We are almost half way through 2011 with every month bringing us closer to ‘D Day’ (de-amalgamation day) The polls peaked for Anna Bligh immediately following the floods and have been in steady decline ever since, so it’s looking increasingly like the state election will be later rather than sooner but it’s inevitable and must be called in the first half of next year.

In preparation for this momentous event  the Noosa Independence Alliance is working assiduously toward a final design for a new Noosa council, one that takes into account the interests of this specific shire and not the entire Sunshine Coast.  This council model will ensure easy access to councillors and staff and provide mechanisms for the community to express itself on issues both large and small effectively creating a truly participative form of local government.
Meanwhile our ‘great big council’ struggles along with continued infighting amongst some councillors and their public criticism over the performance of some council officers.  One issue attracting all sorts of public acrimony is water following Anna Bligh’s backflip on water assets.  After confiscating our water a few years ago she now seems to have concluded being big doesn’t necessarily lead to greater efficiencies, so she’s invited councils to take back what were their assets in the first place but with punitive strings attached.   As always, with this state government things are never quite as they seem.  What we do know so far is that council’s retail water prices will be capped by the State for two years while the State’s bulk water price will continue to rise exponentially to fill the their debt ridden coffers.  It sounds like a recipe for councils to go broke buying at an ever rising price and selling at a lower fixed price.  All the same I would feel a lot more confident having our own Noosa council doing the investigation or negotiation on our behalf as opposed to the dysfunctional Regional Council doing it.

It’s been a tough year for the tourism industry for all sorts of reasons but Tourism Noosa working in conjunction with local businesses has put together some very attractive packages aimed at ensuring Noosa gets it share of what is currently a very fickle domestic tourism market.  Overseas destinations have become increasingly attractive because of the very strong Australian dollar so domestic markets need to become far more focussed on promoting a point of difference and clearly projecting an appealing offer to attract customers and then treat them as treasured guests.   Once again it illustrates the importance of Noosa retaining its independence to promote under its own brand specific Noosa products and experiences.  The tourism model forced upon the Sunshine Coast subjugating the individuality of each market and blurring their individual character under a Sunshine Coast banner is deficient unless aggressively supported by ongoing promotions from each community highlighting their own individuality and special features.  Harmonisation of a brand is not the answer.

There continues to be a rather isolated voice in the community trumpeting a view that Noosa will be unable to fund itself after breaking away from the Regional Council even though one of Queensland most respected experts in council funding has prepared a detailed financial model showing unequivocally it will not only do so but do so without having to raise rates in the foreseeable future.  Compare this with having been part being part of Australia’s 4th largest council where our rates have increased by 30% in the three years of its existence.    What’s more there has been a substantive cut in services and responses to constituents needs.  So where are the benefits in being part of a ‘great big council’?  No one seems to be able to answer that question.

What I also find difficult to understand is Noosa has had an almost impeccable record of financial stability over a long period of time, so why all of a sudden when we have the audacity to demand the return of our local government, do the naysayers maintain we are unable to manage our own financial affairs.  Noosa is what it is today because residents and visitors have taken a deep interest in doing whatever is necessary to preserve the natural beauty and low key lifestyle of Noosa, saving it from the desecration experienced by so many Australian coastal towns while at the same time managing its financial affairs prudently.  A point incidentally recognised by the current Queensland Treasurer when the State was considering amalgamating councils in 2007.
There is still much work to be done but every month brings us that little bit closer to our ultimate goal of restoring Noosa’s council.

Bob Ansett