Margie Maccoll
After spending 20 years weeding, tree planting and tending an 800sqm block of land at the Toulambi Street entrance to Pinaroo Park, residents were shocked to hear the site they believed to be part of the park may be cleared by Noosa Council for affordable housing.
David and Dianna McCready bought one of five blocks on Toulambi Street auctioned in 1996, but two blocks at 30 and 32 have remained unsold. Block 32 now supports a pathway through the park and a Unitywater pumping station.
With Dianna’s background in science research and an interest in the environment the couple who moved into the street in 2001 began improving the public park by removing weeds and planting native species.
“We started clearing invasive species out of there and the whole park,” David said. “We took on the role of voluntary caretakers. We spent years and years pulling out the weeds. And eventually we got rid of it, including lantana. And Singapore Daisy – there were eight infestations. I worked on it for years – every year, pulled them out by the roots.”
A group of Noosa and District Landcare volunteers turned up one day to remove rubbish and a collaborative working arrangement was formed, with Landcare delivering seedlings to David’s residence which he and Dianna would plant in the park.
There are now eucalyptus trees as well as Queensland Red Cedar, once plentiful in the region, and Cowrie Pine in the park that provide a dense corridor and food for wildlife.
“The whole of the park region has been a work in progress with removal of invasive weeds, clearing of rubbish and debris and the planting and re-planting of native species in the park area, leading to substantial success in maintaining this Bushland Reserve,” David said.
“It was the regular home to koalas which were often sighted and recorded in the Koala Tracker system when they were prevalent, sadly not so much now.”
Concerned at the possible loss of the habitat he had worked so hard on David emailed Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart, saying: “to go against the principal of environmental preservation by removal of food trees and passage, for the sake a small number of accommodation units would appear to be a travesty and we seek your support in reversing this direction.
“It is timely to support the integrity of this special place and recognise that in inner urban regions, such zones are rare and treasures. Some of these trees are giants to come. They could reach 60m in height.”
Having previously been involved in the construction industry in Melbourne, David believes there would be more suitable locations to build a residential development than the steep block, such as the air space above The J Theatre car park.
Mayor Stewart acknowledged Noosa was in the grip of a severe housing crisis that was having an impact on the economy, the ability of businesses to attract and retain staff, and the liveability of the community.
“Noosa Council, like all levels of government, has a responsibility to plan for and enable housing to meet the needs of our community – all members of our community including, and especially, the most vulnerable,“ she said.
“In this regard, Council has recently completed a comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis and is currently finalising a Housing Strategy. As part of this process, Council has taken a strategic look at its own land holdings and has determined to investigate a number of sites to consider if housing on these sites is suitable and may contribute to meeting some of the shire’s housing challenges.
“The site at 30 Toulambi Street, Noosa Heads, is one of these sites currently under investigation, and as part of these investigations Council will consider all relevant issues.
“This site is zoned for residential development. Should a proposal proceed on this site it would need to consider existing vegetation and be designed in a manner that retains vegetation where possible.“
Cr Stewart said as part of the Housing Needs Analysis, and soon to be released Housing Strategy, Council was looking at a range of actions to help address the housing crisis beyond the identification of sites.
“Council has also called on the State Government to do the same and identify potential State-owned sites and other policy and planning levers, including increased funding and investment into community housing, to help address the current crisis,“ she said.
