Rod Ritchie, Cooroy Area Residents Association president
Cooroy Area Residents Association (CARA) is a non-political organisation formed to provide information and lodge submissions to all levels of government on issues and development proposals affecting our community, and give residents a forum to express their opinions on matters affecting them. We are independent of Council or business, and do not accept funding from either.
Our new councillors and mayor have settled in with the guidance of the three incumbent councillors, along with outgoing SEO Brett de Chastel, and have become a unified group prepared to look for solutions that benefit resident.
In February, Council planning staff recommended refusal of the GemLife Golf Resort proposal for 246 seniors’ housing units in Myall Street, and councillors unanimously backed this refusal at their Ordinary Meeting on 18 March. GemLife subsequently lodged an appeal and CARA has joined with Council as co-respondent to defend the appeal. We consider the proposal to be an inconsistent land use that will have serious impacts the town’s amenity and infrastructure.
The Cooroy town centre continues to evolve with its retail mix and is becoming a destination for visitors as much as a service town. The Hinterland Adventure Playground has changed the face of the Mill Place precinct and its popularity has the potential to put stress stress on our biggest infrastructure issue, the intersections.
Our plan for a Recreational Cycleway from Cooroy to Tinbeerwah, where it would connect with cycle paths with Tewantin and Noosa, was advanced by committee members Ross Hielscher and Ray Kelly. Indications are these representations are unlikely to achieve a successful outcome in the short term, due to lack of funding
The supermarket chain, Woolworths, has purchased the Myall St property across the road from the GemLife proposal and have signalled their intention to lodge a development application for a large supermarket and associated businesses.
The transition of West Cooroy State Forest to National Park status, still appears to be achievable. Cooroy residents with dogs have requested an off-leash dog park. CARA is liaising with Cr Wegener, who is looking into the possibility of fencing the Kauri Street dog park.
Two CARA members also lodged submissions requesting more support in the Noosa Council Budget for the Botanic Gardens, which was successful.
The Noosa Trails network has received a $1.2m grant from the State Government, to upgrade the Pomona to Cooran section of the trail.
The CARA Facebook Page, Cooroy Community Noticeboard, has grown from around 5,200 members this time last year to over 9,000 this year. The page is a great communication tool, feedback source, and a way of keeping our residents up-to-date with the latest planning applications, local events, council information, employment, and even lost pets.
Finally, thanks to our committee members and supporters, and to our councillors and local state members for their efforts this year.
