Published Wednesday, 20 February, 2008 at 07:59 AM

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
New Visitor Facility for Noosa National Park
EMBARGO: 10.00am
A world-class, outdoor interpretive display and visitor facility at Noosa National Park will build visitor awareness and understanding of the area’s natural values and indigenous cultural heritage.
The new Noosa National Park Interpretive Centre was opened today by Queensland’s Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara.
Mr McNamara said the new open-air display had been designed to enhance the experience of the more than one million visitors to the national park each year.
“Feedback from visitors so far has been very enthusiastic and positive about the extra dimension it added to their visit,” Mr McNamara said.
“The new display provides visitors with another great reason to visit the iconic Noosa National Park, which is open to the public 365 days a year.
“The display recently received an Excellence in Interpretive Practice award from the Interpretation Australia Association, confirming its position at the forefront of public interpretation facilities.
“If we are going to be successful in protecting our environment for future generations, we need to educate the community and build their understanding about what we’re protecting.
“National Parks are meant to be enjoyed and experienced, not just looked at.”
“This innovative interpretation display is an excellent example of how the EPA is engaging and educating all of us on the beauty and importance of our unique natural areas.”
Mr McNamara said the display provides visitors with information including orientation, safety, management and park values.
“Using highly stylised structures - several of them taking the shape of the park’s iconic Pandanus tree - the display is visually exciting and interesting to look at,” he said.
“The interpretive signs are designed in an appealing, easy-to-read format, catering for different ages, abilities and learning styles, including an interactive component for children.
“The display has been designed to maintain open views of Laguna Bay and there is plenty of grass area to enjoy a picnic or stroll along to the ocean’s edge.
“2008 marks the centenary of National Parks in Queensland, and what better way to mark the milestone than with such a tremendous facility as this.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
A world-class, outdoor interpretive display and visitor facility at Noosa National Park will build visitor awareness and understanding of the area’s natural values and indigenous cultural heritage.
The new Noosa National Park Interpretive Centre was opened today by Queensland’s Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara.
Mr McNamara said the new open-air display had been designed to enhance the experience of the more than one million visitors to the national park each year.
“Feedback from visitors so far has been very enthusiastic and positive about the extra dimension it added to their visit,” Mr McNamara said.
“The new display provides visitors with another great reason to visit the iconic Noosa National Park, which is open to the public 365 days a year.
“The display recently received an Excellence in Interpretive Practice award from the Interpretation Australia Association, confirming its position at the forefront of public interpretation facilities.
“If we are going to be successful in protecting our environment for future generations, we need to educate the community and build their understanding about what we’re protecting.
“National Parks are meant to be enjoyed and experienced, not just looked at.”
“This innovative interpretation display is an excellent example of how the EPA is engaging and educating all of us on the beauty and importance of our unique natural areas.”
Mr McNamara said the display provides visitors with information including orientation, safety, management and park values.
“Using highly stylised structures - several of them taking the shape of the park’s iconic Pandanus tree - the display is visually exciting and interesting to look at,” he said.
“The interpretive signs are designed in an appealing, easy-to-read format, catering for different ages, abilities and learning styles, including an interactive component for children.
“The display has been designed to maintain open views of Laguna Bay and there is plenty of grass area to enjoy a picnic or stroll along to the ocean’s edge.
“2008 marks the centenary of National Parks in Queensland, and what better way to mark the milestone than with such a tremendous facility as this.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004