NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS MASTERPLAN · Attachment 1. Noosa Botanical Gardens Masterplan_683_SD_LR002_E - Final Plan

                Strategic Framework

Vision
                            “To cultivate a vibrant Botanic Garden that reflects the community’s values
                                          - Working with Nature, Now and for the Future”
Objectives
This Masterplan sets out a 25-year vision for the Noosa Botanic Gardens, including upgrades to enhance the visitor experience and support the Gardens’ living collection.

                 Be stewards of the Living                                       Recognise the existing                    CLIMATE          Address climate change through                            Improve legibility and wayfinding
  CHAMPION       Collection through respecting,              WORK WITH           atmosphere of the gardens,                CHANGE           good design, environmental                 INTUITIVE      across the gardens, ensuring easily
 STEWARDSHIP     enhancing, protecting, educating             NATURE             embracing the Noosa ‘Working            ADAPTABILITY       actions and climate relief as              LEGIBILITY     understood connections between
                 and promoting the legacy of the                                 with Nature’ mindset.                                      well as promoting education                               key areas of the gardens.
                 existing and future Collection and                                                                                         opportunities within the gardens.
                 opportunities for demonstration
                 gardens.


                 Promote Accessibility (Universal                                Enable opportunities for cultural                           Increase commercial activation,                          Provide high quality open space
                                                            CULTURAL &                                                                                                                    WELL
                 Access) opportunities to key zones                              & historical connections through          ACTIVATED         encourage longer stays and                               amongst the Living collections
ACCESSIBILITY                                                HISTORICAL                                                                                                                 DESIGNED
                 of the gardens.                                                 education, interpretation, art,            SPACES           promote organised activities.                            while accommodating ‘fit
                                                            CONNECTION
                                                                                 immersive experiences and                                                                                            for purpose’ operational
                                                                                 storeytelling.                                                                                                       requirements.


Goals
                Stewardship of the gardens will:                                                       All future outcomes will adopt a ‘Working with Nature’
                                                                                                                                                                                                “A Masterplan sets the
 CHAMPION
STEWARDSHIP     • Respect and maintain the integrity, heritage value, and
                                                                                       WORK WITH
                                                                                        NATURE
                                                                                                       approach that includes:                                                               direction and priorities of a
                  ecological significance of the existing collection.                                  • Careful siting of new built elements and thoughtful
                                                                                                         selection of materials.
                                                                                                                                                                                            Botanic Garden ..” BGANZ.
                • Apply a comprehensive and strategic approach to
                  assessing, managing, and developing both existing and                                • Maintaining a natural, understated character.
                  future collections.                                                                  • Strengthening connections to all aspects of nature.
                • Protect living collections through best-practice                                     • Aiming for minimal disturbance to existing collections
                  horticulture, risk management, and ongoing                                             during design and construction, where possible.
                  environmental monitoring.
                                                                                                       • Balancing the need for the provision of infrastructure
                • Strengthen education and interpretation to improve                                     and working around the existing collection.
                  public understanding and appreciation of plant
                  collections.                                                                         • Using planting and landform to integrate infrastructure
                                                                                                         seamlessly into the surrounding natural settings.
                • Foster collaboration and innovation through
                  partnerships, demonstration gardens, and alignment                                   • Utilise best practice erosion management techniques.
                  with research institutions, botanic networks, and
                  conservation organisations.                                                          Legibility and wayfinding improvements will:
                                                                                       INTUITIVE
                Create and maintain a climate resilient landscape by:                  LEGIBILITY      • Create welcoming spaces and inviting spaces.
  CLIMATE
                • Incorporate climate adaptation strategies into all                                   • Provide clear, intuitive layouts that support seamless
  CHANGE
                  planning, design, and maintenance processes.                                           orientation
ADAPTABILITY
                • Use the gardens as a living laboratory to demonstrate                                • Enhance visitor comfort and amenity
                  practical responses to climate change.                                               • Be practical and easy to navigate
                • Protecting and diversifying living collections to                                    • Establish a heirachy of experiences through defined
                  withstand changing environmental conditions.                                           nodes and landmarks. This will include a series of new
                • Providing climate relief within the gardens through                                    buildings to be used for all weather events. They will act
                  increased canopy cover, shade structures, and cooling                                  as a focal points in the gardens.
                  green spaces.                                                                        • Wayfinding elements including landscaping, markers,
                • Use existing connections to water for passive cooling.                                 open views, widths of paths and roads and strategic
                                                                                                         signage and lighting will naturally direct visitors through
                • Expand education programs that raise awareness of                                      the zones and nodes.
                  climate change impacts and sustainable practices.
                                                                                                       • Ensure clearly defined entry and exits that re-inforce
                • Foster community engagement in climate action                                          site edges.
                  through volunteering, citizen science, and educational
                  initiatives.                                                                         Enable opportunities for cultural & historical connections
                                                                                      CULTURAL &
                                                                                                       through:
                                                                                       HISTORICAL
                New works and infrastructure upgrades will be                         CONNECTION       • Providing a diverse range of educational experiences.
ACCESSIBILITY   undertaken to establish a cohesive and user-focused
                environment that prioritises navigation, safety, and                                   • Designing of flexible spaces that support inclusive
                accessibility for all visitors. Accessibility will be embedded                           cultural activities.
                as a core design principle to ensure that people of all                                • Incorporating immersive experiences and storeytelling
                abilities can perceive, understand, navigate, use, and                                   including increased public art opportunities.
                participate within the Gardens in an inclusive, equitable,
                                                                                                       • Celebrating local heritage and acknowledging Traditional
                safe, and independent manner.
                                                                                                         Owners through interpretation and design.
                Specific objectives include:
                                                                                                       • Encouraging community participation in cultural
                • Major pathways, landmarks, and key nodes will                                          programs, events and knowledge sharing.
                  incorporate universal accessibility principles to
                  provide intuitive, safe, and comfortable pedestrian                                  Increase activation through:
                  movement throughout the site.                                        ACTIVATED
                                                                                        SPACES         • Development of flexible event spaces that support
                • Accessible seating, walkways, ramps, and handrails                                     gatherings, ceremonies, exhibitions, workshops, and
                  will be integrated into upgraded and newly developed                                   seasonal programming.
                  areas where appropriate.
                                                                                                       • Introduction of food and beverage offerings that
                • Accessibility considerations will align with the relevant                              complement the garden experience and encourage
                  requirements of Australian Standard AS 1428 – Design                                   dwell time.
                  for Access and Mobility, and will extend beyond
                  physical access to include digital, sensory, cognitive,                              • Strengthen partnerships with commercial operators
                  and social or organisational accessibility, ensuring                                   and community groups to diversify activation
                  environments and experiences are inclusive and usable                                  opportunities.
                  by diverse communities.                                                              • A series of new buildings that allows for small events,
                                                                                                         workshops, weddings and wet weather protection.
    WELL        High quality open space outcomes will ensure:
                                                                                                       • Connection to surrounding localities and activities
  DESIGNED      • The living collection is protected and enhanced through                                including the Noosa Trail Network and Trail Head.
                  careful design and construction methodology, wherever
                  possible.
                • Operational needs of Council staff, volunteers, event                                                                                                               “What makes a botanic garden unique is the fact they
                  managers and participants are supported, with                                                                                                                 hold documented collections of living plants for the purpose of
                  allowance for future growth and technical requirements.                                                                                                      scientific research, conservation, display, and/or education. They
                • Spaces are well designed, ‘fit for purpose’, and                                                                                                              play a significant role in safeguarding our flora through science,
                  appropriately scaled to maintain a low- key relaxed
                  experience.                                                                                                                                                     research and conservation programs and importantly they are
                • Interfaces with adjoining land use and owners to be
                                                                                                                                                                                  the interface between plant conservation and the public. They
                  managed including protection of the Lakes Edge.                                                                                                                  are responsible for educating and empowering communities
                                                                                                                                                                                 in safeguarding our plants. They provide significant benefits to
                                                                                                                                                                                 our health and well-being and are vital green spaces of social,
                                                                                                                                                                                   cultural and heritage value within communities. ” BGANZ.




                                  NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS
                                  MASTERPLAN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 02