A council says it has listened to public feedback on its draft master plan for a popular river foreshore area and made changes.
Noosa mayor Frank Wilkie said a simplified draft Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Management Master Plan, based on community feedback, was on track for release next month.
A draft master plan was released for public comment in June and drew criticism from residents concerned about the loss of parking spaces, Pirate Park and a tennis court, among other things, and wanted the area left alone.
Cr Wilkie thanked those who took the time to provide input on the first draft.
“We’re in the process of simplifying the draft plan based on community feedback,” he said.
“The aim is to respect the character and relaxed, open feel of the 2km-long public recreational space, while balancing the need for the replacement and upgrade of facilities.
“We expect to have this revised draft plan out for community input, with opportunities for face-to-face engagement with councillors and staff, towards the middle of November.”
Cr Wilkie said money needed to be spent on the foreshore in the coming years and the master plan was needed to fund work.
“A master plan is critical in applying for external grant funding, so we spare ratepayers significant costs, conservatively estimated at $10 million over the next two decades,” he said.
“For example, there are heavily eroded drop-offs along the shoreline that will need attention in future, timber walls along the river are failing and the stormwater infrastructure is more than 50 years old and needs replacing.”
Noosa Council has released a project news fact sheet and a short video on the process of developing the draft master plan.
The video says the master plan aims to create a vision for the foreshore for the next 20-plus years “while keeping the vibe and character for generations to come”.
“We’re also continuing to talk to key stakeholder groups about any aspects of the draft plan that will directly impact them,” he said.
The revised draft is expected to be available for community feedback in November pending endorsement by councillors.
“Once it’s released, we hope you take the time to read the revised plan, talk to our staff and give us your views, so collectively we can finalise a plan that meets community expectations for this area we all love,” Cr Wilkie said.
For information about the draft plan, register at yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au.
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