Community the focus of Maggie plan

REGISTRATIONS are now open for the second stage of the Magnetic Island Tourism Masterplan consultation program, with sessions to be held at the end of the month.

The sessions will be held on May 28 and 29 on Magnetic Island, with a further online session held on May 30.

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-smith said the sessions would guide the first draft of the masterplan.

“Aside from the stunning physical beauty of the island, Maggie’s major strength is the community that lives there,” Ms Brumme-smith said.

“Any planning is going to be shaped by the community’s values and attitudes if we want it to be authentic and sustainable in the long run.”

The community was given its first opportunity to submit commentary in March.

“The strong message from the local community and the tourism industry in Stage 1 was that Magnetic Island is unique, it needs investment in products and experiences, and it needs infrastructure investment to develop competitive and sustainable tourism,” Ms Brumme-smith said.

“Maggie is the jewel in our tourism crown, and this master planning process will ensure that the community is involved at every stage.”