Minutes Ordinary Meeting 20 February 2025

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                20 FEBRUARY 2025


            acknowledges the importance of boat ramp facilities and associated parking for
            the community and note that the ‘on-land component’ of the Hilton Esplanade boat
            ramp and parking area has been identified for planning and design work. Council
            will also continue to explore funding opportunities for these desired upgrades. We
            appreciate your engagement on this matter and encourage continued community
            participation in shaping Noosa’s transport and infrastructure priorities


   8.5.     ANDREW MCCARTHY

            QUESTION 1
            When will Council contact the Minister for Transport to access the $2.5 million
            pledged for boating infrastructure on the Noosa River and further advocate for
            immediate due diligence to be undertaken to assess the most suitable boat ramp
            upgrade due to ageing infrastructure in consultation with the Noosa Community
            which was first canvassed in a Mayoral minute on 17 January 2023 set out below:-

            Answer provided by Shaun Walsh Director Infrastructure Services
            Thank you for the question. Firstly, Council acknowledges the importance of boat
            ramp facilities and associated parking for the community and desires for upgrades.
            However relevant officers from the Queensland Government have not been able
            to confirm that the Liberal National Party pre-election pledge of $2.5million to
            Noosa River boat ramp upgrades has actually been confirmed as a budget
            commitment for the elected government. Council will continue to await
            confirmation from the relevant Minister and staff to avail ourselves of any funding
            opportunities. However, I can confirm that Council officers have been proactively
            meeting with Maritime Safety Queensland Officers to discuss boat facilities
            upgrades, and opportunity for funding from all available sources, and will continue
            to actively progress the matter in a collaborative manner.


            QUESTION 2
            Johns Landing was purchased for $2m in 2017 by the Noosa Council, with a five-
            year plan to complete the rehabilitation and removal of contaminants on site, which
            should now be completed. Does Noosa Council have any plans for development
            or use for this site, or is it going to let return to a natural state?

            Answer provided by Kim Rawlings Director Strategy and Environment
            In 2017 Council acquired a block of land in Cooroibah known as “Johns Landing”
            with approximately 70% of the site allocated for nature conservation and 30%
            earmarked for future consideration of recreational use. The restoration of John's
            Landing in Noosa represents a significant environmental initiative, with the parcel
            being purchased through the environment levy and designated as a Nature Refuge
            across 70% of entire land parcel. An Ecological Restoration Plan was developed
            and has been diligently followed by Council. However, the 2019 bushfires severely
            impacted the Nature Refuge section, hindering the previously set restoration
            targets. Council will likely update this restoration plan soon to better inform
            restoration efforts. Despite this setback, ongoing efforts continue to focus on
            rehabilitating the affected areas, with roughly $12,000 per annum spent in the
            Nature Refuge section. The remaining portion of the site has $10,000 per annum
            allocated for maintenance of the slashed access tracks and open paddocks,
            managing hazardous trees and priority weeds. A Fire Management Plan has also
            been developed for this reserve which Council is managing accordingly. Council
            acknowledges community interest in the potential use of the Johns Landing site
            for public and community purposes. Any future consideration of development and
            use of the site would involve a thorough assessment process, including site