NON-POWERED WATER SPORTS FEASIBILTY STUDY · Report

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          13 NOVEMBER 2023


   •   Provided guiding principles for both the Chaplin Park and NYRC precincts.

The Study

Consultants Ross Planning were engaged in 2022 to undertake a Non-Powered Water Sports
Feasibility Study that:
   •   Considered the existing and projected demands associated with non-powered water sports
       in the lower reaches of the Noosa River
   •   Determined if there is critical mass for a dedicated facility for similar activities
   •   Documented functional and location requirements for a dedicated facility
   •   Provided identification and analysis of potential locations
   •   Articulated potential infrastructure requirements
The literature and strategic policy review undertaken as part of this study found that:
   •   Council has a strong sense of environmental custodianship and the need to carefully consider
       the impacts of infrastructure on limited public open spaces
   •   Council recognises the importance of active and passive recreation opportunities for
       community wellbeing
   •   Competing demands on the foreshore require careful planning to avoid detrimental impacts.
   •   Establishment of a non-powered water sport precinct is the preferred direction in Council’s
       adopted Foreshore Land Use Master Plan
   •   ‘No net loss of publicly accessible open space’ is a driving land use principle for the
       Noosaville Foreshore.
An internal cross-departmental working group consisting of Environmental Services, Sport and
Active Lifestyles, Infrastructure Planning, and Property Teams was established to guide and inform
the Study.

Scope of activities

The scope of the Study was very specific to establish clear and relevant parameters and
expectations. The consultant’s brief was to determine the feasibility of a co-located non-powered
waters sports precinct on the Noosa River foreshore that would cater for the current and future
activities of the key not-for-profit community sporting groups operating on the river and providing
non-powered water sports.
The methodology of the Study was as follows:

Stage 1: Inception and Set up
   •   Inception meeting and initial site tour
Stage 2 - Background research and analysis
   •   document and policy review
   •   trends analysis
   •   projected population (and workforce) trends
   •   non-powered water sport trends
Stage 3 - Site analysis
   •   site assessments

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                      13 NOVEMBER 2023


   •   open space context
Stage 4 - Consultation
   •   Relevant Council officers
   •   water sports user groups
   •   peak sport bodies
   •   stakeholders and agencies
Stage 5 - Needs assessment
   •   facility requirements and standards
   •   current and future gap analysis
   •   situational analysis and report
Stage 6 - Draft preparation and presentation
   •   draft feasibility report preparation
   •   Council review and approval
   •   feedback sought and received from sporting clubs
Stage 7 - Alternate draft precinct plan
   •   preparation of an alternate draft precinct plan by Council
   •   presentation and feedback received from sporting clubs by Council
Stage 8 - Review and finalisation
   •   draft review and edit
   •   finalisation

Not-for-profit organisations that were identified with an interest in the scope of this study as their
current activities require access to the Noosa River on a regular basis included:
   •   Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club (NYRC)
   •   Noosa Coastal Rowing Club
   •   Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club
   •   Noosa Navy Cadets
   •   Noosa Sea Scouts

The Study provides data on current activities and usage requirements of each club, and consulted
with State and National sporting bodies associated with each sport (where they exist). It found that:
   •   The Noosa Outriggers club is the largest club in Australia with approximately 220 members
       and has considerably large spatial requirements for water access and craft storage.
   •   The Noosa Yacht and Rowing club is unique in that it provides for both sailing and rowing
       activities, has significantly high participation and learn-to-sail programs and that sailing
       nationally has experienced year on year growth (across participation and competition
       formats) in the last 3 years.
   •   Coastal Rowing is a growing sport and is considered to be the participation pathway for
       rowing by Rowing Australia. Coastal rowing has been confirmed as an Olympic sport with its
       inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                       13 NOVEMBER 2023


   •   Noosa Navy Cadets is struggling to maintain a unit in Noosa with difficulties in recruiting and
       training staff and cadets.
   •   Noosa Sea Scouts occupies a large land parcel owned by the Scout Association and
       continues a long tradition of providing activities for young people. Membership numbers
       remain stable with utilization of the river as required.

Several activities that could be classified as non-powered water sports have been deliberately
excluded from the study for carefully considered reasons including:
   •   nature of the activity is passive recreation (individual/ social), rather than active recreation
       (competition/sport)
   •   geographic location of the activity
   •   activity is subject to a separate investigation
   •   commercial activity, rather than community not-for-profit

These excluded activities include:
   •   indoor rowing or ‘erging’
   •   kite surfing
   •   surf life saving
   •   kayaking/canoeing
   •   stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP)

Study Sites
In order to determine the most appropriate location for a NPWS Precinct, 13 sites were assessed
along the Noosa River foreshore utilizing an assessment matrix that considered:
   •   location (proximity to waterway and area available for development)
   •   accessibility, connectivity and visibility
   •   potential impacts on adjoining properties
   •   existing activities and facilities

The assessed sites were broken into three sections as follows:

Foreshore Section A
1. Doonella Boat Ramp/Hilton Esplanade
2. Noosa River Slipway
3. Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club (Chaplin Park)
4. Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club
5. Boat storage (land) – public car park
6. Public car park (servicing NYRC and Noosa pirate park)
7. Noosa Sea Scouts

Foreshore Section B
1. Quota and Apex Parks
2. Park area adjacent to roundabout
3. Foreshore tennis court
4. Between Harbours & Marine and Coast Guard
5. Quamby Park

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                        13 NOVEMBER 2023


Foreshore Section C
1. Woods Bay Beach Access 13 and car parking
2. Potential site investigation area

The assessment matrix and the results of each site is provided in pages 39-41 of the attached “Non-
Powered Water Sports Feasibility Study” report.

Key Findings

The Study found that while all sites identified have constraints, the area behind the Noosa Yacht and
Rowing Club presents the best opportunity to co-locate multiple sports within the scope of the study,
while complying with the guiding principles of existing Council endorsed strategies and plans e.g. no
loss of open green spaces on foreshore areas. It is recognised that, although this is the
recommended location of a NPWS Precinct, it may still restrict the unencumbered growth of all
groups, require rethinking of traditional operating practices and require a collaborative and
cooperative culture between the clubs. In order to achieve cohesion and cooperation between
groups, the Sport and Active Lifestyles team will commence the facilitation of a quarterly networking
meeting between clubs representatives in late 2023, in a similar manner to those of other multi-use
sites in the Shire, that have proven to improve interclub relationships and collaboration.

The Study also found that there are significant constraints along in the study sites which mean it is
difficult for each organisation to achieve their desired outcome however the recommended Precinct
presents an opportunity to improve outcomes for all organisations.

Study Recommendations

Location of a non-powered water sport precinct.
After consideration of several foreshore precincts spanning from Doonella Bridge through to Noosa
Woods, the NYRC precinct was found to be the most viable location for a multi-use non-powered
water sport precinct. Relatively moderate reconfiguration and development of fit-for-purpose
infrastructure will enable greater storage opportunities for all user groups, increase pedestrian
connectivity and improve the public amenity of the precinct.

Precinct Vision
A vision for the precinct is articulated in the study and states:
The Noosaville Non-Powered Water Sport (NPWS) Precinct will balance provision of local-standard
facilities that offer a range of water-based sport and physical activity opportunities for residents and
visitors, within a sensitive and changing natural environment.

Principles for the Precinct
The study provides four overarching principles for the development of a NPWS Precinct.
Adaptable
Precinct facilities will allow shared use of facilities such as launching facilities, rigging areas,
amenities, and parking by a range of sports and activities for training, competition, community, and
social physical activities for the benefit of residents and visitors.
Sustainable
Precinct facilities will be developed to ensure they can be maintained at required standards for
community safety, value for money, and site considerations.
Quality
Precinct facilities will be designed to a standard that reflects the Noosa Shire brand and with
consideration of the resource limitations of both Council and the community.
Accessible and connected
Access to the Precinct and its facilities will be facilitated by appropriate walking, cycling and vehicle
infrastructure.

Proposed Precinct Plan

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                         13 NOVEMBER 2023


The Non-Powered Water Sport Precinct will balance provision of local-standard facilities that offer a
range of water-based sport and physical activity opportunities for residents and visitors, within a
sensitive and changing natural environment.
A proposed precinct plan has been articulated in the study report that recommends:
      •   Repurposing the area housing the secondary toilet block behind the NYRC to accommodate
          for lockable storage for smaller craft and equipment of the Outrigger Club, showers and wash
          down facility.
      •   Removing make-shift storage for Outriggers from Chaplin Park.
      •   Retain (in the short-medium term) larger OC6 craft from Chaplin Park.
      •   Provide covered storage for coastal rowing craft within the existing area behind the NYRC.
      •   Reclaim areas of the foreshore for public space, providing pedestrian pathways for better
          connectivity to existing paths, toilets, and existing infrastructure.
      •   Relocating existing boat storage on the foreshore to hardstand areas.
      •   Provide a boardwalk along the canal.
      •   Provide a floating pontoon in the canal for rowing launch.
      •   Relocate rowing craft storage racks to align with the proposed floating pontoon launch.
      •   Redesign public car park to achieve better flow, including disability parking bays and drop-
          off areas.

The outcomes of this feasibility study will be reflected in the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure
Master Plan (commenced August 2023) which has been developed in consideration of the Noosa
River Catchment Management Plan.
Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 2. - Liveability

Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.

Key Actions
Complete Non-Powered Water Sports Feasibility Project

Previous Council Consideration
Nil
Finance
Further planning and design work will be undertaken as part of the Noosaville Foreshore
Infrastructure Master Plan. Any future capital works requests will be submitted via a Project Initiation
document (PID) for consideration. This study may provide the catalyst for Club or council applications
for infrastructure grants from other levels of government, which would be developed in collaboration
between the clubs and Sport and Active Lifestyles team.
Risk & Opportunities
Risks:
Noosa Outriggers Club have been advocating to Council for stand-alone clubhouse facilities in
Chaplin Park for a number of years. Preliminary environmental report, flood modelling and previous
endorsed master planning does not support significant built infrastructure in Chaplin Park given the
constraints. The Club representatives have expressed their disappointment that their ideal outcome
has not been supported in the study, however the internal working group are confident that the
outcome is the best possible to facilitate for the needs of the group given the extent of the constraints

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                         13 NOVEMBER 2023


of the site and the sport’s requirements. There is a risk that some of the Outriggers Club members
will remain dissatisfied with the outcomes of the study. The Project lead has twice offered to the Club
executive in writing to meet and present to the Outrigger club membership to provide for a greater
understanding of the Study and the proposals. At the time of this report the offer has not been taken
up by the club committee however the offer will remain open from Council officers.

The Proposal to repurpose the secondary toilet block area may provide a small risk of negative
backlash from community event organizers that utilize the block for temporary events. Depending
on the size of the event, they may require additional toilet facilities to be brought in for the events at
a small additional cost to the event planner. Given the frequency of events, the community benefit
of the NPWS would far out-weigh the current underutilization of the toilet block.

Opportunities

A coordinated and co-located site for similar activities has the potential to reduce the footprint and
gain efficiencies on public space. This proposed plan creates a purposeful use of space for similar
activities with minimal impact on the available space for public in a well-used, highly constrained
area. The development of this plan is the catalyst for creating a regular multi-group network, similar
to other multi-use sports complexes in the Shire, where clubs can collectively address common
issues in cooperative manner,           plan site improvements and co-ordinate events and
activities through quarterly meetings with Council’s Sport Liaison Officer.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
External Consultation
Targeted stakeholders were:
   •   The Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club
   •   Noosa Coastal Rowing Club
   •   Noosa Outriggers Club
   •   Noosa Sea Scouts
   •   Noosa Navy Cadets
   •   State and national affiliated bodies where they exist for the above clubs.

Noosa Waters Residents Association (NWRA) was consulted on the final proposed plan to
specifically provide comment on the proposed floating pontoon in the canal to be used as a rowing
craft launch site. The NWRA representatives had no objection to the proposed pontoon stating they
did not believe it would negatively impact navigation out of the canal or congestion within the canal.

Additionally, consultation is underway with the Kabi Kabi Native Title Applicant Group on future uses
within the precinct as there exists a non-exclusive native title claim over Chaplin Park.

Broader general community consultation was not considered appropriate for this Study given that
significant community consultation was undertaken for existing endorsed plans reviewed for this
study and further consultation was proposed for the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master
Plan.

Internal Consultation
An internal working party comprised of Sport and Active Lifestyle, Property, Environment Services,
and Infrastructure Planning provided in-depth input and review of the study and proposed precinct
plan. Other areas of council e.g., Town Planning were consulted as required.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                            13 NOVEMBER 2023


Departments consulted:

     Office of the CEO, Mayor &             Community Services               Corporate Services
             Councillors
 x      Mayor & Councillors           x     Director                         Director
        Chief Executive Officer             Community Development            Financial Services
        Executive Officers            x     Sport & Active Lifestyles        Fleet
        Community Engagement                Arts & Culture                   Revenue Services
        People & Culture                    Community Connection             ICT
        Governance                          Customer Experience              Procurement

                                                                             Commercial Property

      Strategy & Environment              Development & Regulation          Infrastructure Services
        Director                            Director                         Director
        Strategic Land Use Planning         Development Assessment      x    Infrastructure      Planning,
                                                                             Design and Delivery
        Economic Development &              Local Laws                       Civil and Asset operations
        Destination Management
 x      Environmental Services              Environmental Health             Waste
        Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing              Building & Facilities
                                      x     Property / Permits               Disaster Management