Council to own gardens

Seqwater has given the go-ahead to transfer ownership of the Noosa Botanic Gardens back to Noosa Council after nine years’ ownership, and plan for a formal handover ceremony later this year.
Seqwater spokesman Mike Foster said the handover resulted from working with the Noosa Council and the community.
He said Seqwater planned to deliver a number of key projects in the region over the next few years including an upgrade of Lake Macdonald.
Noosa Council Mayor Tony Wellington said the land had been transferred to Seqwater as a result of a restructure of Queensland’s water supply in 2008.
“Despite the land ownership situation, council has continued to maintain the gardens, with considerable help from the Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens and volunteers,” he said.
“Council has budgeted to undertake a master planning process for the Botanic Gardens, so the agreement with Seqwater is very timely.
The agreement involves a reconfiguration of Seqwater’s property (via boundary realignments) to split the lake and foreshore land into separate parcels with council also acquiring, at no cost, Lake Macdonald Park including the boat ramp.
As part of the deal, council will also be acquiring the Lake Macdonald Park next to the Botanic Gardens, including the boat ramp.”
The Noosa Botanic Gardens were the brainchild of resident Ida Duncan in the 1980s and opened in 1990.
For more information, visit yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au/noosa-botanic-gardens-master-plan