environment for all.

    Everyone can move easily through the site and around the public amenities with multiple entry points, due to flatter pathways and less handrails.

    There will be a compliant 1:14 access ramp down to the sand heading southwards towards the SLSC from the public amenities building.

  • Concept Yellow

    Disability compliant access ramps (1:14) with handrails and stairs are required to access the public amenities at the lower deck level and upper viewing platform.

    Whilst this is not best practice and is not fully inclusive with one access route for all, it achieves the necessary Australian Standard.

    There will be a compliant 1:14 access ramp down to the sand heading southwards towards the SLSC from the public amenities building.

Vegetation

Both designs feature extensive landscaping and revegetation and will increase the number of trees than currently exists, using more appropriate native vegetation whilst preserving as many existing trees as possible.

This includes removal of some existing trees to create the space required to incorporate all elements planned for the Central Meeting Place precinct. Dune revegetation will be undertaken to improve biodiversity values and dune protection from coastal erosion.

Extensive landscaping and revegetation and open grass areas will provide more green open space and shade to relax in, cascading down to the beach.

It is intended that the existing Norfolk Island pines be retained wherever possible and all impacted healthy Pandanas trees will be transplanted/relocated elsewhere within the Central Meeting Place.

  • Concept Blue

  • Concept Yellow