Special Meeting - 4 August 2025 Transcript

1 DECLARATION OF OPENING ¶

▶ 00:00:18

Nothing was transcribed under this heading — a stretch of the recording with no speech the model could make out.

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ¶

▶ 00:00:27

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3 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES ¶

▶ 00:00:35

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4.1 DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN - PHASE 2 ENGAGEMENT ¶

▶ 00:00:45· Carried 7-0 from council's minutes

00:01:00 This report seeks council's endorsement of the draft Destination Management Plan, the DMP, to go out for a second phase of community engagement and feedback. The draft DMP has been developed in response to feedback from Phase 1 of the DMP community engagement process, councillor workshops, and feedback our community have provided over several years through such things as this. The schools, schools, schools, schools, deliveryability survey, the Corporate Plan, and various other plans and strategies. Phase 1 Community Engagement on the DMP was conducted during October and November 2023, and due to council elections in early 2024, and the prioritization of the New Civil Fortial Management Plan, Phase 2 Community Engagement was deferred until 2025. And here we are today. From the significant feedback received in Phase 1, a Draft DMP has now been prepared. The draft DMP reflects what's happened in the past two years. The draft DMP is what matters most to our community along with actions and tasks to drive successful outcomes to ensure our community's values and aspirations are upheld.

00:02:00 The draft DMP is built around four key principles, respecting community, living our values, leading the way and tourism for good. The draft DMP aims to guide the way our destination manages tourism, balancing the needs of our local community, the environment, our economy and visitors. The draft DMP is a community-led document, shaped by what matters most to the people of Noosa based on what we heard in Phase 1 consultation. Tourism is a big part of Noosa's identity and economy, but the community has told us that it needs to be managed carefully to protect what makes Noosa special. The Noosa draft DMP therefore seeks to set out an action plan to address the issues that matter most, to provide a balanced approach and ensure tourism is aligned to our community values. This report provides an overview of the draft DMP. It is now proposed to put this draft plan out for another phase of community review and feedback, being Phase 2 community engagement.

00:03:00 This is proposed to occur for a six-week period between 6 August and 14 September and is intended to test how well the DMP has responded to community feedback and expectations, identify any gaps and what more could be added to the final DMP to improve it, and importantly to seek community input on developing measures to ensure we succeed in managing our destination in line with community values. A broad and comprehensive campaign has been developed to support the community engagement process, to build awareness and encourage as many people as possible to understand what the draft DMP is about and have their say. This includes a series of information sessions, coffee chats, postcards to every household and business in Noosa, a Your Say page with a survey, fact sheets, resources and background information, social media campaign, newspaper and radio ads and stakeholder catch-ups. This report is now recommended to you for Council's consideration and endorsement of the draft DMP to proceed to Phase 2 community engagement.

00:04:00 And just before I hand over to Council for deliberation, we would like to show the introductory video for the draft DMP. That will support the engagement process and explain, introduce people to the DMP and what it's about. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Director Rawlings. Director Rawlings: The longer you spend in this incredible place, the harder it is to leave. It's a familiar story, a short visit that turns into a lifelong connection. Ask any local why they are here. And chances are, it's a love of Noosa's natural habitat. Speaker 3: Wherever you go in Noosa, there's going to be some part of nature that you're going to find or discover or that you're going to be a part of.

00:05:00 Speaker 6: There's trails all over the entire region where you can go walking and not see another person for hours and hours on end. Speaker 5: We have such a wide variety of waves, beaches that face different directions. Speaker 7: Ultimately, what's the most special about Noosa is the natural habitat. Mayor Wilkie: It's a great place to live and it's a great place to visit. You can visit and feel like a local. Director Rawlings: Noosa's beauty draws people in more and more every year. And as the pressure on our region grows, so does our shared responsibility to protect it. Speaker 2: We got born up caring for country, we always did and we always will. Speaker 1: It's important that everybody respects this place and not destroy it. Director Rawlings: Just as the Kabi Kabi people have cared for this land for countless generations. By embracing regenerative Jerusalem, we can all share in caring for this place. Not just for today, but future generations, so they too can feel the spirit of Noosa and know its beauty.

00:06:00 The Noosa Destination Management Plan, the DMP, is not just a policy. It was created through listening, learning and working with our community. It's a promise to tread lightly, to share wisely, to work together to leave things better than we found them. Speaker 6: It's about caring for the land in this place so it gives back for generations to come. Speaker 3: It's about keeping our favourite spots to surf and hanging out with our friends and family, natural and safe. Speaker 7: It's all about our visitors engaging and contributing to Noosa's economy in ways that genuinely strengthen and support our local community. Mayor Wilkie: Whether you live here or you're visiting, what we all share is an undeniable love for this place. Together and each day through our actions, we create what Noosa is and what it can become. Noosa's Destination Management Plan is about community first, tourism for good and our shared hopes and actions for the love of Noosa.

00:07:00 We're all part of what comes next and the best ideas come from the people who love this place. Speaker 5: So jump in and contribute to a future that regenerates and respects. Speaker 7: It's our actions today which will write Samara's story. Mayor Wilkie: Alright, thank you. Now we're in formal meeting structure today councillors so I'll kick things off by moving a motion. And questions can be asked at any time after it's been moved and seconded. I'd like to move the motion before us with the change of dates from the 6th of August to the 14th of September 2025. There was no, the reason for the change was there was no, there was some IT issues and some difficulties sorted out.

00:08:00 So rather than getting underway tomorrow, we'll get underway the day after and instead of closing business on Friday the 12th, submissions can be accepted up to Sunday the 14th of September. May I have a seconder for that please? I'll second. Thank you councillor Stockwell. I'm going to time this so we have some regard for the five minute limit today. Councillor Lorentson: Through the Chair, can I move an amendment, oh excuse me, move a motion. Excuse me, sorry. Mayor Wilkie: Yeah. Once the motion is moved and spoken to. Thank you, I know that. Thank you very much. For the benefit of other councillors you can move an amendment at any time after that. Speaker 2: A deep and abiding love for Noosa is something we all share. Mayor Wilkie: At its heart, the Destination Management Plan is about how we as a community can collectively care for Noosa now and for generations to come.

00:09:00 It's about the role we all can play as joint custodians in respecting and protecting this exceptional place that we all love. This is a plan that recognises that everyone is part of the solution. It's being done purely for the love of Noosa. It's a long term commitment to placing our community and environment first, protecting the things that make Noosa different, while managing tourism responsibly in a way that respects and contributes to Noosa's improvement. Informed by over 1,000 submissions, this community led plan outlines how we can ensure Noosa is insulated from the impacts of its popularity as a destination, the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters and how we can channel visitation in a way that benefits Noosa for all and forever. Today we're approving this draft for feedback on its priorities and actions.

00:10:00 Do we understand your submissions correctly? What do you think of the proposed actions to protect and improve this special place? We're also expanding the community engagement program to hopefully capture views from younger people, the future custodians of Noosa, and from people who don't normally participate in public consultation but care equally deeply about how it's managed. As a community led document, the DMP outlines key priorities supported by targeted actions and measurable outcomes. What do you think success looks like? Tell us how we should measure it. Since phase one consultation in 2023, the ideas were assessed to see which issues were already being addressed in other plans and strategies and those that were new. 70% of your ideas are already underway. From this, four guiding principles distilled from key community priorities and key themes have been developed. The top priority was to protect and steward our environment. Next was to improve the management of short-term accommodation.

00:11:00 Third highest was to improve traffic management and reduce congestion. Fourth was to align tourism with community values. Four guiding principles. First up, respecting community. Actions under this heading include continued using levers like the planning scheme, local law, rates and advocacy to further limit the spread of STA in residential neighbourhoods. Helping residents and visitors reduce and avoid congestion by providing more convenient and attractive accommodation. And a one-way priority bus lane. Introducing trials of paid parking with exemptions for residents in high demand areas. Two, leading the way. Actions under this principle include piloting a range of programs to shift how tourism is funded. Such as through paid parking with special consideration for residents. A visitor levy on overnight stays. And establishing a destination stewardship council to establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to oversee the delivery of key actions.

00:12:00 Working with the state to sustainably manage access and congestion in iconic and sensitive locations. Developing a surf management plan to ensure safety and enjoyment. Better preparation against more intense and frequent natural disasters. Principle three, living our values. Proposed actions here include a joint custodian program. Creating opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors to participate in regenerative activities such as tree planting, bush care, beach cleanups, workshops on Kabi Kabi traditions and storytelling. And recognising that we all play a part in caring for Noosa. Fourth principle is tourism for good. Actions here include working with the state to pilot a visitor contribution model that helps fund community priorities such as key infrastructure and other works that benefit Noosa. Supporting and encouraging industry and businesses to reduce use of energy, water and plastics. Working with the destination marketing body to ensure any promotion attracts the right audience, market,

00:13:00 engenders and engenders respect for Noosa's community and environment. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this plan so far. The 1000 plus submitters, the members of the external reference group, the project control group, key community and industry groups, the hard working staff and of course our counsellor colleagues. I'd like to finish where we started on, which is on common ground, which is a shared love and desire to protect this exceptional place. The DMP sees us as all part of the solution. Tell us what we think, what you think. Did we hear you correctly? It's all being done for the love of Noosa. Councillor Lorentson: Councillor Lorentson, would you like to move an amendment? Thank you, I'd just like to move an amendment. C, excuse me, D. I can have it on the screen, that would be great, thank you.

00:14:00 That item E be added to read that council note that while measures of success have been identified in the current report, further community input will be sought to help define what success looks like from the community's perspective. This feedback will inform the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework which will be delivered along the way. Alongside the final destination management plan in November, December 2025. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. May we have a seconder for that please? Councillor Nicola Wilson. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: So while the draft destination management plan actually includes a section on measuring success on pages 36 to 37 of attachment one, it's just important that council explicitly notes in the formal recommendation, that further community input will be sought to help define what success looks like.

00:15:00 And that community feedback will help shape the development of this comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework. Over the last few days, residents have raised the importance of KPIs, robust KPIs, particularly the need for clear KPIs, the need for baseline data and defined targets. So including this in the recommendation ensures that it's not lost in the lengthy document. It also reinforces council's commitment to transparency, accountability and delivering measurable outcomes that reflect the priorities of the Noosa community. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Have the councillors wish to speak to the amendment? No. Councillor Lorentson, you're disclosed. No, thank you. I'll put it to the vote. All those in favour? That's unanimous. The amendment becomes part of the motion. Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion?

00:16:00 Councillor Wilson: Okay, so there's a question here. Yes. Yeah. So through the chair. The report refers to an interactive digital platform that will be available for the community to explore the principles, actions, measures of success and potential opportunities and implications of some of the actions. Could we please get some idea of the type of information that will be available on that platform? Speaker 7: Okay. Yes. Director Rawlings: So we are excitedly using a platform that's called Genially to support the process and provide as many opportunities as we can for different, for people to engage in the DMV in different ways. You know, some people might like this version. That's right. Some people might. Yeah. So some people might like a digital version.

00:17:00 So essentially that platform will have all of this in digital interactive. So you'll be able to click into one principle and then click into the actions in that, click into some potential measures of success and also a section on what might be some of the implications or issues of some of the actions because, you know, some of them do have unintended consequences potentially or incredible opportunities that could come from it. So it just allows you to delve a little bit deeper for those who want to delve a bit deeper. That platform will sit on our Your Say page which is our community engagement page and also on the Your Say page will be the video fact sheets on a range of concepts that sit in the DMV. For instance, you know, dynamic parking. What does dynamic parking mean? So there's a fact sheet on dynamic parking. What does sustainable carrying capacity mean? There's a fact sheet on that concept too.

00:18:00 So there's a series of fact sheets that explain further some of the concepts and ideas in the DMP and allow those who are interested to delve a little bit deeper. As well as a series of case studies and international examples of destination management because many of you are interested in destination management. Many cities and places around the world are tackling these issues and there are some incredible examples and best practice examples that we've done a lot of research on and have informed alongside the community's feedback some of the proposals. So, yeah, a raft of sort of different resources that will be available. Councillor Wilson: Thank you. One more, sorry. Oh, sorry. Yes. Absolutely. Thank you. The report also refers to 70% of actions. So, yeah. So if there are solutions already being underway, identified in existing plans and 30% still to commence, will there be an overview for the community on which is the 70% and which is the 30% and where those have already been addressed or completed?

00:19:00 Speaker 4: Through the chair. Mr Mayor. Yes. So when we amalgamated all the feedback, we were at something like 180 different actions. So to try and make this less overwhelming, we went through all of the actions, we looked for duplication or wording that was the same and then we prioritised firstly by action and then within that, the solutions. We then took that information to all of our managers who were working alongside us so that this wasn't going to be a hospital pass that we came up with and then asked them to deliver. So our managers went through it. We looked at it. They were all meticulously with us to identify those actions that we had started. Those that were already in progress. None of them were at the end. We were all just acknowledging that they had been started or in progress.

00:20:00 And then we worked through a basic list of those that we hadn't yet started. And no surprises. These are the ones that are the most controversial. And these are the ones that we haven't yet started. These are the ones that have formed our guiding principles. So with various direction, we were asked not to kick any more cans down the road and actually tackled some of the real controversial issues. So those are what you now find in the guiding principles. And it equated to around 70% of the actions that the community identified were already started or well in progress. And around 30% we still had to really think about what we were going to do next. And that's what we hope to do with the DMP. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. Thank you, Chair, for your opening speech. My questions will be in reference to some issues that you raised.

00:21:00 That where we insulated from prosperity and we're working with the state. My question to the staff through the chair is, how much has the Queensland state government invested in the 2045 plan? Speaker 2: Councillor Finzel. Director Rawlings: Through the chair, I am not sure how much it's cost the Queensland state government to develop that plan. But what we do know is that the state have announced that it will enable $1 billion worth of tourism investment from the Queensland government over four years. And as part of that, it is a $446 million new funding to the Queensland State Government. To kickstart the delivery of their state destination 2045 plan. That $446 million will be spread across product development and aviation attraction, event

00:22:00 attraction, and tourism and events Queensland support to continue their work that they do to support the industry. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. The local tourism operator, Tourism Noosa, in our Shire, how do you see that this funding and investment by the state government, will that have any benefit to the DMP? And that outlines our priorities and as the Mayor said, how can we ensure we're insulated from popularity? Director Rawlings: Look, time will tell about the benefit of the strategy. It was a strategy. It was only announced a few short months ago, a couple of months ago. What we do know is there is some funding opportunities. There may be opportunities for our local tourism industry operators to access some of that funding because the strategy does talk about new experiences, cultural experiences, cultural tourism.

00:23:00 So we do anticipate that there could be some of that funding, maybe flow to Noosa and to support our industry. I was going to make another point. We do also know that the strategy, the state's plan does talk about directing funding to regional tourism organisations, which they already do, but to continuing to support the regional tourism organisations also. And there are opportunities for the LTO's, as they currently do, to continue to work with the RTO's. Thank you. Councillor Finzel: Councillor Finzel. Through the Chair. I do have another question. Just to refresh my memory. In the past, we've looked at like the framework of the LTO's and I can't remember off the top of my head.

00:24:00 On average and benchmarking against other local councils in Queensland and LTO's, what is the average funding to match what we give out here and is reflected in other LTO's in Queensland? Director Rawlings: I might have to take that one. Yeah. I don't have those figures at hand. I'm sorry, Councillor Finzel. Mayor Wilkie: You can take that one. Yeah. Director Rawlings: I'll have to take that one. Thanks. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Okay. Any other questions or anyone would like to speak to the motion? Just a couple more questions. Questions. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. What is the definition and intended scope of managed access to public beaches and parks? That's quoted in page 26 of the plan and new restrictions on reuse and how will council ensure that these proposals don't unfairly limit access for residents or undermine community

00:25:00 rights? Director Rawlings: Okay. So what that action is about is about understanding the sustainable carrying capacities of important destinations and locations in our Shire. We have iconic destinations that are absolutely loved and that we hero all the time and you see them heroed in our videos and our community absolutely love them. So that, I guess, underpins the challenge that I talked about. I talked about in the beginning about managing not, you know, I guess, ensuring that Noosa doesn't get loved to death. That we still are able to enjoy, everyone is able to enjoy and experience those beautiful assets and that experience is maintained for everyone, for residents and visitors.

00:26:00 So the idea that is being tested in the draft plan is to understand what the sustainable capacity of those is. Locations are. So and enabling access to those locations in a way that respects the sustainable capacity of them. It's not at all about stopping access to these places. It's absolutely about preserving these places and enabling access to them in a way that people can experience them in the, you know, in the best possible way. Question? Mayor Wilkie: Yeah. Councillor Finzel. Thank you. Councillor Finzel: Through the Chair to the staff. Given the DMP data will inform this decision moving forward, how will we convert some of those subjective information into actual data and numbers of actual carrying capacity and the ability to move forward where both the resident and the visitor alike respectfully

00:27:00 get a return on their investment? Director Rawlings: So there are methods to determine carrying capacity and sustainable carrying capacity. And I guess the one that might resonate for people is the concept of the population cap that Noosa pioneered years ago. That was essentially a carrying capacity. That was a carrying capacity of our infrastructure and our environment and understanding what Noosa's services infrastructure networks could sustain. That is essentially a method to understand carrying capacity. And there are a number of places globally, not even globally, in Australia, that have actually established what their sustainable carrying capacity is. So there are, there's methods to do that that is based on data process and methods. GARI, formerly Fraser, have established through a method, methodology, a sustainable carrying

00:28:00 capacity. So we would draw on those tried and established methods that use data and understanding of environmental, ecological capacity, infrastructure and service capacity to support developing the concept of carrying capacity. Mayor Wilkie: Can I speak to the motion or questions? Councillor Finzel: Is this just speaking to the entire motion? Mayor Wilkie: No, we've already unanimously supported the amendment, which now has become part of the substantive motion, which is on the screen before us, which, yeah. Councillor Lorentson: I have a couple more questions to reach out. Yes, Councillor Morrison. How will Council ensure that the community has a genuine opportunity to provide feedback

00:29:00 on and, where appropriate, whether they have an opportunity even to vote on specific proposals such as congestion levy, paid parking models or new access restrictions? So rather than being asked at the moment to endorse a broad sort of direction, will they get that opportunity to vote or have some input on the potentially controversial issues? Director Rawlings: Absolutely. So at the moment, this process, this six-week period, allows a raft of opportunities to have their say on the specifics, not just the general, but the specifics. We have quite a detailed survey, possibly two surveys, a detailed one and then a short-form one, like we did with the discussion paper. You might recall we did a deep survey that, you know, amazingly, quite a couple of years

00:30:00 ago, a few hundred people spent over an hour doing that survey, providing us detailed feedback on things that they thought was important and not. Same thing here. So there will be very, you know, specific questions around, do you support these things or not? That's the first piece, to give Council an indication of community sentiment around these things. That will all come back to you in finalising the draft, the Destination Management Plan. That's the first piece, to give Council an indication of community sentiment around these If some of these ideas are to be taken forward, then like other initiatives that we do for council, they will have their own stream of work to then develop up. If council is to implement paid parking in some locations maybe, there's a whole stream of work and process that we would go through with our community and those localities and the stakeholders and the business groups and businesses.

00:31:00 You know, before we could implement any of those things. So there's, you know, yes, there's that piece now about the ideas. Do you support this for us to move forward on them or not? Tell us now. And if you do, then there'll be a more detailed process around them. Thank you. Councillor Finzel: Councillor Finzel. Yes, please, through the Chair, just seeking clarity because we don't have the information about the... for the LTOs at Queensland, we've taken that on notice. With regards to how LTOs and RTOs, how do they interact and work together to ensure that we have accountability, especially in terms of economic value, back to our community and that we do deliver? If we're calling on other organisations to work collaboratively with us, how do we... how do they work together?

00:32:00 Director Rawlings: I'm going... I might start, but then I'm going to call on Lynne, who's got first-hand experience. So our LTO works very closely with our RTO, which is... our RTO is Visit Sunshine Coast. Our LTO is Tourism Noosa. And they work closely with the Visit Sunshine Coast on a range of opportunities. You know, co-marketing cooperatives. They will partner with Visit Sunshine Coast on strategic relationships, like with the airport and industry. I think they're doing a joint networking and industry development forum coming up. Our RTO and LTO have joined forces on those sorts of things too. So there's various levels of cooperation that occurs between the RTOs. And the... and the LTO. Is there anything more specific?

00:33:00 Speaker 4: Lynne, what was that? So through the Chair, different models apply throughout Queensland and Australia. We have a good relationship at Tourism Noosa and Visit Sunshine Coast. But of course, when you look at the size of Noosa versus the size of Sunshine Coast, sometimes we differ on what we want as an outcome, which is why quite often LTOs are supported by their own councils. Because they don't always align in what they're trying to achieve. And similarly with 2045, words that were used in that document were about supercharging the visitor economy and things that might not have been quite as palatable to Noosa. So the rule of thumb is that we all work together on things where there's an intersection point and on the understanding that sometimes the LTO will work on different things. And things that are more localised. Whereas the regional tourism organisation are looking across a number of different regions

00:34:00 and may not always have consensus from every region on what they're actually targeting. But I'm pleased to say we have a good relationship. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Pizzol. Councillor Finzel: I have another question through the Chair to the CEO. Within the visitor markets, local, state and national, what organisations, associations, etc. does Noosa Council currently pay membership fees to? Director Rawlings: Through the Chair. So because we have tourism assets, Council owns and owns the Noosa Holiday Parks proudly, an amazing portfolio. We are members of the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland. We've got an annual membership with them. This membership provides valuable access to industry-specific data, expert advice and sector-wide updates.

00:35:00 Facilitates information sharing, advocacy and collaboration across the Caravan and Holiday Park network in Queensland. Supporting best practice management and continuous improvement. We also have a membership of Ecotourism Australia. And this provides the Noosa Holiday Parks portfolio with access to industry insights. Sustainability resources, data and direct member support services. Councillor Finzel: Thank you for your patience. One final question. This has been a big journey to get here today. How do we give reassurance to our community? Because we really want to hear their voice. Their voice matters in all of this. They are actually the leaders in this and they will inform our decision-making moving forward. Can we have some type of, I don't know how you're going to give it, an insurer's voice? Or a time frame where this can be delivered within a reasonable amount of time?

00:36:00 And what would be some potential risks to that happening within a reasonable time frame? Thank you. Director Rawlings: Through the Chair, I think any assurances to our community should come from Council. But what I can say is that we have mapped out a process. It's clear in the plan, in the report that we are out for community engagement. Until the 14th of September. We will then gladly receive the hundreds and thousands of information that we get, hopefully. And analyse that data like we did last time. And use that to inform and workshop with Council any changes, no doubt, to the DMP process. The clear intent is that that is done before. Before the end of this calendar year. This engagement process is as comprehensive as any, I think, we've done.

00:37:00 If this Council, if not more. So I think there's every opportunity. This, every household, 40,000 properties, businesses, households will receive these in the next week. So every possible opportunity. Every person, property should be notified about the opportunity to have their say and be involved. There's a very comprehensive social media, media, radio, newspaper campaign that will launch on Wednesday and will run consistently through the six weeks. We'll have seven councillors out talking about it and promoting it. To your networks. We are working through school networks.

00:38:00 We are working through industry networks. We're working through as many networks as we can to promote the opportunity for people to have their say. So hopefully that comprehensive approach provides some assurance at least about the opportunity to have their say. And as I mentioned, we will comprehensively review. That information and bring it back to Council. Mayor Wilkie: Council Wilson. Councillor Wilson: Just a follow up question on that, please. So I think that was assurance about when the final plan will be delivered. But I think maybe the question was more about when will the plan be implemented? Do we have a timescale for that? Thank you. Director Rawlings: Apologies, Councillor Finzel. If I missed that, my apologies. So the plan. If the plan's got a number of actions. That will need to be. There will be a program of implementation over a number of years. And some of them will take several years to implement.

00:39:00 It is our hope that in the final plan that we present to Council, we will be able to present an implementation action plan with a sense of timeframes. You know, what short, medium and long term and what it's going to take to mobilise some of these actions. Some of them can start immediately. And would. And some of them will take some more time. Because some of them relate to, you know, advocacy with state government, for instance. That can take some time. So, yes, we will have a clear implementation plan with priorities. Councillor Finzel. And again, my apologies. Misunderstanding the question. It's all good. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Okay. We have a motion before us. Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Yes, please. This has been a long and arduous journey for everyone involved.

00:40:00 Our community has consistently come to us and said we want action. We're trying our best to deliver action. And hopefully the outcome of this collaboration in all industries, the community and everyone does deliver on that action. Thank you. Thank you. I do have my reservations, but I'm prepared to let's see where the dominoes land. I want to take this moment today to speak directly to you at home and to those around the table. Not as tourists or planners, but as neighbours, locals and people who deeply care about this special place we call home. Over the past year or so, many of us have taken the time, and you have taken the time, to share your thoughts, concerns and your hopes for the future of Noosa. As a long-term resident who moved here in the 80s, I truly value what this place means

00:41:00 to me, my ancestors behind me, my children and my grandchildren before me. The drafting MP is the next opportunity to have your say. And I really call upon our community to get engaged and have your say. Because your voice matters. We're at a transitional point in governance. In our society. In our community. Change is upon us. It is our role as leaders to facilitate change. To take our community by the hand and lead them through change. We've come through troubled times. I don't have to go there today to speak to you about the impact on our community at so many levels. We've come through troubled times. Socially, economically and trying to then adapt to growth. Our community told us that while tourism has its place, it must never come at the cost of our lifestyle, our environment and our sense of community.

00:42:00 And you're right. And we're truly grateful for all the community that got on board to have your say. It's about making sure that tourism works for no one. Not the Noosa. Not the other way around. We're working collectively, putting the community at the heart of every decision. And I'm sure everyone around the table, hand on heart, say that that's what we're here for. This plan reflects what the community has told us and what matters to them. Protecting the environment. Easing pressure on our roads and public spaces. This plan reflects what the community has told us and what matters to them. Supporting local businesses and welcoming respectful visitors who understand what makes Noosa special. And just as importantly, we're building in clear accountability.

00:43:00 Our RTO, Tourism Noosa and Council will be measured against the new KPIs that reflect the values of our people. The voices that matter. We're here to ensure our beneficiaries benefit from the decisions we make around this table. We've been promised there will be reports back regularly. And we will make sure that we see how community's input is shaping outcomes. This is not a top-down plan. It's a partnership with our people who elected us to lead. This is not a top-down plan. Tourism will always be a part of the Noosa story. But it won't define us. Because our identity, our values, and who we are and why we live here is coming to the

00:44:00 forefront. Because we are at an intersection of change. Change is upon us. We can either have a say to shape that or it will overtake us. And we can see that's where we stand right now with the state. With our planning scheme. With our planning scheme. We're not going to try to override us. This council has been working hard to protect what values to us and what matters. Together we're creating a balanced, values-driven future where residents and visitors can both enjoy this place. Respectfully. Sustainably. And with heart. Thank you everyone for being a part of this journey. Your voice matters. Thank you. Thank you. And you are helping us create something truly meaningful as a legacy for future generations. Let's keep building this future together. And one last call to action to our community.

00:45:00 Meet us at that intersection. Have your say. So we can inform what this community needs. Now and into the future. Thank you Mr Chair. Mayor Wilkie: 502. Very well timed councillor. Excellently timed. Councillor Finzel: Great. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Why does he keep on looking at me? There's a challenge for you councillor Stockwell. Do any of the councillors who wish to speak to the motion have any further questions? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Oh okay. Councillor Stockwell. So we've heard what's in the plan. I'm going to take a step back and say, outline why I think the context of the plan is so important. The DMP is part of the implementation of the council's economic development strategy, which is the DMP. It's guided us through to 2030. That strategy aims to develop a more diverse and resilient economy that delivers high value employment opportunities. It is supported by three economic pillars. It requires us to be future focused, evidence based, and to also respect people in place.

00:46:00 It's in that last category that the section on managing success outlines that we need to undertake destination management to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the economy. And it suggests that well-managed destinations are those that protect and preserve their assets, attract investment, meet workforce needs and have increased levels of innovation. However, I propose that the DMP has potential to play a much broader role, more far-reaching. If we are successful in the engagement of the community in the development and the implementation of the plan, it will help drive the next generation of champions. Champions that will guide the protection of our place, champions that will stand up as custodians of community values, champions that will guide the evolution of our economy.

00:47:00 While in the 60s it was a silent generation who had lived through World War II that were the forefront of early efforts to conserve Noosa, however, for the past 40 years it's been largely the baby boomers who have tracked, who have steered Noosa to its position as one of the world's most naturally beautiful places to live and work. In the 82-85 term, it was the strategic thinking baby boomer councillors that promoted the principles of steady state economics. A steady state economy is a sustainable system that prioritises ecological balance over continuous growth. It aims to maintain stable level of resource use and population, ensuring that the planet's health is preserved. It was the 82-85 council that led the plan. It was the council that started the community conversation around the concept of a sustainable caring capacity, and what we now know as the population cap embedded in the 1997 strategic plan and every Noosa plan since. But in reality, what we do in the planning scheme is set development caps, not population

00:48:00 caps. It was this council that first got me interested in Noosa planning in my 20s when I was working in Hastings Street and the Junctions as a part-time dishwasher, cook, barman and waiter. We are coming to the end of the baby boomer era, and increasingly this community is feeling pressures created by forces outside of the control of our planning scheme. We now know that we can't achieve the aims of a steady state economy using statutory planning alone. This is why we need the destination management plan, and in my view, this is why this council has an important role of ushering in the next generation of leaders and stewards who can maintain Noosa's difference while facilitating the evolution of our economy. We all know that many experiences in our Shire bring happiness, both to residents and visitors alike. While not explicit, the DMP is built on the concept of the economics of happiness.

00:49:00 In essence, it challenges simplistic notions of economic development based around only those things that can be measured in dollars, and direct contribution to short-term gross domestic product, or in our case, regional product. As Michelle Ketchell wrote in the conversation, for more than 70 years, gross domestic product, or GDP, has been the key yardstick by which nations have measured economic process. But GDP, and our GRP, is designed to exclusively account for monetary benefits accrued from economic activity. It is blind to the degradation of the natural environment, finite resources, and human wellbeing. It is time, he suggests, that we come up with something better. Without ever having to acknowledge how nature has contributed to economic growth, GDP has promoted unsustainable practices that have contributed to the climate and biodiversity emergency. In this light, if council, community, and the industry are to be successful in our

00:50:00 destination management endeavours, we will need to focus our efforts on the evolution of the Shire's development towards a wellbeing economy. The Victorian Department of Health has resumed this conversation. The concept suggesting it is a successful intergenerational wellbeing approach that transforms systems to serve a more holistic understanding of the quality of life and collective wellbeing, and benefits both of people and the planet. At a conceptual level, these changes make perfect sense, but at a practical level, there will be challenges. Local government has only a limited set of levers we can work with. The draft DMP sets out a course of action on how we maintain the many great experiences that our case offers. Both locals and visitors alike with an aspiration to bend the curve to make it better for generations into the future. If successful, the DMP will see a new generation within the community come together to build a human-scale economy based on a new paradigm, an economics of localisation and pursuit of

00:51:00 a regenerative future that seeks to wind back the current impacts while showcasing to the world a better way to thrive. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Wegener: Mr. Stockwell, Mr. Wiggins, thank you. Noosa is a microcosm of breathtaking beauty of abundance and it is truly a paradise. Before I came here in around 1996 I made a TV show about Los Angeles and I stood on top of the hills looking down at Los Angeles and I could see what it looked like in the distant past and it was also a paradise. It had a winding river that came down with salmon that swam up there every year. It had fertile soil, beautiful environment, great weather and it was no longer a paradise. That soil was paved over. The salmon are long gone. Grease was filmed in what is now, you know, what was the LA River, that giant storm drain. Waikiki, similar. I did my surfing studies. Waikiki was a paradise. It was paved over. When I came to Noosa I just thought how did this place

00:52:00 be, maintain itself and then I slowly learned through the former councils and the wonderful community groups and so forth that fought hard to stop sandbiting on the North Shore, added the national parks, all of this, the UO ringtail forest being grown, more koalas than, well, koala population growing, not depleted, not declining. And so, and a biosphere reserve. Well, since I've been in Noosa, Noosa has become a biosphere reserve which is an amazing accomplishment. But in order to continue this, we have to maintain vigilance. What is the great quote? Freedom, the price you pay for freedom is eternal vigilance. Bart Simpson. But this is an example of this. We need to maintain our eternal vigilance and I believe the destination management plan is exactly that. Begins this very long discussion we're going to have over the next six weeks about what we're doing, why we want Noosa to

00:53:00 maintain this status as paradise and this is what it's going to take. And all, as Brian said in the long form, I'll just refer to Brian because he's very good at that. But we need to continue to evolve as Noosa Shire in order to maintain what we have. And I believe the DMP is on point. Thank you, Council Member. Privacy is the soul of wit. I wasn't quite very doubtful. Councillor Wilson: Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Wilson. Just a brief one for me. I will support the motion which is to approve the draft destination management plan for the purposes of community engagement for the next six weeks and really encourage those community voices to come forward. Some people have been on this journey for two years already and been heavily engaged along the way. Some people won't have heard anything about it until this draft

00:54:00 is in the mailbox or they see the video or they see things online. Whether you've read this from cover to cover already or whether the first time you see it is this, I do encourage everyone to get involved. Don't let the word destination put you off because for us this destination is home and it's really important that we have that equilibrium between livability for residents and our visitor economy. So I know lots of people would like to really get into the detail and that's why I asked the question earlier about the other information that will be online. I've had a few people ask me questions already because they have got well into the detail of this already and they have lots more questions and lots more information that they want and so I really encourage them to use the QR code and get online, read all of the fact sheets, all of the data that's available and then please also ask questions at the pop-up events, at the various surveys and things that you'll be able to get involved. So we're getting questions already. That's great to see everyone really engaged in this plan.

00:55:00 But there will be lots and lots of opportunities over the next six weeks to have your say, ask more questions and hopefully find out the information that you need. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Council Wilson. Okay. Council Morrison. Okay, so mine's only going to be a few minutes. Noosa is more than a destination as Council Morrison said. It's our home. If we want to protect what we love about living here, which is our environment, our lifestyle and our sense of community, we must plan thoughtfully for the future. Doing nothing is not an option. The draft for the London Noosa Destination Management Plan is Council's invitation to the community to help shape that future. It outlines a shared vision for a thriving Noosa where tourism is well managed, the environment's protected and locals come first. Tourism brings challenges. In recent years, we've seen growing pressures on our roads, our waste systems, our car parks and open spaces. Our community

00:56:00 has voiced legitimate concerns, congestion, overcrowding during some times of the year, rising costs of living, too many events and too many short stays. Yet tourism is also a cornerstone of our economy. It supports one in every seven jobs, more than 3,000 people across the Shire. It contributes around a third of Noosa's gross regional product and underpins many of the services, amenities and small businesses locals rely on. In every street, you'll find someone whose livelihood is linked to tourism, whether they're serving in cafes, maintaining accommodation, running tours, working in trades or selling in shops. Our economy and visitor experience are deeply interconnected. When managed well, tourism can be a positive force. It creates opportunities for people to come and visit. Tourism can be a positive force. It creates opportunities for people to come and visit. Tourism can be a positive force. It creates opportunities for people to come and visit. Tourism can be a positive force. It

00:57:00 supports families and allows us to invest in preserving what makes Noosa special. But it must be sustainable and it must support Noosa, never compromise it. This plan isn't about churning visitors away. It's about creating a better experience for everyone, one that's respectful, balanced and future-focused. During phase one of the consultation, over 1,000 residents took the time to make submissions. This plan is about creating a better experience for everyone, one that's respectful, balanced and future-focused. During phase one of the consultation, over 1,000 residents took the time to make submissions. This plan or complete surveys. Contributing over 1,300 hours of feedback. That level of on engagement just shows how deeply people care about this place. To everyone who's contributed thank you. To The staff and the consultants who have worked to bring community voice and to bring community voices into the draft, thank you. To my fellow counsellors, thank you for staying engaged and committed to the process. Thank you. To everyone who's contributed, thank you. To the staff and the consultants who

00:58:00 The draft plans come from reports or expert panels. They come from the people who live here. The ones who know the tides, walk the trails, run the small businesses, teach our kids and volunteer their time. When we let locals lead, we get better outcomes. The draft plan includes both practical actions and bold ideas. Some that you may agree with and others you may not. Ideas such as visitor contribution models, a surf management plan, seasonal pauses, custodian programs, sustainable transport initiatives, and a strong emphasis on local values. But some of these ideas need further explanation, exploration, and clearer answers.

00:59:00 Take pay parking. It's not just about whether you support it or not. We need to be asking, will residents benefit? Will they be exempt? What's the actual cost to implement it? How many metres? How often are we truly congested? Will it work or will it simply shift the problem? Or a congestion levy. What is the goal? Will it achieve what we want? What are the consequences? Will it support sustainable visitation or damage Noosa's brand? These are real serious questions and what matters is that we ask them. Transparently. Based on evidence. And with the community. To make this plan truly successful, we also need clarity, transparency, and accountability. How will Council measure progress on the community's top priorities like traffic, environmental protection, and housing affordability? And ensure that those issues are addressed meaningfully?

01:00:00 How will broad success measures like improved community sentiment or regenerative visit experiences be defined clearly and measured objectively? What does managed access to public beaches and park actually mean in practice? And how will Council ensure any new restrictions, particularly on river use, don't unfairly limit community access or erode local rights? Will the community be provided with costings, impact studies, and financial transparency? Just a couple more sentences. So we can make informed choices about proposed actions. Will we have clear, robust KPI frameworks? And finally, how will we ensure the community is not only consulted broadly, but also invited to help shape the specifics, not just the vision? The good news is that the draft report makes clear that while success measures have been

01:01:00 proposed, further community input will be sought to help define what success really looks like from the community's perspective. So as everyone around the table have said, please read the draft plan. Ask the hard questions. Tell us what we've got right and what we haven't. Tell us what's missing, what matters, and what needs to change. This is our chance to build a future where tourism supports, not competes with, our environment, our lifestyle, and our values. Where visitors are welcome, but never at the expense of locals. And where our legacy to future generation isn't a problem. Not a problem to fix, but a home to love. Thank you, Councillor Morrison. Councillor Stockwell, you went the longest. Councillor Phillips: It's a record. Mayor Wilkie: I'm going to be the shortest. Okay. Councillor Jess. Councillor Phillips: Because I want to repeat what has been said around the table, the only thing I want to say is this morning I had a quick look. I'm in 11 group chats for sport and school and newsletters. And I just want to say thank you to the staff for actually looking outside the box

01:02:00 with engagement and looking at a way that we can capture the busy working parents. You've listened to my, you know, constant nag of I don't have time to read another, you know, long, lengthy document. And so what I'm really looking forward to is seeing a group of potential community members that haven't ever reached out and engaged with us being able to do so. So thank you for that. Thank you for giving a different look at engagement. And I'm looking forward to seeing maybe we'd be careful what we wish for. But let's see. I hope we get some really different voices into this next draft. So thanks. Mayor Wilkie: Ms Jess, that is the record. Thank you. Okay. I'll waive my right to speak. I don't think I could add, improve on what's already been said by the councillors here today. So I'll put the motion to the vote. Those in favour? That is unanimous. That is, that brings us to the end of the agenda.

01:03:00 I thank the staff for their hard work on this. And thank you for being here today and answering all the questions so openly and informatively. And thank you to our visitors. Meeting closed at 3.03pm.

6 MEETING CLOSURE ¶

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Council's recording ends before this item. Where a meeting resolved to close its doors, that is what the end of the recording means — see what council discussed in private.