2014-03-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda Pages 81-167

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   25 MARCH 2014


Increased public access to new foreshore areas has the potential to be of community benefit,
though it must be noted that formal public access facilities are currently not provided within any of
the western portions of Noosa National Park and Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service have
advised Council that it does not have the capacity to provide or maintain any new active
recreation infrastructure within the proposed park addition.

3. The additional 139.5 Ha of BDOA ‘Send’ Land to be included as part of Noosa National Park
   will increase the area of the total National Park by approximately 5% of which is expected to
   increase the number of visitor nights to Noosa National Park by 5%, or 88,116 visitor nights
   annually. The increase in visitor nights is also expected to generate an increase in
   expenditure of approximately $11.8 million. The increase in demand for facilities and services
   as a result of the expected rise in visitor nights is envisioned to have a flow on effect with the
   employment industry, with an estimated 19 full time equivalent jobs to be generated in the
   tourism industry as a result.

Assessment – Disagree

The suggested increase in tourism visitation is refuted. Any increase in tourism would be
dependent on the level of active recreation facilities provided within the expanded National Park,
which Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service has indicated is not supported. Council’s Economic
Specialist, Norling Consulting, concurs and advised:

It is our view that the additional 139.5ha would not increase visitor numbers by 5%. The
Noosa National Park is a large park extending from Noosa Heads down to Coolum. In terms
of its usage, the vast majority of the park’s visitors concentrate in Noosa Heads. The small
addition would be unlikely to result in increased visitation unless different facilities or natural
features were provided.

While some potential for future tourism opportunities may exist, the applicant’s projections are
grossly overstated and are not considered a ground to support of the application.

Environmental Benefits (Grounds 4 - 6)

4.    A proposed wide wildlife corridor (approximately 370m) will be maintained between the
      expanded National Park and the Council Wildlife Refuge to the south west of the subject
      site (at the intersection of Hollett and Tidswell Roads) and enhancements will be created
      under and over the roadways to support wildlife movement in this area.

      The Noosa on Weyba Development will further protect and enhance the flora and fauna in
      the surrounding locality through the extension of the partially completed Koala proof /
      wildlife exclusion fencing (with the existing exclusion fencing extending from the Hollett
      Road underpass in a southerly direction for a distance of only approximately 1 km) for the
      full length, both sides, along Walter Hay Drive from the Eenie Creek Road to the Eumarella
      Road roundabout, at no cost to the public.

Assessment – Disagree

Maintenance of an existing corridor is a relevant consideration for the assessment but is not a
ground to overcome the planning conflicts. Moreover, the functions of existing corridors on the
site are severely compromised by the development, with the result being net impacts to fauna.




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