Submission to State Government
As many of you may know, Noosa Council has finalised our submission to the Queensland Government outlining concerns we have with the draft South-East Qld Regional Plan and its likely implications for Noosa. In summary: the plan doesn’t provide any state funded infrastructure needed to cater for the extra 19,100 people the plan requires Noosa to accommodate by 2046. The plan puts at risk Noosa’s iconic values- previously protected by state legislation such as low-rise development and the mention in the plan of more than four storeys in height has never been part of Council’s planning vision for the Shire and nor is there community support for the increased heights. The plan also does not consider or provide recognition of the work we’ve already done as a council to address our community’s housing issues. This includes developing our comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis, monitoring the impact of short-term accommodation on permanent housing, and adopting a Housing Strategy. Our planning scheme amendments which would help tackle some of the issues the state wants us to address are still going through the lengthy State Interest Review process, despite being submitted back in February 2023. Finally, we need a greater commitment from the state for more affordable housing and the draft plan is vague around delivery of social and affordable housing as well as build-to-rent housing.
Infrastructure awards for Council
Council’s Infrastructure team has recently been awarded IPWEA Qld Excellence awards for a number of its infrastructure projects.
Noosa Council received an Excellence Award for the Beckmans Road Intersection Upgrade and the Noosa Biosphere Trail 5 Upgrade. The Beckmans Road Intersection, which was designed and built by Council to enhance traffic flow while also providing improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, took out the award for best project in the Road Safety and Infrastructure category which is a remarkable achievement. All of our staff, contractors and team who worked on this project are to be congratulated. This project was not only an award winner but was delivered under a pandemic, rising labour costs, soaring infrastructure costs and major logistical delays.
The Noosa Biosphere Trail 5 Upgrade took out the award for the best project between $1m-$2m with improvements occurring along the 10km Cooroora Trail between Pomona and Cooran.
And just last week, Cooroy’s Hinterland Adventure Playground has won two prestigious awards in the 2023 AILA National Landscape Architecture Awards. The award for Play Spaces was won by the playground for its all-abilities design that is thoughtfully integrated into its surroundings. The playground also won a National Regional Achievement Award for successfully drawing on the site’s industrial and landscape character, showcasing considered material reuse.
Noosa Council joins 80+ Councils in Garage Sale Trail
Finally, Council has joined more than 80 other councils in taking part in the Garage Sale Trail this year. Residents are invited to host a garage sale over two weekends in November that being 11 and 12 November 2023 and 18 and 19 November 2023. Our involvement in the national initiative means residents can access free registration, how-to guides, and promotional resources to help you host a garage sale. We’ve joined the initiative as it aligns with Council’s goal of reducing waste and boosting recycling and reuse. More than 400,000 people are expected to participate across Australia this year over the two weekends. To get involved please visit: www.garagesaletrail.com.au/noosa
