DESTINATION STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          6 OCTOBER 2026


Final membership will be determined based on the capacity of individuals and organisations to
contribute to the implementation of the Destination Management Plan, ensuring a balanced mix of
expertise, influence, governance capability and community insight.

Subject to the endorsement of the Draft Terms of Reference by Council, initial recruitment of the
Destination Stewardship Council is proposed to commence prior to Christmas, with the
establishment of an initial DSC anticipated to be completed in the first qtr of 2027.

2. SUMMARY

The Noosa Destination Management Plan (DMP) identifies the establishment of a Destination
Stewardship Council (DSC) as a key action to support effective implementation of the Plan. During
consideration of the DMP in December 2025, Council endorsed the establishment of the DSC as a
priority action and requested the preparation of a Terms of Reference for its consideration, along
with a draft Risk Register (please see Attachment 2).

In response, officers have developed a draft Terms of Reference informed by destination
stewardship best practice, consultation with Tourism Noosa, Councillor workshops and review by
Council's Governance team. The Draft Terms of Reference establish the DSC's purpose,
membership, governance arrangements, operating model and responsibilities, including oversight of
the DMP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

Endorsement of the Draft Terms of Reference will provide the framework necessary to establish the
DSC and enable officers to commence recruitment processes for Noosa's inaugural Destination
Stewardship Council.

In response to Motion F of the December 2025 Council resolution of the DMP, an initial draft Risk
Register has been initiated and will be reviewed and monitored once the DCS is established. The
register identifies initial risks associated with the establishment of the DSC and delivery of the DMP.
It is intended to be a living document that will be regularly reviewed and updated by the DSC as part
of its oversight of DMP implementation, risk management and priority action delivery.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 3 - Prosperity
Focus areas include economic development, local business, innovation, arts and culture, waste and
a circular economy
3.1 Deliver and fund the Smart Biosphere - Economic Strategy

Theme 4 – Future
Focused on our future, strengthening our relationship with First Nations peoples and to ensure our
community is prepared and resilient to change. A focus
on youth, climate resilience and adaption, sense of place and destination management.
4.2 Complete and implement the Destination Management Plan