2019-08-06 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 6 AUGUST 2019


Current Trail
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 on the
Sunshine Coast.

Visitors can discover perched lakes, ancient sand dunes and a diverse range of ecosystems
including coastal woodlands, heathlands and rainforest, each boasting unique flora and fauna.
The existing trail is a Grade 4 track recommended for experienced walkers, with rough, steep
and sandy sections. Visitors can walk the trail over five days, camping in existing walkers' camps
along the way.

There are options to complete shorter walks through the Great Sandy National Park which offers
separate four-wheel driving tracks.

The Opportunity
The Cooloola Great Walk presents an excellent opportunity to showcase the region’s stunning
natural environment, unique wildlife and fascinating ancient cultural heritage through a low-
impact tourism offering and collaborative model between Traditional Owners and Tourism
Operators.

The Queensland Ecotourism Trails program is designed to complement and enhance the existing
Cooloola Great Walk and its public infrastructure and amenity.

Enhancements to the trail are designed to showcase the natural and cultural values of the
national park and attract new visitors. Enhancements could include nature-based tourism
offerings such as low-impact eco-accommodation, guided tours and additional bushwalking
experiences.

*All facilities along the trail must be delivered in accordance with the Department of Environment
and Science’s Implementation Framework: Ecotourism Facilities on National Parks.

Benefits
The Cooloola Great Walk is an opportunity to deliver an enhanced nature-based tourism
experience with direct economic benefits to regional Queensland and local Traditional
Owners

Tourism supports over 35,000 jobs on the Sunshine Coast. The Cooloola Great Walk presents
an excellent opportunity to showcase the natural and cultural values of a cherished part of
regional Queensland, designed to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits to
Traditional Owners, local communities and to Queensland, including:
    Long term employment and business opportunities for Traditional Owners and their future
      generations
    Enhanced connection to Country whilst ensuring the protection and preservation of Country
    Stronger appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal culture through unique,
      contemporary and engaging experiences
    Supporting Traditional Owner businesses, existing local businesses and creating new
      business opportunities for locals
    Enhanced monitoring of key areas such as activity of species, pests and weeds
    New funding sources and reinvestment to contribute to preserving, protecting and
      presenting national parks and their cultural heritage
    Underpinning long-term growth for the Sunshine Coast, strengthening community resilience
      in regional areas
    Bringing new local jobs to the region with the opportunity to develop and enhance local
      skills and increase diversity of regional jobs.

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