Lowood Botanic Core - Have Your Say
Consultation for the Lowood Botanic Core is now closed.
Background
The Lowood Botanic Core is a key project in the delivery of Somerset Regional Council’s Lowood Futures Strategy, a multi-phase streetscape project intended to promote outcomes with social, economic and development benefits for Lowood.
Click here to learn more about
the Lowood Futures Strategy
The Botanic Core encompasses Lowood’s Central Park and surrounding streetscapes, creating an extension of the town centre through activated spaces within the park, and an injection of planting and shade within the streetscapes.
Based upon the Lowood Futures Strategy Master Plan, detailed designs have been prepared for the Lowood Botanic Core by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd.
Click here to read The Lowood Botanic Core Landscape Concept Design Report 2025.
Watch the 3D Flythrough visualisation:
Design Principles
SAFE &
INCLUSIVE
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The design is shaped by principles of legibility, accessibility, and equity –ensuring clearly defined precincts, DDA compliance, equitable access, CPTED safety standards, and intuitive movement and wayfinding for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and horse riders.
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SHADE &
COMFORT
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The design prioritises shade and comfort through strategic canopy cover (aligned with CanopyCast benchmarks), well-placed rest nodes, clear visibility, thoughtful material choices, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, creating inviting, and sustainable spaces for all users.
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PLACE
IDENTITY
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The design celebrates Lowood's unique identity through interpretive signage, story telling, botanical engagement, cultural and historical references inviting discovery, fostering local pride, and deepening the community's connection to place.
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VIBRANT &
ACTIVATED
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The design fosters a vibrant and activated park experience through flexible, programmable spaces including an amphitheatre, dynamic play areas, and a central event space ensuring safe, welcoming use throughout the day and into the evening.
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The assessment of existing park facilities against the proposed design outcomes clearly illustrates a substantial enhancement of the park’s value as a community asset. The new design prioritises Safe & Inclusive Spaces through the introduction of formalised DDA compliant street crossings and footpaths, ensuring accessibility for all users.
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Dedicated cyclist and horse rest areas along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and the inclusion of feature lighting further enhance safety and usability across diverse user groups and times of day.
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The Grove
In terms of Shade & Comfort, the proposed design introduces a variety of shaded seating options under both trees and shelters, as well as open seating and amphitheatre-style arrangements creating flexible, comfortable spaces for rest and social interaction.
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Lowood Railway Station Building
Enhancing Place Identity, the design incorporates a prominent Town Centre Entry Statement, road buildout gardens and intuitive wayfinding and signage, all of which strengthen the park’s connection to local character and community pride.
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Celebration Lawn
The park’s transformation into a hub of Vibrant & Activated spaces is evident through the addition of a formalised event space, a new amenities block, and a diverse range of recreational features including a playground, fitness precinct, skate park, pump track, learn-to-ride track and dog park.
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Memorial Plaza
Improvements to the public realm surrounding existing buildings, the creation of a Memorial Plaza and upgrading turf in open spaces further support a dynamic, inclusive, and engaging environment for all ages and interests.
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Lowood Streetscape
Upgrading the streetscapes of Lowood’s Town Centre focuses on revitalising its primary streets through a revised pavement strategy which enhances pedestrian comfort and accessibility.
Median buildouts will introduce tree planting and greenery, contributing to traffic aiming and a more inviting public realm.
For the outer secondary streetscapes, the approach will retain and enhance existing footpaths while implementing a cohesive street tree planting strategy to strengthen the town’s green infrastructure and visual identity.
Parking
Council plans to construct 104 additional car parks through the project. While some car parks will be lost in the closure of Central Carpark, many more will be gained.
On-street parking will be reprogrammed to accommodate the tree buildouts, formalised pedestrian crossings, PWD parking, loading zones and dedicated bus parking, ensuring functionality and inclusivity.
All the streets within the town centre area will have designated parking bays, usage signage and gardens to help designate parking bays.
Click here to read the Lowood Botanic Core Consultation Streetscape Flyer
Community Consultation
Somerset Regional Council sought community feedback on the Lowood Botanic Core between 19 September and 21 November.
For more information on the Lowood Botanic Core or Lowood Futures Strategy, contact Council's Place Project Manager on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au