By JONATHON HOWARD
SEVERAL hot topics were up for debate during Noosa Council’s monthly general committee meeting on Monday.
Councillors voted in favour of running free buses during the Christmas and Easter holiday periods, however all motions are pending a final vote during the council’s ordinary meeting tonight (Thursday 28 August).
If approved, the free buses, which proved popular during Easter this year, would allow thousands of passengers free transport in and around the shire.
Councillor Sandy Bolton moved the motion and it was seconded by councillor Joe Jurisevic.
Routes that are likely to be included in the free bus service included 626 Sunrise Beach to Tewantin via Noosa Heads, 627 Sunshine Beach to Tewantin via Noosa Heads, 630 Noosa to Nambour via Eumundi and 631 Noosa to Nambour via Eumundi and Cooroy.
Councillor Bolton heaped praise on the council’s staff for their hard work preparing and delivering a recommendation that assisted residents during holiday festivities.
Junction parking
A petition to re-configure parking at Noosa Junction was thrown out by councillors following a council assessment.
The assessment found that the width of the Sunshine Beach Drive pavement would only allow for a 45 degree angle parking, which is less than the desired 60 degree angle.
The report also flagged that a parking re-configuration would not allow for a free flow lane in either direction, and the Noosa Junction Master Plan revealed a strong objection to angle parking due to the potential reduction in traffic capacity.
Mayor Noel Playford moved the motion to take no action on the petition and it was seconded by councillor Bob Abbot – pending a final vote during tonight’s meeting.
Coolooa national heritage listing
Five Noosa councillors have expressed their support for National Heritage Listing of Cooloola as proposed by the National Heritage Trust, while two councillors voted against the motion.
Councillors were asked whether they want to write to the National Heritage Trust in support of the heritage listing for Cooloola, with a number of exclusion areas to consider.
Among those exclusions were the Teewah Airstrip, Teewah Beach Village and Noosa North Shore Campground.
Councillors debated the future risks of listing certain areas in the heritage listing, including fears the development of a shed at the Teewah Airstrip could be restricted.
However, council staff assured councillors that there was scope for the Teewah Airstrip to expand and any development application would be impact assessable under the council’s development application process.
Mayor Noel Playford and councillor Tony Wellington voted against the motion, with a final vote expected during tonight’s council meeting.
