For the third year in a row Noosa Council has consulted the community for feedback on the draft budget but this year’s community engagement, which is not a mandatory local government process, elicited only 40 responses, compared to 147 responses in 2020-21 and 166 responses in 2021-22.
Council officers surmised the low response rate may be due in part to the recent engagement consultation on council’s corporate plan which informed budget priorities and attracted more than 1000 responses and a current reduction in topical issues.
Despite the low response rate Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie said at council’s special budget meeting last Friday that he considered the budget consultation process had proved useful in seeing if council had the balance and mix right.
In conjunction with the liveability survey it shows we’re getting it right, he said.
Officers said council and councillors had reviewed the feedback and taken insights onboard but the majority of it related to matters that were already addressed in the draft budget through initiatives and actions.
The feedback called for additional investment in core infrastructure maintenance and renewals, waste management initiatives, environment initiatives to increase conservation and wildlife preservation, implementation of the encroachments policy and foreshore management, progress on transport strategy initiatives and investment to improve the Botanic Gardens.
“When asked about their priorities for this budget and as part of the Corporate Plan feedback and the 2022 Liveability Survey, residents made it clear they valued the environment and wanted more assistance for community groups,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.
Cr Stewart said investment in land conservation and rehabilitation work was up 50 per cent to facilitate more Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation agreements and funding for Environment Grants had increased by 6 per cent and there is more than $1 million allocated for Community Grants this financial year.
Council continues its partnership funding arrangements for a range of conservation projects such as Noosa River planning, flora and fauna monitoring and developing a sea turtle conservation strategy.
“A much-needed masterplan for Noosa Botanic Gardens is to be developed and we have provided $465,000 for heritage restoration and upgrades to the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre,“ Cr Stewart said.
“These are important facilities and the social benefit they provide to our residents is immeasurable.”
The J at Noosa Junction will get a new air-conditioning system and replacing the heat pump is earmarked for the Noosa Aquatic Centre.
“We know that our residents enjoy exploring and using our community facilities, which create a happier and healthy community,” Cr Stewart said.
“Investing in these facilities reflects the expectations of the community and ensures they are well maintained to cater for future growth.”
The 2023-24 Budget continues to provide funding to the ongoing work of Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Zero Emissions Noosa and many other important community groups, she said.
