Exemplary landscape, urban and environmental design is set to reinvent Southport Broadwater Parklands as one of Australia's great foreshore parks – an iconic gateway for the city and a popular destination, where events, history and water combine to create an active green waterfront.Gold Coast City Council commissioned AECOM to develop the master plan for the Parklands, through to the delivery of the first stage of construction. AECOM's response to the broadwater's natural environment reflects a commitment to ecosystem preservation within the parkland that will propel the Gold Coast into the next evolution of sustainable design.Renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic panels, will provide energy to the parkland, with a view to self-suffciency upon completion of all stages of the project. Water sensitive urban design measures will treat stormwater and upstream catchments, re-use water for non-potable purposes and re-establish the natural water cycle. Services will cater for alternative transport modes, such as bicycles. Urban furniture constructed largely of recycled plastic will thrust low embedded energy materials into the realm of contemporary design and to the forefront of public perception.The combination of a clear "civic" program and the ever-present natural beauty of the Broadwater will strongly define the Parklands as a vibrant place for recreation, relaxation and major community events. For the project, AECOM was awarded the 2010 National Landscape Architecture Award for Design by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).