THE MILL @ MORETON BAY

Integral to regional development, The Mill playspace stands as the entrance to the “emerging centre” of this vibrant community.

Known as The Mill, this expansive development in Moreton Bay is the site of the former Petrie paper mill, which is currently being transformed into a new health, retail, commercial and residential development with community infrastructure. Expansive parklands have been created onsite, including the The Mill Aquatics and Adventure Playspace, which represents a $3.77M investment by Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Working in collaboration with the design and build teams, Playscape Creations was an integral part of the design, engineering and construction process of this project, which was rolled out in two phases: an aquatics zone followed by an adventure play zone.

Bringing their expertise to the table to ensure the best possible outcome, Playscape Creations was engaged by landscape architecture firm O2LA for specialist design advice in creating an interactive water feature, considering structures, developing hydraulics and water-quality management systems for the aquatic zone. Playscape Creations was engaged as the specialist aquatic construction contractor by JMac Constructions for the aquatics phase of the project. Additionally, it received the contract for the construction of the adventure play zone through Council.

Remaining sensitive to the environmental concerns of the surrounding area, the aquatic park design incorporated elements unique to The Mill site and the Moreton Bay region. A snaking path throughout the park represents the Pine River, while custom-designed mud crabs pay homage to the local fauna. In addition, a water-discharge bucket in the form of a “paper scroll” serves as a reminder of the site’s history.

Sluice gates feeding into the river swales give kids the opportunity to interact with and control the flow of water across the site, with multiple fountains and ground sprays adding supplementary sensory elements to be enjoyed by users of all ages. Pathways to the splashpad and water-play zone have been engineered to ensure all-ability access to interactive water features, in line with Council’s mandates for the park.

Loath to let the sun go down on a good time, the interactive water fountains have been programmed to dance and display multicoloured lighting sequences that allow the space to be utilised well into the night. With multiple access points, wide open spaces and functional amenities, the park is also suitable for use for large community fairs, markets and sporting events throughout the year.

Not to be outdone, the Adventure Play zone promises an intergenerational recreation space with specialised pieces designed specifically for this project. Playscape Creations’ Adventure Tower echoes the main industrial structure of the mill itself. The staggered box arrangement gives users a sense of discovery and multiple outlooks while maintaining the straight lines and steel frames of the original mill. By providing decorative façade elements, including a moving representation of the mill’s huge paper rolls, the essence of the site’s history has been captured in the playspace.

Standing more than eight meters in height, the tower is a beacon that draws visitors in. There is also a range of climbing and exploratory challenges spread throughout the space, with climbing nets to be traversed over multiple levels before reaching the top of the tower. A truly intergenerational structure, the Adventure Tower delivers comfortable provision for active adult supervision and encourages all ages and levels to challenge themselves to explore their limits.

The playground equipment has been specifically designed to provide unstructured, continuous play experiences. Non-prescribed entry and exit routes mean there is no “right way to play”, allowing children to discover their own path through the system, inventing games and engaging with peers as they play, which encourages inclusion and helps build confidence.

Providing multiple regional benefits, The Mill Aquatics and Adventure Playspace is a community-focused open space that delivers great amenity to the area. With such a varied array of activities to participate in, this recreational area not only pays respect to the site’s rich past but also encourages children, families and the wider community to spend quality time in social engagement.

Project Particulars
Client Moreton Bay Regional Council
Location Petrie, Queensland
Landscape Architect O2LA
Contractor (Aquatics) JMAC Constructions
Contractor (Play) Playspace Creations