Loam Island

Loam Island is about 1.5km long and runs close to the Thuringowa mainland. The island boasts a great diversity of plant and riverine life indigenous to its environment.

This small island has been included in the development of Riverway so the entire community can enjoy this area.

The proposal for Loam Island involves dredging the creek to reinstate the island, coupled with a program of weed and river algae removal, and the creation of three distinct precincts which demonstrate different levels of human interaction with the river.

The first precinct is community focused and is, at this stage, the only precinct at Loam Island that has been developed.

Conceived as a highly active recreational zone, this precinct comprises a multi-purpose building and open spaces for use by local Scouts, Guides, the Riverway Rowing Club and the Townsville Water Ski Club. The facility is located at one end of a possible 2000m international standard rowing course.

The precinct is not located on the island - it was built on the mainland above predicted flood levels. The building is situated in an area of clearing to fit specifically into existing topography. The unique design also provides ideal viewing for the Rowing Club and Scouts/Guides Halls.

The upper level is accessible from Riverway Drive to a drop-off zone and small parking area from which vehicles will continue down on to Loam Island to access a main public parking area. The lower level is accessible back from this car park to a temporary car parking area and loading area to service the rowing course.

The upper level accommodates Scouts and Guides in adjoining facilities divided by an acoustic part sliding wall, with shared amenities behind. The Rowing Club’s offices and amenities are also located at this level. The lower level comprises a rowing store, Scouts and Guides store, opening on to the parking area which also functions as a parade ground for the Scouts and Guides, and at other times for rowing boat organisation.

The building is conceived as a timber clad ‘box’, with minimal windows except for a veranda deck, supported over a concrete-framed and load bearing wall base. Minimal glazing aims to reduce the risk of vandalism, while a series of wedge-shaped ventilated skylights are mounted on a skillion roof plane to compensate the supply of natural light into the building.

The second precinct will upgrade savannah grassland in the area and will be used in much the same way as before. Development will see the expansion of the creek edge to form an adventure archipelago comprising pools and interactive artwork to stimulate children’s minds concerning the river ecology.

The final precinct will serve as a conserved environmental wetland with boardwalks and interpretation nodes informing visitors of the delicate nature and diversity of marine wetland environments.

It is hoped that the three precincts will inform future generations on how to responsibly manage and care for the river system, balancing human interaction with preserved riverine biodiversity.