Bridge down, toilets on the way

Mayor Clare Stewart

Well, as we all collectively breathe a sigh of relief, none more so than the immediate residents, it is my absolute pleasure to announce that the Orealla Crescent Bridge at Sunrise Beach is now complete and the David Low Way has re-opened to through traffic. I would personally like to thank the residents for the co-operation, support and patience and I commend our Infrastructure Department here at Council for their ongoing hard work and diligence in ensuring that the project was delivered on schedule.

Many of you may be aware that the Lions Park at Noosa Heads was opened to parking over the September school holidays. Councillors voted to re-open the park during the school holidays to support our local businesses, residents and visitors through additional parking means. We have also written to the State Government to use the Lions Pak to provide paid car-parking during long weekends and further holiday periods while the Covid-19 health directive is in place. This will help to accommodate extra drive-in visitors as a result of the Covid-19 travel restrictions and border closures.

It was terrific to be at the Peregian Digital Hub on September 30 to welcome The Honourable David Littleproud MP Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management along with our Federal member Llew O’Brien MP in recognition of the $700,000 received in Federal funding for our FireTech projects and stakeholders. The Hub’s FireTech Connect is an initiative that is focused on the use of new technology to build regional communities’ bushfire resilience. Launce in March 2020, the FireTech Connect program is made up of over 20 companies developing breakthrough technology solutions to predict, detect, fight, manage and recover from catastrophic bushfires. Noosa is emerging as a national centre of excellence for FireTech. Fire mitigation has never been more critical and we are so grateful to the Federal Government for their ongoing support in this area.

Finally, to finish with the very boring but critical topic of public toilet facilities, Council are busily renovating a range of public amenities across the Shire. This is thanks to the $220,000.00 initiative between Noosa Council and the Queensland’s Governments Unite and Recover Program. We’re more than mid-way through the project, which includes various upgrades to toilet blocks right across the Shire- from Boreen Point to Sunshine Beach. Grass roots spending at its best. Until next month, stay safe, Clare.