Brian O'Connor

Question 1

Has Noosa Council developed a Hinterland Heritage Brand, as was a heritage action aspiration contained in the Noosa Council Cultural Strategy 2019-23 and, if not, will such an action be carried forward into the new cultural strategy now under development?

Response from Kerri Contini, Director Community Services

Thank-you Mr O‘Connor for your question and your ongoing interest in the Noosa Council Cultural Strategy 2019-23.

The final report on the Cultural Strategy 2019-2023 was endorsed at the September 2024 Ordinary meeting. This report showed that at the end of 2023, over 92% of Plan actions were completed or underway. This was a major achievement for Council’s Arts & Culture team, our valued volunteers and the community groups that partner with Council to provide cultural experiences. Of the 69 Actions in the Plan, only 3 were not addressed, one of which was ‘Explore the potential of creating a Hinterland Heritage Brand’.

The Cultural Plan was developed and adopted prior to Covid and spanned a period of significant change and challenge. Prior to Covid the concept of a hinterland heritage brand was proposed by stakeholders as a way of celebrating our heritage and using it to attract tourists beyond the coast and into hinterland areas. However, through Covid and beyond, hinterland tourism grew considerably on its own and the priority for hinterland communities is maintaining village character and lifestyle. Because of these changes a hinterland heritage brand has not been included in the draft Cultural Plan 2025-30. We are planning to develop a Noosa Heritage Plan over the next five years and if stakeholders are interested in a hinterland heritage brand then they could raise it as part of this project.

Question 2

Noosa Council papers indicate that an undisclosed 2032 Olympics Plan has been developed, with the intention of creating ‘legacy projects’ for the shire beyond the Games proper, so can the council indicate when it will be released and will ratepayers have an opportunity to provide input before it is adopted formally?

Response from Kerri Contini, Director Community Services

Thank-you Mr O’Connor for your question in relation to Noosa Council’s plans for the 2032 Olympics.

Noosa Council has been actively preparing for the Brisbane 2032 Games over the past year, noting that we are not a host Local Government. Our focus as a starting point has included aligning where relevant with the Brisbane Elevate 2042 Legacy Plan, collaborating with SEQ Councils through the SEQIN2032 Working Group, and establishing connections with organising bodies. To be clear, a 2032 Olympics Plan has not been developed. A situational analysis has begun, focusing on facilities, demographics, tourism, transport, and waste infrastructure, while identifying potential legacy opportunities such as infrastructure improvements, strategic partnerships, sports development, and volunteering. Mayor Wilkie has also been involved in engaging with SEQ mayors regarding regional planning as well as learning from international Olympics experiences. Over the coming year Council will continue to work with key stakeholders in early planning to maximise community and regional benefits.