By Margaret Maccoll
The future of the Peregian Beach Surf Club would be determined by the results of an online survey, a Peregian Family and Friends Association (PFaFA) spokesman told Saturday’s public meeting attended by more than 100 people which brought together two sides at loggerheads on the issue.
“The results of the survey will direct where we go from here,” PFaFA spokesman Ollie Hooper, a local father of a young nipper, said.The opposition side said they couldn’t accept the results of a survey that could be filled in by anyone in Australia any number of times. While not denying it PFaFA said computer IP addresses could be identified and those outside the area deleted.
Most of the people attending the people admitted to being confused about what was happening with the facility and the club.
The two sides that have emerged in the debate comprise six community groups divided three aside.
One side comprised of Peregian Beach Community Association (PBCA), Peregian Beach Community House and Peregian Beach Surf Club was represented at the meeting by PBSC’s Rob Neely, a highly awarded lifesaver and former member of NHSLSQ. The opposition led by PFaFA includes Peregian Beach Business Association and Peregian Springs Residents Association.
The meeting was moderated by former Sunshine Coast Councillor Vivien Griffin, included a Noosa Council spokeswoman and was read a letter from Surf Life Saving Queensland.
Ollie said his group would draw on the expertise of professionals and work with Noosa Heads Surf Club to run the Peregian Beach club with a key requirement being its financial sustainability.
The opposition accused the group of wanting to build a $16m clubhouse on the skate park in the surrounding park reserve and funded by poker machines. PFaFA replied they had never wanted a so-called “pokie palace” but would consider poker machines in a future clubhouse if that was what the community wanted.
Rob said his group had a 10-point strategic plan to operate the surf club in its current though architect renovated building in a village-scale club. He said they planned by next season to get lifesaving going and get a nippers program running, funded with proceeds from Peregian Beach markets, Surf Lifesaving Queensland contributions and fundraising activities. He said the group planned to include oceanography elements into the club for nipper education, whale watchers and tourists. Expensive elite training activities would not be included in the club, he said.
Council’s spokeswoman told the meeting the current surf club was located on state government land held in trustee by Noosa Council. Any new development or redevelopment would require council approval under the Noosa Plan. She said the surf club’s current location was zoned reserve for lifesaving purposes while the parkland was a reserve for recreation purposes. Native title existed on the parkland area which was also in a state government zoned coastal management district in an erosion prone area, all of which would require consideration in any proposed application.
A letter read out from SLSQ CEO George Hill supported Noosa Heads SLSC’s provision of services at Peregian Beach and recognised NH SLSC as the only current entity affiliated with SLSQ and with trained staff capable of running the club.
