GUUL ABAA

Construction has begun on the final piece of significant infrastructure for the tourism precinct known as Guulabaa – Place of Koala in Cowarra State Forest.

“The Hub”, the central visitor area at Guulabaa, has been designed as four decks that will float amongst the forest. Greeted by the Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council run Café on the first deck, visitors will be able to enter the Koala Conservation Australia’s (Port Macquarie Koala Hospital) facilities or sit looking over The Big Koala with a coffee.

The second deck is the entry into Wildnets Adventure where you can walk straight into the forest canopy or continue onto the third deck to look at local art in the Bunyah Gallery. The last deck is a large open area where visitors enjoy the view of the forest canopy and maybe spot a Koala. Kathy, tell us about the The Hub at Guulabaa?

“The Hub” takes shape. A unique building at Guulabaa, Place of Koala, Cowarra State Forest, Port Macquarie. We catch up with Kathy Lyons from Forestry Corporation and Ken McBryde, the Architect from Gensler to hear about this unique piece of architecture.

We’ve been designing The Hub for the past year and had the vision, with Ken, to create a signature piece of architecture. The Hub will be the heart of Guulabaa where visitors come to connect with all the partners that have supported this wonderful project.

Sustainability is a key theme we want to share with the visitors to Guulabaa and we’re excited that The Hub will be built from climate friendly, locally grown and manufactured hardwood timbers.

Ken, why is this project important to you?

This ecotourism and education project is helping bring back our Australian icon, the koala, from its dangerous status as a threatened species.

The Guulabaa project holds a very special place in our hearts at Gensler. This ecotourism and education project is helping bring back our Australian icon, the koala, from its dangerous status as a threatened species. At Guulabaa, wild koalas will soon be bred for release into the wildthe first of its kind. It is a privilege for us to work with these unique project partners, collaborating to make such important contributions to ecological, cultural and economic sustainability. We cannot think of another project that offers the design team such remarkable learning opportunities and the formation of lifelong friendships.

Kathy, Can you talk about how local culture will be celebrated at Guulabaa?

We are fortunate that Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council are a key partner at Guulabaa. Visitors will be able to have lunch at the Bunyah Café and visit the Birpai Art Gallery on The Hub. Together, we are planning to bring language and cultural experiences into the forest.

The vision is to manage this forest combining new and old ways, First Nations Peoples’ traditional knowledge and contemporary evidence-based science. Visitors will come to the forest for the koalas and after experiencing Guulabaa will leave committed to the contribution they have to sustainability and caring for country.

Ken, The Hub has been designed using local timber, why is that important?

We are supporting North Coast communities by designing with locally sourced forest hardwood products, drawing upon innovative expertise in manufacturing, and local construction skills.

Building from local hardwoods is environmentally sustainable because our hardwood forests are fully renewable. This reduces embodied carbon when compared to importing other materials such as steel and concrete from a distance.

Kathy, can you tell us about the partners involved in building The Hub?

Guulabaa is a partnership between many organisations and we are grateful for all the support. The development of Guulabaa is the result of investment from the key partners of Guulabaa, NSW Government through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package and Forestry Corporation.

We have also worked closely with the local timber industry to design this beautiful building. It’s great to see our local timber partners - Big River Group, Coffs Harbour Hardwoods, Machin’s Sawmilling, Hayden Timbers, Hurfords, Pentarch Forestry and Weathertex supporting this project that’s integral to building local visitor economies and sustainable tourism. It’s where we want to be.

HAVE YOU NOTICED WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BELLBOWRIE PARK BUSINESS CENTRE LATELY?

There’s some new exciting businesses and some old favourites. Conveniently located close to Settlement City and with plenty of easy parking, Bellbowrie Park Business Centre is definitely worth a look.

PC Pitstop is an approachable IT business and computer shop that helps you and your business or family embrace technology each and every day.

We provide proactive business IT Solutions, computer and Apple Mac repairs, data recovery, new and refurbished laptop computers, as well as custom built computers for gaming and work power users. Serving the Port Macquarie area for over 25 years, PC Pitstop’s multi award winning edge is exceptional customer service and dedicated support.

Serving the Port Macquarie area for over 25 years, PC Pitstop’s multi award winning edge is exceptional customer service and dedicated support.

It’s a smile as clients walk in the door, it’s calling you back when we say we will, it’s patience and understanding when you need support fast - PC Pitstop prides itself on their reliability, innovation, and professional staff who speak in easy to understand terms. It’s why we’re still the most trusted name for business IT support and computer repairs in Port Macquarie.

Address: Unit 2 Bellbowrie Park Business Centre, Port Macquarie

Phone: 6584 1551

Email: port@pcpitstop.com.au

Nearly 30 exciting businesses call Bellbowrie Park Business Centre home. DISCOVER THEM TODAY.

Football Mid North Coast is a member zone of Northern NSW Football & administers football competitions from Bulahdelah in the south to South West Rocks in the north and west to Gloucester, Wauchope and Kempsey.

Football Mid North Coast has more than 6000 players at community club level across 31 member clubs with players from 5 years old to adult age groups, and over 250 high performance players registered, playing in the Premier Youth and National Premier League Competitions. In summer we run a junior six a side comp and looking to introduce walking football to the area in the future.

Football in the area is overseen by a board of directors and all operations are conducted from our office here at Bellbowrie Park. Contact us for all football enquiries.

Address: Unit 24 Bellbowrie Park Business Centre

Port Macquarie

Phone: 6585 0351

Email: admin@footballmidnorthcoast.com

Opening Hours: 9am to 4pm weekdays

TOURS

Holiday Coast Tours is your local tour operator offering coach tours from 1 (one) day to a trip of a lifetime – 54 days around Australia.

Operating for over 22 years – 19 from the Bellbowrie Park area – Holiday Coast Tours is locally owned and operated. We cater for all community, social and school groups as well as further afield. We have been the preferred carrier for Linga Longa Holidays based in Yarrawonga – a real success story! Capably managed by Anne-Marie Cecil, our office is open 4 days a week, Monday to Thursday. Drop in to Unit 25 or contact us on (02) 6583 8669. email admin@holidaycoasttours.com.au or on our website www.holidaycoasttours.com.au for all your tour requirements. Happy touring is our aim.

Address: Unit 25 Bellbowrie Park Business Centre Port Macquarie

Phone: 6583 8669

Email: admin@holidaycoasttours.com.au

Website: holidaycoasttours.com.au

Come in to Bellbowrie Park Business Centre to discover these and many other businesses and services