2019-08-06 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      6 AUGUST 2019


3                        NOOSA COUNCIL SUBMISSION TO QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT’S QUEENSLAND
                         ECOTOURISM TRAILS PROGRAM - COOLOOLA GREAT WALK
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                          Economic Development Manager, Anthony Dow
                                Environment & Sustainable Development Department

Index                           ECM/ Subject/ 45.04 Economic Development
                                ECM/ Subject/ 15.07 Environment
                                ECM/ Subject/ 71.01 Tourism

Attachments                     1.   Noosa Council submission to Queensland Government’s
                                     Queensland Ecotourism Trails Program - Cooloola Great Walk
                                2.   Queensland Ecotourism Trails program background information



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Economic Development Manager to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 August 2019 and approve Council’s submission to the
Queensland Government’s Queensland Ecotourism Trails Program - Cooloola Great Walk
provided as Attachment 1 to the report.


REPORT
The Queensland Government are managing an Ecotourism Trails Program and has announced
three shortlisted businesses for the Cooloola Great Walk opportunity that are progressing into the
Request for Detailed Proposal stage.

The Cooloola Great Walk is an existing 102-kilometre walking and camping experience that links
Noosa North Shore with Rainbow Beach, through the Great Sandy National Park. The
Queensland State Government have opened an opportunity for tourism providers to develop a
low impact tourism offering through a collaborative model with the Traditional owners which will
capitalise on this magnificent wilderness experience.

The State Government have undertaken a market testing process, steps and indicative timelines
are outlined below, the process is now at step 2:
1.    October - November 2018: Expressions of Interest: Suitably qualified proponents were
      invited from the Market Engagement stage to refine their proposals for the Cooloola Great
      Walk Opportunity
2.    Late May 2019 – August 2019: Request for Detailed Proposal: 3 Shortlisted proponents
      are currently invited to further develop concepts and proposals, including confirmed
      commercial arrangements with Traditional Owners
3.    Q4 2019: Preferred Proponent: The successful Tourism Operator will be selected and
      binding terms negotiated
4.    2020: Approvals and Construction: A range of community benefits delivered immediately
      including construction jobs
5.    2021: Cooloola Great Walk Operational: New enhancements to the trail operational.

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