FEATURE - Realising the Vision

When Ian Russell sold 7.3 ha of his Western Avenue property behind Main Street to Councill in 1999 it was on the understanding that it be developed into a memorial park for his deceased wife, Jenny. 

Situated at the head of Skene’s Creek, the land boasted a permanent spring and waterholes and the remnants of a Blackall Range mixed forest. It also had a strong First Nations and early settlement history. 

Council realised that it had the potential to become a major environmental and cultural place in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Over the next two years, working closely with the Montville Community, Council Parks and Garden Officers developed criteria and explored ideas/concepts for how to develop the park. 

“It was an opportune time for this to happen in Montville,” shared Doug Patterson of the Montville History Group, “as the President of the Montville Village Association (MVA), the same Ian Russell, had established a Futures Subcommittee to draw up guidelines for future developments along Main Street. 

“These included a two-storey limit to building heights with a preference for the top floor to be accommodation to maintain a village ambience.”

A Streetscape Committee was set up to design paved paths bordered by stone walls and gardens. The MVA therefore had the structures and the sensitivity to Montville’s social amenity to make a positive contribution to this planning process.

In 2001, the Master Plan for Russell Family Park was finalised, endorsed and adopted.

“The implementation of this Master Plan was slow,” said Doug. “Funding had to be allocated in budgets and it became apparent that not everyone in Council shared the vision.”

However, the infrastructure was undertaken. Where necessary, land was cleared and shaped and a start to clearing weed trees like Camphor Laurels and Privet was made; water flows managed, pond banks stabilised and paths laid with viewing platforms, seating and steps. Work commenced on the first stage of the planned amphitheatre - a wooden stage. 

Then, the formation of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in 2008 saw a dramatic slowdown in work as previous plans and priorities were reviewed with greater competition for funding.

“Two different local groups helped keep some semblance of work progressing,” continued Doug. “The Russell Family Park Bushcare Group under the leadership of Dr Diana O’Conner and Barung President, Eric Anderson and the Streetscape Committee under the leadership of Ron Geyl and Craig Farmiloe. 

“The Bushcare Group worked closely with Council officers to begin selecting and planting trees and shrubs endemic to the area around the North-West slopes of the park. The Streetscape Committee pushed for designs for an Amenities Block and low walls to use stone to complement what it had used along Main Street.”

Access to Council funding was becoming increasingly competitive, so the MVA invited the Bush Care Group to come under its umbrella so it could better support it and continued to lobby Council to continue implementing the Master Plan. 

“The group working with Council and with the support of the Lions Club, the Montville School and a number of community volunteers, continued clearing, planting, watering and weeding and has revegetated large swathes of the Western, Northern and North-Eastern slopes of the park,” Doug explained.

“By the end of 2025, the group had planted over 10,000 Native plants to recreate a unique Montville ecosystem that once again sustains a biodiversity of wildlife including platypus. As well, the park also boasts a range of picnic and barbecue shelters, children’s playgrounds, and a generous carpark, but the park remains unfinished.

“Two key elements foreshadowed in the 2001 Master Plan are missing. The amphitheatre is still unfinished and remains an exposed, deteriorating wooden stage not fit for purpose; while the central feature, a community arts centre, seems to no longer be under consideration.” 

Despite future forums in 2014, 2019 and 2025 all calling for this to be built to support the growth of Montville as an Artisan Community, consecutive Councils have failed to prioritise this as competing coastal projects win funding support. 

After 25 years of prevaricating, it’s time for the Council to finally honour the vision and finish Russell Family Park.