2021-02-09 S&O Agenda - Item 11 - Attachment 1 - Tourism Noosa Annual Report 2019-20

HIGHLIGHTS




     N O O S A T R A I L M AS T E R P L A N TO B O O S T CO U N T R Y CO M M U N I T I E S

     Noosa’s tracks and trails received a positive boost
     with the delivery of the Noosa Trail Masterplan,
     a joint project between Tourism Noosa, Noosa
     Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Noosa Council and
     Noosa & District Landcare. It provided a strategy for
     improving and upgrading the Noosa Trail Network
     through the Noosa hinterland.

     More than 40 community and trader groups were
     consulted in drafting the plan which will improve
     outdoor active experiences for visitors and locals,
     benefit hinterland communities socially and
     economically, and protect the natural environment.


     To read this document please see www.visitnoosa.com.au/noosa-trail-masterplan



                                                                   Executive Summary                                                                                                                                     1 Trails Strategy Overview
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              All strategies should lead towards growing visitation and
                                                                   Located in the northern region of the Sunshine                                                                                                        The following strategies have been identified as critical to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         achieving an innovative evolution of the Noosa Trail Network         economic opportunities along with an increase in community
                                                                   Coast, Noosa Shire offers a range of outdoor                                                                                                          inclusive of improved environmental, economic, tourism and           usage and associated health, wellbeing and regional
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         active community outcomes while conserving indigenous                liveability markers.
                                                                   adventure opportunities. Trails are the fundamental                                       The Noosa Trail Network has existed as a managed
                                                                                                                                                             recreational resource for more than 20 years,               culture, flora, fauna and natural landscape values:
                                                                   means to explore and enjoy these unique places,                                           its establishment bolstered by upgrades and
                                                                                                                                                             maintenance throughout the ensuing years. However,
                                                                   offering a multitude of experiences.                                                      with significant growth in outdoor active tourism,
                                                                                                                                                             especially in trail-based activities, and the flow-on
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1.                                            2.                                           3.
                                                                                                                                                             opportunity for economic and nature-based tourism              Wholesale redesigning and holistic            Designation of, and planning for,            Better coordination and
                                                                                                 An extensive network of tracks and trails enhance           development, the need to re-evaluate Noosa’s trails,           master planning of the Noosa Trail            the creation of a Trail Town Centre          communication between land
                                                                                                 outdoor recreation opportunities such as the Noosa          infrastructure and trail support services is timely.           Network with a focus on quality               to formalise a focused hub for trail         managers, government and non-
                                                                                                 Trail Network, foreshore pathways and parklands,                                                                           experiences and accessibility and             network users with the specific              government stakeholders, user
                                                                                                                                                             It is well recognised that a high-quality tracks and
                                                                                                 facilitating social interaction, healthy lifestyles and                                                                    connectivity for multiple user groups         development of rider-centric services,       groups and their representatives
                                                                                                                                                             trails network delivers substantial health and wellbeing
                                                                                                 appreciation and protection of Noosa’s natural,                                                                            (walkers/runners, off-road and back           information and access to multiple           in order to support the trail network
                                                                                                                                                             outcomes for residents of the Noosa region as well
                                                                                                 cultural and community assets. These tracks and                                                                            country cyclists, horse riders).              trailheads.                                  across management, sustainability,
                                                                                                                                                             as an opportunity for economic growth, especially
                                                                                                 trails contribute to the lifestyle of residents and                                                                                                                                                                   servicing and promotion.
                                                                                                                                                             for the tourism sector. A quality trail network equals a
                                                                                                 the experience of visitors.
                                                                                                                                                             healthier community across many baseline measures,
                                                                                                 Trails are an important feature of the region both          and while the Noosa Trail Network benefits from
                                                                                                 from a tourism and community health and wellbeing
                                                                                                 perspective. The region is ideally situated to prosper
                                                                                                                                                             being hosted within world-class landscapes and
                                                                                                                                                             welcoming communities, the current status of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4.                                            5.                                           6.
                                                                                                 in the growth and economic benefits of trails.              trail network requires significant improvement to              Specific focus on the needs, wants            Creating sustainable management,             Identification of grant funding for
                                                                                                                                                             realise its potential.                                         and facilitation requirements of users        maintenance and funding models.              near-future trail development.
                                                                                                 The need for a Noosa Trail Masterplan is an important
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            according to each group’s specific
                                                                                                 recommendation included in the Noosa Sport and              The consultancy Common Ground Trails conducted
                                                                                                 Active Recreation Plan 2018. The Masterplan is guided
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            activity, with a particular focus on
                                                                                                                                                             the initial research and development of the framework
                                                                                                 by the vision outlined in that document, focused on         for the Noosa Trail Masterplan which included                  mountain biking, walking and trail
                                                                                                 creating “increased opportunities for everyone to           extensive community and stakeholder consultation.              running as strong growth areas.
                                                                                                 participate in sport and active recreation, so they can     TRC Tourism has further reviewed, revised and added
                                                                                                 achieve life-long physical and mental health benefits.”     recommendations and focus areas based on further

                                                                                                 The Masterplan will directly respond to the
                                                                                                                                                             consultations and findings.                                    7.                                            8.                                           9.
                                                                                                 recommendation to establish a framework for “the            This document outlines the intent to grow, connect             Supporting and enabling Kabi Kabi             Identification of trail-based event          Ongoing support and facilitation
                                                                                                 future development, management, opportunities and           and leverage on the current trails in the Noosa Shire          tourism capability with cultural heritage     opportunities and relevant ongoing           of larger organised user groups
                                                                                                 key actions necessary for walking and bike trails on        with a particular focus on the Noosa Trail Network             educational opportunities and direct          support mechanisms to assist growth          including attracting and servicing
                                                                                                 the Noosa Trail Network.”                                   which is located in the Noosa hinterland.                      tourism opportunities.                        in trail-based events.                       education-based and corporate
                                                                                                 The Masterplan will also address the three guiding                                                                                                                                                                    groups.
                                                                                                 principles of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, namely
                                                                                                 economic development, education and learning,
                                                                                                 and conservation.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            10.                                           11.                                          12.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Wholesale redevelopment of trail              Redevelopment of branding,                   Establishing stronger mechanisms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            infrastructure including trail signage and    promotion and supporting collateral          for engaging and supporting local
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            interpretation across the network.            for the Noosa Trail Network in order         businesses critical to the success of
                                                                   The Noosa Trail Masterplan is an initiative of:                             Supported by and in partnership with:                                                                                      to better represent the varied and           the growing trail-based recreation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          high-quality recreational offering in        economy around the world.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          a more focused, cohesive and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          attractive manner.




                                                                   NOOSA TRAIL MASTERPLAN | APRIL 2020                                                                                                               4   NOOSA TRAIL MASTERPLAN | APRIL 2020                                                                                                   5




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