It’s been a long time coming, but Noosa’s newest community website will go live this weekend, supported by a record number of community organisations.
Editor Ric Jay told Noosa Today: “Noosa Matters is a place for the community of Noosa to question and discuss where we are, where we want to go and how best to get there.
This is a community initiative run by volunteers and supported by not-for-profit community associations. It is a forum designed to help protect Noosa’s environment, lifestyle and sustainable economy in the decades ahead.”
Inspired by the vision and depth of local knowledge of former Noosa mayor Noel Playford, who will manage the site, Ric, a veteran senior broadcast journalist, foreign correspondent, social and environmental activist and mentor, says Noosa Matters will draw on the history, membership and activities of local community groups and residents to provide online access to local history, activities and environmental information, provide information, analysis and opinion from independent resident contributors on a range of topical issues that may affect the future of Noosa, and encourage community debate by Noosa residents on significant community issues.
Among the community groups supporting Noosa Matters are Noosa Parks Association, Cooroy Residents Association, Noosa and District Landcare, Peregian Beach Community Association, Noosa Integrated Catchment Association and Noosa Shire Residents and Ratepayers.
Says Ric: “We’ll seek to explain issues and inform readers, make suggestions, and hold local power to account, particularly when that power seeks to influence planning outcomes.
Noosa Matters is a place for local information and analysis that new residents and those interested in local politics may find useful, and for informed opinion and debate.
“We acknowledge the community battles that have helped forge the environment and lifestyle that make Noosa so attractive as a place to live. More of these battles lie ahead as development and other pressures build. We are unashamedly on the side of residents who live here and want to retain the balance of constrained, low-key development, strong environmental protections and sustainable economic development that benefits all of Noosa.”
Noosa Matters is a free access not-for-profit project. For more information contact manager.noosamatters@gmail.com ór visit noosamatters.com.au
