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

Noosa Shire’s Sustainability Principles

As noted on Noosa Shire’s website, Noosa has a long history of “protecting the natural
environment, enhancing biodiversity and doing things in a balanced and sustainable way, not
just for the current community and economy, but for future generations”.
(https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/sustainability-principles).

To ensure that this is maintained over the longer term, Council adopted a set of
Sustainability Principles that are aimed at guiding the development of Council’s strategy
documents. The principles recognise the interconnectedness of all areas of Council business
- environment, economic and social elements – and acknowledged that all strategies need to
be in harmony to ensure sustainability.

Noosa's Six Sustainability Principles are:

    •   “Resources are sustainably managed so that the lifestyle of the community is
        preserved, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
        needs (consistent with the Brundtland Commission definition of sustainability).
    •   Noosa’s economy is prosperous, diverse and protective of its unique environment.
    •   Noosa residents belong to a community that values its diversity, accessibility and
        affordability.
    •   Noosa’s community is inclusive, connected and resilient and encourages
        participation and information sharing.
    •   Noosa’s community benefits from quality places and programs that enhance
        wellbeing and support creative, active and healthy lifestyles.
    •   Good governance is achieved through effective and efficient decision making, made
        in the interests of the community.”


Noosa Shire Local Economic Plan

The Noosa Shire Local Economic Plan notes that due to its “outstanding beauty, mild
subtropical weather and enviable lifestyle”, Noosa is one of Australia’s most desirable places
to live, work and visit. The Plan acknowledges that these comparative advantages provide
the basis for a thriving and robust tourism industry. Indeed it notes that three of the top 5
employment sectors in Noosa are primarily geared towards providing for local residents and
tourism driven industries: Retail, accommodation and foods services, and construction. This
proposition is supported by the value that tourism brings to Noosa as purported in Section 5.

The Noosa Shire Local Economic Plan aims to “broaden the economic structure of the local
economy by achieving growth in ‘smart’ industry sectors that have high economic value and
low environmental impact”. In so doing, it recognises the interconnection of the economy
with the environment and the community, and acknowledges that all these elements must
work together in order for development to be maximised and sustainable over the longer
term. This is reflected in the Economic Vision for Noosa in the Plan: “A dynamic and
resilient economy for generations to come.”

The Plan notes that to achieve the vision, the following will be pursued (emphasis added):



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