Annual Report 2021-22

          Noosa Shire Council



    Message from
    the Mayor
    Despite another challenging year with COVID-19,
    severe weather events causing major flooding and
    tough economic conditions which have continued
    to impact our community, we have, once again, as a
    community, and, as a Council, achieved much.
    Along with the floods, February saw us welcome our
    new Noosa Shire Council CEO Scott Waters. As a
    former CEO of the Whitsunday and Northern Territory
    Councils, Scott has brought a wealth of ideas,
    enthusiasm, positivity and a ‘can do’ attitude with a
    focus and drive towards Noosa 2.0. This is a project
    focused on Council being authentic, passionate, committed, supportive and respectful.
    Housing affordability remains a critical issue for our shire. The work we have done puts us on a path
    to develop tangible solutions for our most at risk, our workers, our businesses and ultimately our
    community. Noosa Council’s Housing Needs Assessment, a comprehensive and detailed snapshot
    of the housing issues impacting Noosa, provided a strong platform and foundation for the launch of
    our draft Housing Strategy. While housing has traditionally been a state and federal responsibility,
    there are undoubtedly solutions we can implement at the local level by working with industry,
    lobbying higher levels of government, and looking at local government assets as a whole. The draft
    Housing Strategy is the most progressive and aggressive step that Noosa Council has taken in this
    space. I am delighted and proud of this Council and all Councillors for putting it forward as a priority.
    I am also justifiably proud of all that we have managed to accomplish during the past year to meet
    the existing and emerging needs of our community. Delivering a budget that increases service levels,
    provides for a small surplus yet caps the majority of rates at CPI, has been no easy feat; particularly
    amid the rising cost of doing business and the COVID-19 response. Focusing on real tangible
    outcomes for our community has again been a priority. The input from our consultation phase with
    residents was pivotal in shaping our budget. Community input is critical. We sought feedback
    through our Satisfaction Survey and Liveability Survey, both of which have helped shape not only the
    budget but other decisions of council.
    We’ve delivered the bulk of another record capital works program, despite grappling with supply
    chain shortages and other construction challenges beyond our control. The opening of the much-
    anticipated Hinterland Adventure Playground at Cooroy is certainly among the highlights, with work
    also now well under way on the major Tewantin Bypass project and Noosa Parade corridor upgrade.
    Liveability is of course determined by more than just infrastructure. It’s about protecting our way of
    life, looking after our people, and investing in our collective wellbeing. Connecting people has been
    an important focus for Council. Our Connecting Noosa program of free activities was very popular as
    was our Ageing Well (now Living Well) program. It continues to be well received by many in our



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