Annual Report 2017-18

On top of our regular maintenance schedule,      Of even greater significance was that, thanks
we managed to complete a record $29              to Noosa’s input, the State’s new overarching
million in capital works delivery and achieve    planning document, the SEQ Regional Plan
an Asset Sustainability Ratio of 131%.           (Shaping SEQ), respected Noosa’s historical
Hearty congratulations must go to all in our     approach to development. It included
Infrastructure Department for that herculean     no increase to our urban footprint and a
effort.                                           projected population increase that would not
                                                 see us reach our so-called “population cap”
Work was begun on the new Park Road              until 2041.
Boardwalk which connects Hastings
Street with the Noosa National Park, and         I’d like to conclude by thanking all the Council
construction also began on the refurbishment     staff for their efforts over 2017-18, and also
and expansion of the Noosaville Library.         my excellent Councillor colleagues, all of
                                                 whom are focussed on the best outcomes
During the 2017/18 financial year we rolled       for our community. It’s an honour to work
out our green bin system to divert green         with you all and to serve this wonderful
waste from landfill, continued to implement       community.
our Zero Emissions Strategy with a range of
energy and cost saving measures, supported
Boomerang Alliance with their Plastic Free
Noosa campaign, and took a policy position
                                                                            Tony Wellington
opposing any further applications for coal
exploration or coal-seam gas mining in the
Shire.
The overall structure of the organisation
received a minor shake-up, with the
creation of a newly badged Environment &
Sustainable Development Department, plus
an updated Corporate Plan.
And, as if that weren’t enough (and I’m only
scraping the surface of Council’s many
achievements) we also beefed-up our
Economic Development activities, hosted
the Queen’s Baton Relay, supported the
Pomona Community’s successful campaign
to retain their mid-town rail crossing, opened
an innovative Makerspace in the Cooroy
Library, and resolved land issues at the
Cooroy Community Hall before helping fund
its restoration.
On the bigger stage, we managed to garner
more than $6 million in Federal and State
grants. We were not only instrumental in
getting the State to consider the matter
of short-term on-line property lettings, we
were one of only two local governments
represented on their Stakeholder Reference
Group established to tackle the issue.



                                                                     2017-2018 Annual Report | Page 5