Last week myself, Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie and Councillors Amelia Lorentson and Karen Finzel, along with our chief executive officer Scott Waters attended the Local Government Association of Queensland Conference held in Cairns.
This conference is a once yearly event where all 77 Councils across Qld come together for professional development, to share ideas, information, and to debate issues on behalf of our own communities.
Over the few days, Noosa Council was successful in securing top awards for infrastructure and excellence in risk management which is testament to the outstanding job our staff are doing. The risk and governance award recognises the collaborative efforts between councillors and our executive team over the past two years to develop a new risk policy to drive the highest standards forward.
All five motions that Council put forward, ranging from affordable housing, water quality and sustainability, to environmental upgrade agreements were strongly supported by all Councils across Qld. I also had to opportunity to share a panel discussion with Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig discussing the housing challenges we are facing and was humbled to receive a special commendation for the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) third annual Alison Woolla Memorial Award for Local Leadership in Preventing Domestic and Family Violence.
All in all, it was a very productive few days and it was incredibly heartening to see Noosa so well represented by our Councillors and CEO.
Council has launched a new Living Well program that offers free and low-cost access to a range of classes. This is the first Permanent Living Well Program Council has offered the community and we are all incredibly proud of it. Yoga, reiki healing, breath work and mum and bubs pilates are some of the activities on offer. The initiative takes a holistic approach to addressing a range of health dimensions including physical, social, mental and spiritual health. You can also try yoga, tai chi, aqua aerobics and events especially designed for seniors with our Living Well Seniors program. For more information and a full list of activities, visit noosa.qld.gov.au/living-well-noosa
Speaking of community, our brand new Peregian Beach Community House is now open. It offers multi-functional spaces, three hire rooms, landscaped greenspace and purpose-built facilities to assist services that help disadvantaged residents
Noosa Council is thrilled to become the first Queensland Council to use new interactive 3D hazard mapping technology to educate locals on how disaster events such as bushfires could personally impact them, and to show exactly how a bushfire might behave if it unfolds in their immediate area. Knowing the risks bushfires pose to an immediate neighbourhood will help locals to be prepared. The technology, known as Simtable, uses a projector to overlay hazard projections over local mapping and terrain in 3D. The new tech is part of Council’s ongoing effort to reduce the shire’s bushfire risk and make the community more resilient. Over the past two years we have invested significantly in measures aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2019 fires, including more controlled burns, greater trail maintenance and appointment of an in-house officer to oversee local hazard reduction efforts. Education is also very important if we are to be disaster ready so I would encourage residents to attend the community sessions once finalised so you can get to know your own risk, which will help inform household emergency plans.
Speaking of disaster resilience, with the La Nina weather conditions hanging around, it’s a timely reminder for residents to familiarise themselves with Council’s Disaster Dashboard. The Disaster Dashboard provides up-to-date information on weather warnings, road closures and power outages. Download our Emergency Action Guide for practical advice on what to do before, during and after a range of disasters. You can also sign up to Noosa ALERT to receive notifications. Visit the Disaster Dashboard via our website, noosa.qld.gov.au
Until next month, stay safe, Clare
