NPM (LATE) Submission - Alan Roberts - MCU18/0138

                                                                                            9 Nugan Court
                                                                                            Noosa Banks
                                                                                          Tewantin, 4565
                                                                                             Queensland
                                                                                            0754743932
                                                                                            0414664629


The Assessment Manager,
Noosa Council,
PO Box 141,
Tewantin, Qld 4565
26th January 2019

To whom it may concern,

                    Ref: the change of use application for U3A Noosa MCU 18/0138

As a member of Noosa University of the Third Age (U3A) I view with alarm any attempt to restrict or
reduced the activities of this wonderful organisation. U3A is dedicated to the concept of lifelong
learning by providing stimulating programs of education for mature aged people in partial or
complete retirement. These programs can also be access by younger members of the public who
have disabilities or may be unemployed or need to improve their work skills in a cost-effective
manner.

Noosa U3A is centrally located at Michell House on Poinciana Avenue in Tewantin. A facility that
was generously given to the University of the Sunshine Coast for the sole use of Noosa U3A. This
location enables U3A members to use public transport, which is of great benefit to the elderly or
those members who cannot afford their own car transport. If U3A was forced to locate elsewhere, or
if the classes at Michell House were so restricted that classes had to be held in multiple locations, it
would result in an increase in car traffic and some members not being able to attend courses. The
use of multiple location would mean members who use public transport not being able to attend
more than one class a day.

If we are to believe all the recent medical research, keeping oneself mentally alert and physically
active is the key to a healthy old age. If the U3A activities have to be curtailed or restricted, due to so
called parking issues, this will lead to a reduction in the health outcomes for a large number of
Noosa U3A members, which in turn will lead to an increase in demand for Noosa Support Services,
increasing council costs over the long term.

As regards those members that do travel by car. There are more than enough car parking spaces
surrounding Michelle House to support the full use of Michell House, without having to place limits
on the number of U3A members attending courses. This is especially true now the Catholic Church
has kindly let Noosa U3A use their car park.

Whenever I have attended U3A, I have never had to park more then five minutes away from Michell
House and those parks have always been legal and within any parking restrictions that may have
been in place at the time. And there were still plenty of parking spaces available for other members
of the public.

If this magnificent asset was forced to close or its activities be curtailed it would be to the great
detriment of the mature aged people of Noosa and surrounding districts. Let common sense prevail!




Yours concerned Alan Roberts
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