NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS MASTERPLAN · Attachment 1. Noosa Botanical Gardens Masterplan_683_SD_LR002_E - Final Plan

Appendix B

Operational Decision-Making & Staged Investment Strategy
The staged approach ensures:
Stage        Strategic Focus				Outcome
Stage 1      Fix, secure, and prepare			              Safe, functional, and strategically aligned site
Stage 2      Upgrade, expand, and activate		          Enhanced visitor experience and increased use
Stage 3      Transform and lead				                   Regionally significant destination


Stage 1: Enablement & Risk Management (Years 1–2)                           Stage 2: Consolidation & Experience Upgrade (Years 3–5)                  Stage 3: Destination Maturity & Major Infrastructure (Years 5+)

Purpose                                                                     Purpose                                                                  Purpose
To establish a safe, compliant, and operationally functional site while     To build on Stage 1 foundations by delivering permanent                  To deliver major infrastructure and landscape transformation projects
setting the strategic, horticultural, and infrastructure foundations        infrastructure, enhancing visitor experience, and expanding activation   that establish the Gardens as a premier regional destination.
required for future investment.                                             and programming.
Funding Approach                                                            Funding Approach                                                         Funding Approach
• Operational budgets                                                       • Moderate capital investment                                            • Major capital investment
• Minor capital works                                                       • External grants                                                        • State/Federal funding opportunities
• Quick win grants                                                          • Partnerships and co-funding opportunities                              • Long-term partnerships and sponsorship

Key Actions                                                                 Key Actions                                                              Key Actions
Governance & Strategic Foundations                                          Governance & Strategic Implementation                                    Major Infrastructure Delivery
• Establish a Project Working Group to Develop and adopt a Living           • Implement and refine the Living Collections Management Plan            • Deliver Master Plan capital works including internal road and
  Collections Management Plan                                               • Develop partnerships with education, tourism, and community              roundabout upgrades
• Audit and evaluate the existing Living collection                           stakeholders                                                           • Develop signature facilities (visitor centre, hubs, FoNBG Zone,
• Identify collection gaps and future priorities                            Infrastructure, Safety & Access
                                                                                                                                                       Council depot, event spaces)

• Develop interpretive and educational themes                               • Replace temporary works with permanent path upgrades                   • Upgrade site-wide pedestrian circulation and accessibility
                                                                                                                                                     Destination Development & Tourism
Safety, Access & Compliance                                                 • Upgrade lighting, security, and accessibility infrastructure
• Undertake temporary repairs to hazardous paths                            • Deliver hardscape improvements (paths, steps, walls)                   • Deliver high-quality, immersive visitor experiences

• Install lighting and security cameras                                     Visitor Experience & Activation
                                                                                                                                                     • Expand major events and exhibitions

• Deliver security fencing and controlled access points                     • Develop a permanent entrance and arrival experience                    • Position the Gardens within regional tourism strategies
                                                                                                                                                     Digital Innovation
• Address priority safety and compliance risks                              • Expand events, tours, and wedding venue opportunities
Visitor Experience (Quick Wins)                                             • Increase commercial activation opportunities                           • Introduce advanced interpretation technologies (e.g. immersive
                                                                                                                                                       experiences)
• Improve entrance visibility and arrival experience (temporary             • Upgrade family and play spaces
  works)                                                                                                                                             • Develop integrated digital platforms and visitor systems
                                                                            Site Legibility & Wayfinding
                                                                                                                                                     Landscape & Botanic Excellence
• Implement interim wayfinding                                              • Deliver a cohesive, permanent wayfinding system
• Upgrade educational and botanic signage                                                                                                            • Fully realise curated collections
                                                                            • Introduce interpretive trails and themed journeys
• Install accessible seating and picnic facilities                                                                                                   • Establish nationally significant botanic collections
                                                                            • Strengthen overall site identity
Activation & Early Use
                                                                                                                                                     • Deliver signature garden precincts
                                                                            Digital & Power Infrastructure
                                                                                                                                                     Sustainability & Resilience
• Provide power/solar access for vendors and small events                   • Expand digital interpretation systems
• Introduce QR codes and basic digital interpretation                                                                                                • Implement advanced water and environmental systems
                                                                            • Upgrade power supply for events and vendors
• Deliver holiday programs and self-guided activities                                                                                                • Achieve carbon-neutral or climate-positive operations
                                                                            • Site wide WIFI upgrade
Horticultural Readiness
                                                                                                                                                     • Expand renewable energy and sustainable transport
                                                                            • Introduce smart technologies for operations and engagement
                                                                                                                                                     Operational & Commercial Sustainability
• Undertake tree audits (safety and horticultural)                          Horticulture & Landscape Development
• Begin development and rationalisation of garden beds                                                                                               • Establish long-term funding and revenue models
                                                                            • Implement tree management strategies
• Initiate early landscape maintenance                                                                                                               • Expand commercial and partnership opportunities
                                                                            • Progress garden redevelopment aligned to collections
                                                                                                                                                     • Optimise asset lifecycle and operational efficiency
                                                                            • Improve lake edge and environmental interfaces
                                                                            • Expand sustainability initiatives (water, composting, energy)

Outcomes                                                                    Outcomes                                                                 Outcomes
• Immediate safety and compliance improvements                              • Increased visitation and length of stay                                • Recognition as a leading regional destination
• Secure and controlled site access                                         • Expanded programs, events, and educational use                         • Fully realised Master Plan
• Improved baseline visitor experience                                      • Improved accessibility and visitor comfort                             • Strong tourism and economic contribution
• Initial site activation and community engagement                          • Strengthened botanic identity                                          • Mature and nationally significant botanic collections
• Clear strategic direction for collections and interpretation              • Transition to permanent, high-quality infrastructure                   • High environmental performance
• Foundational audits and data to inform future stages                                                                                               • Long-term operational sustainability


Summary

This staged strategy provides a clear, structured pathway for Council to:
• Establish and implement a Living Collections Management Plan to guide the curation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability of plant
  collections in alignment with environmental, cultural, and operational objectives
• Prioritise investment based on impact, risk, and readiness
• Align operational decisions with long-term strategic goals
• Deliver measurable improvements in safety, experience, and value
• Transition the Gardens into a high-quality, sustainable regional asset
The framework ensures that early investment enables future success, reducing risk while maximising long-term community, environmental, and
economic outcomes.




                     NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS
                     MASTERPLAN
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