By JONATHON HOWARD
NOOSA Council has been praised for delivering a “landmark” first budget during the council’s budget meeting last week.
Noosa Council will receive the budget documents during its ordinary meeting at Tewantin tonight (Thursday 26 June).
In his opening budget speech, mayor Noel Playford heaped praise on his hardworking staff who he said started with a blank sheet.
“It was thanks to the hard work and commitment of our dedicated team that we were able to find so many savings and pass those on to ratepayers,” he said.
Cr Playford said Noosa’s general rates were among the highest in Queensland and it was time for a pause.
“Contrary to some predictions there will be no general rate increase for ratepayers in this budget,” he said.
Cr Playford outlined a range of savings made by council staff including a combined total of $80,000 saved on mobile phones and electricity costs.
He said now was also the time for the council to shrug off the title of a “de-amalgamated council” and move forward as Noosa Council.
“Put the past behind us and as an organisation we have a budget and a vision for the future we can forget about being a ‘de-amalgamnated council’ or a ‘new Noosa Council’ instead we are now Noosa Council,” he said.
“We can now focus on being the most efficient council in Australia.”
Meanwhile, Cr Playford raised the idea of strengthening Noosa’s democratic processes by introducing a ratepayers’ jury panel.
The idea was raised during the Cooroy Area Residents Association meeting.
Specifics around how the jury would operate, and who would be included on the jury, are yet to be announced.
Cr Playford hinted at the jury idea during the handing down of Noosa Council’s first budget last week.
The budget outlined “community engagement” and the allocation of “significant funding” for initiatives to allow the Noosa community to participate in local decision-making processes.
“Community engagement is a key to protecting our lifestyle,” Cr Playford said.
“The people of Noosa fought to restore this council, and now we are committed to giving them a real say in decisions. We’ll have more on this soon.”
Do you support the idea of a ratepayer’s jury? Give us your thoughts by email to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au
