BERRINBA WETLANDS / SOUTH WEST 1

The site comprises 130 hectares of land under Logan City Council ownership, previously used for sand mining activities in the 1960s to early 1980s.

Approximately 40 hectares of the site have been developed as a Mixed Industry Business Area (MIBA) with the balance of the site retained in public ownership as a recreation and wildlife reserve.

The parkland is comprised of existing bushland and a series of artificial water bodies arising previous sand mining activities. The Wetlands are fed by a number of drainage lines and Scrubby Creek which flows from west to east, eventually flowing into Slacks Creeks. Although the bodies of water that make up the wetlands are artificial, they have significant ecological value within the urban landscape. They provide habitat for wildlife, corridors for wildlife movement and help filter and clean water before it reaches the sea.

The parkland has been developed according to the Landscape Master Plan for the project, prepared in 2005 by VERGE in consultation with a number consultant and Logan City Council, and according to an environmental assessment conducted by Natural Solutions.

An overarching philosophy was developed by VERGE during the master planning phase to define the project by its quality, so that the landscape, parkland and remaining bushland reflected the intent of council in attracting ‘clean, green’ and sophisticated enterprise to the MIBA.

Accordingly, the main design principles of the Landscape Master Plan responded to the site’s physical attributes and ecology, it’s social context and creating a contemporary interface between the future businesses to be located there and the site’s layers of human enjoyment and significant ecological assets.

These have been manifested through the design development, documentation and construction to establish significant recreation facilities for all ages, transition in character from the ‘built’ to the more natural environment, rehabilitation of degraded areas, an extensive network of pathways and bridges to connect within the site and provide access from neighbouring residential areas and facilities for use by businesses, workers, educators and the public to support week day activities and week end recreational pursuits.