ISOBEL COLEMAN
Noosa is doing a great job – and that’s official.
During a flying visit on Tuesday morning, Local Government Minister David Crisafulli gave his stamp of approval on the progress made since Noosa became an independent council on January 1 this year.
Preferring a more hands-on approach, Mr Crisafulli met with Mayor Noel Playford, Noosa councillors and CEO Brett de Chastel early in Tewantin, even taking the time to sample a local pie for breakfast.
“I wanted to visit in person. I didn’t visit in January because I wanted them [Council] to deliver their own budget without me interfering and they have done that and done a good job of it,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“There are still a few little issues to sort out but they have overwhelmingly sorted out most issues themselves. And that’s a credit not just to the Noosa Transfer Manager but also to the Sunshine Coast Council. We got a good result.”
Mr Crisafulli said Tuesday’s meeting was largely about looking to the future.
“How does Noosa see itself fitting in with the Queensland plan? I want to make sure that when we are crafting up the new planning scheme we get the sort of development we want. It has to be on Noosa’s own terms but it also has to create opportunities for jobs,” he said.
“It’s a tough balance for everybody, between keeping what makes you special – and Noosa has many endearing qualities – but we still need a place where people can live, work and play.”
Mr Crisafulli was this week visiting all four new councils – Noosa, Livingstone, Mareeba and Douglas. He said they were all tackling the big issues of their communities and it was important for him to learn of them firsthand.
“To wind back the destruction of Labor’s forced amalgamations, wherever viable, was one of this government’s major election commitments and the transition of these councils is proof we’ve delivered,” he said.
“The challenge for these councils now is to build on the strong community support and create organisations that are both responsible and viable.
“The State has made it clear our vision is to grow a strong economy while preserving the things that make individual communities special. We will work at a grassroots level to ensure this occurs.”
Noosa Mayor Noel Playford welcomed Mr Crisafulli’s visit.
“He came to find out how things were going, to discuss a few issues, to encourage us, and to offer whatever assistance we need to make sure we are able to do everything possible for this community,” he said.
“He’s a very enthusiastic Local Government Minister and he’s determined that councils understand that if we need support, he is there, but he also believes in the independence of councils and won’t tell us what to do.”
Mayor Playford said the likelihood of boundary changes to bring Eumundi, Doonan and Verrierdale into the Noosa Shire was not discussed.
“The impetus will have to come from the community, not from Council,” he said.
Mr Crisafulli said if the change was to occur, it would be at the next local government elections, in 2016.
“For it to happen there has to be agreement between the two councils. If that is agreed, and the community is on board, then it comes to me and I make the decision whether to pass it to the boundary commissioner.
“One thing I’ve found through the de-amalgamation process is that the secret is to let local people decide. I’d love to say it was all down to me but it wasn’t. When you put local people in the driving seat and you trust people, good decisions are made.”
