I’m back from my 11-day study tour to Vancouver and California with the South East Queensland Council of Mayors, and although it was an incredibly rewarding and busy trip, I can still truly say there’s no place like home. I am keen to apply the learnings to benefit our own Noosa Shire.
Gaining from overseas experiences – SEQ Mayors mission
As a member of South East Queensland Council of Mayors (COMSEQ), on behalf of Noosa Shire, I had the opportunity to explore innovative solutions to tackling some of South East Queensland’s biggest challenges, including growth, housing affordability, transport, waste management, and sensitive local management of the Olympics and Paralympics.
We engaged with civic and business leaders to develop meaningful, strategic relationships, focused on generating strong social and economic outcomes for each of our regions. Strengthening partnerships between Metro Vancouver and Council of Mayors (SEQ) is of real benefit in areas of shared interests, including urban growth management, housing affordability, digital connectivity, environmental waste management, clean technologies, and transport infrastructure.
Metro Vancouver is well advanced on their journey towards a circular economy and the learnings will provide valuable considerations for the South East Queensland Waste Management Plan, including the roll-out of local food waste recycling services.
The Metro Vancouver initiatives to facilitate affordable housing are also of particular relevance to our shire.
Insights about the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles will be instructive as we plan and prepare for 2032.
Overall, the knowledge gained and connections made were invaluable and I will be providing full details to all councillors.
I was honoured to have had the opportunity to represent our shire and as part of my position on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Organising Committee. It is valuable that Noosa Council has a seat at COMSEQ meetings to be part of Queensland’s future prosperity while keeping Noosa special and “different by nature”. This delegation was funded by COMSEQ and all ancillary and out-of-pocket expenses, including additional travel costs, have been paid by me personally.
Significant addition to Tewantin sports complex
In exciting news for our community, construction on a new multi-purpose facility at Tewantin’s Noosa District Sports Complex on McKinnon Drive started on Tuesday 14 February with completion due in late June, weather permitting. It will provide additional facilities to support sports clubs based at the complex, including cricket, netball, pickleball and car clubs. Specifically, the facility will include: four player changerooms including toilets, a kitchen, six spectator unisex toilets (two disability compliant), storage space, first aid and umpire rooms, and a large multi-purpose area along with solar panels. This $1.8m investment is funded jointly by the Australian and Queensland governments in association with Noosa Council and the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund.
Tackling our housing crisis on many levels
The current lack of available and affordable accommodation in Noosa is a great concern and because of this, a few weeks ago, I wrote to hundreds of non-resident ratepayers, urging them to put their short-stay properties or vacant holiday homes on to the permanent rental market. It’s one of the many avenues that the council is pursuing to help boost the availability of affordable rental properties in Noosa. Clearly the choice is up to owners of properties, but it is heartening that all councillors remain committed to doing as much as possible to help ease the Shire’s housing crisis.
Free weekend buses to keep our people connected
As we move out of the holiday season, you can continue to make the most of Noosa Council’s free weekend bus trial. The trial continues and includes existing Translink services 626, 627, 628, 629 and 632 covering Tewantin, Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach, Noosa Heads, Parklands, Noosa Junction, Noosaville, Cooran, Cooroy, and Pomona. The success of the program will depend on people using the weekend buses, so I encourage you to get out of your car and on the free buses to take full advantage of avoiding traffic congestion and parking problems.
Council supports wellbeing with free yoga classes
Noosa Council’s successful Living Well Noosa program now caters for workers with special lunchtime classes. Take a break and join in every Wednesday for four weeks (starting Wednesday 15 February) for free yoga at Zenko Yoga Studio in Noosaville. For more information or to book a session please go to love@zenkoyoga.com.au
Until next month, stay safe, Clare
