The Department of Environment and Science (DES) approached Noosa Council in 2022 regarding transferring trusteeship of the Teewah airfield reserve back to DES for conservation purposes. A small portion of the site is an airstrip and has been used historically by clubs such as model flyers, by local and aerial firefighters, and the site was also an important evacuation point during the 2019 Noosa North shore bushfires.

Following advocacy from our office about the importance of community consultation in relation to this site, DES are now seeking feedback about the future use of this area, open until 12 May and advised the following (in italics) to stakeholders:

The landing ground reserve, which was previously managed by the Noosa Shire Council, is now under the trusteeship of DES through the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). This change in ownership was initiated in recognition of the reserve’s high conservation values and it’s unique and environmentally sensitive environment providing strong connectivity to the Great Sandy National Park.  

As part of the transfer DES has committed to undertake community consultation on the options for future management. The local community is encouraged to participate in this survey to show support for the proposed options.

The survey is designed to be quick and easy to complete and should take no more than 5 minutes of your time. We have included options for consideration and a space to share any thought and view on the future management.

We understand that your time is valuable, but we truly believe that your input can make a difference. Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you. We encourage you to share this information amongst your networks.

To participate in the survey, simply click on the link below:

https://intheloop.des.qld.gov.au/noosa-north-shore-landing-ground

The survey asks which of the following options (in italics) do you support?

Option 1 – Transfer the current Landing Reserve wholly to national park tenure

Option 2 – Transfer part of the Landing Reserve lot to national park tenure and retain part of the cleared landing area as Landing Ground Reserve or some other form of appropriate tenure for community use.

To simplify, this survey is not trying to determine what the detailed future use will be as part of Option 2. Rather it is to determine whether the community prefers the whole parcel of land be transferred to National Park for conservation purposes (option 1) or retain the portion containing the airstrip in a way that would allow for alternative uses, with the balance (90% or more?) transferred to National Park for conservation. Should DES proceed with option 2, they will then need to consider any future use for the retained land in further detail at a later date.

For those with questions regarding the environmental classifications for this site referred to within the survey, please remember that is referring to the 433ha site in total (approx 1000 acres, or 2km by 2km square) and not simply the relatively small footprint currently utilised as the airstrip. Although ground parrots or koalas (or their habitat), or environmental wetlands may not necessarily be evidenced in the location of the airstrip itself, this does not mean that the criteria for environmental classifications have not been met when determining for the whole site.

Queensland Globe is an online interactive data and mapping tool which allows anyone to search a parcel of land and check the various overlays, including environmental. To locate this parcel of land, use 7MCH4562 in the ‘Lot on plan’ search option. We have included some images showing the various environmental overlays for this site to assist. Or for any who wish to utilise QLD Globe themselves and verify these classifications personally, there are also tutorials available to assist at https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/help-info/tutorial-videos.html

Should you require any further information or assistance, please email our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au or for direct advocacy with the relevant Minister, please email environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au and cc to us.

We will continue to update as any further information becomes available.