By Margaret Maccoll
Traffic and transport woes, gaining World Heritage status and wedding chapels were discussed when the Noosa Chamber of Commerce met Noosa Shire Council.
A year on from the election councillors were invited to the CCIQ meeting to deliver prepared responses to questions submitted earlier by members.
Proposals from introducing a fleet of small council-owned buses to reducing car park spaces and having paid parking were mooted by councilors as ways to reduce traffic congestion in Noosa Heads.
Cr Wellington said there were no plans to put a cap or congestion tax on day-trippers but they wanted to change people’s perceptions of driving and encourage them to consider alternate forms of transport to cars.
When asked if gaining World Heritage status for Noosa was on the agenda, it was not ruled out.
Cr Frank Wilkie said achieving World Heritage status would be something businesses could leverage off and would send a message to the world that “something special had been achieved”.
When asked if council would consider obtaining a wedding chapel to provide a wet weather alternative, Cr Wellington said there had been 430 weddings held in Noosa in the past year and it was the natural beauty of the area that most attracted them.
Cr Ingrid Jackson said council was “there to support business but not replace it.”
“If there are businesses that want to build something for weddings we are willing to support these businesses,” she said.
