In briefs
COUNCIL will consult local residents and stakeholders on a concept design for the 400-metre section between Little Cove and Noosa National Park.
Noosa Mayor Noel Playford says the design will need to consider the variety of pedestrians using Park Road, including surfers, families and tourists, without compromising the natural environment.
“As a well-used, prominent piece of community infrastructure, the look and feel is all-important, offering a great opportunity to employ the principles contained in Noosa’s new design manual,” Cr Playford said.
“The natural environment is the hero along Park Road, not the built environment, so it’s important the new structure blends in.”
The reference group will include environmental and tourism representatives, as well as local residents. Consultation will begin shortly, with the aim of finalising the design by the end of the year.
Koala plan rethink sought
COUNCIL is calling on Main Roads to rethink its choice of sites for 60,000 trees for koalas currently destined for land beside the Bruce Highway, north of Cooroy.
Councillors endorsed a motion at the Thursday 30 July General Meeting, asking the State department to work with council to identify alternative sites that will deliver a better outcome for Noosa’s koalas.
Main Roads agreed to provide the trees as an offset for Bruce Highway upgrade clearing, and Councillor Tony Wellington said the DTMR had made a public commitment to the work.
“So council is looking to achieve the greatest possible benefit for our local koalas,” he said.
“Even Main Roads’ own consultants have noted that the proposed offset sites alongside the highway are less than ideal. These sites appear to have been chosen simply because they make life easier for Main Roads rather than because they will provide a net benefit to local koalas.”
The alternative sites may involve council-controlled land, or perhaps private land under Voluntary Conservation Agreements. There is also a local Noosa-based business that has been established to provide environmental offsets.
“We know of koala populations in many different locations across our local government area, and we may need to create corridors between isolated populations. So we are really spoilt for choice when it comes to koala offset arrangements within the Noosa Shire,” Cr Wellington said.
