The Community Open Space Project was made possible by a Federal Government Grant as a part of the Celebration of the Bicentenary of Federation.

The Maleny Chamber of Commerce obtained a grant of $23,000 and after community consultation determined a need for a central area to be the focus of cultural functions.
Two open workshops and a survey of Maleny business houses favoured the adopted concept.
Significant value was added to the project by pledges received from local tradespeople and suppliers, amounting to a "free of charge" component of the order of $4,000.
A group of local artists guided by Janna Pameijer and Craig Medson have produced significant ceramic pieces depicting native fauna and these will become an integral part of the project with a commercial value of about $18,000.
Work commenced on the project in late May 2002 but has had some interuption due to inclement weather. It is hoped that it will be completed in mid July when it is intended that our Federal Member Mal Brough MP will officiate at the opening ceremony.

By mid July the project was only completed to the stage of the paving being installed & one of the mosaics inserted.
At this stage, the Caloundra City Council undertook an inspection and declared that the mosaics were a "slip & trip" hazzard because several of the tiles in firing had deformed slighty & resulted in height variances in excess of the required minimum of 6 mm; additionally the Council determined that the glazed surface was "too smooth".
Towards the end of July there has been no resolution by Council as to how the project can be completed. The Organising Committee has submitted an alternative plan that incorporates all the mosaics in seating arrangements and whilst this does not meet the original design objectives it will allow the mosaics to be utilised!
A meeting with Caloundra City Council and Main Roads, early in September 2002, resolved that the Project could proceed & that the mosaics could be installed as initially intended. It is hoped the project will be completed in early October.