2022-12-12 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 12 DECEMBER 2022


Risks
•       Existing onsite sporting groups may feel unsupported by Council.
•       Council does not control the reserve once the trusteeship transfers to DES.
9.      Recommendation
The Noosa North Shore Aircraft Landing Ground Reserve is a unique and environmentally
sensitive site surrounded by the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park. In 1992, the
site was earmarked by the State Government for addition to the Great Sandy National Park and it
has been recognised by successive parliaments as being of significant value for inclusion into the
National Park. DES have highlighted key benefits of the reserve transferring to their trusteeship,
including improved risk and land management outcomes.
While Council may object to DES’s request to acquire trusteeship of the landing ground reserve,
such a decision is unlikely to be welcomed by the State and enlivens the possibility of reputational
and relationship risk to Council. Ultimately, the decision to acquire trusteeship of the site rests with
the State in its capacity as landowner and it may remove a trustee should it serve a greater public
interest. This report contends the trusteeship transferring to DES would serve a greater public
interest and deliver broader community benefits. The transfer will also likely assist the anticipated
reinvigoration of the campaign to re-nominate the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National
Park for World Heritage Listing.
It is important to note both user groups support Council remaining as trustee of the reserve,
however, this report recommends Council agrees to relinquish trusteeship of the site to allow DES
to be appointed as the new trustee, as outlined in Option 2 in the report. This approach
acknowledges the environmental and land management benefits of the trusteeship transferring to
DES, reinforces Council’s reputation for protecting the environment and supports the State’s
proposal to undertake consultation with the community and existing user groups regarding future
sporting and recreational use of the area. To support user group aspirations for the reserve it is
recommended their feedback also be provided to DES for consideration as part of its community
and user group consultation.
Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting, 17 December 2015, Item 6, Page 8
That Council note the report by the Executive Officer to the Planning & Organisation Committee
Meeting dated 8 December 2015 in relation to various Noosa North Shore land tenure matters and
resolve:
A.      With regard to the Reserve for Landing Ground for Aircraft, Lot 7 MCH4562, that:
        1.   An application be submitted under Section 31D of the Land Act to change the purpose
             of the reserve to “Open Space” on the basis that existing approved secondary uses of
             the reserve may continue in line with Council’s resolution dated 2 January 2014. In
             making the application, required consultation and preparation of a Land Management
             Plan is to be undertaken; and
        2.   Negotiations be initiated with Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service with a view to
             entering into an agreement for cost sharing arrangements for maintenance of the fire
             trail that also provides vehicular access (Landing Ground Track) to the reserve through
             National Park.
        … [continues]
Ordinary Meeting, 30 July 2015, Item 1, Page 3
That Council write to the Australian Heritage Council requesting that all of Lot 7 MCH4562 –
Reserve for Aircraft Landing Ground be included in the National Heritage Listing for the Cooloola
Region.



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