In response to the forecast demand for open space and parkland, City of Gold Coast acquired 240 hectares of low-lying land at the centre of the cities urban footprint between Nerang, Robina, Mudgeeraba and Clear Island Waters to provide current and future city residents and visitors with generous and diverse recreational opportunities in a central location on the Gold Coast.
Burchills Engineering Solutions and AECOM have partnered to prepare the Master Plan for the truly world class iconic open space Greenheart Parklands project for City of Gold Coast. The design team was hand selected to provide best-for project outcomes and bring a balance of broad design thinking underpinned by detailed local knowledge and technical fluency.
Burchills scope of consultancy services includes input to the development of the Master Plan for Gold Coast Central Park, design report recommendations and production of design plans for Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Environment and Ecology. The key technical aspects of the Master Plan design include:
- Geotechnical conditions on the subject site was a significant constraint that needed to be explored, with the available soil on site (marine clays) generally unsuitable for structural fill unless the proper soil improvement strategies were employed.
- The proposed Greenheart parklands is situated on the Guragunba Floodplain surrounded by primarily existing residential development. The floodplain is sensitive to hydraulic changes and therefore significant flood impact assessment works were undertaken to ensure that the development did not cause adverse hydraulic conditions external to the subject site.
- Integration with the proposed Green Heart wetlands project was a key requirement of the project, that sees the water sensitive urban design asset integrated within the park complex. Pedestrian routes and viewing platforms were recommended to enhance the amenity of the wetland system.
- Intersection modelling and transport planning considering a road network link between Stadium Drive, being the main access point, and Gilgai Road and investigation of an alternative secondary connection from Robina Parkway.
- Trasport modelling includes assessment of the change in traffic flows associated with the development on operational capacity and road safety at the locations based on design years, growth forecasts, committed development utilising the City of Gold Coast Strategic Transport Multi Modal Model (GCSTM-MM).
- Burchills transport also advice included Vehicular Access Strategy including Car Parking, Active Transport Strategy, Public Transport Strategy, Water Transport Strategy and Event Management.