Sunshine Coast Council Coastal Discovery Van

A mobile environmental education and engagement tool for the Sunshine Coast.

Client: Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Category: Mobile Display
Date: August 2019

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s newly fitted out Coastal Discovery Van is a great example of how we can transform current assets to serve a new purpose. The Council’s environmental and community education unit were looking for new ways to educate and engage the local community around coastal issues. What better way to take education to the community, than with a mobile display?

The Council’s environmental team had an idea to retrofit a 10 year old site trailer for the purpose of mobile education. This serves to show how sustainability in practice truly works. Brandi Projects were engaged to fit out this Coastal Discovery Van. We were excited to see the van’s the smooth transformation. From forgotten site trailer to important community asset.

More Detail about the Coastal Discovery Van

Purpose

The team at Sunshine Coast Regional Council were looking for new ways to improve community engagement. They also wanted to open up new pathways for coastal education. Particularly around protecting the beautiful, iconic and delicate coastal zone of the Sunshine Coast. They had an idea, saw a need and wanted to see it a reality without the need to ‘purchase’ a new trailer. The refurbishing and repurposing of something old fits perfectly with the nature of the trailer’s new content.

“We see this trailer as a fantastic way to promote council management of the coastline and explain more about coastal processes. To explain what Council’s management actions are and why we do what we do,” Coastal Projects Officer Raeleen Draper said.

Raeleen says it’s mobility provides a huge opportunity to open up many pathways for coastal education.

“We are bringing communication to where the people are. We can start conversations and educate, which means we can also correct misinformation,” she added. 

Features at a glance

• 10 year old site trailer redesigned for purposes of a mobile display with purpose-fitted cabinetry
• Touchscreen interactive
• Rock pools interactive
• Interactive geological sample trays.
• Interactive flip panels.
• Floor to ceiling graphics, including historical images of the Sunshine Coast.
• Full external vehicle graphics

More about the exhibit

The Van had been sitting on a Council site for years. It was in severe need of refurbishment. This required some “outside the square” thinking. In seeing possibilities where others may see a challenge. Brandi Projects refurbished the Van and designed a new layout suitable for display purposes.

A large touchscreen is fitted out in the Discovery Van. The aim was to communicate scientific information clearly and simply for the general public as well as children. The resulting touchscreen is very simple to use. It allows the visitor to access layers of information depending on interest and audience. Stunning images sourced from the area provided by volunteers are the focus. These images draw the eye in and tie seamlessly with concise and effective scientific information.

Nearby, a ‘rock pools interactive’ allows visitors to get up close with rock pool animals. A microscope connects to a camera and large screen. Visitors can choose from a selection of rock pool animals getting a microscopic view of their properties. The large screen allows more than one person at a time to experience the interactive.

Visitors can also hold rock formation samples from along the Sunshine Coast coastline and learn about their properties.

Flip panels express important ideas about the Sunshine Coast environment and coastline. The panels force interaction. This communicates the messages succinctly and effectively to the visitor.

A wall of printed graphics also showcases historical pictures of the Sunshine Coast coastline. These pictures recognise the iconic area and its rich heritage. They further help to explain the ever-changing nature of the coastline. Messages are also designed to stimulate emotional connections. This helps support environmental concerns for the area.

Comments about this Project

“This has blown our expectations completely out of the water. The design is amazing and down to the little details. Your attention to detail is exceptional,”

Michael Anderson, Co-ordinator Coastal, Constructed Water Bodies and Planning.

“‪Our new mobile Coastal Discovery Centre van made its debut today. This resource will help our Sunshine Coast Council to engage with our community & promote coastal programs and opportunities.

This Hi-Tech van will be a big hit with everyone on the Coast.”

Mayor Mark Jamieson’s commented. He was present at the Van’s unveiling – during the Conservation and Coastal Forum on 11th August.

“Another exciting feature of the day was the special unveiling of the Coastal Discovery Van, a renovated and retrofitted caravan with interpretive and information displays about coastal processes, wildlife and ecology, and impacts to our coast and its assets. The Coastal Discovery Van is a fantastic resource for engaging with the community.”

Sunshine Coast Council says in their press release about the Forum.

Collaborations

Brandi Projects collaborated with Econnect Communications and Link Interactive on this project.