ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 22 JANUARY 2026 · Attachment 1 - 2026-01-22 Ordinary Meeting Minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                       22 JANUARY 2026


8.3   BRIAN O'CONNOR
      QUESTION 1
      Pomona remains the only town in Noosa Shire without a flagpole at its war memorial. In its
      responses outlining progress on the Pomona Place Plan initiatives, the council states that the
      placement of a flagpole at the Pomona War Memorial is 'under consideration' - an action that
      has been underway, on and off, since before the memorial was refurbished and rededicated
      in 2018.

      The question is this: This matter having been under investigation for the past seven years,
      what are the 'considerations' around a flagpole at this location and has that consideration
      resulted in any outcomes, such that the Pomona community can look forward to permission
      being granted for a flagpole to be located at the memorial rotunda in Joe Bazzo Park?

      Response provided by Director Community Services Kerri Contini
      Thank you, Mr. O‘Connor, for your question and your continued interest in the Pomona Place
      Plan initiatives.

      Council acknowledges your longstanding interest in the proposal for a permanent flagpole
      near the Pomona Rotunda War Memorial in Joe Bazzo Park. Over several years, Council
      officers have carefully evaluated various factors, including the park’s limited space, high
      community use, safety concerns related to children and pedestrian movement, and
      maintenance implications such as mowing access and obstruction risks. A permanent
      flagpole in the open park was not supported. These considerations were outlined in previous
      correspondence to you.

      The idea of installing a flagpole was included for consideration in the Pomona Place Plan and
      will be further assessed by Council to see if it could be accommodated in an existing garden
      bed. This proposal still needs more research and hasn't yet become a funded project. The
      evaluation process will continue as resources, staff capacity, and overall organisational
      priorities permit.

      In the interim, Council advises that temporary flagpoles can be effectively utilised for
      commemorative events, offering flexibility without permanently impacting the park's function.
      Additionally, the permanent flagpole located outside the Pomona Fire Station across the road
      is also available for use during commemorative occasions.

      QUESTION 2
      If it takes seven years to consider something as relatively simple as the placement of a
      flagpole in a park, beside a war memorial at Pomona, what prospect is there that Noosa
      Council will complete all 52 actions in the Pomona Place Plan within a 10-year timeframe;
      some of those actions being complex, in need of detailed planning and requiring cooperation
      and considerable funding from other levels of government?

      Response provided by Director Strategic Planning & Environment Kim Rawlings
      The Pomona Place Plan has actions with specific timeframes for commencement to ensure
      implementation of the plan can be staged in a sustainable long term approach. A Draft Short
      Term Implementation Plan has been prepared showing good progress against many actions
      in the Place Plan. This will be continually monitored over time with medium and long term
      projects being considered over the appropriate timeframes as part of the council budget
      process to ensure adequate funding.