NOOSAVILLE FORESHORE INFRASTRUCTURE MASTERPLAN · Report

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                               10 JUNE 2025


integrated into the draft Master Plan. Subsequently, the redrafting of the Plan, following the Council's
resolution of 18 July 2024 to undertake a third round of community engagement and to revise
accordingly, has cost an additional $209,401 including consultants and operating costs.

Procurement Process
The consultants were selected through a competitive tendering process following Council's
procurement standards and procedures. The consultants have supported Council in the preparation
of the initial and subsequent draft as well as the final plan. Their price for the ongoing work was
determined following a period of commercial negotiation and was agreed to be a competitive market
price. The total consultant fee for the project including the variation was less than other tenders
received for the original scope of service. The variation was approved along with the direction to
proceed with a third round of consultation by Council at the Special Meeting held 06 November 2024.

Benchmarking & Grant Opportunities
In consideration of these costs it is important to note that the Noosaville Foreshore covers over 2
kilometres, is the largest and most popular coastal urban park in Noosa, and has many users and
complexities associated with the design and planning process. As this is an infrastructure and
resilience project for future assets, it is also important to note that these costs are capitalised in
accordance with Council’s Non-Current Asset policy and guidelines, and are recognised as a work
in progress asset in the Statement of Financial Position and do not impact Council’s operating
position. The Plan, as well as providing community certainty, also provides a platform for future
investment through grants and other income sources. Council has projected over $10million dollars
in necessary asset renewal costs on the Noosaville Foreshore including revetment walls, pathways,
stormwater pipes, carparks, lighting, playgrounds, river pontoons and jetties, and park furniture.
Rather than rely on rates revenue, Council can seek grants to subsidise and supplement necessary
infrastructure costs. Funding partners seek clarity articulated through an endorsed framework or
Master Plan to support grant approvals.

The Plan has already assisted in approved SEQCSP funding of $1.8 million for the design and
construction of Quota Park Changing Places Amenities Facility (Oct 2024) and more recently (April
2025) for DRF Failing Revetment Walls Grant Application 50% co-funding total value approximately
$750,000.

Other recent examples of Council Master Plans providing an astute investment platform include:
1. Noosa Biosphere Trails Implementation Plan - $30,000 has resulted in $3.2 million grant funding
- 108 times the original investment.
2. Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy - $250,000 has resulted in $11.3 million grant funding - 45
times the original investment.
3. Cooroy Sporting Complex Master Plan - $50,000 has resulted in $6.3 million grant funding - 126
times the original investment.
4. Noosa District Sports Complex Master Plan - $50,000 has resulted in $4 million grant funding - 80
times the original investment.

These grant funding examples provide evidence of the value of a Master Plan in the renewal,
upgrade and maintenance of valued community assets through grant funding opportunities, rather
than relying solely on rates revenue and further emphasise the importance for Council to continue
to prepare Master Plans for critical assets.

The final Master Plan contract deliverables which included extensive community engagement, has
been developed and delivered, as per the agreed program and within approved budgets.

Research using Co-pilot artificial intelligence indicates that the cost of developing a landscape
master plan for public open space in Australia can vary significantly depending on the scale,
complexity, location, and intended use of the space. While there isn't a single fixed rate, there are
some general guidelines based on recent Australian planning documents and industry practices: