By Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie
I understand how to work collaboratively with the community, councillors and staff within a local government framework to deliver for our community.
With your support, I can be doing this from day one in partnership with your choice of councillors.
I believe a healthier, more connected, culturally vibrant and prosperous community is achieved by placing the needs of residents and our environment first.
When the focus in on making Noosa a great place for residents to live and raise a family, it’s also a great place to visit and to set up a business.
With a proven record of protecting Noosa from overscale development and fostering projects that protect our natural assets, I seek your support to continue this work, as pressures are only increasing.
These action-based aims bridge the hinterland and the coast.
Effective Services and responsible budgeting: Sustainable finance practices and successful grant applications have delivered record capital works projects for our shire.
A focus on continual improvement in delivering quality community-owned assets while keeping rates as low as possible is central to making Noosa one of the most live-able places in Australia.
Smart development: Vigilance against over-scale development, reducing STA impacts on residents by reviewing, and gaining full compliance with, Noosa’s STA Local Law and implementing further planning scheme changes for STAs.
Traffic solutions: Traffic and parking systems that prioritise access for residents, continuing to increase the use of alternative transport and reducing congestion in high use areas.
Responsible environmental management: Continual efforts to protect our natural assets; beaches, waterways, natural areas and wildlife. Ensuring the Noosa River is a safe, uncluttered and healthy ecosystem that can be enjoyed as a family-friendly recreational and natural asset. Securing effective, long-term action on unlimited anchoring and mooring, abandoned vessels, sewage pump-outs and science-backed projects that improve water quality and marine ecosystems.
Housing solutions: Following through on the housing projects underway for vulnerable residents on modest incomes in partnership with the State and Community Housing Providers plus providing incentives for private industry to deliver social housing.
Balanced Tourism: Balancing Noosa’s needs as a community first with its identity as a visitor destination by visitor dispersal and regenerative contribution strategies, reducing the environmental impact, over-crowding and disruption caused by major commercial events.
Seizing opportunities: Leveraging the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics to secure what we need -upgrades to community sporting/cultural facilities and improving All-Abilities access to council-owned facilities.
Fostering economic diversity and resilience: Recognising that small businesses support many Noosa residents and their families, preparing young people for the future through innovative projects, like the Peregian digital hub.
Cr Wilkie has lived here since 1996, has served with four mayors, is a former journalist, high school teacher, spent years working on island resorts up to management level, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), has been a Noosa Shire Clean Up Australia Day coordinator for 12 years and has extensive involvement in Noosa community sporting, arts and cultural groups.
Not a member of any political party.
