On the 19th of November Friends of Noosa and other community groups met with Lawrence Springborg for a briefing on LNP policy for the return of local government to Noosa and other Queensland shires that aggressively opposed forced amalgamation and wanted the return of their local government. He made four specific promises:
- Noosa would have the opportunity to re-establish a Greater Noosa Shire Council comprised of like- minded communities at the Northern end of the Sunshine Coast.
- The LNP will appoint an Independent Panel (not a make believe one) to consult with those communities interested in forming the new shire Council, and then and only then determine the relevant boundaries.
- A referendum would follow to determine how strongly the communities supported the notion of a Greater Noosa Council after which the government would act in accordance with the vote outcome.
- The State will cover Council re-establishment costs.
He assured us the process would be a priority for his government and be completed within 12 months following the LNP winning government, so a new council could be bedded down at least two years before the next State wide Council elections in 2012.
Friends of Noosa have also sought responses from Labor and the Greens on their policy for the establishment of a Greater Noosa Council. Warren Pitt, the Minister for Local Government, emphatically rejected the idea of a new local government on the Sunshine Coast. However, the Greens, Ronan Lee reported while they haven’t yet formalised their policy noted the splitting of the current Sunshine Coast Regional Council into a Northern and Southern zone had logic to it. He has promised to keep us apprised of their policy development on this issue.
Meanwhile, Anna Bligh’s sudden reversal on when recycled sewage can be pumped into South East Queensland’s water supplies, and the deferral of the Traveston Dam, followed by last month’s decision to scrap the North Bank development in Brisbane because she listened to the ‘will of the people’ (in her local 7-Eleven store who apparently didn’t want it), reveals a rather muddled and confused government. Little wonder the latest Galaxy Poll show the LNP within one percentage point of the government after a gain of 12% during the past 10 months.
Understandably the pundits are betting on an election in early 2009, even though Bligh continues to maintain her government will run its full term.
So we in Noosa need to remain vigilant and be prepared to support the political party that promises to return our right of self government.  There are now signs this could be sooner rather than later.
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As 2008 draws to a close it’s worth a moment’s reflection on what was a tumultuous year for the Noosa community.
After a lengthy fight to retain our Noosa Council it was forcibly removed by order of the Bligh Government in March of this year. We were amalgamated, against our will, into the newly formed Sunshine Coast Regional Council even though we had little in common with Maroochydore and Caloundra. Only allotted two councillors a Council of twelve, Noosa was disadvantaged from day one.
Over the ensuing months our rates were increased by almost 10%, many former Noosa Council employees moved on to greener pastures, demarcation disputes arose over responsibility for rubbish removal along approach roads to Noosa and management of our river. There were also attempts to standardise parking policies throughout the shire meaning Noosa would most likely be fitted out with parking metres.
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However, on the positive side the strength of our community has endured and the values that shaped Noosa over many decades have not been eroded nor has the passion to once again enjoy our democratic right of self government.
So in keeping with the mood of the Festive Season Friends of Noosa wish you all a very Joyous Christmas and Happy New Year. With your continued support and a bit of luck we could see the formation of a Greater Noosa Council by this time next year.
Bob Ansett
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