2019-12-11 SM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 5 - Final New Noosa Plan - Part 1-6 - Clean version

locally and for the broader SEQ region, providing important safe refuge areas for flora and fauna in the face of rapid development and
growth to the south.

Noosa Shire celebrates a balanced relationship between humans and the environment and its international recognition as a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve is testament to this. However, Noosa's environmental values are under pressure from a variety of threatening
processes including from climate change, weeds and invasive species, vegetation clearing, habitat fragmentation from development,
erosion and sedimentation, declines in soil health and growing visitor numbers.

The Noosa community and Council continues to be recognised as a leader in environmental management and ecological sustainability
and Noosa Shire is an exemplar for biosphere reserves. Continued effort is required to protect and enhance local and regional values,
build resilient ecosystems and enhance connectivity. This is best achieved through strong partnerships with the community, information
sharing, education and land use controls.

Managing development and land use impacts on environmental values and the ecosystem services on which we rely involves limiting
urban development to within existing Urban Boundaries and protecting environmental matters of local, state and national significance.
This requires careful location, design and management of development to avoid and mitigate adverse impacts on biodiversity, individual
species, ecosystem health, soil and water quality. Development is to enhance connectivity and ecological corridors through replanting
and habitat restoration as part of landscape design. Native plant species are predominant in the landscaping of development sites and
invasive pest species are avoided.

Sustainable land management practices and effective erosion and sediment controls are implemented to protect water quality and
catchment health. Catchment water quality is protected on a total water cycle basis so as to minimise impacts on receiving waters;
maximise opportunities for stormwater reuse, recovery and groundwater recharge; protect drinking water supply; and enhance
opportunities for agriculture, fisheries, tourism and recreation. Best practice water sensitive urban design is required for managing urban
stormwater runoff and filtering pollutants.

Coastal processes and resources are vital and require careful management through the protection of coastal vegetation and minimising
development intrusion into sensitive coastal environments and erosion prone areas.

Riparian areas adjacent to natural waterways are protected for their important role in maintaining ecosystem health; providing habitat for
flora and fauna; supporting fisheries, recreation and tourism, and water purification and flood regulation functions.

The Aboriginal heritage, culture and rights of Traditional Owners is respected in planning for communities and in the sustainable
management of natural assets. Recognition, protection and careful management is afforded to their cultural heritage and culturally
significant land and seascapes.

The quality of water, air and acoustic environments in Noosa Shire is maintained at a high level to protect the health and wellbeing of the
community and the natural environment.

3.2.6             A diverse and resilient economy
Noosa Shire enjoys a strong and increasingly sustainable economy. Much of the economy is geared towards tourism and population
driven industry sectors such as retail, health, construction, and accommodation and food services. The Shire is home to approximately
6,800 businesses (as at 2016), which are mainly small or micro businesses. People take advantage of the successful economic
environment and the lifestyle that Noosa provides.

The Noosa Local Economic Plan aims to broaden the economic structure of the local economy by achieving growth in 'smart' industry
sectors that offer high economic value and low environmental impact. Sustainable tourism is supported as an ongoing economic driver.
However, encouraging and developing new priority sectors is required to develop an economy less reliant on tourism and population
driven industries. The priority sectors are identified as:
      Health and wellness (including, but not limited to, aged care facilities and services)
      Digital economy
      Rural enterprise
      Environmental industries
      Education and training
      Tourism
      Professional services
      creative industries




  **FINAL DRAFT ­ Post Consultation 2019**
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