2021-03-09 P&E Agenda - Item 5 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Trail Masterplan

Executive Summary
Located in the northern region of the Sunshine
Coast, Noosa Shire offers a range of outdoor
adventure opportunities. Trails are the fundamental                                       The Noosa Trail Network has existed as a managed
                                                                                          recreational resource for more than 20 years,
means to explore and enjoy these unique places,                                           its establishment bolstered by upgrades and
                                                                                          maintenance throughout the ensuing years. However,
offering a multitude of experiences.                                                      with significant growth in outdoor active tourism,
                                                                                          especially in trail-based activities, and the flow-on
                                                                                          opportunity for economic and nature-based tourism
                              An extensive network of tracks and trails enhance           development, the need to re-evaluate Noosa’s trails,
                              outdoor recreation opportunities such as the Noosa          infrastructure and trail support services is timely.
                              Trail Network, foreshore pathways and parklands,
                                                                                          It is well recognised that a high-quality tracks and
                              facilitating social interaction, healthy lifestyles and
                                                                                          trails network delivers substantial health and wellbeing
                              appreciation and protection of Noosa’s natural,
                                                                                          outcomes for residents of the Noosa region as well
                              cultural and community assets. These tracks and
                                                                                          as an opportunity for economic growth, especially
                              trails contribute to the lifestyle of residents and
                                                                                          for the tourism sector. A quality trail network equals a
                              the experience of visitors.
                                                                                          healthier community across many baseline measures,
                              Trails are an important feature of the region both          and while the Noosa Trail Network benefits from
                              from a tourism and community health and wellbeing           being hosted within world-class landscapes and
                              perspective. The region is ideally situated to prosper      welcoming communities, the current status of the
                              in the growth and economic benefits of trails.              trail network requires significant improvement to
                                                                                          realise its potential.
                              The need for a Noosa Trail Masterplan is an important
                              recommendation included in the Noosa Sport and              The consultancy Common Ground Trails conducted
                              Active Recreation Plan 2018. The Masterplan is guided       the initial research and development of the framework
                              by the vision outlined in that document, focused on         for the Noosa Trail Masterplan which included
                              creating “increased opportunities for everyone to           extensive community and stakeholder consultation.
                              participate in sport and active recreation, so they can     TRC Tourism has further reviewed, revised and added
                              achieve life-long physical and mental health benefits.”     recommendations and focus areas based on further
                                                                                          consultations and findings.
                              The Masterplan will directly respond to the
                              recommendation to establish a framework for “the            This document outlines the intent to grow, connect
                              future development, management, opportunities and           and leverage on the current trails in the Noosa Shire
                              key actions necessary for walking and bike trails on        with a particular focus on the Noosa Trail Network
                              the Noosa Trail Network.”                                   which is located in the Noosa hinterland.

                              The Masterplan will also address the three guiding
                              principles of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, namely
                              economic development, education and learning,
                              and conservation.




The Noosa Trail Masterplan is an initiative of:                             Supported by and in partnership with:




NOOSA TRAIL MASTERPLAN | APRIL 2020                                                                                                               4