2020-01-13 GC Agenda - Item 10 - Attachment 2 - The Value of Tourism to the Noosa Community October 2019 FINAL REPORT

Noosa Shire Policy Environment

Tourism is noted in many of the policy documents governing the enhancement, preservation
and management of Noosa. The five main documents commented upon here are the
Corporate Plan, Noosa’s Sustainability Principles, Noosa Shire’s Local Economic Plan, the
Noosa Social Strategy and the Noosa Shire’s Environment Strategy.

Noosa Shire Corporate Plan 2017-2037

The Noosa Shire’s Corporate Plan sets a vision for Noosa over the next 20 years and all
actions and strategies set for Noosa needs to encapsulate the overarching vision of the
Corporate Plan. The vision of the Corporate Plan is “Noosa Shire – Different by Nature”.

The Plan acknowledges Noosa’s historic development pathway, and shows that clear choices
made to maintain the ‘Noosa’ identity, which prioritises the environment and low density
over ‘rampant development’.
This was in clear contrast to
many other coastal areas that
were subjected to similar
development pressures, and it
strengthens the sentiments
behind the vision for the future.

Noosa’s vision is underpinned
by four core values. These are:
respect, inclusion,
responsiveness and
authenticity.

The Corporate Plan acknowledges the importance of tourism to the Noosa economy, and
indicates it is a key industry into the future (under Theme 3 in the Plan). However, it is
acknowledged that over-reliance on tourism can make the economy vulnerable as well as
put pressure on local infrastructure. The need for diversification into ‘smart industries’ is
acknowledged in the Plan.

The five themes and own goals within the Corporate Plan are as follows:

    •   Theme 1: The Noosa Environment: Our 20 year goal: Our environment is protected,
        enhanced and valued by the community
    •   Theme 2: The Noosa Community: Our 20 year goal: Our community is connected,
        safe and happy and able to meet their potential
    •   Theme 3: The Noosa Economy: Our 20 year goal: Our economy is diverse and
        resilient
    •   Theme 4: Long term planning for Noosa Shire: Our 20 year goal: Noosa Shire is well
        managed and sustainable
    •   Theme 5: Excellence as a Council: Our 20 year goal: The Noosa Shire community is
        proud of its Council




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