Alison Flemming, General Manager of Portfolio Management – Retail, Mirvac, reflects on the potential for retail centres to drive education, support conservation and initiatives, and strengthen community identity.
Being in the Queensland suburb of Buddina places us in close proximity to one of the region’s most important turtle nesting sites, where hundreds of endangered loggerhead and green turtles return each year to lay their eggs. This incredible natural event inspired us to think about how we could help protect it while creating opportunities for children and families to connect.
A playground with purpose
The unveiling of our new turtle-themed playground at Kawana Shoppingworld, owned by Mirvac and ISPT, is more than just another family attraction. Inspired by the centre’s location – just 400 metres from a beach that is a turtle nesting ground – the playground raises awareness of these endangered turtles in a fun and engaging way. For us, it represents the evolving role of shopping centres as spaces where education, conservation, and community connection come together.
At the heart of the playground is the story of Bullumby, whose name means “beautiful one” in the Kabi Kabi language. Through the vibrant artwork of local Indigenous artist Sheri Skele, children can follow Bullumby’s incredible 2200-kilometre migration from Papua New Guinea to Buddina Beach. In 2022 alone, Bullumby laid four nests containing over 500 eggs. Sharing this story allows children to engage with local wildlife in a meaningful and memorable way.
Community support and recognition
When The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie MP, Deputy Premier and Member for Kawana, officially opened the playground, he said: “This exciting new addition to Kawana Shoppingworld delivers a unique playspace that celebrates our coastal environment and the region’s significance as one of the largest turtle nesting areas. This playground is for the Sunshine Coast community and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”
His words perfectly capture the spirit of what we hope the playground achieves – fun, hands-on learning, and meaningful engagement with our natural environment.
Partnerships driving impact
Located in our dining precinct, the playground has already become a gathering point where families can learn and play. Collaborating with Indigenous artists, local environmental groups, and community organisations has made the project richer than anything we could have achieved alone.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli also highlighted the broader significance of the project, noting that Council seeks ways to protect the precious environment in our UNESCO-designated Biosphere.
“As part of this project, we were invited to share our expert knowledge of turtles to inspire stewardship in generations to come. When children play in this park, they will be having fun but also gaining an appreciation of unique marine life on the Sunshine Coast.”
Our team worked closely with the Sunshine Coast Council’s TurtleCare to ensure the playground aligns with broader conservation goals. Educational displays highlight simple actions families can take to protect these turtles, such as reducing light pollution, keeping beaches clean, and preserving sand dunes. Watching children learn while they play has been truly rewarding.
Beyond the playground
Our environmental efforts extend beyond the playground. For example, we’ve been working with TurtleCare over the years to upgrade centre lighting to prevent hatchling disorientation, demonstrating that supporting local wildlife can be part of everyday operations.
Throughout the year, we continue to engage the community through education programs, cultural celebrations, and partnerships with local artists and conservation groups. The playground is just one way we can contribute, inspiring visitors to take small but meaningful steps toward protecting our environment.
Looking ahead, the playground forms part of a wider transformation of Kawana’s dining precinct. New retailers, landscaping upgrades, and enhanced weather protection are all part of creating a space where families feel welcome, engaged and connected to their community.
We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and hope this playspace, deeply connected to the character of our region, encourages children to discover, learn and become the next generation of environmental champions.
- This article by Alison Flemming was first published in SCN magazine
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