By JONATHON HOWARD
A PUSH to include Eumundi, Doonan, Verrierdale and Lake Weybe in the Noosa Shire boundary is facing early opposition from Sunshine Coast Council and is threatening to derail the move – as the boundary battle warms up.
A series of community consultations took place this week to discuss the proposed realignment of Noosa Council’s territory and the Sunshine Coast Council’s boundary to include four additional suburbs.
Two meetings have now taken place at Verrierdale on Monday 16 June, and a larger meeting at Eumundi on Tuesday 17 June.
The president of the EDV Residents Group, Johanne Wright, said the meetings heard the results of a survey commissioned to tap into local community sentiment.
Ms Wright told Noosa Today that the idea of a shire boundary review was gaining favour with locals.
“Our survey results have found that around 80 per cent of respondents support a boundary change,” she said.
“The area covered by Eumundi, Doonan, Verrierdale and Lake Weybe makes up about two per cent of the total Sunshine Coast Council, however a boundary re-alignment to Noosa would take that figure up to 10 per cent – giving the residents more say.”
However, Sunshine Coast councillor (division 10) Cr Greg Rogerson, said unless the shires can demonstrate benefits to the Sunshine Coast Council he would not endorse the move.
“I am aware that this issue has been around for some time and the statements that both councils will be better off under the proposed boundary change,” he said.
“The key point for me is that any proposal from the group needs to demonstrate that there will indeed be benefits to Sunshine Coast Council.”
Cr Rogerson said the entire Sunshine Coast had been significantly hampered over the past six years by changes to local government boundaries undertaken by the State Government.
“Firstly, the community did not get a say over the forced amalgamations in 2008,” he said.
“Then the subsequent de-amalgamation of Noosa saw only the residents of Noosa have a say – at no time has the full Sunshine Coast community had a say in matters that impact on all of them in some way.
“These two processes created significant distraction over those six years. Unless it can be shown both councils will be better off under the proposed change, my preference is for the residents in Eumundi, Doonan, Verrierdale and Weyba to continue working with Sunshine Coast Council as we deliver quality services to those communities.”
Cr Rogerson said as the elected Local Government representative for Eumundi, he valued the rich heritage and culture entrenched in the township.
“I also value the exceptional world renowned market experience afforded by the “Eumundi Markets”, and pledge my continued support and assistance for this great regional asset.”
Ms Wright said the EDV group would be documenting and presenting data to show the benefits to both councils in the coming weeks.
Have your say: Do you think the EDV should be allowed into Noosa Council? Email your thoughts to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au
