2016-09-06 P&E Committee - Attachment 1 to Item 6 - Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan

       Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan




     4.3 Community engagement, education and interpretation
     A number of local residents have expressed a great interest in the conservation and recreation
     management of the park. Further community engagement will be undertaken through the
     management plan public consultation process. This provides an opportunity to promote
     the park and encourage ownership and understanding of the parks unique values to the
     local community. In the past the Heritage Park Bushland Care Group has held open days,
     inviting residents to be part of the program and exchange ideas on how to best manage
     the park. Other locals have taken the initiative by consulting with the local residents on park
     management matters. Volunteers continue to play an important role in helping to protect the
     park and educating the community on the parks natural and recreation values.

     One approach to foster education and appreciation of the values of the park is to upgrade and
     develop interpretive and direction signage in key areas (e.g. at entry points; Figure 4). There is
     an opportunity to further develop the park’s interpretive material, by:
         •	installing interpretive signage highlighting key conservation values and
            management programs within the picnic area and along walking trails
         •	installing a notice board with interpretative information (and upcoming events within
            the park; including restoration activities)
         •      creating a self-guided interpretive recreational trails
         •      updating information on the Noosa Council website
         •      publishing informative articles within the free local paper.

     This will assist in orientating visitors with the natural values around them, which can greatly
     enhance their visit. Consequently it can raise understanding and appreciation of the park’s
     values, encourages appropriate behaviour, reduces potential management issues and
     contributes to a broader understanding of the park’s management objectives and the natural
     environment in general.


     4.4 Research and monitoring
     There have been a number of previous informal studies into the park’s values, including flora
     and fauna surveys. Further research and monitoring of the park’s values will be undertaken
     on an as needs basis, or when specific projects arise (e.g. university research). The outcomes
     of research projects and monitoring programs can provide information to feed back into this
     management plan during subsequent reviews.




                                                                                 Photographs by Joan Heavey

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