Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 Implementation Update · Att 1 - 2023 Cultural Plan Report

Introduction
The Noosa Cultural Plan was developed and implemented in 2019 with the purpose of harnessing and directing resources, energy and
stakeholder support to achieve a flourishing future for arts, culture and heritage in the Noosa Shire. The Noosa Cultural Plan 2019 –
2023 was a key Council planning document aligning with, and supporting, Council’s Operational Plan 2019 and its vision “Noosa Shire –
Different by Nature”.

The Cultural Plan recognised the value of arts, culture and heritage to the Noosa community, and to Council itself. It aimed to secure a
healthy future for the cultural sector based on shared aspirations and priorities. It outlined a range of goals and actions across a five-
year period to build on existing strengths, address essential gaps and take advantage of emerging opportunities. It also outlined the role
of Council and stakeholders and the importance of partnership in the delivery of the Cultural Plan.

The Cultural Plan was part of a framework of Council strategies and plans which aimed to achieve five major twenty-year goals:
• Our environment is protected, enhanced and valued by the community
• Our community is connected, safe and happy and able to meet their potential
• Our economy is diverse and resilient
• Noosa Shire is well managed and sustainable
• The Noosa Shire community is proud of its Council

Of particular note, the Cultural Plan supported the aims of Council’s planning scheme “The Noosa Plan”, the
Noosa Shire Local Economic Plan and Noosa Design Principles. Importantly, it was a key recommendation of
the Noosa Social Strategy (2016) and supported the objectives in its four focus areas:
• A cohesive and resilient community
• An active and healthy community
• An accessible, diverse and affordable community
• A creative and informed community

The Cultural Plan spanned a period of unprecedented change and challenge, both within the Noosa region and across the globe. Natural
disasters together with the global pandemic of COVID-19 not only required Council to quickly re-assess priorities but also presented
significant unforeseen costs. The critical, emergent demands on Council resulted in financial pressures that challenged the objectives of
many of Council’s existing planning documents. Considering this scenario, several of the aims, goals and actions listed in the Cultural
Plan were either replaced or re-aligned to respond to both Council’s position and the immediate needs of the community.