Guymer Bailey Presents: 10 Queensland Boredom Busting Locations for School Holidays

The school holidays are nearly upon us and if you are like most parents, you are already dreading hearing “I’m bored!”

To save your sanity we thought we’d share some of our family-favourite Brisbane projects to bring you 10 boredom busting activities that are sure to be a hit with the kids these school holidays.

Please note that while we are still impacted by COVID-19 you may like to check the following locations to see what capacity they are operating in.

1. Frew Park Arena Play Structure, Milton

Photography: Scott Burrows Photographer

While the Arena Play Structure provides play experience for all age groups and abilities, it specifically targets players of 10 to 15 years. The play structure includes slides, climbing walls, swings, nets and ropes, hang-out spaces, and interactive spaces designed to fuel the imagination. It even features a Commentary Box, which is a steel-mesh box suspended eight metres above the ground, offering greater thrill to playground goers.

There is a reason why this multi-award-winning playground is a favourite of Brisbane kids and parents alike, the Arena Play Structure resembles no other playground around. Built on the grounds where the iconic Milton tennis stadium once stood, its theme ’deconstruction’ honours its history with contemporary play precincts that reflect stadium spaces.

2. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre, Maleny

Photography: Scott Burrow Photographer

The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre is an iconic conservation, education and tourism Centre located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland with exceptional views of the Glass House Mountains. The Reserve is a living museum of the diverse plant life including a complex notophyll vine forest that once covered the Blackall Ranges

At the Rainforest Discovery Centre you can view the rainforest from above on the elevated Glider Gallery Boardwalk, learn more about the local flora and fauna through fun interpretive displays or take in the breathtaking view of the Glasshouse Mountains on the observation deck. You can grab a bite at the Mountain View Café or utilise the barbecues and picnic shelters near the playground.

3. Kings Beach, Caloundra

Photography : Scott Burrows Photographer

Looking for a day at the beach but wanting to avoid the busy beach areas of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts? Check out Kings Beach at Caloundra.

Take a walk along the beachfront boardwalk to explore the parkland, make a splash in the iconic Kings crown waterplay area, take a dip in the beachfront pool or enjoy a swim in the ocean.

There are also plenty of picnic and barbeque stations around the surrounding esplanade and grassed areas.

4. Queens Park Nature Centre, Ipswich

Photography: Guymer Bailey Landscape

The Queens Park Nature Centre offers a range of Australian wildlife exhibits that have been recreated to represent local bushland and habitats. Within the park you and the family will Get to see wombats, wallabies, emus, birds, and barnyard animals up close in beautifully landscaped gardens, all for a gold coin donation. Make a day of it by bringing a picnic and letting the kids have fun in the Queens Park playground across the road.

5. David Fleay Wildlife Park, Burleigh Heads

Photography: Scott Burrows Photographer

Located in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, the David Fleay Wildlife Park is home to many native animals and birds including eagles, brolgas, jabiru, owls, and cassowaries, as well as kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, snakes, lizards, platypus, and dingoes.

A key highlight is the Fleay’s in Flight show where you get to see the wing spans and speed of the park’s birds of prey.

6. Maroochy Arts and Ecology Centre, Maroochydore

Photography: Scott Burrow Photographer

The Maroochy Arts and Ecology Centre is in the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens and is a specialised arts and ecology interpretative centre that hosts activities and events, with a focus on exploring the relationship between art and nature. 

The Centre showcases green initiatives by mixing both passive design and active systems to allow visitors to witness ecological sustainability in practice through efficient solar, air and water use.

It is also a great opportunity to explore the Botanic Gardens around the Centre, that have been designed based on the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, that shape and influence the natural landscapes of the Sunshine Coast.

7. Eumundi Markets, Eumundi

Photography: Guymer Bailey Landscape

World renowned, the Eumundi Markets are the biggest and best art and craft market in Australia. Open every Wednesday and Saturday, you will find beautifully handcrafted homewares, furniture, artworks, fashion, and jewellery as well as lots of fresh produce, baked goods, and gourmet delights.

8. California Lane, Fortitude Valley

Photography: Scott Burrows Photographer

California Lane is the newest Brisbane laneway precinct behind the popular Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. The laneway aptly incorporates retro elements from the nostalgic years of California with pastel walls, neon signs and tall palm trees leading you back in time to the 1960s, honouring the old California Café, once located at Carroll’s Corner in Brunswick Street.

The laneway features boutiques, cafés, and eateries, making it an ideal spot for a different dining experience. While you are there, be sure to check out Bakery and Winn Lanes as well.  

9. Kingfisher Bay Resort and Hotel, Fraser Island

Photography: Kingfisher Bay Resort

This was our founding project way back in 1989 and it established the field of eco-tourism. Kingfisher Bay Resort and Hotel offers a unique holiday destination with villas, houses and the main hotel nestled into tree-covered dunes that overlook the Great Sandy Strait.

The Kingfisher Bay Resort and Hotel features four swimming pools, four restaurants, three bars, tennis courts and water sports, as well as a general store, gallery, and day spa.

10. The Local Aquatic Centre

Photography: Scott Burrow Photographer

If you’re lucky to find a warm day through the holidays why not take the kids to the local pool! We can personally vouch for the Clem Jones Aquatic Centre, Ferny Hills Aquatic Centre, Kings Beach Saltwater Pool and Maryborough Aquatic Centre, though let’s face it, on a warm Queensland day, any pool is a good pool.

Town Planner Q&A: How are local councils responding in light of the pandemic?

We're certainly living in interesting times. As a result of COVID-19, our new business-as-usual is, well, unusual, and there has, understandably, been both uncertainty and caution in the market when it comes to proceeding with projects.

To do a quick temperature check of the South East Queensland market, we spoke to Town Planner, Angus Green, Director of Place Design Group about his dealings with the local and state governments and what it means for development approvals moving forward.

Are you finding the local government is responding differently as a result of COVID-19?

The Queensland State Government and Councils are keen to encourage economic growth through the development industry and are building a pipeline of shovel ready projects.

How is this impacting Development Approvals?

We see this as an opportune time to be submitting development applications within South East Queensland. The Local Government elections are over, and the Councils are now out of caretaker mode. Brisbane City Council has announced their Civic Cabinet with Cr Krista Adams being appointed the Planning Chair. 

We are pleased to be already seeing complex DAs which were previously hitting roadblocks during their assessment, resolved with a more development facilitation focus.

Do you have any further guidance for those currently deciding whether to proceed or hold back on projects?

 Another consideration is the impending State Government election in October. For potentially controversial DA’s it may be prudent to proceed with the concept development and pre-DA stages now but hold off on the actual lodgement of the application until after this election period.

However, this would only be relevant for a very small percentage of projects. In most cases the current environment is a significant opportunity to obtain better development outcomes. 

Managing the work, school, life balance: top tips from our Interiors team

Does the work, home, and school balance have you scrambling at the moment? Like you've got a little too many balls in the air and might be at risk of a concussion? You're not alone. Parents everywhere are feeling the stress at the moment.

To help you (and us!) get through this rather interesting period and create a productive earn/learn environment, we spoke to some of the parents in our Interiors team, Severina Galvin, Gohta Shiraishi, Yoshino Seki and Sweta Solanki to get their top tips.

Have an understanding between your project team and family members

Gohta: "Your team needs to understand that there will be times that you'll need to help out with a maths problem, get an iPad working or change a nappy. At the same time, your family also needs to respect the fact that although there is flexibility, you have a responsibility to get your work done, and there are virtual meetings to attend and deadlines to meet.

 A simple way of looking at things, I find, is that work is not 9-5. It'll be more in increments like 7.00-9.30am, 10:00-11:30am, so on and so forth and your team needs to understand this. It helps if you give your team some heads up though!

I like to send a quick skype message to the team that says "bubs" and I've explained to them beforehand that that means there's a matter at home that needs my attention and that I'll be "offline" for a little while. But I make up for this by being responsive and available to the team when online to maintain good communication.

Conversely, when that clock hits 5.00pm, your family needs to be accommodating to the fact that you may need to work "back" to get that deadline done. Sometimes this will entail working at odd times or answering emails at 11.00pm long after the kids are tucked in."

Focus on QUALITY rather than quantity

Gohta: "This applies to both the "work" and "home" settings. When you're spending time with the family, be present with them. Switch off your notifications and put that phone, iPad and computer away for that precious couple of hours you have with them. 

Also, with your work, try and have a proper home office set-up so you can concentrate productively away from distractions (for those odd periods in-between home duties), so you can produce quality work. This includes a proper task chair, workstation and IT set-up, ideally in a dedicated room."

Create a productive workspace shared workspace with your child/children

Severina: “To create a comfortable and productive workspace you’ll want an area where you can get fresh air, views to nature, good lighting (natural light as the first preference and then task lighting) and ambient noise control either through headphones, physical distancing or separation, if possible.

Ergonomic comfort is also important but may be challenging at home. Be mindful of the comfort levels of your available furniture and settings and try to adjust as much as possible.

Consider setting up a variety of school and work areas to break the monotony of being in the same space and create more reasons for moving breaks to help with transition and controlling acoustic privacy needs for different tasks. I recommend using your outdoor space for studying and work as much as you can.”

Yoshino: “I recommend setting a daily routine and start schooling an hour before work. That way my child is settled with all the set tasks; it makes it easier to start the day. Let your child know about the day's schedule in the morning, so they know what is happening and also mention those key spots when you can't be interrupted. 

Be flexible with working spots throughout the day. That might involve sitting next to your child or letting them do a task next to you at your desk. This also helps you utilise those small gaps of time between meetings to talk to your child about how they are going.

Another hand tip is to make sure the toys are away before starting home school to avoid distraction and make DVDs and games treats after all of their schoolwork is done. Where possible, try not to have DVDs and games during the day as it will break the boundary, leaving them until later can also motivate them to get their schoolwork done."

Find ways to balance work and teaching

Yoshino: "Try not to worry too much about completing the set daily task organised by the educator. It's more important that your child feels comfortable learning. Balance the day by alternating focused work with activities to keep your child engaged and be creative in organising tasks. Not all tasks given by the school will suit every child, so where possible, try to turn it into a fun activity.

If the task seems too hard for the child, keep trying but don't push, they will eventually get it (100% guaranteed!) so look at the situation in the long run."

Sweta: "Where possible, share the load. My husband also helps in home schooling. So, we plan out our day depending on our meetings scheduled and take turns in teaching a subject each.

Also, remember to look for the rewards. I now have a greater insight into the tasks and activities my child does at school. Previously, I only got to see her task books when they returned home at the end of the year; now, I feel more connected to her education. This experience has also increased my appreciation for all the hard work and dedication the teachers and schools put towards the students. It's not an easy task."

Be kind to yourself

Gohta: "Working from home with children can be a real juggling act at the best of times, so be realistic with what you can achieve with work and at home. Sometimes the greatest pressure placed on working parents is from ourselves. If you know you can't get something done, be open and transparent with your team (work and home) and say so. While it can be hard to admit we can't do everything, it is far better for everyone to be honest from the start. 

Remember that the value you bring to work is not always in the work you produce; it's in the expertise and knowledge that you bring to the table. As working parents, we're typically a bit further along in our professional careers and often the best way to be more productive is to impart this knowledge to the younger generation so they can be better equipped to get the work done! Delegating is a powerful tool when done right."

Look after yourself

Gohta: "At 11months old, my daughter will still not sleep through the night, so perpetual sleep deprivation is the new reality. I find fresh air and some upbeat music are far better than reaching for that cup of coffee. Sometimes a quick walk or even five minutes of shut-eye can give you just enough of a refresher to keep going for a little while."

Yoshino: "Try to set a daily exercise activity like taking a walk in the morning or afternoon to set the routine and reduce stress. Eat healthily and maintain set mealtimes, save your snacks for morning and afternoon tea."

There you have it! Some great tips that will go a long way in maintaining a happy environment at home while being under pressure at work. 

What is a DA and BA?

By Suzanne Goodson

Have you ever wondered what the terms DA and BA mean? It's quite common to hear the acronyms DA and BA thrown around by the architects, planners and building certifiers working on your project. To help you, here we explain what a Development Approval (DA) and Building Approval (BA) are - and what you need to know about them.

What is a Development Approval (DA)?

To carry out certain types of developments, an application may need to be made to the Local Authority for a development permit. The development application provides information about the proposed development to enable the Council to assess the application properly.

Depending on the type of development proposed, the application may likely require information about what the development will look like, the proposed materials, and any impacts it may have on the surrounding environment.

Development applications are assessed under the Planning Act 2016.

Development Application steps:

We recommend a specialist (Town Planner) is engaged for the process of determining if a Development Approval is required. They have a detailed understanding of local authority requirements and the local City planning instruments.

• Preparation – if a DA is required, the Town Planner will prepare a report to explain the proposed development. Our drawings will form part of the submitted material to Council

• Lodgement – Once lodged the packages can be tracked through Council. Council can request clarification and ask questions during this period. Often queries are raised as RFIs (request for information)

• Referrals (in some cases) – sometimes your proposal may trigger additional referral agencies. This is if your development impacts them in some way. For instance, agencies such as Transport and Main Roads, Heritage or Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

• Public notification - This is a statutory period of time in which the project proposal must be advertised to give residents, neighbours and the public an opportunity to lodge their concerns.

• Assessment – The Council then assess the application. This can take several months. The Town Planner may be able indicate approximate time frames.

• Making changes to your application - Throughout the process, development applications may be modified by the applicant. Depending on the nature of the change, some steps of the assessment process may need to be repeated.

What you need to know:

• The Local Council dictates timeframes. Some properties don't require a DA, some can be fast-tracked and dealt within months, and others trigger several processes and referral agencies which can take years.

• Town planners are the specialists in this field and should be commissioned early to provide the best advice. We work alongside Town Planners preparing drawings and documents to support the application.

• The local authority sets the application fee, and the client must pay them to proceed. Infrastructure charges are also charged depending upon the nature of the project and complexity.

• Clients should be aware this process is entirely out of our hands (as architects) and controlled by the Local Authority. We will facilitate the process by providing prompt responses, help and assistance where possible.

What is a Building Approval (BA)?

A Building Approval is also referred to as 'certification'. It is required for developments that involve carrying out building work under the Planning Act 2016, as well as under specific building legislation.

Building approvals require assessment against the Building Code of Australia (or the National Construction Code) and each States Building and Plumbing Regulations. These codes and regulations are mainly concerned with issues such as:

• Structural safety and stability

• Appropriate fire protection and safety

• Pest protection (termites etc.)

• Adequate sewer and drainage

• Meeting minimum energy and water efficiency standards (often referred to as ESD – Environmentally Sustainable Design)

While building approvals are usually issued once for a specific structure or building, building legislation may require various technical inspections at different stages of the building process, including completion.

An accredited private Building Certifier needs to issue a Building Approval. Your Certifier is responsible for lodging building approvals and certification information with the Council.

What you need to know:

• The Building Certifier does not deal with the development approval or town planning matters (other than confirming compliance) including specific regulatory overlays such as heritage and character buildings or protected vegetation.

• The Building Certifier will need to review lots of documents and certificates regarding the compliance of the design and the completed physical build.

• They require Certificates from other building professionals such as Registered Engineers (Structural, Hydraulic, Electrical, Mechanical etc.) in the form of “Form 15s” in Queensland to attest to the fact that that particular design component is in keeping with Australian standards and other regulations.

• The Certifier will request certificates from the builder/contractor that ensure the project has been built in accordance with the endorsed design.

• Building work that impacts on stormwater infrastructure or sewer infrastructure may require a “Request to Build Over Infrastructure Application“ to be lodged with the Local Authority and/or Utility.

• Stormwater for your property needs to be connected to a legal point of discharge and requires the same Engineering compliance and forms.

• Changes and additions of vehicle crossings and driveway gradients require an Operation Works Approval.

• We suggest the early engagement of your Certifier to allow for compliance advice during the planning stages and avoid abortive work.

• Timeframes vary and depend on the complexity of your project and the Certifiers workload.

• A stamped approved set of drawings must be kept on the construction site.

About the Author

Suzanne Goodson has more than two decades’ experience in architectural design, documentation and contract administration, and has been the project architect for numerous commercial, residential, multi-residential, judicial, leisure and education projects. As an associate Suzanne also acts as the Marketing and Quality Systems Manager at Guymer Bailey, ensuring our client’s needs stay at the forefront of designs to deliver high-quality projects that exceed expectations.

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