2015-04-28 Infrastructure & Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      28 APRIL 2015


There is concern that if a recreational/fishing structure is constructed at this location it will attract
more visitors and the antisocial behaviour will return. There is concern that Council is creating
another tourist attraction which will become increasingly popular and have suggested that this
may affect road safety and the associated parking implications.

Most residents however, are concerned about the erosion and the degraded riparian areas.
These residents acknowledge several metres of creek bank have been lost due to the increase in
the rope swings popularity, foot traffic and people climbing in and out of the creek from the
swimming hole.

Most residents would like to see the area rehabilitated in stages, with the installation of a barrier
fence (post and rail) to control public access away from newly planted areas and educational
signage depicting why the area is being restored.

Some residents were open to Council providing a formal access point to the creek. However they
consider stairs to the creek and a canoe/kayak launching facility to be more appropriate than a
recreational/fishing structure. These residents suggest this type of access ought to be located at
the picnic table area which is deemed a more suitable site to formalise creek access and where
parking is already provided. Residents maintain that the antisocial behaviour previously occurring
at the rope swing area is partly due to its isolated location within the Bushland Reserve
compared to the public open space at the picnic table area.

A number of residents help to look after the Bushland Reserve especially with regard to picking
up litter; others belong to the Weyba Bushland Care Group and participate in regular working
bees.

Some residents would like to form a ‘planning group’ with Council to progress the rehabilitation
efforts, as well as address other issues of concerns which they identify as:
   a section of road along Weyba Esplanade which is being seriously undermined by the creek
     where the Bushland Reserve narrows. This erosion is a major concern and request that
     Council resolve this issue;
   speed limits along Weyba Esplanade and fears for children’s safety;
   parking, parking time limits and overnight parking in camper vans along the Esplanade;
   maintenance of picnic table with the concrete slabs presenting potential trip hazards;
   unnecessary mowing around the picnic table area;
   provision of more rubbish bins;
   boating speed limits not being observed with this reach of the creek, boat wash contributing
     to in-stream erosion of the creek bank, speed signs and more on-river enforcement required
     for safety purposes;
   water skiing and jet skiing unlawfully occurring (breach of the Noosa River Marine Zone
     restrictions).

Clearly there are a number of safety and management issues local residents would like Council
to address in this area which go beyond the scope of this project. These issues will be forwarded
on to the relevant sections of Council, Police and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to
investigate and address where required.

However, in terms of this project’s scope, the following options have been developed for
Council’s consideration.




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