VICTORIA PARK - FAIR FUTURE GROUNDS

Fair Future Grounds  is an initiative created by Catherine Simpson, Ellia Guy, Kylie Newberry and Nick Steiner, who collectively created a vision for Victoria Park that took community visions around the future Victoria park to champion urban agriculture, urban forests, sports and indigenous engagement to Council. We were successful in a number of our aims to create a groundswell of community and ultimately Council support for a regenerative, sustainable and vibrant park which included community visioning at its heart.

The new Victoria Park development which is converting the golf course into expansive parklands is being delivered by Council and a large consultant team. We are supportive of this fantastic development for Brisbane and commend them on integrating a wide range of our aspirations, aims and visions.

The Brisbane firms and community groups that have provided input on the community-led plan include a range of charitable organisations, urban agriculture not-for-profits and leading community farms in Brisbane: Our Fair System, Green the Street, Mini Farm Project, Sun & Soil, Jane Street Community Garden, RobertsDay and Future Wild.

Catherine Simpson, says: “The mission of Fair Future Grounds is to create a liveable and interactive space for Brisbane to showcase the potential of local food systems, drive climate initiatives and provide a nurturing space to relax and play. The elements of the design have all been envisioned within the existing contours of the golf course and retain existing mature trees, driving range and putt-putt course.”

“Fair Future Ground’s major design focus is the productive urban farming hub which will provide access to organic, locally grown produce as a way to strengthen food security – by growing food for those in need. It will also provide a learning, training and testing site for urban agriculture, and aims to create a community centred around food and connection to the land.”

 

  • Urban agriculture

  • Victoria Park

  • Extensive engagement

  • Successful modelling

  • News: https://greenmagazine.com.au/award-winning-urban-designers-partner-with-local-green-groups-to-create-community-led-plan-for-brisbanes-victoria-park/

 
 

The Brisbane community groups that have provided input on the community-led plan include a range of charitable organisations, urban agriculture not-for-profits and leading community farms in Brisbane: Our Fair System, Green the Street, Mini Farm Project, Sun & Soil, Jane Street Community Garden, and Future Wild.

Catherine Simpson, says: “The mission of Fair Future Grounds is to create a liveable and interactive space for Brisbane to showcase the potential of local food systems, drive climate initiatives and provide a nurturing space to relax and play. The elements of the design have all been envisioned within the existing contours of the golf course and retain existing mature trees, driving range and putt-putt course.”

“Fair Future Ground’s major design focus is the productive urban farming hub which will provide access to organic, locally grown produce as a way to strengthen food security – by growing food for those in need. It will also provide a learning, training and testing site for urban agriculture, and aims to create a community centred around food and connection to the land.”

Further key points of the design includes:

  • Grassed open space for recreation and sport activities, as this provides the foundation for a liveable city and strengthens the community

  • Native forest with native bush regeneration, bush walking tracks, sky walks and nature education. This will create habitat for local wildlife, strengthen local biodiversity, and assist in carbon storage and climate change mitigation

  • An Indigenous centre that will offer education to the public on native bush tucker, and Indigenous arts and culture, to celebrate the city’s rich Indigenous culture and recognise the Traditional Owners of the land

  • Lagoons that will allow for water storage. This will ease the impact of floods and droughts, to ensure future water security

  • An interconnected network of pathways for active transport through the park, to provide connections between key city precincts and encourage low carbon commuting

  • Arts and culture spaces for concerts, events and outdoor exhibitions to strengthen Brisbane’s culture and community

  • Healing spaces to help people reconnect to restorative nature and soft landscapes, particularly for nearby patients of the hospital and for respite within the city

  • A playground for kids for skating, mini golf and water play

“We think it is critically important that the future of, what will be Brisbane’s second largest park, not only takes into account the rich history of the current site but also incorporates the views and visions of the local community, the Traditional Custodians of the land and is created in a co-design process. We are proud to submit the Fair Future Grounds vision to the Brisbane City Council and hope the community gets behind our vision in creating a brighter, greener future for Brisbane.”

 

Sites

  • Brisbane

When

2020 - today

Team

Catherine Simpson, Ellia Guy, Kylie, Nick Steiner