NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS MASTERPLAN · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                 9 JUNE 2026


•   Increased car park spaces within the gardens and in the northern boat ramp precent
•   Provision of a larger pavilion by the lake for all weather functions and public use
•   Increase in size of the community centre from 70m² to 100m²
•   Areas for new botanic collections identified
•   Potential for partial filling of large (fish hatchery) lake
•   Improved clarity on the operational decision-making, investment prioritisation and staged
    investment strategy
•   Potential for increased plants sale frequency from the Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens
    propagation facility
Following the final meeting of the external stakeholder reference group on 27 April 2026, the
following items were clarified on the finalised plan:
•   Strengthening connection to surrounding localities and activities including the Noosa Trail
    Network & trail head
•   Inclusive, equitable, safe and independent accessibility imbedded as a core design principle with
    refined definition extending beyond physical accessibility
•   Best practice erosion management techniques utilised
•   Identification of increased formalised car and trailer parks for the boat ramp area
•   Increased public art opportunities
4. OUTCOMES

The Masterplan serves as a guiding document, addressing key design consideration informed by
community engagement to set a framework for both operational decisions, as well as priority for
future capital investment if funds are gained through Council budget allocations or grant
funding. The timeframe for implementation of plan is 25 years, and this long-term time frame has
been consistently articulated to stakeholders.

Any subsequent detailed design planning for works will also be subject to ongoing community and
stakeholder engagement, strategically informed by the Masterplan. Adaptive, flexible and responsive
design over that period in the implementation of the Masterplan, will help the gardens and its
community to respond to its changing needs.

In terms of immediate operational decisions, the Operational Decision-Making & Staged Investment
Strategy contained within the plan will support current and future site managers and caretakers in
setting operational priorities and establishing timelines for the design and implementation of projects.
The matrix also provides transparency to key stakeholders such as the Friends of the Noosa Botanic
Gardens about their opportunity for involvement in operational decisions.

5. KEY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The draft Masterplan is included as Attachment 1 to the Report. Key inclusions in the plan are listed
below:

Activity Zones and Functional Arrangement
The following zones are connected by the accessible Garden and Rainforest promenades.
•   Arrivals Zone
•   Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens Zone
•   The Green
•   Botanic Playground