Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart
Infrastructure Investment
Last week, Noosa Council selected a preferred contractor to tackle severe erosion along the dog beach section of Noosa Spit. A call for tenders went out last year, and last week Council endorsed Hall Contracting as preferred contractor. These are historical issues – erosion has been a problem ever since the Spit was constructed in the 1970s and after decades of issues, this Council has taken the proactive step of investing significantly to restore the battered shoreline and rebuild the beach.
The project will create two sand plugs – one at each end of the beach – to redirect flowing water away from the shore and back to the centre of the channel.
Around 62,650 cubic metres of dredged sand will be used to renourish the eroded beach. Work must be finished by 30 September 2024 to meet the conditions of the permit issued by the state, which has jurisdiction and authority over our river.
Budget Surplus
Ratepayers can have confidence Council’s finances are in good shape. The latest financial report tabled at our first council meeting of 2024, shows Council has gone from having an operating deficit of over $700,000 in August last year to a $304,000 surplus. This $1 million turnaround in Council’s financial operating position, is all the more significant as it is on the back of very challenging economic times, resources challenges and an inflationary climate.
Having a strong financial position means Council can continue to invest in community infrastructure, improve aging assets and minimise rate increases.
The financial turnaround is from prudent investment decisions with cash deposits to maximise yields and improved revenue from Noosa Holiday Parks and Waste management facilities.
The mid-year budget review also outlines how we’re delivering $127 million in disaster-funded projects – fully funded by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority – stemming from the February 2022 Noosa floods.
Coupled with our own annual capital works program means we are about to deliver a record $173 million in infrastructure work for the community. This is record spending for Noosa Council and it is ‘bang for your buck’ spending for our community which is terrific to see.
Community Support – Grants
Noosa Council is about to start taking applications for the latest round of Community Grants, Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants, and a brand-new Youth Grants Program. The range of grants is to support and empower local community groups, artists, and young people to deliver projects that make Noosa more vibrant and inclusive. For more information about each of the grants, visit Council’s website at noosa.qld.gov.au To help potential applicants, and facilitate networking, Council will host a Grants Connect event at 5.30pm on 8 February 2024 at The J. Our team is ready to help both individuals and groups that may need some help and encouragement completing the application process. Bookings can be made through Eventbrite on the Grants Connect Event page on Council’s website – noosa.qld.gov.au
Community Support- Junior Sport
In what should be a great afternoon for our kids, Noosa Council is hosting another ‘Come and Try Winter Sports Event’ over 2 afternoons in February 2024. These afternoons are a great opportunity to for kids to come and get a taste for a host of different sports that they may like to get involved in locally. My own kids have attended several times and always love trying different sports which they wouldn’t normally play or have an opportunity to try. If you think your children may be keen, jump on and sign them up via www.trybooking.com/eventlist/noosacouncilsport as bookings are essential. These events will be held in both Tewantin and Cooroy to ensure all our kids have access to an afternoon of fun and activity. Tewantin is Tuesday 13 February 2024 from 3.30-5.30pm, at Noosa District Sports Complex, 67 McKinnon Drive Tewantin and Cooroy is Tuesday 20 February 2024, 4pm-5.30pm, at Cooroy Sports Complex, Mary River Road, Tewantin. Parents/carers must stay onsite with children.
Waste and Re-cycle Investment- an Australian first project
If you haven’t tried Recycle Mate yet, give it a go. The web-based app is making it easier for residents to recycle and reduce the waste they send to landfill. Council partnered with Recycle Mate, an initiative of the Australian Recycling Industry, in an Australian-first project to create the custom web-based program especially for Noosa locals. Locals can simply tell the website what items they’d like to recycle or no longer need, to find a list of Noosa-specific options to either recycle the item or donate it for repair and reuse. It supports Council’s commitment to fostering sustainable waste management practices and leading the charge towards a circular economy, and 80% diversion of waste from landfill. Check it out at noosa.qld.gov.au/sort-waste.
War on Waste
Council’s resource recovery centre on Eumundi Noosa Road continues to offer a Containers-for-Change reverse vending machine. Receive a 10-cent refund for every eligible container you deposit at the machine. All you need to get started is a Containers for Change member account, which you can set up online at containersforchange.com.au or via a QR code at the machine. Our resource recovery centre and landfill is at 561 Eumundi Noosa Road Doonan, open 7am to 5pm daily. Again, like our polystyrene thermal processing machine, Noosa Council continues to wage a war on waste by diverting recyclable material from landfill to both reduce emissions and conserve landfill space.
Until next month, stay safe, Clare
