Noosa Council has redrafted its Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan after widespread criticism of its initial draft plan.
In response to feedback the new draft retains the tennis court and car parking previously earmarked for removal and maintains the area’s character in place of an overly modern design, and it looks set to be released for public consultation.
The revised draft plan, prepared at a cost of about $200,000, following the initial plan priced at about $336,000, was discussed at a Special Meeting on Wednesday with councillors approving it be released for a final round of community consultation from 15 November to 15 December.
A report to council states the new draft plan has been significantly redrafted to respond to community feedback from the previous community consultation but is not the final document and may be amended subject to community feedback received in the proposed round of consultation.
“It’s hoped the community will see we’ve listened and made the changes they’ve requested for this popular, two-kilometre public park,” Mayor Frank Wilkie said.
“We’ve retained virtually all the car parking, except for a few minor exceptions where it’s proposed to convert about 10 spaces along Gympie Terrace to motorbike and scooter parking to allow for wider, shadier, shared pedestrian paths to more safely accommodate all users,” he said.
“The boat ramp facility is largely untouched, and we acknowledge that the tennis court is a valued part of the foreshore and its heritage, so we’ve looked at options to keep it while potentially diversifying the sports that can be played there,” Cr Wilkie said.
The masterplan covers a two kilometre stretch of the Noosaville Foreshore parkland reserve containing parks, sandy beaches, pedestrian and cycling pathways, parking lots, boat launching sites, public jetties, and amenities suitable for families such as barbecues, pavilions, and playgrounds. The space, well used by residents and tourists, is valued for its natural environment and vibrant river culture and regarded as an important recreational space within Noosa Shire, according to the report.
Key features of the redrafted plan include retaining existing car parking bays, loading zones, and maintenance and delivery access, establishing two swimming areas, widening shared paths, enhancing the riverside promenade and upgraded bridge to improve accessibility, enhancing two ‘Cool Refuge Areas’ with large shade trees and cool breezes, upgrading and enhancing parkland facilities, proposing one new amenities block and retaining and enhancing existing recreation, sports and play opportunities.
Challenges highlighted in the report include aging infrastructure, river flooding, tidal inundation, and storm tides with much of the existing infrastructure having reached the end of its service life and no longer meeting contemporary standards, having been upgraded in excess of 25 years ago.
Implementation costs of the plan are estimated at more than $10 million for critical asset renewal expenses, which encompass revetment walls, pathways, parking facilities, and playgrounds with council to investigate grants and other funding mechanisms to help cover the costs.
The report states that while some community feedback was negative, others in the community appreciated the widening of footpaths to make them safer, the new proposed toilet block, refreshed playground equipment and the natural approach to Chaplin Park. Visit the Your Say Noosa webpage to provide input.
