2019-08-06 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    6 AUGUST 2019


                                                                                   ATTACHMENT 1

NOOSA COUNCIL SUBMISSION TO QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT’S QUEENSLAND
ECOTOURISM TRAILS PROGRAM - COOLOOLA GREAT WALK

Noosa Council (Council) request that the Queensland Government consider this submission as
part of its consultation in relation to the Ecotourism Trails program – Cooloola Great Walk:

1.   Council wishes to acknowledge the balanced approach proposed by Queensland
     Government to assessing proposals and fully supports the statement made in the
     supporting information and included in this document as Attachment B: “Enhancing an
     iconic nature-based experience like the Cooloola Great Walk requires extensive planning,
     engaging with multiple stakeholders and identifying and addressing environmental
     considerations.”
2.   Other statements such as; Protecting culture, Preserving and presenting natural assets,
     Future-proofing regional communities, are well aligned with Noosa Shire’s values and
     aspirations.
3.   Council is particularly interested to ensure that any facilities along the trail are delivered in
     accordance with the Department of Environment and Science’s Implementation Framework
     Ecotourism Facilities on National Parks (as referenced in Attachment B) and Best Practice
     Ecotourism Development Guidelines and all statutory requirements.
4.   Council supports the concept of a low-impact nature-based tourism walking and trail
     offering that is respectful to its environment and importantly the traditional owners.
     Philosophically this will require a ‘soft touch’ approach in harmony with the natural
     landscape. This includes:
          Minimise any change to existing pathways, use existing walking tracks and access
            routes and no new accesses through the National Park.
          Take a small scale, low key, low impact approach to infrastructure in keeping with
            Noosa Design Principles.
         Avoid impacts on local ecosystems, cultural values (specifically sacred or significant
           sites) and natural processes.
         Avoid or minimise vegetation clearing, use disturbed areas where possible and
           provide for rehabilitation of previously impacted and degraded areas. Facilities should
           be contained within clearly delineated use areas to minimise any further disturbance.
         Use efficient water and energy systems and waste practices that provide for onsite
           rainwater tanks, composting toilets and solar power.
         Use sustainably sourced materials and adopt climate sensitive design in terms of
           sunlight, shading, ventilation and energy use.
         Require best practice waste management, including zero waste and ‘carry out, leave
           no trace’ waste requirements.
         Protect surface and groundwater through best practice pollution and run-off
           management.
         Minimal noise pollution as part of entry, movement and exit from the walk.
         Minimise impacts from lighting sources on local fauna and flora.
         Protect sensitive habitat areas and avoid activity in vulnerable and highly valued
           areas.
         Low impact eco-accommodation of a light weight structure in addition to existing
           walker’s camps along the trail. Buildings should be relocatable and have a minimal
           building footprint.



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