2017-01-16 General Committee Agenda

ATTACHMENT 2




Page 83 of 146

ATTACHMENT 2
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                                   ELANDA POINT — REDEVELOPMENT

Considerations

The Discovery Group are a QLD Tourism Hall of Fame recipient, Australian Tourism Award recipient and an Advanced
Eco Certified tour operator based in Noosa www.thediscoverygroup.com.au.
A unique and exciting opportunity exists for Noosa in that The Discovery Group has entered into a formal Heads of
Agreement with the current lease holder of the Elanda Point Education and Adventure Park to purchase and transfer
the existing Qpws lease.
The Company has provided the State Government with a Master Plan strategy, to redevelop the site into a world class
Eco Tourism facility. (A copy of this plan is attached to this submission.)
On the 11'* November 2016, the Company received an in principle approval from the Department of National Parks,
Sport and Racing to proceed with the re-development of the site, subject to the satisfaction of standard re-
development criteria. (A copy of this advice is attached to this submission.)
The Discovery Group presently undertakes over 1,500 high speed vessel trips annually from Gympie Terrace,
Noosaville into the Everglades. With increasing market demand and popularity of an Everglades experience the
number of vessel trips is forecasted to grow at a rate of 8% per annum. The Company seeks a long term sustainable
operational methodology.
Intrinsic to achieving this outcome is the necessity to undertake the installation and operation of jetty infrastructure
to facilitate delivery of quality services into the Everglades - from the new Eco Tourism facility at Elanda Point. The
jetty will be public infrastructure providing opportunities for fishing, kayak access a safe mooring point etc..
Of significant benefit, the establishment of a public jetty at this location will enable the Companies operation’s to
relocate to the Elanda Point facility — utilising low draw, low wash vessels specifically designed for the upper lake and
estuary system to deliver minimal impacts, and would be a significant improvement from current operations.
It should also be noted that the company holds 99% of the Qaws Commercial Activity Permits to facilitate commercial
access into the Noosa Everglades. Subsequently, there is zero risk with: the proposed removal of our business
operations from Gympie Terrace — that this could be replaced with activities by another commercial operator.

Advice Received

As the area in question is zoned Fish Habitat A, Department of Agriculture & Fisheries have advised an application
from a private entity to construct jetty infrastructure would not be supported, however:
Advice has been provided that:

    e    An application CAN BE lodged for the construction of — a Public Jetty — to facilitate fishing with;
    e    The “Proponent” or Applicant / “Owner” of the Infrastructure MUST BE a public entity / community group ie:
         Noosa Council...

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