Noosa Heads Lions Park Land Management Plan · Report

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                            11 AUGUST 2026


Lion's Park for overflow parking for more than 20 years, from a land management perspective
overflow parking is not necessary for the function of the reserve, nor does it support activities on the
reserve itself.

Proposing and Managing an Inconsistent Use
Prior to the 2024 amendments to the Land Act, power to approve inconsistent uses sat with the
Minister. The amendments broadened the Trustee’s powers to consider and approve inconsistent
uses. The State Guideline for Managing Actions Consistent and Inconsistent with the Purpose of
Trust Land is included as Attachment 1.

The primary option available to Council to regularise the inconsistent use is to permit it under a Land
Management Plan (LMP), as provided for under section 52AB(2) of the Land Act, which says:
Despite section 52(2)(a), the trustee of the trust land may take an action under section 52(1) that is
inconsistent with the purpose for which the land is dedicated as a reserve or granted in trust if—
(a) the trustee has prepared a management plan for the land that states how the action would not—
   (i) diminish the purpose; or
   (ii) adversely affect the public interest; and
(b) the action complies with the management plan.

In other words, an LMP prepared by Council needs to demonstrate the proposed inconsistent use:
•   does not diminish the purpose of the reserve (the “diminishment of purpose test”); and
•   does not adversely affect the public interest (the “public interest test”).
The guide states an inconsistent use “could diminish a trust land’s purpose where its presence, scale
or activity would permanently overshadow or reduce the trust land’s ability to achieve its purpose”.

Relevant considerations to assess these subjective criteria might include:
•   The nature and extent of the inconsistent use, including:
     o   the proportion of the usable parts of the reserve utilised for the inconsistent use;
     o   the frequency of the inconsistent use; and
     o   the permanency of the inconsistent use.

•   The nature and extent of the interruptions to the permitted use – i.e. what recreation uses are
    being impeded and for how long (including any period needed to restore the land after the
    inconsistent use occurs);
•   How the public interest is served by the inconsistent use being carried out;
•   What alternatives Council has explored instead of the inconsistent use; and
•   The views of the community and relevant stakeholders.
It is important Council considers whether overflow parking is likely to meet the diminishment of
purpose and public interest tests prior to embarking on a full LMP process, as the inconsistent use
cannot be permitted under an LMP where it fails either test.

Indicative LMP Process, Timing and Costs
Council has flexibility in developing an LMP, however, a suitable process would likely involve the
following stages:
Stage 1 – Preliminary Assessment, Preparation and Scoping
Stage 2 – Internal Technical Assessment
Stage 3 – Draft LMP Preparation

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          11 AUGUST 2026


Stage 4 – Independent Legal Review
Stage 5 – Community and Stakeholder Consultation
Stage 6 – Finalise LMP
Stage 7 - Council Adoption

Details of a comparable LMP undertaken by Council would be the 2023 Noosa District Sports
Complex Land Management Plan. This took approximately 12 months and $100k cost, excluding
staff time.
Depending on the project scope and approach, indicative timing and cost to prepare a Noosa Heads
Lions Park LMP would be in the range of 6 - 12 months and $30k - $75k. There is also already
considerable technical information provided from previous council reports and surveys that could
assist with the LMP preparation.
Native Title
Non-exclusive Native Title rights and interests exist over the reserve in favour of the Kabi Kabi First
Nation Traditional Owners. Under Section 28 of the Land Act 1994, Council remains responsible for
ensuring any action concerning the trust land is consistent with the Native Title framework.

A parcel-specific future-act assessment may be required before Council permits the proposed use.
That assessment would need to identify the applicable future-act pathway and any consultation,
notification, agreement or compensation. Preparation or adoption of an LMP would not remove these
separate obligations.

Conclusion
Seasonal overflow parking on the turfed area of Noosa Heads Lions Park is an inconsistent use of
the parks and recreation reserve. Preparation of a Land Management Plan under the Land Act 1994
is the appropriate process available to Council to permit the use. Council must be satisfied it would
not diminish the purpose of the reserve or adversely affect the public interest. Before committing to
a full LMP preparation process, Council should consider whether the use is reasonably capable of
satisfying both tests.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 5 - Excellence
This theme focuses on customer experience, financial sustainability, innovation and technology,
levels of service, governance, our employees and volunteers, funding streams and asset
management practices.




Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 19 March 2026
12.1. NOOSA HEADS LIONS PARK PROPOSED EASTER 2026 USAGE FOR TEMPORARY
CARPARK
That Council:
A. Note the report by the Director Infrastructure Services to the Ordinary Meeting dated 19 March
2026 regarding the operation of temporary paid parking at Noosa Heads Lions Park.
B. Endorse the temporary operation of Lions Park as an overflow parking facility during the Easter
holiday period from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April 2026.
C. Endorse the implementation of a monitored operational trial during the Easter period to assess
traffic impacts, transport network performance, visitor behaviour, and community sentiment
associated with the use of the site.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          11 AUGUST 2026


D. Note that the outcomes of the Easter monitoring and trials will be reported to Council as part of
the Go Noosa End-of-Year Report (May 2026) to inform Council’s future consideration of the role of
Lions Park in managing visitor parking and transport demand in the Noosa Heads precinct.

Ordinary Meeting Minutes 21 March 2025
11.3.14. GO NOOSA REPORT
That Council:
A. Note the report by the Director Infrastructure Services to the Services & Organisation Committee
Meeting dated 12 August 2025 regarding the Go Noosa Program;
B. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to approve the ongoing implementation of the
Go Noosa Initiatives as outlined in this report, subject to Council’s annual budget processes;
C. Note the temporary repurpose of the carpark in the “Main Beach Local Government Reserve”
(adjacent to the Noosa Heads Surf Club) as a Main Beach Drop-Off Zone during the peak Christmas
and New Year’s Eve period to improve safety, traffic congestion and functionality of the space;
D. Note the successful trial of temporary streetscape and parking improvements on Hastings Street
and Noosa Drive during peak periods, including that staff will be exploring design and costs of
deployable temporary "parklets" for future peak seasons to enhance the pedestrian safety, comfort
and public realm activation;
E. Approve the temporary carparking at the Noosa Heads Lions Park by the Tewantin Noosa Lions
Club for the holiday season subject to the following:
1. Confirm use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park as a temporary carpark during the Christmas 2025–
26 holiday period with decision on Easter deferred until further community consultation arising from
the Destination Management Plan;
2. Authorise the CEO to negotiate terms of car parking at Noosa Heads Lions Park with the Tewantin
Noosa Lions Club to ensure Council's costs for oversight and damage recovery at the site are fully
recovered before income sharing.
3. Implementation of a formal Traffic Management Plan (TMP) to improve safety and vehicle
management on the site;
F. Support the integration of a transparent performance and reporting framework into the Go Noosa
program, including baseline data collection and clear outcome targets, to ensure the program
delivers quantifiable benefits for residents, visitors, and local businesses.
G. As part of the 2026/27 Budget process investigate the costs, resourcing and feasibility for the
inclusion of other high-demand areas such as Peregian Beach and Cooroy, with a view to improving
traffic flow, enhancing pedestrian safety, and supporting a positive visitor and community experience
and investigate a broader range of sustainable transport initiatives, including enhancements to
Noosa’s river transport network, boating facilities and associated land-based infrastructure, to better
serve local residents and reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Ordinary Meeting Minutes 15 June 2023
4.1. PETITION Noosa Main Beach Local Residents Group regarding No Car Parking / Protect
Greenspace at Noosa Heads Lions Park

Ordinary Meeting Minutes 20 April 2023
4.1. PETITION Noosa Heads Lions Park - Car Parking Noosa Shire Council to reverse their decision
to end all paid parking in a section of Lions Park in Hastings Street after Easter in 2024

Ordinary Meeting Minutes 16 March 2023
3 NOOSA HEADS LIONS PAID PARKING – EXTENSION OF PARKING TO 1 MAY 2024
That Council note the report by the Project Manager Special Projects to the General Committee
Meeting dated 13 March 2023 and
A. Note that Council’s resolution on 17 September, 2020 allowed temporary parking in the Noosa
Heads Lions Park on long weekends and school holidays during the Queensland Government’s
Covid 19 Public Health Declaration, principally to accommodate the South-East Queensland Drive
tourism market during interstate and international travel restrictions that were imposed as a response
to the pandemic;
B. Note that the Queensland Government’s COVID 19 Public Health Declaration ended from October

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                             11 AUGUST 2026


31, 2022;
C. Note that continued use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park greenspace for car parking on long
weekends and school holidays is contrary to the Department of Resources park designation, the
Noosa Design Principles, the Noosa Plan, The Transport Strategy and the spirit and intent of
Council’s September 17, 2020 resolution;
D. Note that shire-wide free weekend buses, that provide alternative means of accessing the Noosa
Heads precinct, was introduced to the network in February 2022;
E. Discontinue car parking in the Noosa Heads Lions Park on long weekends and Queensland July
and September school holidays after this Easter Period, as per the September 17, 2020 Council
resolution;
F. Approve the use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park Reserve for paid parking during Christmas and
Easter School holidays for a further 12 months, with delegation to the CEO to reduce the days subject
to weather, over the following periods:
• Queensland Christmas school holidays including Saturday 9, Sunday 10, Saturday 16, Sunday 17,
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 December 2023, Tuesday 26 December 2023 to Sunday 14 January
2024, Saturday 20 to 21 January 2024;
• Queensland Easter school holidays from Friday 29 March to Sunday 14 April 2024;
G. Write to the Minister of the Department of Resources to inform of request the intended proposed
use of Noosa Heads Lions Park Reserve for peak period parking during the above-mentioned
periods, and that community engagement and future use of the park is proposed to be undertaken
as part of Noosa Council’s Destination Management Plan;
H. Delegate the CEO to work with the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club to determine new paid carparking
pricing for Lions Park that offsets the reduction in revenue and better reflects the cost of carparking
on community greenspace in the Hastings Street precinct;
I. Approve allocation of 50% of the car parking revenue after GST to the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club
and the remaining revenue towards Go Noosa initiatives and park
remediation;
J. That an amount equivalent to 50% of Council’s share of the ‘profit’ from car parking in the Noosa
Heads Lions Park Reserve be held ‘in reserve’ and allocated to recreational improvements in Noosa
Heads Lions Park for residents and visitors alike, noting that the term ‘profit’ refers to Council’s share
of the revenue less costs associated with parking on the reserve; and
K. Seek community feedback on the use of Noosa Heads Lions Park for car parking as part of the
proposed Destination Management Plan.
L. Request a report to Council advising of traffic modelling and future impact, should the park no
longer be utilised for overflow parking at peak periods.
M. Offer assistance to transition to the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club in sourcing future fundraising
opportunities as they become available.

Ordinary Meeting Minutes 21 February 2019
4. GO NOOSA - EASTER PEAK PERIOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TRIALS
That Council note the report by the Project Manager and Project Officer – Transport to the Services
& Organisation Committee Meeting dated 12 February 2019 and:
A. Approve the use of free holiday buses for TransLink Routes 626, 627, 628, 629 and 632 from 6
April to 28 April 2019;
B. Approve the use of Transit Australia Group’s (Sunbus) temporary shuttle bus between Peregian
Beach and Noosa Heads from 6 April to 28 April 2019;
C. Approve the use of an information management system at four key entry points to Noosa from 1
April to 28 April 2019;
D. Approve the use of traffic control, as required, in the Hastings Street precinct to assist in the flow
of traffic and prioritise bus and pedestrian movements between the 6 April and 28 April 2019;
E. Approve the installation of wayfinding signage in the Hastings Street and Noosa Junction precinct
during the period from 6 April to 28 April 2019;
F. Approve the temporary conversion of 8 parallel car parks on the southern side of Hastings Street
to reduce congestion caused by parallel parking from 6 April to 28 April 2019;
G. Approve the use of Noosa Heads Lions Park as a paid public car park from 13 April to 28 April
2019 to be managed by the Tewantin-Noosa Lions Club at rate of $20 per car per day.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          11 AUGUST 2026



Finance
The report provides an estimate of the cost of $30,000 to $75,000 to develop an LMP, which is
currently unplanned and unfunded. Should Council wish to proceed, funding allocation would likely
need to be via an upcoming budget review process.


Risk & Opportunities
There is reputation and governance risk associated with Council continuing to allow the inconsistent
use in the absence of a Land Management Plan.

Proceeding to the preparation of an LMP for an issue Council is aware involves contrasting
community opinion risks raising community angst over the issue. An LMP should normally reflect
broad community support for uses on community land.

LMPs for significant sites such as Noosa Heads Lions Park are substantial planning exercises.
Commencing the process with a predetermined outcome or fixed deadline would risk compromising
the integrity of the assessment. Technical investigations and community consultation may identify
constraints, impacts or alternative outcomes not anticipated at the outset.

The LMP process does provide opportunity for Council to establish a clear and transparent long-
term position for Lions Park, informed by specialist advice and evidence, community views and
engagement with stakeholders.


Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with Council’s
Human Rights Policy.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
      Office of the CEO, Mayor &         Community Services               Corporate Services
              Councillors
       Mayor & Councillors             Director                        Director
       Chief Executive Officer         Community Connection            Financial Services
       Executive Officers              Sport & Active Lifestyles       Revenue Services
       Community Engagement            Arts & Culture                  ICT
       Governance                      Customer Experience             Procurement

                                                                       People & Culture
       Strategy & Environment          Development & Regulation         Infrastructure Services
       Director                    x   Director                    x   Director

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                      11 AUGUST 2026


 x   Strategy & Sustainability           Development Assessment   Civil and Asset operations
 x   Economic Development        &                                Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                     x   Local Laws
     Destination Management                                       and Delivery
     Environmental Services              Environmental Health     Waste
     Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing      Building & Facilities
     Commercial Property             x   Property / Permits       Disaster Management

                                                                  Fleet