LGAQ motions become voice for community

The motion regarding shark nets to avoid whale entanglements such as this recent one in Noosa gained most media attention.

Noosa Council’s four motions – including a call on the state government for greater funding of youth mental health and wellbeing initiatives – won strong support at last month’s Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) conference.

With the majority of LGAQ member councils supporting Noosa Council’s motions, Mayor Frank Wilkie said all four will now help shape the LGAQ’s policy and advocacy efforts.

“We have an obligation to be a voice for our local community and these motions put forward issues that are both important to Noosa and other local government areas in Queensland,” Cr Wilkie said.

Noosa’s advocacy related to:

Increased State funding and support for dispute resolution programs.

Trial removal of shark nets in interested communities during the whale migration season and use other non-lethal shark mitigation measures.

Faster action on the National Plastics Plan.

Greater funding support for early intervention programs for young people and mental health and wellbeing initiatives.

“The motion regarding shark nets gained most media attention, but we know the other three motions are issues impacting our community and others across the state,” Cr Wilkie said.

Each year Noosa and other local governments are given the option to submit motions that respond to statewide needs and assist other local governments.