Project Description
Focal point of an activated parkland precinct, opening the foreshore to Gladstone’s community and region
> THE CONTEXT
The East Shores Precinct opens and connects the foreshore and cruise terminal to create an activated leisure precinct for visitors and the Gladstone community. The Gladstone Ports Corporation has had plans for a Port Interpretive Centre (to be located in the Precinct) in development for several years. The Centre will make Gladstone’s rich maritime history and heritage accessible to the community and is envisioned as an engaging cultural attraction that will provide an educational and cultural experience.
> OUR APPROACH
Positive Solutions and project partners The Maytrix Group provided analysis and supported the precinct Master planning, led by Urbis, through local consultation, benchmarking and a series of team and client workshops. The ongoing success and viability of the Centre will be closely integrated with the life and activation of the surrounding precinct, and discussions took place in the context of these wider programming implications.
> THE BRIEF
Positive Solutions was engaged, alongside The Maytrix Group, to provide advice on utilisation, configuration and location of the Interpretive Centre, to precede more detailed business forecasting, and to inform completion of Precinct planning.
> THE RESULT
The workshopping and consultation resulted in the strategic location of the Centre and integration of café and function use to support the broader objectives for community engagement. Planning also considered activation through programming options for the precinct and informed operational forecasts to support project funding.
As a collaboratively planned Ports Corporation initiative, the Precinct will realise a well-programmed, leisure-focus district with the Port Interpretive Centre at its heart. The Centre and East Shores precinct will enrich community life in the region through a considered and integrated planning approach. Positive Solutions was later re-engaged by the Gladstone Port Corporation to review and update the 2012 report and business plan; engage in Stakeholder consultation to get feedback on the revised plan and compile an amended plan in light of the stakeholder consultation.
