|
 Exactly twelve months ago on the 15th of March 2008 the Noosa Council was terminated by order of a State Government ignoring 95% of Noosa voters who opposed council amalgamation. What do we have to show for it? Just what FON & EDV predicted: a substantial increase in rates, a serious decline in services, a major loss of key Noosa personnel in the increasingly Maroochy Centric SCRC administration, unprecedented development dangers putting Noosa’s Biosphere designation at serious risk, an on-going debilitating Tourism organisational debate at a critical time of need for the industry and a dangerous Council deficit which threatens to go even higher with the true costs of implementing the forced amalgamation to be born by rate payers. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Following on from what appears to have been an exceptionally busy holiday period for Noosa, it will be interesting to see how quickly our regional council responds to the build up of rubbish along the roads leading into Noosa, and some of the area’s around Sunshine Beach where careless tourists have disposed of their rubbish. Speaking of which there is a desperate need for more bins at Main beach particularly next to Sails restaurant where each morning we’re confronted with overflowing smelly rubbish. Is anyone from the new council vested with the responsibility of assessing these needs? What’s happened to the ‘tender loving care’ we expect from our local government? As Sam Scanlon pointed out in a very succinct letter to our local paper, on the flaws in the amalgamation model, Noosa has only two of twelve councillors on the Regional Council, and given forecast population growth at the southern end of the coast, there will inevitably be a redistribution sometime in the not too distant future, which could see our representation reduced even further. |
|
Read more...
|
Noosa Leisure Centre 3:00pm Thursday 12th February
In June 2008 the Qld Government declared Noosa an Iconic Place in recognition of the shared goals of the Council and community to attain environmental excellence, quality lifestyle and economic well-being. The declaration aims to maintain the unique character of Noosa and give the community confidence that population growth will not adversely impact on the character, lifestyle and environment. Â
Post-amalgamation, the Iconic Panel has a crucial role in protecting Noosa. Professor Peter Bycroft will put the Panel in the context of his long association with fostering sustainability in Noosa.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Photograph taken at the December 2008 Friends of Noosa AGM |
On the 19th of November Friends of Noosa and other community groups met with Lawrence Springborg for a briefing on LNP policy for the return of local government to Noosa and other Queensland shires that aggressively opposed forced amalgamation and wanted the return of their local government. He made four specific promises:
- Noosa would have the opportunity to re-establish a Greater Noosa Shire Council comprised of like- minded communities at the Northern end of the Sunshine Coast.
- The LNP will appoint an Independent Panel (not a make believe one) to consult with those communities interested in forming the new shire Council, and then and only then determine the relevant boundaries.
- A referendum would follow to determine how strongly the communities supported the notion of a Greater Noosa Council after which the government would act in accordance with the vote outcome.
- The State will cover Council re-establishment costs.
|
|
Read more...
|
The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Noosa Inc will be held on Monday, 15 December 2008 at 9am at the Surf Club, Hastings Street. If you would like to attend, RSVP using the email form on the contact page of this website or call Mike Taylor on 0418 255 583. Nomination forms and proxy forms for the Management Committee can be downloaded from this website and can be posted to the address on the contact page.   The nominations and proxy forms were due at least 14 days before the AGM; the following nominations were received for the Friends of Noosa Inc Management Committee by the due date: Friends of Noosa Inc – Nominations
President: Jim Berardo
Vice President: Bob Ansett
Treasurer: Sam Scanlon
Secretary: Jock Robertson.
Mike Taylor
Secretary
2 December 2008
Â
An amendment to the FON Constitution that the Management Committee consist of the President, Vice-president, Treasurer and Secretary will be proposed at the AGM. This amendment simply formalises the existing situation; the present constitution reads "the management committee of the association consists of a president, treasurer and any other members the association members elect at a general meeting". As has happened to date, members of the association can then be invited to attend meetings according to the needs of the association. |
During October we learnt about the electoral strength of Brisbane city compared with the rest of the State. For after receiving a meagre 2275 submissions opposing the North Bank development, Premier Anna Bligh, (probably sporting her favourite hard hat) called a press conference to say, “The public have spoken and 93% opposed the development so it is my job and the responsibility of government to listen to the ‘will of the people’’. I guess it depends on where you are from as to the impact of your voting power. Clearly Noosa voters didn’t have it last year when we demanded the right to vote on forced council amalgamations. Not only was this rejected but Beattie & Bligh legislated to prevent it happening, threatening to sack any council conducting a community poll on the issue. Ultimately the federal government overrode their legislation and granted us a vote through the agency of a ‘plebiscite’. Peter Beattie and Anna Bligh responded by saying “it was a waste of money as it will not change anything as the amalgamation will proceed as scheduledâ€. Noosa did have its ‘plebiscite’ with 21,000 residents exercising their vote, 95% opposing amalgamation. What happened to the ‘will of the people’ on this occasion, Premier?
On a similar and related matter former premier, Peter Beattie, promised Queenslanders a referendum so they could vote on recycling sewage into South East Queensland’s drinking water. I suspect they knew what the outcome would be, because the current Premier decided against testing the ‘will of the people’ and simply reneged on the promise. Given water treatment could affect the health and perhaps even the life of thirsty Queenslanders it doesn’t say much for our democratic system. However, ‘par for the course’ from this blatantly authoritarian government. Other examples of their ignoring the ‘will of the people’, in recent days include fluoridation and daylight saving. So the ‘will of the people’ is something this government responds to, only when it suits their agenda.
 Noosa once again has been on the receiving end of questionable policy. For not only has our water been confiscated and piped to Brisbane, but if and when they decide to install pumps so some water can be returned in an emergency, it will come from the Wivenhoe dam where up to 25% of its water could be laced with treated sewage and to top it off we may be paying twice as much for it. If ever we needed a robust local government to look after Noosa’s interests, it’s right now.
Â
Meanwhile, the over worked Sunshine Coast Regional Council, is trying to keep abreast of all these issues without much success. One councillor, Ted Hungerford, recently claimed the increased workload caused by amalgamations, may force elected representatives to quit at the next election. He says that he is working 90 hours a week and feels he is losing touch with the community.
Â
Well, we can help him and other councillors by dividing the Sunshine Coast in half with two councils one for the South and the other for the North. The Southern council would still be one of Australia’s largest representing residents of Maroochydore, Caloundra, Nambour and the hinterland.
 To the North a ‘Greater Noosa Council’ consisting of Noosa, Doonan, Eumundi, Verrierdale West Peregian and Peregian Springs would have a constituency of around 70,000 people which is about the most effective size for a local government. This should be a win, win situation for both ends of the Coast and pretty much reflects submissions made to the so called ‘Local Government Reform Commission’ by Noosa Council, the Friends of Noosa and many other community bodies and individuals.
Lew Brennan, one of two councillors representing Noosa on the current SCRC said this week, “a lot of resources have gone into the amalgamation process and we would be reversing all that work. So if it is to happen it is up to people like Bob Ansett to explain where all the money and resources will come fromâ€. A fair question! However it has been answered by the LNP who have committed to facilitate the return of local government to those shires wanting it, and have promised to fund the costs associated with the process.
Further, the Friends of Noosa will commission an independent organisation to develop a model analysing the financial and economic feasibility of Noosa separating from the SCRC and forming a new shire with its northern neighbours. Our intention is to ensure the community is fully informed on financial and other implications of separating from the SCRC compared with remaining within it.
Â
Ultimately, it will be up to Noosa and the other Northern Sunshine Coast residents to decide whether they want the return of self government or wish to continue on as part of the a regional council. After all the facts and details are known and only then will constituents be asked to exercise their vote on the proposal. Isn’t that how the democratic process is supposed to work?
Even in Queensland!
Bob Ansett
Friends of Noosa |
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 4 of 6 |
|
|
|
Feed Entries 
