South Stradbroke Island planning project

The City is leading 2 related projects on South Stradbroke Island:

  • a Whole of Island Plan to provide long-term strategic direction for the island, including environmental protection, community needs, access, infrastructure, recreation and visitor management
  • proposed Nature-Based Tourism (NBT) Enhancements focused on Tipplers Hub, North Currigee, South Currigee and the Seaway sites.

Together, these projects aim to support appropriate, low-impact visitor experiences while protecting the island’s environmental and cultural values and considering the needs of residents, property owners, businesses and visitors.

Current situation

The City has undertaken a staged community engagement process to inform the South Stradbroke Island planning project.

Phase 1 – Community consultation was conducted from 28 July to 11 August 2025 to understand what residents, property owners, visitors and stakeholders value about South Stradbroke Island, the challenges they experience and their aspirations and priorities for the island’s future. The Community Engagement Report for Phase 1 is available in the Documents section of this page.

Phase 2 – During 2026, the City has continued community engagement through a 12-member Community Reference Group (CRG). The CRG has provided detailed local knowledge and considered emerging values, opportunities, constraints and preliminary concepts associated with the Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

Next steps

Phase 3 community consultation is proposed to commence in early 2027 and focus on the proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements. Further information about the consultation timing, materials and opportunities to participate will be published on this page once confirmed. To receive project updates and be notified when consultation opens, please subscribe to GC Have Your Say.

The proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements remain preliminary concepts. They are not approved or funded projects, and no decision has been made to proceed with individual enhancements. Any future progression would be subject to community feedback, environmental and technical investigations, feasibility assessment, funding, relevant approvals and Council decision-making.

Community Reference Group

A 12-member CRG was established in March 2026 to provide detailed local knowledge and consider emerging values, opportunities, constraints and preliminary concepts associated with the Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

The CRG includes people with connections to the island and a range of community, environmental, business and recreational interests. Its role is advisory. CRG feedback is one input into the project and will be considered alongside broader community consultation, technical and environmental investigations, feasibility assessment and Council decision-making.

CRG members have met throughout 2026 to receive project updates, share local knowledge and experiences, identify opportunities, concerns and potential impacts, consider how emerging concepts align with community and environmental values, and provide feedback to inform the continuing development of the project.

Published CRG meeting information is available in the Documents section of this page. Details of the completed CRG Expression of Interest process are available in the News Feed section of this page.

First Nations engagement

The City is undertaking targeted engagement with Traditional Owners and First Nations representatives to understand cultural heritage, connection to Country, environmental stewardship, cultural interpretation and potential First Nations-led opportunities associated with the projects.

This engagement is being coordinated with the City’s First Nations team and through relevant cultural authority processes. Feedback will inform the continuing development of the Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

The City is leading 2 related projects on South Stradbroke Island:

  • a Whole of Island Plan to provide long-term strategic direction for the island, including environmental protection, community needs, access, infrastructure, recreation and visitor management
  • proposed Nature-Based Tourism (NBT) Enhancements focused on Tipplers Hub, North Currigee, South Currigee and the Seaway sites.

Together, these projects aim to support appropriate, low-impact visitor experiences while protecting the island’s environmental and cultural values and considering the needs of residents, property owners, businesses and visitors.

Current situation

The City has undertaken a staged community engagement process to inform the South Stradbroke Island planning project.

Phase 1 – Community consultation was conducted from 28 July to 11 August 2025 to understand what residents, property owners, visitors and stakeholders value about South Stradbroke Island, the challenges they experience and their aspirations and priorities for the island’s future. The Community Engagement Report for Phase 1 is available in the Documents section of this page.

Phase 2 – During 2026, the City has continued community engagement through a 12-member Community Reference Group (CRG). The CRG has provided detailed local knowledge and considered emerging values, opportunities, constraints and preliminary concepts associated with the Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

Next steps

Phase 3 community consultation is proposed to commence in early 2027 and focus on the proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements. Further information about the consultation timing, materials and opportunities to participate will be published on this page once confirmed. To receive project updates and be notified when consultation opens, please subscribe to GC Have Your Say.

The proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements remain preliminary concepts. They are not approved or funded projects, and no decision has been made to proceed with individual enhancements. Any future progression would be subject to community feedback, environmental and technical investigations, feasibility assessment, funding, relevant approvals and Council decision-making.

Community Reference Group

A 12-member CRG was established in March 2026 to provide detailed local knowledge and consider emerging values, opportunities, constraints and preliminary concepts associated with the Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

The CRG includes people with connections to the island and a range of community, environmental, business and recreational interests. Its role is advisory. CRG feedback is one input into the project and will be considered alongside broader community consultation, technical and environmental investigations, feasibility assessment and Council decision-making.

CRG members have met throughout 2026 to receive project updates, share local knowledge and experiences, identify opportunities, concerns and potential impacts, consider how emerging concepts align with community and environmental values, and provide feedback to inform the continuing development of the project.

Published CRG meeting information is available in the Documents section of this page. Details of the completed CRG Expression of Interest process are available in the News Feed section of this page.

First Nations engagement

The City is undertaking targeted engagement with Traditional Owners and First Nations representatives to understand cultural heritage, connection to Country, environmental stewardship, cultural interpretation and potential First Nations-led opportunities associated with the projects.

This engagement is being coordinated with the City’s First Nations team and through relevant cultural authority processes. Feedback will inform the continuing development of the Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

  • Community Reference Group recruitment, closed 26 April 2026

    Recruitment for the South Stradbroke Island Community Reference Group was open from 30 March to 26 April 2026 and is now closed. The following information is retained as a record of the recruitment process.

    The City invited expressions of interest for a Community Reference Group to help guide development of the South Stradbroke Island Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

    The City sought to bring together landowners, residents, local businesses and environmental representatives to share local knowledge and community aspirations. The group was established to consider how the island’s natural areas could be protected while supporting appropriate and sustainable tourism.

    The City sought a well-balanced group of stakeholders with diverse perspectives and lived experience of South Stradbroke Island. The role of CRG members was to:

    • receive updates on the project
    • share their insights and experiences
    • identify risks and opportunities
    • help inform the future planning of South Stradbroke Island.

    Members were supported by an Induction Handbook and guidelines explaining the role of the CRG and how members would work together.

    Expressions of Interest closed on 26 April 2026. A 12-member CRG was subsequently established and commenced meeting in May 2026.

    Information about the current CRG and published meeting records is available in the Documents section of the South Stradbroke Island planning project page.

    Recruitment for the South Stradbroke Island Community Reference Group was open from 30 March to 26 April 2026 and is now closed. The following information is retained as a record of the recruitment process.

    The City invited expressions of interest for a Community Reference Group to help guide development of the South Stradbroke Island Whole of Island Plan and proposed Nature-Based Tourism Enhancements.

    The City sought to bring together landowners, residents, local businesses and environmental representatives to share local knowledge and community aspirations. The group was established to consider how the island’s natural areas could be protected while supporting appropriate and sustainable tourism.

    The City sought a well-balanced group of stakeholders with diverse perspectives and lived experience of South Stradbroke Island. The role of CRG members was to:

    • receive updates on the project
    • share their insights and experiences
    • identify risks and opportunities
    • help inform the future planning of South Stradbroke Island.

    Members were supported by an Induction Handbook and guidelines explaining the role of the CRG and how members would work together.

    Expressions of Interest closed on 26 April 2026. A 12-member CRG was subsequently established and commenced meeting in May 2026.

    Information about the current CRG and published meeting records is available in the Documents section of the South Stradbroke Island planning project page.

Page last updated: 01 Oct 2026, 11:50 AM