A Destination Management Plan for Noosa – developed with input from more than 3000 people in one of the most extensive consultations Noosa has seen – will go to Council’s General Committee Meeting on Monday.
The draft plan, named For the Love of Noosa, evolved through two extensive phases of engagement across our community. In the second phase, more than 900 survey responses and a high volume of written submissions were received and considered, with young people strongly represented among the participants.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said the proposed Destination Management Plan (DMP) – once adopted by Council – will serve as a visionary long-term community-shaped strategy to manage the pressure of Noosa’s popularity as a destination on Noosa’s environment, infrastructure, and community wellbeing.
Councillors will review both the proposed plan and the extensive community feedback at Monday’s General Committee Meeting.
“The final plan will ensure tourism remains a positive force, with our community’s values and environmental care at its core,” Mayor Wilkie said.
“With the projected growth in regional population and day visitation to Noosa, the challenge of protecting and preserving the Noosa we all love is also increasing. This plan recognises involvement and commitment from all of us is needed if it is to succeed.”
Council’s CEO Larry Sengstock said the DMP consultation process was one of the most comprehensive Council had recently undertaken, reflecting how important the community views looking after Noosa, and how we can welcome visitors but ensure they leave Noosa better than they found it.
“This is about finding the best way to manage visitation to the shire, keeping the place special, respecting our community and balancing the amenity of Noosa that we all love,” he said.
“More than 2300 people participated in phase one of the consultation and 1099 in phase two, through surveys, coffee conversations, school visits, workshops, and stakeholder briefings,” Mr Sengstock said.
“The feedback was clear and consistent – that Noosa’s identity as a liveable community must be protected, that nature should be preserved and restored, and that tourism needs better management, including strict control of short-stay accommodation, events and funding.”
Other key community concerns the draft DMP addresses include solutions for traffic congestion, greater transparency in funding, trust, and shared accountability, plus the potential to drive regenerative tourism, but with strong limits, clear definitions, and measurable outcomes.
“Young people echoed these priorities, calling for a future Noosa that is safe, small, and a place where nature is put first and a shire that is easy to move around in.”
The consultation featured factsheets explaining key concepts such as carrying capacity and dynamic and regulated car parking.
Council also hosted numerous coffee conversations and a Chamber of Commerce function to ensure broad engagement.
Mr Sengstock thanked the community for seizing the opportunity to help shape the DMP.
“The Destination Management Plan consultation attracted more interest and input than any other recent initiative, demonstrating just how close to our residents’ hearts preserving the Noosa we all know and love is.
“This is a long -term plan and its success must be a collective commitment and effort,” he said.
