Major works on Brisbane City Council’s new $7 million environmental education centre at Karawatha Forest will start next week.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Karawatha ward councillor Kim Marx and Thomas Creevey from the Karawatha Forest Protection Society turned the first sod at the Acacia Rd site.
Cr Quirk said the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre aimed to educate children and school groups about the forest through interactive displays, a small theatre and an outdoor classroom.
“Karawatha Forest is one of the largest areas of remnant bushland in the city and the new discovery centre will provide residents with a great opportunity to learn about the ecological significance of the area,” Cr Quirk said.
“The Discovery Centre will also include a nature play and learning space that is designed to look like natural bush area and provides children with an insight into the ecosystem of the neighbouring forest.”
Cr Kim Marx said the southside’s first environmental centre would offer eco-friendly features including toilets that flush with rainwater collected on-site and solar panels to offset energy used on-site.
“The design and location of the building has been chosen to minimise the removal of vegetation and the external facade of the building will incorporate colours and patterned panels that give it an organic appearance and help it blend into its forest surroundings,” Cr Marx said.
The design will also include an all-abilities bushwalking trail, more car spaces and a new picnic area.
The project is hoped to be complete by early 2016.
