Unable to find a base for its ocean research and environmental volunteer organisation Ocean Life Saving Association (OLSA) members reluctantly voted last Saturday to wind up.
A year ago the organisation applied to Noosa Council to secure permanent occupancy of the top floor of the Peregian Beach Surf Club.
Council decided to accept an application from Surf Life Saving Sunshine Coast for a three-year permit for the entire building to allow it to progress the establishment of a new local surf club entity and to facilitate community access and use of the Level 1 building space, where such usage did not compromise surf lifesaving activities.
OLSA acting president John Hare said it was an unfortunate but inevitable outcome but members would apply to cancel its status as an incorporated association.
“OLSA’s success, and ongoing viability, was predicated on having a permanent venue in order to fully realise its ambitious agenda,” he said.
“Computer equipment, whale monitoring facilities, static visual displays and research and resource material requires a permanent home; equipment cannot be moved in and out of a building on an ad hoc basis. The objective of bringing together peak marine research networks with community volunteers – a true citizen science facility – requires a permanent home”.
The association was formed by a collaboration of Cetacean Ecology and Acoustic Laboratory (CEAL), School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Surfrider Foundation, Coolum & North Shore Coast Care, Peregian Beach Community Association Bushcare and Marcus Beach Bushcare Association and Coastal marine mapping expert Dr Javier Leon of University of Sunshine Coast.
Mr Hare said the association met with Noosa Council property staff last year to see if there were any buildings in the Council portfolio that might be suitable as well as available.
“None were identified,” he said.
“Part of the difficulty was that one of the requirements was that a suitable building has to be on or near the coast (especially for the turtle monitoring; whale observation; and coastal work carried out by Javier Leon). This was a tall order but worth the try. We also used our contacts through the partner groups to let us know if they knew of any suitable building.
“One suggestion was some facilities down at Mooloolaba but for a locally based organisation we wanted to be Noosa Shire focussed. Anywhere south of the Maroochy River was just not practical for logistical and other reasons. That was why the vacant top floor of the Peregian Surf Club was so ideal.”
Mr Hare said the association banded together with a view to creating Australia’s first ocean life saving station, a template for 21st century coastal community action on the climate crisis.
“While OLSA, as the umbrella organisation will be wound up, the constituent groups that made up the association continue as active organisations in their dedicated areas of interest,” he said.
“Despite this set back it is hoped that OLSA’s vision to protect and educate people about our ocean environment, can be realised sometime in the future.”
