Public amenities
Site planning
Best practice guidance for site planning
Decision framework
Public amenities must be developed in accordance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and must meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA), the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, including subtropical design guidance.
There are a range of Australian Standards/best practice guidelines, relating to this category. Key documents are referenced throughout and in the LIM Public amenities - Standards.
Subtropical design
Subtropical design incorporates appropriate design elements for the local climate and includes sustainable development principles.
In order to achieve the requirements of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme in relation to sub-tropical design and local character, the building design should demonstrate the following design principles:
- Moderate direct sunlight, whilst providing daylight
- Natural air and ventilation
- Protection from weather and sun
- Landscape and biodiversity
- Identity as a Sunshine Coast building
- Reduced energy consumption and waste generation.
Site decisions
All decisions, including the location of the embellishment and related infrastructure, must be made in conjunction with council (determined by site location), including officers from such areas as:
- Council (Asset Management)
- Council (Parks and Gardens)
Note: this category of the LIM is a Council (Asset Management) document.
Users
Consult with council stakeholders, neighbouring properties and identified park users in the planning stage of a project.
Site conditions
Consider the physical characteristics of a site and requirements of the activities to be conducted:
- Location of utilities i.e. power, water, sewerage
- Prevailing winds
- Orientation to minimise sun impact
- Level surface
- Well drained site
- Flood immunity
- Protection of existing vegetation
- Minimises landscape visual impact
- Site suitability in the event a septic treatment and dispersal system must be used.
Co-location of facilities
- Facilities, including parking and pathways, are often already established and need to be considered in the overall design.
- Proximity to roads, carparks, pathways, playgrounds, picnic areas.
- Compatibility of surrounding land uses.
- Where there are high levels of activity (e.g. barbecues, picnic shelters, playgrounds, sports fields and other buildings).
Safety
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)
Amenity buildings must be designed to comply with the CPTED principles as follows:
- To promote passive surveillance of adjoining public realm and community ownership of safety outcomes.
- To enhance the local character and neighbourhood legibility, territoriality and community pride.
- To be defensible without lessening their proper character and function or their supportive relationship to adjoining public realm.
If a new facility is proposed, the following criteria is to be followed in relation to siting:
- In an open location that has good sight lines to areas of activity.
- High visibility from streets, playgrounds and other public areas.
- Avoid creating or maintaining hidden spaces.
The following design objectives are to be attained:
- Common areas have semi transparency for passive surveillance.
- Privacy is provided where required for occupant safety and integrity.
- Physical security measures such as lockable gates and external lighting are deemed necessary at each public amenity facility for the deterrence of crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour and to increase the overall sense of safety and security.
See Part A and Part B of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Guidelines for Queensland.
Smart technology
Smart infrastructure must be installed only where appropriate and only when approved by the asset custodian. See LIM Smart technologies for further guidance, including key considerations for installation.
Planning for sustainability
Refer Design principles – Sustainability for guidance.
Planning for future works
- Co-locate embellishments requiring similar services e.g. water, to reduce infrastructure, where possible.
- Where underground utilities are installed, set brass markers to concrete slab edges to indicate the location.
- Consider installation of additional conduits under concrete slabs for future provision, where utilities (e.g. electrical, water) and irrigation systems are planned. Ensure additional conduit is capped to prevent ingress of water and debris.
- Consider climate change impacts on the embellishment location and construction 1.
- In coastal areas, or near waterways, design should consider rise in sea level predictions, storm tide, salt inundation and severe storm events.
- Positioning should also consider flooding, seasonal/ephemeral water bodies and water table changes.
- Near bushland areas, design should consider the occurrence of bushfires.
Source 1: Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017.
This component is currently in development