By JONATHON HOWARD
NOOSA MP Glen Elmes says he was “disappointed” with the final de-amalgamation separation payouts to Noosa Council from the Sunshine Coast Council.
Minister for Local Government David Crisafulli announced in late December that Noosa Council would receive $1.6M of more than $22 million it claimed from Sunshine Coast Council across five separate claims.
The decision has outraged Noosa councillors and mayor Noel Playford, who has since been in close talks with Mr Elmes over the best way forward.
Cr Playford has also expressed a desire to contest the ruling and have it means tested.
Mr Elmes said five categories were being considered by Mr Crisafulli in making his decision and two of the five had now been paid.
“This is not a decision I liked and I have expressed my views to the minister – I would have liked to see more awarded to Noosa but it’s not a decision I can make,” Mr Elmes told Noosa Today.
“There are always winners and losers in these matters and while I was disappointed for Noosa, there are also members of my electorate living on the Sunshine Coast who were pleased with the decision.”
Mr Elmes said he was now speaking closely with Cr Playford about ways for the State Government to support Noosa into the future.
“Mayor Playford and I are speaking closely about ways to gain support from the government in a number of ways,” he said.
Mr Elmes rejected criticism that the Newman-led LNP State Government was closely aligned with the Sunshine Coast Council which is predominately LNP aligned.
“The government has been very supportive of Noosa as we’ve seen with the stamp duty exceptions which saved Noosa Council $13 million,” he said.
“We’re also looking at applying further pressure to the government to support Noosa in a number of ways, however this requires long-term planning and is not something that happens overnight.”
Meanwhile, Mr Crisafulli has defended his decision and even hit back at both councils for failing to be forthcoming with information.
The minister was asked why he did not make a decision on the final three areas of dispute.
“Part of the reason was because both council were not forthcoming with information,” he said.
“Throughout this process, we have said all costs of de-amalgamation would be met by the Noosa Shire Council,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The transfer committee has agreed on hundreds of decisions, but on the five they couldn’t, I made a decision based on what was right.
“The figures remain consistent with those the community voted on, and I have every faith in Mayor Playford doing a good job.
“This was what was agreed to by them if we couldn’t come to a resolution.
“I think the result is a very fair one.”
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think Noosa was deserving of a greater share in the separation costs? Send your letters and comments to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au
