By Mayor Clare Stewart
Launching off once again from our Hinterland region, it is terrific that construction is now under way for our Hinterland Adventure Playground. This state of the art, one of a kind space will included a double flying fox, climbing tower with slide, swings, water play area, picnic shelters and an all-amenities block. This iconic, nature based, all abilities playground that will attract people to Cooroy and cater to locals as well is set down for a completion date of December 2021. With $2.8 million dollars received from the State Government towards delivery of this outstanding community project, it will provide benefit for our children in the form of exercise, encourage their social and emotional development, cultivate imaginations and an appreciation of nature and provide as part of the development increased car parking spaces for the Cooroy locals and a new public toilet facility which were two items that the community requested.
As we continue to focus our efforts on supporting the Kin Kin community, we have now issued the Kin Kin Quarry operators with over $160,000 worth of fines for alleged breaches of the quarry management plan. We’re continuing to work closely with the community to gather evidence for potential court action, and the roundtable I instigated in August 2020 with the support of Council, with community groups, police, Sandy Bolton MP and various other stakeholders continues to meet every six weeks. Added to this, Council’s engagement officer for Kin Kin has now increased his workload to full- time to further support the Kin Kin community going forward.
Our largest ever capital works programme continues to deliver. Over the Easter holidays Council used the time to carry out a $200,000 project to improve safety for our children along Sea Eagle Drive in Noosaville, which caters to the Noosaville State School and St Teresa’s Catholic College. This upgrade includes an extension of the Sea Eagle Drive school drop-of and pick-up areas and a new pathway along Shire Drive between Morinda Circuit and Sea Eagle Drive to connect with a new crossing facility. Grass roots spending at its best.
After the impacts of COVID, Council have secured a new anchor tenant for the Sunrise Beach Shopping Centre. I spent a fair amount of time over my campaign at the Sunrise shops so am absolutely thrilled that an anchor tenant has been secured. Tanglewood Company will take over the lease with this company providing a grocer, wholesale and retail food production. The tenant will be a terrific addition to the centre and will drive further business to the area which will benefit all of our tenants as well providing a wonderful resource to our community.
As we move further down the coast, work has started on the new Peregian Beach Community House. These works are anticipated to be completed later this year. It’s part of the $10million investment in the Rufous Street Precinct. The Community House is part of the third stage of the Rufous Street Precinct, and we are incredibly grateful to the Federal Government who committed $2,550,179 towards Stage 3 of the Rufous Street Masterplan through their Building Better Regions Fund. The new Community House will have more hire/meeting rooms than the current facility and Stage 3 also includes greenspace of 4000 sqm, with gardens, a play area, winding footpaths and grassed areas. The completion of the building will free up the old Community House for the Digital Hub, which will expand into that area. Growth of our digital sector continues to thrive, and creation of space is key. This new precinct will enable our local businesses in the Digital Hub to continue to grow and thrive and to ensure that they remain within our Shire.
Council is calling for feedback on the proposed local law to manage short-stay letting and home-hosted accommodation in Noosa Shire. Please visit yoursay.noosa.qld.gov. au by 14 May 2021 to have your say. The State government has deferred its plan for a state-wide framework to manage short-stay letting, but the impacts of short-stay letting on residential amenity continue to be an issue for some in the Noosa community. Council is progressing the introduction of the new local law to deal with the issues at a local level. We worked with a reference group made up of a wide range of stakeholders to develop these draft local laws, but we need your feedback. In finalising the proposed local law, Council will consider all the differing views from all stakeholders in the community during the consultation period, so please jump on our website and have your say.
Finally, as this will go to print just before Anzac Day, may we remember, reflect and most of all be grateful for the incredible bravery and service shown by our service men and women whose sacrifices, bravery and courage will never be forgotten.
When you go home, tell them of us, and say for your tomorrow we gave our today.
Lest we forget.
Until next month, stay safe, Clare
