An urban redevelopment program for a beachside park in Caloundra has become the catalyst for the revitalisation of Kings Beach, a major tourist hub which epitomises Australia’s beach going culture. In the heart of the City, the eight hectare, $12 million staged redevelopment began in 1999.
The area encompassed the century old Alexandra Caravan Park, the old Ambulance building, public carparks, Surf Life Saving facilities, the 25 metre saltwater pool, road reserve, the heritage listed bathing pavilion, toilet blocks and picnic shelters.
In 2004 with stage three underway, and stage four to be completed by 2005, the City has a signature location that has proven attractive to both residents and tourists by building on the City’s historical family orientated drawcards – the beach and its picnic areas.
Today, after extensive and innovative community consultation programs, the redesigned Kings Beach Park blends modern design principles and materials with beach going traditions. A public amphitheatre, a colourful fenced children’s play area, including a stage and climbing wall, custom ‘orb’ sails, a promenade of shelters and seats, lined with panels of works from local artists, all shape this wonderful people place.
A waterplay spectacle, which includes seven arching jets of water and further row of seven foaming jets, is the centre piece of an open plaza and a fantastic place to cool down on a hot summer’s night. A series of light sculptures define one of the many entrances to the City’s Coast Walk.
Caloundra City Mayor, Cr Don Aldous, said both Council and the community wanted the Kings Beach redevelopment to capture the theme of the ‘Mountains to the Sea’ character of Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
“This theme would complement and reflect the natural and unique environs of Caloundra City – from the mountains to the sandy beaches of the coastline while providing safe, family orientated, recreation and leisure with opportunities for economic and social benefits,” Cr Aldous said.“With its own grassed amphitheatre, Kings Beach Park is one of the few places in the world where you can sit back under the stars and watch musical greats, such as James Morrison or the Ten Tenors, and in the background hear the sound of the surf or smell the salt in the air.
“We have in fact turned a carpark, a caravan park and some beach reserve into a place where locals and visitors can come to enjoy an unforgettable sensory combination of culture and casual, beachside ambience. The revitalisation of Kings Beach Park has been one of the most significant projects in the history of Caloundra. It has given our community the opportunity to integrate landscape and architecture to create a timeless, distinctive people place.”
