Moore Park Beach, QLD

The Project

Moore Park Beach, located 23 km north of Bundaberg, has everything a coastal town could hope for.  The close-knit, 3,000-strong community in Queensland is located on 17 km of golden beachfront, popular for swimming in the south and with 4WD access in the north, and is close to the largest nesting site for loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific that is a national tourism draw card.

In spite of recent population growth, it lacked the durable, cohesive infrastructure that unites the local community and invites visitors.

The Bundaberg Regional Council’s multi-stage $5 million upgrade plan for this seaside community mirrored what many climate-exposed councils face; a need to mitigate climate vulnerability from weather events, erosion, corrosive salt air, climate change; a desire to protect the natural environment while lifting amenity; strong community sentiment to ensure local identity is strengthened so it still ‘feels like Moore Park Beach’; and the ability to attract new young families and grow tourism.

The Challenge

With its sub-tropical Queensland location the space needed permanent shade, however the Council were keen to avoid the ongoing costs of shade sails.

Being on the foreshore with high UV, salt, and moisture, the Council also wanted to balance a desire for natural materials with durability. While timber-built products bring warmth and a natural look, the site conditions would mean increased maintenance and shorter product life.

The Solution

Pandanus Shade System

An Australian Good Design Award Winner awarded by Good Design Australia, Pandanus^R is a groundbreaking permanent shade solution born from the Moore Park Beach project.

Developed over two years of engineering by GX Outdoors and guided by the creative vision of RPS Architects, the shade system is inspired by the geometric pattern of the Pandanus fruit, endemic to Queensland’s coastline.  Limitless in size, the system uses just three components to form interlocking panels that span large areas with minimal structure.

Using low-carbon materials at an affordable price, it delivers exceptional aesthetics and accessibility for communities where high-end infrastructure is often out of reach.

GX Outdoors' vision is to blend visual appeal with functionality, and laser-cut roof panels do more than provide cover - they cast shadow art and enable place-specific storytelling of the turtle species of the Region.

Pandanus isn’t just a solution for now - it’s a revolutionary step toward creating healthier, more inclusive spaces - bringing shade and comfort to Australia’s families while promoting environmental sustainability.

Pandanus: Designed to Grow. Infinite Shade. Zero Waste.

Cohesive Whole-of-Precinct Solution

GX Outdoors then supplied a cohesive suite of coastal-grade assets to complement the Pandanus^R permanent shade: Hyve Table Setting and Bench Seat, Atessa Dual Bin Enclosure, and a Reviva Drinking Fountain.

To keep the natural look of timber, GX Outdoors supplied Hyve with a TimberImage finish- a wood-grain film bonded to coastal-grade aluminum - which delivers the warmth of timber with long-life, corrosion-resistant performance of aluminum.

For accessibility and durability, the precinct includes a Reviva drinking fountain with an arched profile for wheelchair under-access, and Atessa dual bin enclosures finished with vandal-resistant powder coating and hardware.

Timberimage is available in a curated range of timber tones, with the option to develop custom finishes.

Both the Pandanus shade system and Hyve furniture range are modular, enabling the Council to meet today’s needs with the option to expand coverage and seating as use grows - without the need to redesign the precinct or incurring bespoke costs. The solution both fits the current need and future-proofs the site, improving whole-of-life value.

What was a functional but under-utilised public space is now a welcoming, identity-rich foreshore. Pandanus permanent shade and Hyve seating increase visitor comfort and dwell time; bin enclosures and a drinking fountain lift amenity and make everyday use easier. Laser-cut turtle detailing anchors the space to Moore Park Beach’s story, supporting local pride and visitation. For Bundaberg Regional Council, the modular, Australian-made components deliver short lead times, low maintenance, and a future-proof platform that grows with the Moore Park Beach community, protecting long-term return on investment.