ADOPTION OF DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                 15 DECEMBER 2025



5.   DEVELOPMENT OF THE DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Noosa DMP represents the culmination of a multi-year, collaborative process to ensure Noosa
is managed sustainably, protecting community values and enhancing economic, social and
environmental outcomes. Its development has been guided by robust governance, evidence-based
analysis and meaningful engagement with the community, stakeholders and industry partners. The
result is a DMP grounded in community expectations, supported by evidence and framed around
long-term sustainability and regeneration.

5.1 Phased Approach
The DMP was developed in five key phases across a number of years, designed to progressively
build a comprehensive, evidence-based plan aligned with Council priorities and community
expectations.

Phase 1 – Initial Briefing and Scoping
Identification of key issues, risks, and opportunities in the visitor economy.
Establishing the project scope, objectives and governance framework.
Alignment with Council’s strategic objectives, policies and broader planning frameworks.
Establishment of governance structures, including a Project Control Group (PCG), External
Reference Group (ERG) and an internal Advisory Team to oversee development.

Phase 2 – Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Comprehensive analysis of tourism trends, visitation patterns, economic contribution and
environmental impacts.
Assessment of infrastructure capacity, short-stay accommodation impacts and housing pressures.
Review of global best practice in destination management and regenerative tourism models.

Phase 3 – Discussion Paper preparation and community engagement :
A Discussion Paper was created, guided by the PCG with assistance on how to engage the
community from the ERG.
The Discussion Paper identified issues and asked the community ‘How can we grow well together?’
Extensive community engagement (workshops, coffee chats, online survey, direct stakeholder
engagements and submissions) with a professional facilitator who is an expert in Regenerative
tourism.

Phase 4 – Analysis of Discussion Paper feedback
Analysis of the feedback from phase 1.
Both qualitative and quantitative analysis of responses was conducted.
The analysis deep dive was extensive and reviewed over 500,000 words.

Phase 5 - DMP Preparation
Integration of findings from evidence-based analysis and stakeholder insights.
Development of Draft DMP incorporating principles, strategies and actions across key areas:
community wellbeing, environmental protection, transport, housing and tourism industry
development.

Phase 6 – Community Consultation
Release of the draft DMP for public and stakeholder consultation.
Multi-channel engagement, including workshops, surveys, social media campaigns and targeted
stakeholder meetings.
Collection and analysis of feedback to refine and finalise the plan.
Peer Review

Phase 7 – Current Phase - Endorsement and Implementation Planning
DMP finalised for Council for adoption.