The draft Landscape Plan
The draft Landscape Plan sets the direction for future walking trails and infrastructure that will expand opportunities for nature-based recreation, education and cultural tourism on Mount Ninderry.
Consultation is now closed
The consultation period was 17 June to 31 July 2024.
Project overview
Project overview
Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve, on the native title determined lands of the Kabi Kabi peoples, is significant culturally and ecologically. Council prepared a draft Landscape Plan in partnership with the Kabi Kabi First Nations People and through targeted workshops with Council employees, Councillors, reserve neighbours, key stakeholders and community groups.
The draft Landscape Plan acknowledges Mount Ninderry is becoming increasingly popular with currently only one trail option and aims to:
- share other places for people to enjoy and appreciate the beauty and views of Mount Ninderry
- honour the Kabi Kabi connection to this land and create opportunities to share the Kabi Kabi peoples presence and connection to Country
- offer sustainable and culturally sensitive access for the community to appreciate and enjoy the mountain and its beautiful natural environment.
Between Monday, 17 June and Monday, 31 July 2024, community members were invited to view the Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve Draft Landscape Plan and provide feedback.
Thank you to everyone in our community who had their say and provided feedback. Click on the 'community engagement overview' tab above for more information on the engagement activities and to acess the community engagement summary fact sheet and community engagement report.
Background
Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve, within the lands of the Kabi Kabi People, is currently managed by Sunshine Coast Council comprising 199 hectares, which includes 60 hectares that were recently added through Council’s Environment Levy land acquisition program. The reserve protects eight different regional ecosystems, including a large area of ‘endangered’ subtropical lowland rainforest and four ‘of concern’ regional ecosystems. The high biodiversity and cultural importance of the reserve has been recognised by the community throughout several engagement workshops for the preparation of the draft landscape plan.
Results of Council stakeholder; community stakeholder and Kabi Kabi engagement activities have shown that Mount Ninderry is a significant site for many people and recognised within the lands of the Kabi Kabi First Nations people. It is apparent the site contains existing and future opportunities for eco-recreational, cultural, ecological and cultural training and educational use of the open space areas and tracks. Due to these opportunities and the iconic significance of the site, Council has prepared a draft landscape plan in partnership with the Kabi Kabi First Nations People.
From the stakeholder engagement the following key values were identified:
Frequently asked questions
- How will the reserve’s plants and wildlife be protected with these changes?
- How will the new trails improve the environment reserve?
- How will the landscape plan address parking problems?
- Will I still be able to walk to the summit of Mount Ninderry with my dog?
- Will rock climbing be allowed on Mount Ninderry?
Project timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
2020-2021: Phase 1 of engagement
Three stakeholder groups worked to identify the sites values, constraints and opportunities:
Group 1: Kabi Kabi First Nations People
Group 2: Sunshine Coast Council Councillors and staff
Group 3: Community Stakeholder Group: State Member for Ninderry; YADCA; Bushcare; Nambour multicultural community; CaNSCC; SEQ Healthy land and Water; SCEC; UniSC; Neighbours; Local Businesses; Maroochy Landcare; QPWS.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
2022 -2023: Drafting the Landscape Plan
This stage took into feedback from the stakeholder groups, site surveys, geotech reports, cultural values report and the Kabi Kabi Engagement Outcomes Report
It identified future public access opportunities – trails, entry points and features.
The stakeholder groups provided feedback though this process.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
June/July 2024: Phase 2 of engagement - Community feedback on the draft landscape plan
Have your say on the draft landscape plan between 17 June and 31 July 2024.
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Timeline item 4 - complete
September - October 2024: Analysis of community feedback and refinement of Landscape Plan
Feedback from phase 2 will be analysed and shared with the community.
The Landscape Plan will be further refined based on the community feedback.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
October 2024 – March 2025 (approx.): Phase 3 of engagement
This is an upcoming stage for The Draft Mount Ninderry Landscape Plan.
Further Technical Investigations and associated Focus Group consultation sessions to refine the plan.
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Timeline item 6 - incomplete
2025 (approx.): Presentation of finalised master plan to Council for endorsement.
Draft implementation plan and budget forecast.
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Timeline item 7 - incomplete
2025 onward: Implementation
Long term implementation planning and bid for funding.
As Council is in the early planning stages, there may not be any construction for several years and any changes are likely to be small scale.
Contact us
Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:
| Name | Natural Areas Conservation Officer, Engagement, Planning and Wildlife |
|---|---|
| naturalareas@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au |
Next steps
The community engagement findings will inform the next phase of this project which will involve technical investigations and additional stakeholder engagement.
If you would like to remain updated on this project, please follow the project (Select +Follow at the top of the page).
Explore the natural beauty of Mount Ninderry
Draft Landscape Plan
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Mount Ninderry and a plan for its future
In this video, Kabi Kabi man Kerry Jones shares why Mount Ninderry is very important to the Kabi Kabi people.
Proposed Features
View a sumarry of proposed features of the Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve Draft Landscape Plan.
Explore the proposed features of the draft landscape plan
Visualisations of the proposed features in the draft landscape plan.-
Respect - an alternative route to the summit
New trails
Proposed new walking trails designed to showcase Mount Ninderry’s diverse landscapes, from boardwalks over rocky terrain to breathtaking views.
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A gathering place
Mount Ninderry Visitor Hub
A new cultural and education node area sharing the Kabi Kabi story of Mount Ninderry, environmental facts, trail information, and artwork.
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Natures wonder
Eastern Lookout viewing platform
A proposed viewing platform provides sweeping views of Noosa, Mt Coolum, and the coastline.
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Caring for country and people
Kabi Kabi and Landcare workshop shed
A new workshop shed as a base for Kabi Kabi training and Landcare volunteers. This shed will provide room for tools, workshops, and training activities, supporting community efforts to care for the land.
Community engagement overview
Engagement activities
Between Monday, 17 June and Monday, 31 July 2024, community members were invited to view the Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve Draft Landscape Plan and provide feedback. Feedback could be provided by:
Attending a Talking Post
People were invited to drop-in and speak to a member of the project team at a 'Talking Post' and have your say about the draft landscape plan. Talking Posts were held on 27 June and 7 July 2024 at the Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve.
Using the Feedback map
Feedback was received through stories of place, what people enjoy about Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve and how the proposed features of the draft Landscape Plan may improve people's experience of Mount Ninderry.
Feedback themes
The community engagement revealed diverse opinions and preferences. While many visitors and residents appreciate the natural beauty, tranquility and outdoor recreation opportunities like rock climbing and hiking, there are differing views on the proposed ideas in the draft landscape plan.
Community engagement reports
Mount Ninderry Environment Reserve Draft Landscape Plan community engagement reports
