Encouraging good design of buildings, streets and spaces, which respect and enhance the values we all love about our region – our climate, landscape, ocean and waterways and our communities – is the focus of the draft Sunshine Coast Design Strategy.
The draft design strategy has been developed in consultation with the community and Sunshine Coast Council is seeking your feedback.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the final strategy, when completed and endorsed, would help to inspire good quality design founded on a set of principles and tips which reflected the values of the Sunshine Coast community.
"In January, we asked the community to share the top five distinct Sunshine Coast characteristics they value and enjoy," Mayor Jamieson said.
"That feedback was very clear and has led to the development of four values council believes should inform design of our buildings, streets and spaces.
"These values are at the heart of what our community believes makes the Sunshine Coast a great place to live."
The four values presented for community feedback are:
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We love our climate
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We live within, and cherish, our landscape
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We treasure our ocean and waterways
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We are a community of communities
"These values have also informed the development of nine design principles, on which we are also seeking community feedback, along with a series of priority actions to help illustrate designing with the principles in mind," Mayor Jamieson said.
The proposed design principles are:
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Work with the local climate
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Create places that respect and incorporate landscape
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Bring our culture, arts and heritage to life
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Capture and frame natural views and create vistas
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Strengthen and extend a network of environmental and green corridors linking places
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Be inspired by the natural and built environment
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Make shady streets that put people first
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Create inclusive places that can be enjoyed by everyone
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Ensure places are resilient and ready for change
Place Development and Design Portfolio Councillor Peter Cox said the draft Design Strategy aimed to create our own Sunshine Coast design language.
"That language will reflect a set of shared values for our buildings, streets and spaces, now and into the future," Cr Cox said.
"Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, said 'Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works' and that's a sentiment I think we all share.
"The Design Strategy won't be a rule book, rather a resource for design professionals, planners, developers, home owners, renovators and buyers, builders, certifiers and council to guide decision making and inspire design that fits with the Sunshine Coast.
"We know our region will grow and change over time - that's inevitable. However, we should not be reticent in seeking to ensure our values are reflected in the future design and shaping of our communities.
"That is, after all, what a healthy, smart, creative Sunshine Coast should be doing."
The draft Sunshine Coast Design Strategy and survey can be accessed on council's website: www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
A hardcopy survey can be completed by visiting any Sunshine Coast Council library.
The community is invited to provide feedback to August 15.
