2014-06-17 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT                                             17 JUNE 2014


Prior to the preparation of the paper Seqwater conducted an online survey and Seqwater have
also conducted two workshops to obtain feedback on the paper.

The paper outlines the recreational activities which occur on and around the lake and advises a
visitor survey was undertaken in 2011. The survey results show the reasons for visiting Lake
Macdonald were picnicking (24.1%), non-powered boating activities (29.6%), fishing (from boats)
(14.8%), walking (9.3%), camping (7.4%), fishing (from shore) (5.6%), sightseeing (3.7%) and
other (5.6%). The paper does not indicate how many people were surveyed or where the surveys
were undertaken.

The paper outlines matters Seqwater are seeking input on and these are outlined in the table
below with a staff comment provided.

Activity          Existing    Community           Seqwater Questions
                              Feedback
Swimming          N           No     identified   Should a designated swimming area be established?
                              issues

Staff comment:
Lake Macdonald is affected by Cabomba weed which makes it unsafe for swimming and due to the small
size of the lake swimming will affect water quality.

Picnicking        Y           More       seats,   Do you find the available picnic facilities to be
                              tables       and    satisfactory?
                              BBQs

Staff comment:
Picnicking was the most common reason people visit Lake Macdonald and the community have requested
more seats, tables and BBQs. The paper states those surveyed in 2011 were reasonably satisfied with the
current facilities rating them as 5 out of 10. It is considered that a higher rate of satisfaction should be
sought. The old toilet block at Kookaburra Park and old picnic/BBQ shelter at Mary River Cod Park will in
the future need either replacing or upgrading, and there is opportunity for the provision of additional picnic
facilities at both of these parks. Note: Kookaburra Park is located on road reserve under the control of
Council.

Playgrounds       Y           No     identified   Do you find the available playground equipment to be
                              issues              satisfactory?

Staff comment:
The paper states The respondents to the 2011 survey appeared to be happy with the existing facilities and
did not rate the importance of playground equipment as high (importance rated as 4 out of 10). The
playground equipment originally installed by Noosa Council serves a local park function being the only
playground to service residents along and around Forest Acres Drive, including Killawarra Rd and
Gwandalan Rd.

Camping           N           No     identified
                              issues

Staff comment:
The paper recognises the existence of Camp Cooroora as a privately run scout camp and acknowledges
that it caters for schools and groups. The paper does not acknowledge that Camp Cooroora also caters for
private individual campers including users of the Noosa Trail Network.

Motorised         N
Watercraft

Staff comment: Motorised watercraft are currently not permitted although watercraft with electric motors
are permitted. The paper does not suggest any change to this approach which is supported due to the
small size of the lake.


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