Environmental Centre Nominated For Tourism Award

Australia's first "educational and interpretive centre" in the high country of the New South Wales Mid North Coast hinterland has been nominated for a New South Wales Tourism Council Australia 'Big Sky' award for tourism excellence.

The A$2 million Yaraandoo Environmental Interpretive Centre at Ebor near Dorrigo on the Dorrigo-Avondale Plateau is an environmental destination for student groups, backpackers and extended corporate workshops.

The educational and interpretive centre is set in a remote, heritage listed area on the second highest land mass in Australia.

The site has a significant pioneering history and the centre was only approved after extensive negotiations with aboriginal tribal elders to ensure that it successfully told the story of the region, its history and its people.

The extensive use, both externally and internally, of LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® and LYSAGHT MINI ORB® corrugated sheeting, in COLORBOND® steel, was integral to its successful completion within the Dumaresq Shire Council's budgetary restraints.

Sydney restoration specialist builder Geoff Watt, assisted by Bryon Bay designer Bret Madden, modified the original competition winning design by Arkishop Architects of Byron Bay.

The result was a project where environmental integration, structural suitability and recyclability were key design factors.

Sydney based Geoff Watt says materials selected were metallurgically suitable for the bush environment and that construction techniques posed minimal intrusion on the environment.

"That included the use of suitable recycled timbers and bricks, a sewerage system that treats and recycles the limited water supply for use on the grounds, and a power source that is both efficient and green," he said.

"The lion's share of the credit must go to Don Tidd and Christine Harvey of Dumaresq Shire Council, who worked to make the project a reality over 10 years," said Mr Watt.

The roof made from COLORBOND® steel was chosen partly for its solar reflectivity.

The expansive roof also collects and channels rainwater into five 11,250 litre tanks 800 metres from the building, with water pumped back up the hill and gravity fed to the centre.

The 1470 square metre building incorporates all facilities over two levels but under one roof. Lightweight construction techniques were used over a recycled bridge timber portal frame, with framing and trusses made from ZINCALUME® steel.

Nothing was wasted. Soil excavated was used to make earth bricks, with either side of the central spine of the structure using rammed earth and mud bricks.

Compressed, fire retardant 50 millimetre thick straw ceiling panels contrasted with the Pale Eucalypt® COLORBOND® steel sheeting in LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® and LYSAGHT MINI ORB® profiles.  BlueScope Steel cappings, guttering and downpipes were used throughout.

Mr Watt says although it added 15-20% to the cost of the building, the style of construction left all original bushland intact.

The centre can accomodate up to 90 people - 60 children and 30 adults - with attendant bathroom facilities. There are two classrooms, an audio-visual theatrette and fully catered buffet restaurant facilities.