Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie
100 full days – Here is a brief overview of the first 100 days for Noosa Council, a small, but hard-working local government responding to the needs of a series of close-knit communities across a beautiful shire.
April
Councillors commit to serving the community at the swearing in ceremony on April 4.
Council Local Laws team and police issue 40 fines to travellers illegally using public carparks as campsites.
Short Term Accommodation Local Law review gets underway.
The third action in just over a week on illegal camping sees 26 more fines issued.
A community reference group meets to guide Noosa Botanic Gardens Master Plan.
May
A new hinterland customer service desk trial at Cooroy Library begins.
Noosa River reforms as advised by the council’s Noosa River Stakeholder Reference Advisory Group are announced by Noosa MP Sandy Bolton and the state government’s Marine Services Queensland.
Despite 28 days of rain in March, there’s solid progress on $45.9 million in capital works, and $127 million in flood recovery projects.
Local Government Association of Queensland and Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors support Noosa council in opposing state laws to enable developers to bypass council’s planning scheme.
A range of planning scheme amendments aimed at addressing the local housing challenges, accommodating state dwelling targets and further limiting the spread of short-term accommodation go out for community comment.
Parking bays outside the Noosa Heads National Park become tow-away zones between 10pm and 4am in response to illegal camping.
June
Noosa Council successfully defends a court case against its 2021 decision to refuse a 246-unit retirement village on land next to the golf course at Cooroy.
A draft Noosaville foreshore infrastructure master plan, with ideas to achieve the community’s request for more greenspace, separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians, better access, more all-abilities facilities and playgrounds, goes out for consultation.
The first community-based Ordinary Meeting of the term, held at Pomona Memorial Hall, is well attended.
Second phase consultation of the Pomona Placemaking pilot trial, identifying the community’s wishes for the town’s future, concludes.
Council introduces a budget that absorbs record cost increases, delivers the services and facilities the community needs, while keeping rises as low as possible (5.5 per cent for the majority) and offering relief for those in financial hardship.
The $184million budget’s $45 million capital works program includes $6.4 million to improve parks, community facilities and sportsgrounds, $2.3 million to upgrade pathways, boardwalks and trails, $1.6million for the Cooroy Gymnastics Club upgrade and $500,000 for sports field lighting at Cooroy Sports Complex.
July
Larry Sengstock is unanimously appointed by councillors as Noosa Council chief executive officer.
Noosa Council extends planning scheme amendment consultation period by 10 days.
The Teewah and Cooloola Working Group (TCWG) convened by Noosa Council proposes measures to improve management of the Cooloola Recreation Area.
Noosa Council announces it will collate feedback and present a further round of consultation on an updated draft Noosaville Foreshore Master Plan and a redraft of the Noosa River Plan.
The $3.5million upgrade of Garth Prowd Bridge is completed.
Sand pumping to replenish Noosa Spit’s dog beach is finished two months ahead of schedule due to favourable weather and tides.
Stage 1 of the Edd Webb Park upgrade in Sunshine Beach, the Belmore Terrace timber boardwalk, is completed.
Entrada Travel Group introduce 27 and 12-car ferries to the Noosa North Shore crossing, with electronic payment and greater carrying capacity to reduce queueing.
STA local law complaint hotline data shows calls have almost halved in frequency, dropping from 592 calls in 2023 to 149 for the half year in 2024.
Thanks to the residents who met with councillors at the recent Councillor Coffee Chats.
