Nambour Showgrounds Master Plan 2013 - 2023

Nambour Showgrounds Master Plan 2013 – 2023 (Part 1)

September 2013

© Sunshine Coast Regional Council [email protected] 07 5475 7272 F 07 5475 7277Locked Bag 72 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560AcknowledgementsCouncil wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.DisclaimerInformation contained in this document is based on available information at the time of writing. All figures and diagrams are indicative only and should be referred to as such. While the Sunshine Coast Regional Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. Council or its officers accept no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon any material contained in this document.

September 2013

Table of Contents

1. STUDY FRAMEWORK................................................................................................................... 1

1.1. STUDY PURPOSE.............................................................................................................................11.2. STUDY TEAM AND PROCESS..............................................................................................................1

2. SITE ANALYSIS............................................................................................................................. 3

2.1. OVERVIEW.....................................................................................................................................32.2. LAND OWNERSHIP...........................................................................................................................32.3. PLANNING CONTEXT........................................................................................................................52.4. FACILITIES......................................................................................................................................62.5. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS ANALYSIS.......................................................................................92.6. USERS AND TENURE ARRANGEMENTS...............................................................................................112.7. OPERATING PERFORMANCE.............................................................................................................12

3. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT AND TREND ANALYSIS............................................................13

3.1. ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF NAMBOUR SHOWGROUND............................................................................133.2. SOCIAL BENEFITS OF NAMBOUR SHOWGROUND..................................................................................143.3. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.................................................................153.4. SHOWGROUND TRENDS..................................................................................................................16

4. BACKGROUND RESEARCH.......................................................................................................... 17

4.1. LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................................................................17

5. CONSULTATION......................................................................................................................... 33

5.1. USER GROUPS AND STAKEHOLDERS..................................................................................................335.2. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION..........................................................................................................355.3. OTHER STAKEHOLDERS...................................................................................................................36

6. STRATEGIC DIRECTION............................................................................................................... 37

6.1. PRELIMINARY OPTIONS...................................................................................................................376.2. PREFERRED DIRECTION...................................................................................................................426.3. FEEDBACK ON DRAFT MASTER PLAN.................................................................................................42

7. MASTER PLAN............................................................................................................................ 46

7.1. OVERVIEW...................................................................................................................................467.2. VISION STATEMENT.......................................................................................................................467.3. GUIDING PRINCIPLES......................................................................................................................477.4. KEY MASTER PLAN INITIATIVES........................................................................................................487.5. MAJOR PROJECTS/PRIORITY AREAS..................................................................................................51

8. FUTURE MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................. 52

8.1. RECOMMENDED MODEL.................................................................................................................548.2. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT..................................................................................................................55

9. Action Plan........................................................................................................................................58

APPENDIX 1: NAMBOUR SHOWGROUNDS - SOCIAL & ECONOMIC BENEFIT ASSESSMENT (URBIS, 2013)

APPENDIX 2: NAMBOUR SHOWGROUNDS - CONCEPT PLAN (URBIS, 2013)

Nambour Showgrounds Master Plan 2013 - 2023 Page | 1

1. STUDY FRAMEWORK1.1. STUDY PURPOSE

Nambour Showgrounds is a key component of the sport, recreation and event supply both in Nambour and for the Sunshine Coast Region. It accommodates a vast array of regular community, sport and recreation activities as well as a range of local and region-wide community events. The Nambour Showgrounds adds considerable community life and economic value to Nambour and the Sunshine Coast. The development of a Nambour Showgrounds Master Plan is imperative to secure the integrity, value and efficacy of this facility into the future.

The purpose of this project was to:

Prepare a Master Plan for the Nambour Showgrounds which will provide a 10 year vision for the facility, and identifies a clear direction on how the site will look and function in the future.

The objectives of the study were as follows:

Develop a set of strategic directions for the Nambour Showgrounds which provide a clear vision of the future role, form and function of the site.

The production of feasible options for the future Nambour Showgrounds site which are formed from a thorough understanding of the site, existing and potential future user demands, Council’s Place Making principles, best-practice design principles, and best-practice management and governance arrangements.

The production of a comprehensive and detailed draft Master Plan which clearly informs Council and the community of the recommended development for the Nambour Showgrounds, and is of a suitable quality for public review.

Finalisation of a comprehensive, well-informed Master Plan for the Nambour Showgrounds which provides a clear vision for the facility for the next 10 years.

1.2. STUDY TEAM AND PROCESSThe study team comprised Strategic Leisure Group (project management, background research, consultation, strategy development), Urbis (social and economic benefit research, planning issues, architectural concept plans) and McCormick Rankin Cagney (transport and traffic advice).

The study methodology comprised a four stage process as outlined at Figure 1 below. This report should be read in conjunction with an earlier Situational Analysis Report (May 2012)1 prepared for Council which examined the site opportunities and constraints, tenure arrangements, trends and benchmarked management arrangements.

1 Nambour Showgrounds: Situational Analysis Report. ROSS Planning. May 2012

STUDY PROCESS PRINCIPAL DELIVERABLES

Strategic Directions Report

Stage 1: Background Research and ConsultationBackground research analysisSite investigationsDesktop social and economic analysisAnalysis of transport issuesStakeholder engagementCommunity and Council engagement

Options Development and Assessment

Stage 2: Master Plan OptionsInformation analysisDevelopment of concept plan optionsPresentation of options to Council/stakeholdersAnalysis of stakeholder/Council feedbackDetermination of preferred option

Draft Master Plan and ReportStage 3: Draft Master PlanConcept plans Indicative cost estimatesDraft report

Final Master Plan and ReportStage 4: Final Master Plan Public review processFinal Master Plan and report


Figure 1: Study process – Nambour Showgrounds Draft Master Plan


2. SITE ANALYSIS2.1. OVERVIEW

Nambour Showgrounds (the Showgrounds) are strategically situated close to a national highway (Bruce Highway approximately 1.5kms), the town centre and Nambour Railway Station (approximately 1.3kms). Its ease of access from Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast as a whole is a competitive advantage for the staging of a range of events.

Petrie Creek forms a natural boundary and scenic backdrop to the southern portion of the site, on the other side of which are Nambour State School, Nambour State High School, a bowls club and croquet club. During major events, these venues are used for parking. The northern boundary comprises a small pocket of residential properties and Bli Bli Road. Coronation Avenue forms the western boundary of the site, with residential properties further to the west. To the east is remnant bushland and Crusher Park. The site is steeply sloped from the west and north toward Petrie Creek and this forms a natural amphitheatre on these boundaries. Maps 1 and 2 illustrate the Showground location and adjoining uses.

From Council advice Native Title is deemed to have been extinguished at the Showgrounds and no items of cultural heritage significance have been identified. It is understood that no buildings within the Showgrounds are heritage listed.

The management of the Showgrounds is undertaken by a Council Facilities Coordinator. The Nambour Showground Advisory Group represents each organisation that holds a tenure agreement over the reserve and meets with Council on a quarterly basis. Council undertakes the vast majority of grounds maintenance and invests capital into the site. Fields and outdoor spaces are heavily used, while some internal spaces are underutilised.

2.2. LAND OWNERSHIPThe land on which the Showgrounds are situated is made up of four parcels totalling approximately 16.8ha Most (14.5ha) of the site is situated on one parcel of land held under a Deed of Grant in Trust to the former Maroochy Shire Council. Three small parcels of land are owned freehold by Sunshine Coast Council. These are situated in the north east of the site (including part of the rodeo arena) and far east of the site (extending from part of the Fergus Scott Pavilion and livestock yards to the Petrie Creek boundary). Property and lot boundaries are illustrated at Map 3.

Table 1: Property Details

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION OWNERSHIP TENURE LAND AREA

Lot 738 on RP810778 Sunshine Coast Council(former Maroochy Shire Council)

Deed of Grant in Trust for Show and Sports Ground, Nambour Purposes and for no other purpose whatsoever

145,274m2

Lot 3 on RP131905 Sunshine Coast Council Freehold 8,058m2

Lot 6 on RP220222 Sunshine Coast Council Freehold 14,310m2

Lot 2 on RP184379 Sunshine Coast Council Freehold 562m2


Map 1: Nambour Showgrounds (Image courtesy Sunshine Coast Council)

Map 2: Adjoining uses

Map 3: Property and Lot boundaries

Image reproduced from ROSS Planning report per permission Sunshine Coast Council

Image reproduced from ROSS Planning report per permission Sunshine Coast Council


2.3. PLANNING CONTEXTNambour is designated as a Major Regional Activity Centre in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 which “supports the higher retail, employment and service needs of Nambour and surrounding hinterland areas.”2 Acknowledgement of this higher order function for Nambour is an important consideration in the Master Plan.

Under the current Planning Scheme (Maroochy Plan 2000) Nambour Showgrounds is designated as a Special Purpose Precinct within Planning Area No 2 (Nambour). The Nambour Showgrounds Precinct (which includes neighbouring state primary and high schools) in the Maroochy Plan 2000 notes that preferred uses in this context include showground, other outdoor and indoor recreation and schools. Other uses that are consistent with the intent and desired character of the precinct may also be considered where appropriately sited and designed. Key issues described in the intent for the Nambour Showgrounds Precinct include avoiding adverse impacts on the quality of water entering Petrie Creek, maintenance of the hydraulic and environmental capacity of the creek and its environmental values, and high standards of design for any new development especially along Coronation Avenue and Nambour-Bli Bli Road.

The Nambour Showgrounds site is subject to the Nambour Local Plan Area and is within the local growth management boundary under the Draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2012. It is zoned Sport and Recreation in the Draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2012. The purpose of the Sport and Recreation Zone is described as providing for a “range of organised sport and recreation activities and those uses and support facilities which are associated with those activities.” Under the Sport and Recreation Zone, temporary or periodic uses, such as markets or outdoor entertainment events are permitted where these uses are “of a scale that can reasonably be accommodated by the existing open space facilities and do not unduly impact on the amenity and character of the surrounding area.”

The draft Nambour Local Plan Code seeks to achieve, among other things, the following outcomes:

Progressive development of Nambour as a Major Regional Activity Centre, providing a broad range of higher order uses and activities.

Protection and retention of established character areas of Nambour and buildings identified as having cultural heritage or streetscape significance.

Development that retains key landscape character and natural environment elements; protects significant views contributing to the character and landscape setting of Nambour; contributes to the establishment of attractive gateways and streetscapes and sense of entry and arrival to Nambour.

Development that improves local connectivity by providing pedestrian and cycle connections to and between key destinations including the town centre, railway station, cultural facilities, community activities (including hospitals), sport and recreation areas, and educational establishments.

If development of the site occurs under the provisions of the Draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2012 it will be subject to a number of overlays including:

Nambour Local Plan Code

Land Subject to Flood Hazard Overlay

Biodiversity, Waterway and Wetland Overlay (Native Vegetation, Wetlands, Riparian Areas, Waterways)

Land Subject to Regional Infrastructure Overlay (Water Supply Pipeline, Major Road Corridor)

Landslide Hazard and Steep Land Overlay (moderate hazard area)

Maximum Height of Buildings and Structures (8.5m)

2 “South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031”. Department of Infrastructure and Planning. July 2009, p22


Acid Sulphate Soils Overlay

Airport Environs Overlay

Land Subject to Bushfire Hazard Overlay

Scenic Amenity Overlay

2.4. FACILITIESAn overview of major infrastructure and use is as follows:

Main arena[Main oval (1) for cricket during season (summer). Used for Annual Show, equestrian events, other major events outside of cricket season]

Equestrian Area Covered arena Outdoor arena Rodeo arena Livestock yards Stables Shed[Regular use by range of equestrian groups. Used for Annual Show and large events]

Equestrian areas (cont’d)


Main Pavilion Building Car park[Upper level mainly used by Sunshine Coast Darts Assoc and for Qld Garden Expo/ Swap Meet events. Lower level used for Annual Show and some events.]

Main entry [Ticket boxes and turnstiles used only for major events e.g. Qld Garden Expo/ Annual Show]

Grandstand[Ground level catering area used for meetings, Annual Show, events. Seating used for events, cricket]

Trade Pavilions[Used for events. Car park for Council park and ride]


Catering Buildings – Apex and Rotary

Meeting/ Administration BuildingsNicklin House – lower level on-site Council administration. Upper level craft group.Wallace House – upper level for meetings. Lower level as catering for large events and equestrian events.Scout Hall – mainly used by equestrian groups and on site administration for meetings.Old School Building – used for regular meetings and for events. Caretaker’s House – used for storage for user groups, otherwise unoccupied for several years.

Ovals 2 and 3[Ovals used by cricket during summer season and as parking/ display area for large events outside of season (e.g. Qld Garden Expo, Annual Show, Caravan and Camping Show). Also used for camping during events and by passing caravan clubs/rallies in the off season. Reinstated to ‘fit for play’ standard for cricket at start of season.Cricket clubhouse lower level used for catering during major events. Upper level as permanent cricket area]

Tennis courts[Used exclusively by Nambas Tennis Club]


Badminton Area[Used by Sunshine Coast Badminton and Nambour Badminton Club.Separate entrance to building off Coronation Avenue]

Upper level flat open space and storage sheds.[Storage sheds for a range of user groups]

Community Garden

Other buildings[Lapidary – used exclusively by club.Poultry – used exclusively by club.Wood chop area – used exclusively for Annual Show]

2.5. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS ANALYSISA site inspection was undertaken early in the study process to familiarise the study team with the site. This focussed on existing infrastructure, site access and internal movement, configuration, functionality and relationship to neighbouring uses. The Nambour Showgrounds Situational Analysis Report, May 20123 was used as a framework for site analysis. A synopsis of this assessment is provided in Table 2.

Table 2: Overview of Nambour Showground positives and areas for improvement

POSITIVES AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Access and Circulation The site has excellent access from the Bruce

Highway (1.5kms) and Nambour Railway Station (1.3kms)

639 ‘northern loop’ bus route departs Nambour Station and stops at Showgrounds

Close proximity to car parking opportunities at

Internal wayfinding lacks legibility making it difficult to locate specific buildings

Road signage leading to the venue is poor Signs on corner Bli Bli Road and Coronation

Avenue and at main entry on Coronation Avenue lack prominence

3 op cit. Nambour Showgrounds: Situational Analysis Report.



nearby Crusher Park, schools, bowls club, croquet club and Churches for use during events

All buildings and facilities on site can be accessed by vehicles and pedestrians

Limited formalised internal car parking No dedicated pathway to CBD No dedicated internal pedestrian paths Poor disability access throughout the site Access to badminton building does not provide

public access to the rest of the Showgrounds

Infrastructure and Grounds On-site management office Main arena in good condition and used year

round for cricket (summer) and events (winter) Ovals 2 and 3 in reasonable condition Trade display pavilions provide multi-use

opportunities for events Site perimeter is fenced Approx 650 seat grandstand Multiple equestrian arenas and covered arena Several power boxes for additional power supply

during events situated on verges of ovals Access to bore water for irrigation

The site contains a number of aging buildings which appear to have been developed or relocated to the site on an ad-hoc basis

Most buildings lack disability access Main Pavilion lacks functionality for events and

disability access Several buildings lack functionality for multi-use

and some are single purpose use (e.g. badminton, poultry, lapidary, tennis)

No permanent PA system Cricket pitches need to be protected during

events and reinstated to ‘fit for play’ standard for cricket season

Conflict between events and sport use of ovals Proximity to residences on northern side has

potential to create amenity issues Historical drainage issues on all ovals Covered equestrian arena surface suffers

compaction due to rain entering arena and poor drainage

Entry Close proximity to external car parking

opportunities and public transport Opportunity to reshape main entry and create a

sense of arrival that is also safer for patrons

Main gate entry off Coronation Avenue lacks functionality for ticketing large crowds and has inadequate disability access (prams and wheelchairs cannot fit through turnstiles)

Limited congregation space at main entry forces patrons onto roads during larger eventsSecond entrance off Bli Bli Road is smaller and constrained by steep topography

Only one traffic island at main entry. No drop off points

No dedicated entry for equestrian vehicles/ service vehicles



Environmental Large, useable open space areas Adjoining Petrie Creek has potential for attractive

linkage to recreational paths Native vegetation Recent improvements to field drainage

Site is subject to flooding which can occur relatively quickly. The areas most affected are cricket ovals 2 and 3 and the rodeo arena

Absence of road verges, swales etc results in erosion from high velocity water flow and less useable space

Erosion from run-off on steep slopes on either side of Sports Parade and at north west corner of the site

Lack of drainage measures in these areas

Limited water capture and re-use

Combination of inadequately drained soil and high water table results in damage to ovals if used during events

Amenity Attractive setting in keeping with Nambour’s rural

character Good viewing areas

Poor visibility and access along Coronation Avenue due to bamboo along footpath

2.6. USERS AND TENURE ARRANGEMENTSThe Showgrounds are used for a variety of purposes by a broad range of users. There are 15 regular user groups who have some form of tenure over facilities at Nambour Showgrounds. These groups (with approximate membership) include:

ORGANISATION NAME APPROX MEMBERSHIP AS AT 2012

Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show Society 165

Nambour Cricket Club 170

Zone 6 Pony Club 800

Northcoast Active Riders Group 100

Sunshine Coast Showjumping & Equestrian Club 300

Gunalda & District Western Performance Club 73

Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland (Queensland Garden Expo)

n/a

Sunshine Coast Darts Association Av 40

Nambas Tennis Club 80 + social


ORGANISATION NAME APPROX MEMBERSHIP AS AT 2012

Nambour Lapidary Club 45

Maroochy Pony Club 50

Nambour APEX Club 10

Rotary Club of Nambour 38

Nambour Community Garden Club 15

Sunshine Coast Antique Car Club 300

All the above groups (with the exception of Nambas Tennis Club which has a 10 year lease expiring in 2020) have a three year licence agreement expiring on 30 June 2014. In addition to these groups, a number of other regular users have an informal hire arrangement for the areas they use. These include:

Nambour Poultry Club

Craft Creations

Landrover Owner’s Club

Suncoast Hotrod & Custom Cars

Historic Motorcycle Club

Woombye Rotary Club

Collectorama Antiques

In addition there are numerous one-off event hirers and less frequent community user groups and schools who hire facilities.

2.7. OPERATING PERFORMANCEOperating revenue and expenditure for the Nambour Showgrounds for the year ending 30 June 2013 was as follows:

Total Revenue $142,711

Total Operating Expenditure $783,578

Operating Surplus/Deficit ($640,867)

Nambour Showgrounds Master Plan 2013 - 2023

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