Four years ago on 9 March 2013, Noosa residents voted overwhelmingly for the return of their council. Four years on, and mayor Tony Wellington is confident council has achieved some big wins, including major new infrastructure and more opportunities for residents to have a say.
“When our community went to the polls on 9 March, 2013, it voted to put the local back into local government. People wanted local decision-makers looking after local interests,” he said.
“Residents are again in the driver’s seat when it comes to deciding our future. In the past three years, council has consulted with the community on more than 25 major projects, strategies and plans.
“Community juries have guided important decisions on waste management and the action needed to ensure Noosa River is sustainably managed.”
Despite public criticism of capital works and finance reports, councillor Wellington said council is on track financially and performing better than expected, pointing to Queensland Treasury Corporation’s 2015 endorsement of council’s prudent financial management, rating Noosa as financially “sound” with a “positive” outlook.
“Today, we’re building on that strong financial footing to ensure the work we do and the decisions we make are not only financially responsible but environmentally conscious. Our Emissions Reduction and Toward Zero Waste Strategies are recent examples of that,” he said.
Cr Wellington said council had worked hard to fast-track new infrastructure and complete overdue maintenance including a major project to rid Munna Point bridge of concrete cancer.
“The $4.7 million project to complete the missing link in Noosa’s sealed hinterland loop road has helped open up our hinterland to new tourism opportunities. Meanwhile, residents of Rifle Street in Pomona and Tewantin’s Daintree Estate are now safer, thanks to major flood mitigation works,” he said.
“Our Local Economic Plan is another great achievement. This important document sets out council’s responsibilities and priorities to support business and grow new industries.
“Our sporting facilities remain some of the best in the state, as do our libraries, with Noosa the first Australian public library to recruit a NAO humanoid robot for use in education.”
Cr Wellington said he wanted to acknowledge the efforts of former councillors Sandy Bolton, Bob Abbot and previous mayor Noel Playford for helping put council and the Noosa Shire on such a “strong footing”.
While it was important to reflect on the journey so far, Cr Wellington said council was focused on the future, with a range of exciting projects on the horizon, including the new digital hub at Peregian Beach.
“This facility will support digital enterprise and provide hands-on training for tomorrow’s digital entrepreneurs,” he said.
“Finalising both our new planning scheme and transport strategy will be important future milestones, and it’s great to see the community taking such a keen interest in the development of both.
“There is no doubt that Noosa would have fared very differently under the draft SEQ Regional Plan, had it not been for de-amalgamation. Getting our shire back has certainly ensured that higher levels of government appreciate Noosa’s intrinsic differences.
“It was tenacity and community spirit that saw Noosa Council re-established. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who actively campaigned to get our council back. And I thank residents for the faith they’ve shown in the new council so far.”
