By JOLENE OGLE
THE new Noosa Council Community Jury has only sat for one meeting and already the concept has come under fire with former Noosa council candidate and local business owner Bob Jarvis slamming the project.
In a letter to the editor last week, Mr Jarvis questioned the jury selection process, the benefit of the jury to the community and the cost to ratepayers.
“After all is said and done, the councillors make the final decision,” Mr Jarvis said.
“I believe that is why we elected councillors in the first place. I wonder what the real cost is when you take into account transportation, lunches, attending council staff, and all other hidden costs. All of a sudden, $46,000 to a not-for-profit organisation costs ratepayers $100,000.”
Noosa Today raised Mr Jarvis’ concerns with Noosa Mayor Noel Palyford, who said the community jury would actually save residents money.
Mayor Playford said it would cost $46,000 to fund the jury, but if no action was taken, managing Noosa’s organic waste would cost millions of dollars in the future.
“Managing Noosa’s waste currently costs the community $13 million annually,” Mayor Playford said.
“Organic waste comprises approximately 48 per cent of Noosa’s overall waste sent to landfill. $46,000 is a small price to pay for an exhaustive investigation – one that involves the local community in the process – looking at the many options available.”
Mayor Playford said the community jury was a good use of taxpayer’s money, with the jury’s recommendations possibly saving the community a significant amount of money.
“Many other local governments have failed to get the issue of managing organic waste right or have not succeeded in gaining community support for new initiatives,” he said.
“Noosa Council hopes to get it right the first time by having a community jury contribute meaningfully to the decision-making process. Council will make a final decision which best reflects the concerns and thoughts of its community.”
Mayor Playford said the community jury was well-suited to discussing complex issues and well-suited to Noosa.
“Noosa Council was restored as a result of the community having its say, so it’s fitting the new Noosa Council considers the community’s wants and wishes in long-term decision-making,” he said.
“This is at the heart of democracy.”
The Community Jury has been developed to keep the community in the “driver’s seat”, Mayor Playford said.
“The feedback has been positive,” he said.
“In fact, the response to the 3000 jury invitations sent randomly to Noosa residents was higher than that seen in capital cities such as Melbourne.”
The 23-member jury was selected to reflect the shire’s demographic profile with both the young and old represented.
The jury includes one 18-25-year-old, two 25-34-year-olds, four 35-44-year-olds, five panel members aged 55-64 and seven members aged over 65.
All members are residents, 14 are ratepayers, 9 are tenants, 12 are men and 11 are women.
“By using a community jury we get to hear from a wide range of residents, not just the loudest voices, on issues that affect us all,” Mayor Playford said.
