STRATEGIC PLAN
2023 - 2027
Reviewed January 2024
OUR STORY
National Trust of Australia (Queensland) [NTAQ] is a not-for-profit environmental charity and member-based organisation. We are committed to conserving Queensland’s natural and cultural heritage, special places and collections within our care, as well as the protection of native wildlife, habitats and threatened species throughout Queensland.
Delivering our mission ‘To conserve and advance our natural and cultural heritage for future generations’ is both a challenging and rewarding responsibility and is achieved through good governance practices actively followed by the NTAQ Board and Senior Management.
NTAQ is made up of a diverse and inclusive work team of 1000 employees, volunteers and training participants state-wide that are committed to our mission. We also partner with many community and training organisations, and other Australian charities to help achieve our goals.
NTAQ is governed by an independent skills-based Board of nine directors supported by a Nominations and Governance Committee, and an Audit and Risk Committee. We acknowledge the genuine commitment of our staff, volunteers, and members who support our charitable purpose.
Our journey has yielded a strong organisation. NTAQ was established by state legislation in 1963. In 2014, NTAQ transitioned to a public company limited by guarantee, a registered charityindependent of State and Federal Governments.
Today, we have over 25,000 members and a portfolio of 15 unique properties across Queensland from the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital in the south-east to Cooktown Museum in the far north. Our head office is located at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast. We proudly acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is an iconic part of Gold Coast heritage and one of the earliest tourism attractions in Australia, established in 1947 by Dr Alex Griffiths as the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was listed on the State Heritage Register for its significance and contribution to nature-based tourism in Queensland. The Sanctuary developed from a local interest place to feed the wild rainbow lorikeets, to an internationally recognised wildlife tourism attraction. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was awarded State Tourism Award winner for Queensland and National Bronze Award winner of best Major Tourism Attraction in 2022. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary also is proud to lead and participate in wildlife conservation programs. NTAQ also operates Garima Conservation Reserve that is a stunning rainforest property in the Currumbin Valley that now houses one of our most significant threatened species breed-to-release programs, the Eastern Bristlebird breeding program. Another key operation is Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, one of the busiest Wildlife Hospitals in the world. Located on site at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital delivers much needed veterinarian services to native wildlife as a free community service. The Wildlife Hospital participates in world leading research projects to ensure that we are focused on the prevention of diseases.
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At NTAQ, we aim to be leaders in heritage and conservation. We are committed to ensuring that our natural heritage is preserved including the wildlife that we coexist with. We are committed to being leaders in heritage because we understand that so many lessons can be learned from the past. We envisage a nation that acknowledges and celebrates our First Nations culture.
NTAQ has several heritage sites all the way up to Far North Queensland, where we proudly operate Cooktown Museum, the regional museum that has been reimagined to tell the stories of this special place. We continue our work with communities in Cooktown and respect this truly unique region of our nation. The museum tells the story of when Lieutenant Cook engaged with a Guugu Yimithiir elder who broke his traditional spear in an act of peace, and presented it to Lieutenant Cook. This story is one that every Australian should know as it is the first recorded act of reconciliation.
NTAQ is focused on the future, on advancing our educational experiences, our commitment to conservation, research and sustainability. We strive to connect with communities and showcase our Queensland heritage to the world. Our visitor sites enable us to be storytellers of our history.
Our environmental sites facilitate our commitment to habitats and wildlife. The 2023-2027 Strategic Plan guides us on the journey of future growth. It has been developed collaboratively with our Executive Leaders and Board. Our vision is to create vibrant experiences to share our message of conservation and grow supporters to help deliver on our mission. Queensland is a diverse and intriguing place and we are proud to operate special places from coastal Currumbin, to the rainforest in the Currumbin Valley, to outback Queensland, and in the Tropics.
National Trust of Australia (Queensland) [NTAQ] respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Queensland. NTAQ acknowledges the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the many traditional lands and language groups of Queensland. We thank them for caring for Country, the lands, waters, and wildlife since time immemorial.
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Garima Conservation Reserve
Eastern Bristebird Conservation Project
OUR CHARITABLE PURPOSE, MISSION AND VISION
OUR CHARITABLE PURPOSE
To promote and advance the conservation, protection and understanding of Australia’s natural and cultural heritage, including the heritage of First Nations peoples, for public benefit and education.
OUR MISSION
To conserve and advance our natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
OUR VISION
To be leaders in Conservation and Heritage.
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Project
Kroombit Tinkerfrog Conservation
- 6OUR CORPORATE VALUES Cooktown Museum
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Authentic
We show genuine passion for our people, guests, places and our causes. We are welcoming and approachable. We are storytellers
Responsible
We manage our organisation responsibly for a sustainable future
Respectful
We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the places that we care for. We show respect to our teams, our guests, our organisational partners, and the communities we work with. We celebrate fun, diversity and help each other succeed
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Trusted
We are trustworthy and value honesty. We make ethical decisions and partner with like-minded organisations to advance our causes
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Innovative
We empower our team to be creative and openly encourage ideas without fear of failure. We value efficiency across our organisation
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OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Board of Directors meet annually with the Executive Leadership team to review the organisational strategies under each Strategic Priority. This guides the direction and the activities and for the year ahead. The National Trust Board is committed to having relevant and effective strategic goals to ensure its mission to conserve and advance natural and cultural heritage for future generations is fulfilled.
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Advance Conservation
Research Programs Creating a Great Workplace Digital Transformation
Financial Sustainability
Vibrant and Engaging Guest Experiences
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01 Financial Sustainability
Leverage International Tourism at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with efficiencies from new ticketing solution
Secure business and social events at key properties with focus on “The Homestead” at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Grow NTAQ membership and increase retention through targeted communications, member benefits and events enhanced through ticketing solution
Broaden Fundraising audience through defined charitable programs, ambassadors, and advocates, and partnerships organisation wide
Launch Environmental Services division as a new division for NTAQ
Continue to identify and secure funding partners for key projects and programs
Continue Risk Management and Business Continuity focus
Define and reach optimal workforce structures
Develop Astra Lumina Night Walk to launch for early 2025
02 Vibrant and Engaging Guest Experiences
Continue work on Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary masterplan including nature play rebuild of Wild Island and koala experience precinct as a priority
Plan and launch the new Astra Lumina Night Walk at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Deliver “The Homestead” event venue at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Ensure safe, inclusive and accessible facilities are promoted to our guests
Continue working with community partners on masterplans for Atherton and Townsville
Implement the Cooktown Museum visitor experience plan
Develop engaging education programs and experiences at key locations including dual narrative learning and storytelling
Devise a schedule of important events to grow engagement and support for our causes statewide
Stay focused on guest journey touch points to create WOW moments
Enhance arrival experiences at key properties
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03 Digital Transformation
Royal Bulls Head Inn - 101 Continue work on Digital Roadmap 2 Continually renew and upgrade IT controls 3 Continued focus on Cybersecurity – prevention, response and training 4 Greater utilization of CRM and marketing automation part of an enhanced digital marketing strategy 5 Scope and implement a seamless ticketing and experiences, eCommerce and Point of Sales Systems and ticketing solutions to improve guest journey 6 Rollout safety management system, asset management and records collection 7 File management process and digitisation project 8 Develop new Currumbin Wildlife Hospital database 9 New Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary website and improved path to purchase for guests and donors
04 Advance Conservation and Research Programs
Secure funding opportunities for Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Research Academy new Research Lab and training facility
Promote Garima as a conservation reserve and environmental services hub
Introduce bushland management under a new Environmental Services division, with flora and fauna planning, wildlife spotting, and regeneration works
Focus on training opportunities in wildlife, veterinary sciences, horticulture and bush regeneration
Develop a sustainability plan, an emissions inventory and roadmap to net zero emissions
Celebrate success of research and conservation programs through effective communications
Continue to maintain and improve our heritage and natural assets and collections
Continue to have a strong advisory presence on relevant committees and forums that align with our mission
Expand Conservation programs to support the species in the endangered wild including koala, amphibian and bird species
Utilise and manage Eco Parklands to support our research and conservation programs and plantations
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Garima Conservation Reserve
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Volunteer
Kroombit Tinker Frog Conservation HQ Inside the quarantined Frog Lab
05 Creating a Great Workplace
Enhance and develop volunteer programs to meet organisational needs
Develop sustainable Community Training Partnership Programs
Build Capability of work teams through development programs that foster a culture of high-performance in our management roles
Ensure safe and well work culture and environment by growing capability and implementing innovative workplace policies
Enhance Team member Value Proposition and grow engagement
Cultivate an inclusive work environment that champions
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Focus on strategic workforce planning to align with organisational growth 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
diversity and equity
Our mission is to conserve and advance our natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
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National Trust Queensland Properties, Employees and Volunteers
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Yugambeh Aboriginal Dance Group
