The future of Peregian Beach nippers program and the Peregian Beach markets sit in limbo while they await the decision from Noosa Council on the future of the Peregian Beach surf club in this month’s council meetings.
Peregian Nippers coordinator Lyndon Forlonge said his program had been seriously affected by Council’s expressions of interest (EOI) process which closed last month after calling for community groups to apply to lease the top level of the two-storey Peregian Beach surf club.
Lyndon said no permit had been issued which would allow nippers to continue from the surf club.
“We’d usually start advertising for Nippers from mid-July when the kids head back to school but we can’t go ahead until we know what’s happening with the building,” he said.
“We had a great first season last year, with 110 Nippers signing up. This year we were expecting around 150 registrations, but the EOI process has thrown us into limbo.”
Community group Peregian Family and Friends president Kane Livingstone said there was no consideration under the EOI for the needs of volunteer surf lifesaving and no requirement for the permit-holder to comply with the gazetted purpose of the land to provide surf lifesaving at Peregian.
“SLSQ had formally advised the Council that denial of occupancy to the full clubhouse would severely compromise the capacity to provide a sustainable lifesaving operation,” he said.
Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club currently holds the permit to run Peregian Beach markets and Noosa Council has extended their market permit only until the end of September.A Council spokesman said Council would provide a report on the outcome of the EOI process, with recommendations, to the July round of Council meetings.
“This decision will provide ample time for future planning of surf lifesaving activities,” he said.
“The Peregian markets permit was extended until the end of September to allow for the expression of interest process to be finalised.
“The report will provide details on future management arrangements for surf lifesaving at Peregian.”
