Annual Report 2018-19

 Other initiatives to enable Council to achieve its goal for this
 theme
                                                                    »» Council commenced the Noosa Spit Shoreline Erosion
 »» Council completed a credit review by Queensland                    Management Plan (SEMP) which is a detailed study
    Treasury Corporation and was rated as financially sound            of the erosion occurring on Noosa Spit as a result of
    which means we have adequate capacity to meet our                  river movement, tide and boat wash. The SEMP will
    financial commitments in the short, medium and long                be finalised early in 2019/20 and provide an evidence-
    term.                                                              based solution for solving the erosion problem currently
                                                                       occurring.
 »» Council also had Queensland Treasury Corporation
    undertake a review of our financial liquidity which             »» Council developed its first 10 year Capital Program
    resulted in Council making an early repayment of                   allowing for a longer planning horizon for capital
    $10,000,000 off our existing debt and reducing net                 projects. Our Infrastructure Planning, Design and
    interest payments by approx. $270,000 for ratepayers.              Delivery team now have future projects they can plan
                                                                       for. In addition, our teams delivered a significant capital
 »» Council enhanced its approach to seeking grant                     program of $26.1m including:
    funding from other levels of government. In 2018/19,
                                                                       • Noosaville Library Refurbishment
    we were successful in attracting $1.2M in funding
    from the Commonwealth towards the replacement                      • Mary River Road Bridge at Cooroy
    of two bridges in the hinterland and a $2.6M grant                 • Old Noosa Road Bridge at Cooran
    from the Commonwealth towards the Peregian Beach                   • Noosa Heads Boardwalk
    Community Centre. We were also successful in
                                                                       • $3.8M expended on a reseal program of roads
    attracting $2.8M funding from the State government                   across the Shire
    towards the Hinterland Playground project at Cooroy.
                                                                       • Replacement of the Tewantin Council Administration
 »» Council has undertaken considerable work in developing               Building roof (including installation of solar panels)
    our response to natural disasters including undertaking            • David Low Way safety improvements including
    disaster management exercises to train our staff. Our                the car park and bus stops at Castaways Beach
    long serving Local Disaster Co-ordinator stepped down                (commenced in 2018/19)
    from that role and our Director Infrastructure Services            • Major refurbishment of the Noosa Aquatic Centre at
    has assumed that role. We have taken part in region                  Sunrise Beach (commenced in 2018/19)
    wide disaster management training exercises with                »» Council was successful in securing Commonwealth
    adjoining Councils. There has also been a concerted                government grant funding to replace a number of
    focus on developing our preparedness for a sustained               bridges. In 2018/19, we finalised replacement of the
    recovery effort from a major natural disaster.                     Mary River Road Bridge in Cooroy and the Noosa Road
                                                                       Bridge in Cooran. We were also successful in 2018/19
                                                                       in obtaining grants to replace the Tablelands Road
                                                                       Bridge (Number 2) at Cooran and the Wahpunga Lane
                                                                       Bridge at Kin Kin. Both of these bridges will be replaced
                                                                       in 2019/20. We also received funding to replace the
                                                                       aging bridge at Orealla Crescent, Sunrise Beach and
                                                                       this work will also be undertaken in 2019/20.

                                                                    »» As part of the planning scheme process, Council
                                                                       reviewed the current approach to signage in the Shire
                                                                       and published, for public consultation, a proposal to
                                                                       remove signage regulation from the planning scheme
                                                                       and for it to be included in a local law. That local law
                                                                       also included proposed changes to the way in which
Local Disaster traiining exercise with Gympie Council                  signage is currently managed. There was considerable
                                                                       public interest in this issue during the consultation
                                                                       process, with around 300 submissions received and
                                                                       considered prior to finalising the local law.



 Noosa Council | 2018/2019 Annual Report                                                                            Page 23