2014-01-02 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                          2 JANUARY 2014


Existing Planning Scheme Provisions
The Noosa Plan 2006 – Planning Scheme Strategy Map identifies the area of the airstrip as an
“Area of Ecological Significance”.

The site is in the Noosa North Shore Locality and is zoned Open Space Conservation.

In the Noosa North Shore Biodiversity Overlay the site is identified as an Environmental
Protection Area, however the runways located within the site are excluded from that designation.

An airstrip is an inconsistent and impact assessable use in the Open Space Conservation Zone.

Specific outcomes for the Open Space Conservation zone in this locality relate to amenity:

      O45 Public lands are dedicated to conservation outcomes.

      O46 Public lands are used for passive recreation with facilities limited to sand tracks for
          access.

1992 Cabinet Decision
In 1992, State Cabinet approved the declaration of the Noosa North Shore Landing Ground as
National Park on the proviso that the areas required for “emergency landings or ultra light
purposes” were retained. The recommendation did not allow for helicopter pilot training or other
commercial uses.

Great Sandy Region Management Plan (2005)
The Great Sandy Management Plan 1994 – 2010 was reviewed in September 2005. This review
recommended that the reserve be "rescinded and added to the Cooloola Section of the Great
Sandy National Park. Continued use of the area by ultralight aircraft will be permitted." There was
no provision for helicopter use or pilot training.

With regard to the National Park generally, the Great Sandy Management Plan (2005) noted that
“Landings, departures and overflying of aircraft may constitute a significant intrusion for some
visitors and disturb and endanger wildlife.”

2003 Noosa North Shore Management Plan
The Noosa North Shore Management Plan was endorsed by the former Noosa Council in 2003
and supported the 1992 Cabinet decision stating:

Transfer the Landing Ground to National Park as approved by Cabinet in 1992, on the proviso
that the areas required for emergency landings, ultra light purposes, helicopter training, model
aircraft use are retained as a reserve for landing ground purposes, or that the whole area be
transferred to National park provided document evidence is given that the use of the landing
ground be allowed to continue.

In this regard the state government wrote to Council in February 2006 requesting the balance of
the landing ground be transferred to National Park and a Resource Reserve be created over the
landing strips with the state and Council as joint trustees. (Refer to “Previous Council
Consideration” above)

The Issue
Over the past five years use of the Noosa North Shore Landing Ground for helicopter training has
escalated significantly. Whereas helicopter training previously occurred only occasionally, the
airstrip is now being used on a daily basis throughout the day and well into the night. Anecdotally,
it appears that use by fixed-wing aircraft for “missed approach” training has also escalated.



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