The towns of Noosa’s Northern Hinterland have a bright future focussed on nature-based adventure tourism and sustainable businesses that honour the environment and preserve the characterful identity of villages says Phil Moran, president of the newly-formed Pomona and District Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PDCC).
The Chamber formed in September last year as businesses in Pomona and surrounding satellite villages considered how they could emerge stronger and more cohesive following the COVID-19 pandemic. The group was incorporated officially in early January and is recognised by the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It has about 40 members and will be looking to expand this membership following incorporation. The PDCC represents businesses in the towns of Pomona, Cooran, Kin Kin and Boreen Point.
Working together, the businesses involved believe they can look to each other for mutual support, promotion and advocacy that strengthens local commerce and job creation.
“It was a big step to reinstate a Pomona Chamber and bring in other communities, but in the end we realised that our future is together, linked by initiatives such as the Noosa Country Drive and the Noosa Trail Network upgrade that recognises Pomona the ‘hub town’ for adventure-based tourism expansion,” Mr Moran said. Kin Kin forms the northern hub under the plans endorsed by Noosa Council and Tourism Noosa.
“A Chamber representing the whole region allows us to become a unified voice when dealing with the council and other levels of government. Sensible growth and development is inevitable, but it must not come at a cost to what we have now. Keeping our lifestyle, scale and connection to the natural environment are important and should not be compromised,” he said.
“Residents want a say in what happens and the Chamber will be mindful of that as we seek greater definition around council and government planning for this region to 2031 and beyond.”
PDCC seeks to provide, united leadership and advocacy on matters relevant to business in the Northern Noosa Hinterland communities.
Mr Moran said: “We want to make a positive difference to the district’s economic and business health by influencing future development consistent with Noosa lifestyle values, through achievable policy solutions underpinning local identity. And we will encourage innovation and sustainable growth that respects the environment.”
At Cooran, the Chamber supports local moves to make that town the first in Queensland to be powered 100 per cent by renewable energy. “This is just one example of the innovative thinking going on in the hinterland – including the rural sector, where we will work closely with organisations such as Country Noosa,” he said.
The Chamber hopes Pomona will be the town Noosa Council chooses to be the subject of a pilot ‘place-making’ study in 2021. It also wants to open a dialogue with Noosa Council about parking issues, quarry truck impacts on businesses, such as noise and dust, as well as safety, greening of village streets and connected pathways at Cooran and Pomona (so-called active transport solutions).
“Greener towns are cooler places as we combat the effects of climate change and the more we encourage the take-up of walking and cycling to get about, we make life less congested and more relaxed,” Mr Moran said.
“Hopefully the Chamber also will become the place where those with a business idea or concept can come so that we can assist with information, or put them in touch via networking to others who can help get new ventures off the ground.
“As city-based people realise they can work from home just as easily in the Noosa hinterland or can bring forward plans for innovative and sustainable businesses based locally, household wealth accrues through higher house prices, but we must recognise that comes at a cost to housing affordability.
“The villages of the Northern Hinterland have a role to play in providing affordable housing options under the new Town Plan – including the possibility of tiny house enclaves.”
While the ideas were many, Mr Moran said, there was a need to sort priorities, establish goals and explore means to achieve realistic objectives. “The PDCC hopes to be the catalyst for this to occur during the next 12 months,” he said.
