2022-12-12 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             12 DECEMBER 2022


6       NOOSA NORTH SHORE AIRCRAFT LANDING GROUND RESERVE – REQUEST TO
        RELINQUISH COUNCIL TRUSTEESHIP


Author           Property Manager, Clint Irwin
                 Corporate Services Department

Index            ECM/ Subject/46.16/Property/153842

Attachments      1.    Department of Resources Letter of 11 July 2022 re Proposed
                       Acquisition of Noosa North Shore Landing Ground Reserve
                 2.    Department of Environment & Science Letter of 15 August 2022 re
                       Proposed Acquisition of Noosa North Shore Landing Ground Reserve
                 3.    Department of Environment & Science Summary of Natural Values
                       and Risks Report
                 4.    King and Company Legal Advice
                 5.    Environmental Services Unit Feedback
                 6.    Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators Inc. Feedback on Trusteeship
                       transferring to Department of Environment and Science
                 7.    Noosa Model Flyers Feedback Inc. Feedback on Trusteeship
                       transferring to Department of Environment and Science
                 8.    McDermott Aviation Feedback on Future Use of the Landing Ground
                       Reserve



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Resources wrote to Council on 11 July 2022 advising the Department of
Environment and Science is seeking to acquire the Noosa North Shore Aircraft Landing Ground
Reserve for inclusion in the surrounding Great Sandy National Park. Council is trustee of the
reserve and to progress the transitioning of the land to National Park, the State has sought
confirmation from Council that it is prepared to relinquish trusteeship of the reserve to allow the
Department of Environment and Science to be appointed as the new trustee.
The Department of Environment and Science has provided a Summary of Natural Values and
Risks report to support the request which notes the environmental significance and risks
associated with the reserve and the benefits of an integrated regional land management approach.
They note the reserve has been of interest to the State for 30 years and has been recognised by
successive parliaments as being of significant value for inclusion into the Great Sandy National
Park.
Council notified the resident user groups of the proposal to transfer trusteeship of the reserve to
the Department of Environment and Science on 7 November 2022. Both groups are in favour of
the trusteeship remaining with Council which is underpinned by unfamiliarity with the Department
of Environment and Science and concerns over the future use of the reserve. Despite Council’s
longstanding trusteeship of the reserve this report recommends Council supports the Department
of Environment’s request as outlined in Option 2 of the report. This option is preferred because it
recognises the environmental benefits of the trusteeship transferring to the Department of
Environment and Science, while acknowledging the State’s proposal to undertake consultation with
the community and existing resident user groups regarding future sporting and recreational use of
the reserve. To support user group aspirations for the reserve it is recommended their feedback
also be provided to the Department and Environment and Science for consideration as part of its
community and user group consultation.



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