Visitor Interpretation Design Project

Project Scope and Objectives

Etheridge Shire Council is seeking an interpretive design company with proven expertise in visitor interpretation to undertake the design, construction and installation of visitor interpretation for the Growing Regions Project. The selected contractor will play a pivotal role in developing durable and weather-resistant tourism signage and interpretive elements at the three sites. All visitor interpretation will be developed collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes align with community needs and aspirations, as well as other components of the Growing Regions project. The chosen supplier will be expected to develop initiatives that foster economic benefits and community pride, with preference given to proposals that involve local artisans and North Queensland suppliers in the project.

The respondent may consider collaborating with other organisations to fulfil various components (design, fabrication, and installation) of this project; however, only one EOI should be submitted. Respondents submitting a joint EOI with another company will be required to establish their own sub-contracting arrangements if invited to participate in the tender process subsequent to the EOI submission, and it is the responsibility of the contractor to coordinate with subcontractors to ensure the project is completed on schedule and within the allocated budget.

All proposed designs must be approved by the client, which includes the Ethridge Shire Council and its Councillors, prior to the commencement of construction and installation, i.e., the Visitor Interpretation project will be a phased contract including a preliminary design phase, a detailed design phase, and a construction/installation phase. The approval process will evaluate the value added by the proposed designs and their alignment with the Shire’s tourism initiatives. Where consensus on the value added by the designs proposed by the supplier cannot be achieved, the client may choose to engage an alternative supplier for the subsequent stages of the project. Any proposed designs shall be the property of the client.

The visitor interpretation for Cumberland Dam will encompass informational displays, wayfinding signage and other themed formations along a designated ‘bird walk’ route. The supplier will develop educational and engaging informational boards on local and migratory bird species and the historical significance of the site, which will be exhibited within the newly constructed bird hide and along the bird walk route. This development aims to deliver an engaging and educational bird-watching experience for individuals of all interest levels, accommodating both professional and amateur birdwatchers.

The visitor interpretation for Copperfield Gorge will include the installation of six information boards and wayfinding signage along a walkway that accesses the Gorge, to create a heritage trail. These information boards will showcase the geological importance of the area, emphasise the region's mining heritage, and recognise the connection of the First Nations People to the land. The trail aims to celebrate the area's geological diversity, mining history, and cultural significance, thereby fostering a greater appreciation for the region's economic and socio-cultural development, shaped by its rich geological features.

The visitor interpretation for Our Elders Trail will encompass the installation of informational plaques that showcase stories of notable individuals of the region. The trail will be situated in the Heritage Park adjacent to the Terrestrial Centre in Georgetown and will connect existing displays of cultural and historical information thereby creating a cohesive narrative for visitor education and interpretation. The information plaques aim to recognise and celebrate key leadership figures of the region (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous).