Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Building Renewal Proposal
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why do we have to change anything at the Reserve at all? Where does the pressure for
building renewal come from as many people like it the way it is?
There are a number of issues that need addressing at the Reserve:
1. It has been identified by the Reserve’s community based Management Committee,
volunteers and other community partners, that the on-site facilities and workspaces are not
adequate to meet their needs and modern standards. There are insufficient education
spaces, no meeting and research spaces and no amenities.
2. The old house that serves as a commercial kitchen and servery for the kiosk, and includes
some offices for staff, is failing in terms of meeting standards and functional needs.
Refurbishment of this aged structure is not feasible and would not be prudent management
of public assets.
3. Currently there is limited ability at the Reserve to provide educational, or food and beverage
services in a weather proof environment (ie. protection from wet, windy, cold conditions).
4. There is a need to upgrade, refresh and expand the interpretive, educational and way-
finding materials across the site to provide a more engaging and interactive visitor
experience, particularly for younger generations.
2. What’s being proposed?
Council engaged a consultant to undertake an independent, comparative assessment of a
number of building renewal options, based on environmental, financial, economic and social
considerations. Council’s project team then reviewed the consultant report and developed the
recommendations going forward.
Of the various options considered, two options were identified as most optimal, with the
distinguishing factor being that one of the proposals houses facilities on one level, while the
other option spans over two levels and includes increased eating space.
Both preferred options feature:

a new and fully integrated facility,

tea house style café – providing a relaxed atmosphere for daytime eating and beverages,
with a focus on local foods (i.e. bush food),

learning/Discovery Centre – interactive and innovative interpretive materials and displays,
with a focus on the conservation, natural and cultural heritage values of the Reserve,

Reserve gift shop – local and regional products; educational materials and eco-friendly
products promoting the Reserve’s key values and messages,

staff and volunteer offices,

research area,

meeting room and group learning theatrette with audio/video equipment, for presentations,
workshops, learning activities and meetings,

covered outdoor learning space (ie. for school groups),

multi-level viewing platform offering views of the Glass House Mountains and the rainforest
canopy.
The potential is still open to mix the best components of the various options if deemed desirable.
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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - Building Renewal Proposal
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Building Renewal Proposal
3. Is the building renewal consistent with the Deed of Trust?
In 1941 the Thynne sisters gifted the land to the former Landsborough Shire Council, with the
transfer documents stating that the land be held “as a Reserve and Sanctuary for the
preservation, conservation and exhibition of Natural Flora and Fauna of the said land for
Scenic purposes and for no other purpose whatsoever”.
Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Thynne (one of the sisters) later donated more rainforest to Council and
continued a close relationship with the reserve until her death in 1978. ‘Bessie’ had a great
love of teaching children about nature. She also approached Rotary and Council to make
improvements to the reserve that would better cater for visitors and tourists, and to build the
cairn that overlooks her beloved Glass House Mountains.
Sunshine Coast Council is now the custodian of the land and remains committed to honouring
the Deed of Trust. New facilities that are sensitively designed to help visitors appreciate the
conservation values and ‘take home’ messages of the Reserve, or to enjoy the iconic views of
Glass House Mountains landscape, will further fulfil the purposes of the trust. New works will
be limited to the footprint of the existing building area to avoid any impact on the rainforest.
4. How much will the renewal works cost and does Council have enough money?
The estimated construction cost of the two most optimal options:
- $3.3 million for Option 2a (one level) and
- $4.0 million for Option 3 (two levels).
However, as a result of consultation, Council may pursue other options with different costs.
Council has sufficient funds for the planning and design stages of the project. Council's
financial resources will, however, need to be supplemented by State or Federal government
grants to support construction costs. Council is already actively seeking funding opportunities
for this project.
5. Has a decision been made yet?
There has been no decision made yet by Council about which renewal option, operating model
or design direction to pursue. This consultation provides you with the opportunity to participate
in the decision making process.
6. How will a decision be made? What will happen to our comments?
The proposed renewal options are now being presented to interest groups and the community
for comment and feedback.
All comments are recorded and documented and will be incorporated into a summary report
that will inform the Council decision. The summary report will be made available at the Mary
Cairncross and Council websites following the closing date for comments.
The independent consultant’s report, along with the consultation report, will be presented to
Council and they will then make a decision about the way forward, as depicted below.
Comments will also inform the design brief that guides the design requirements for the
architects to work to.
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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - Building Renewal Proposal
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Building Renewal Proposal
Needs and Options identified
by community based subCommittee and Council’s
reference group
Business Case Assessment
(feasibility) by independent
consultant
Project Team review
and Option 2a
Recommendation:
preferred Options
Targeted & community consultation
about preferred Options
Project Team to present
report to Council
Council decision re
preferred Option
Design and
approvals
Funding
procurement
Design Consultation
Construction
7. Who is being consulted? Can anyone comment?
All are invited to visit either http://www.mary-cairncross.com.au or
www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au to peruse project information and the independent consultant’s
report.
Comments are invited via email at Shanna.Douglas@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
OR via post to: Sunshine Coast Council, Attention Shanna Douglas
Locked Bag 72, Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q 4560
In addition to the general invitation to participate, some direct consultation is being carried out
with key interest groups (e.g. MCSR Volunteers, Friends of Mary Cairncross Association,
Management Committee, Rotary, tourism groups) and direct mail (e.g. University of the
Sunshine Coast, schools, environmental groups).
8. Are there any design concepts available? What will it look like?
It is imperative that the design is sympathetic to the existing character and charm of the
Reserve.
Building design drawings are not yet available. This stage of consultation is about the type of
services and functions that will be provided by the buildings and how they are connected.
Once a decision is made on a preferred model, architectural design will commence including
further community consultation.
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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - Building Renewal Proposal
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Building Renewal Proposal
9. Will the new facilities encroach on the rainforest?
None of the renewal options will extend beyond the footprint of the existing building precinct or
impact on the rainforest. However, there are some trees within the existing building precinct
that may need to be removed or relocated. These are not part of the original rainforest - they
were planted and include exotic species (including camelias). Where opportunities exist,
council will plant new trees around the upgraded structures.
10. Will the renewal increase visitor pressure on the rainforest?
Visitor numbers are likely to increase regardless of the proposed building renewal, due to
projected increases in the region’s population.
Therefore Council continues to develop strategies to manage impacts on the rainforest
environment and intends undertaking further research to improve our understanding of the
impact visitors have on the rainforest.
At present, the majority of visitors to the site do not access the rainforest walk. It is anticipated
that the new facilities (e.g. enhanced interactive visitor centre and tea house) will provide a
stand-alone experience for visitors, without necessarily encouraging visitors to visit the
rainforest.
11. How will any other potential environmental impacts be minimised?
As part of the planning process Council has already undertaken flora and fauna surveys with
the aim of minimising potential impacts on any of the site’s natural values.
Further, an environmental management plan will be prepared and implemented for the
construction stage to ensure that all potential impacts are identified and managed.
12. Will there be an impact on the rainforest through extended opening hours?
No. When the sun goes down the lights go out!
The site will only operate during daylight hours to avoid impacts of noise and light on rainforest
animals and Reserve neighbours.
13. Will there be any multi-storey buildings?
Most options include a multilevel viewing platform to maximise the views and tell the story of
the Glass House Mountains and the rainforest without having to cross busy Mountain View
Road.
One of the preferred options, identified by the consultant’s report, proposes a two storey
building. Advantages of a two storey structure may include minimising the building footprint,
maximising views and better allowing the use of sustainable design principles (e.g. solar panels
and rainwater harvesting).
If a two storey structure was to be considered, it will be able to be screened from the Reserve’s
recreational spaces (e.g. picnic area) by retaining the vegetation that screens the existing
buildings.
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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - Building Renewal Proposal
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Building Renewal Proposal
14. Will there be a canopy walk?
The consultant assessed whether a canopy walk was desirable from an environmental,
financial, economic and social point of view.
Although the canopy walk was only included in one option for the purposes of assessment, it
could also be introduced to some of the other options if compatible.
15. Is the education centre going to be demolished?
The design and condition of the existing education centre does not support the requirements of
a contemporary, innovative and engaging visitor centre. This is critical to providing key
messages to visitors about the Reserve’s natural and cultural heritage values.
There might be an opportunity to retain/remodel part of the existing education centre to serve
as part of a new integrated facility (e.g. covered classroom). The feasibility of this will need to
be confirmed through further condition assessment and architectural design.
16. Why did we need a business case assessment study?
As outlined in the answer to Question 1, there are a number of issues that need to be
addressed in relation to the built facilities at the Reserve. This means that some form of
building renewal is required, and there are many different ways, varying proposals and a range
of views about how the renewal might be done to deliver desired outcomes.
The business case assessment (or feasibility) study was designed to independently review the
various options and determine their comparative merits based on environmental, financial,
economic and social considerations. This ‘quadruple bottom line’ assessment is necessary to
ensure that decisions about public values and resources are managed transparently.
The business case assessment is also important to demonstrate that the proposed renewal is a
sound investment of public funds. Further, it provides a solid base for seeking funds from other
levels of government.
17. Why does the Reserve need to generate revenue?
Council has been and remains committed to providing funds for ongoing operations at the
Reserve. However, any revenue increases provide the opportunity to bolster support for the
Reserve’s special values and partnerships, including the volunteer program, research activities,
environmental learning and rainforest conservation.
All Council revenue generated by the site will continue to be reinvested into Reserve
management programs.
18. What type of products will be sold in the gift shop?
Products will be carefully selected to ensure that they are local or regional in origin, educative
and carry a conservation message (e.g. DVDs, books, bush foods, post cards, posters, and
examples of recycled and reusable materials).
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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - Building Renewal Proposal
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Building Renewal Proposal
19. What visitor surveys have been done to date? Do we have accurate visitor numbers? Do
we have a survey to tell us what people come here for?
The Reserve’s community committee, in partnership with Council and the University of the
Sunshine Coast, has recently undertaken visitor surveys and intends to repeat the survey in
future. The survey covered visitor preferences, needs including their reasons for visiting,
activities they participate in and the quality of their experience.
The consultant’s estimates for visitor numbers were based on Sunshine Coast Destinations Ltd
and Tourism Queensland data. Recent vehicle counts indicate that the estimates are
appropriate.
20. Will there be any changes to the car park?
The number of car parking spaces within the Reserve indirectly assists with managing visitor
pressures on the Reserve, and no layout changes are proposed. There may be opportunities
to review and consolidate parking along Mountain View Road.
21. What will be the benefits for local businesses?
The consultant’s report predicts that flow-on benefits from the renewal project might include
attracting more people to the area, staying longer and spending more through local
businesses, and more media promotion of the area. It is also expected that local businesses
would be supplying the gift shop, and food and beverage products and services to the Reserve.
22. Will facilities keep operating during construction?
Council will be planning to minimise disruptions to visitor enjoyment of the reserve during
construction, but some impacts to visitor services and facilities are unavoidable. During
construction, Council is planning to maintain a level of food and beverage services, as well as
volunteer ‘meet and greet’ services, through temporary facilities. Council is also aiming to
maintain access to the rainforest walks during this period. We will also be looking closely at
building techniques and processes that can minimise the time required for construction.
More Information
Your Comments
For more information please visit:
http://www.mary-cairncross.com.au/ or
http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Council values your feedback on the proposed
building renewal for the Reserve. Please provide
written comments to
Shanna.Douglas@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or
majorprojects@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
by 2nd December 2012.
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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - Building Renewal Proposal