Are rules meant to be broken, ask Judy Barrass in response to Ingrid Jackson’s Article about the Noosa Plan. Judy believes families, societies and governments cannot operate without structure and agreed rules about what is acceptable and what is not, and a land use plan gives a structure to land use and confidence that there is and will be some order in how things happen. It's the big debate that needs to happen, and we welcome all views.
Letter to Richard McKeon as a follow up six weeks after meeting with Glossy Team Sunrise representatives again highlighting community concern for the wildlife as well as traffic impacts and emergency evacuation plans. Robyn raises many further options to be explored and even proposes fundraising for financial assistance to ensure a win win for our community, the elderly and the environment.
Judy Barrass reflects on John Hare’s article in Noosa Matters which suggests that public transport can provide the answers to traffic congestion. Judy believes the broader Sunshine Coast solutions would not necessarily solve Noosa's traffic woes.
Ann Gardiner from Cooroy Earth Rights recently wrote to Cr Brian Stockwell asking advice on how to upgrade the Cooran to Pomona bikeway to a Priority A level that will ensure future funding. Here we publish her message and the response she received.
Nick Hluszko investigates the vexing question of 'The Noosa Experience' and argues we should define Tourism first to understand what we mean by Over-Tourism to deliver carrying capacity models, commensurate legislation and controls as agreed by all stakeholders.
Judie Barrass gives a great overview of the proposed New Noosa Plan relating to Short Term Lets and why it is scaring major players like Stayz. She believes it’s a brave move and hopes it comes off. What do you think?
Alan Lander's Noosa News piece on bikeways prompted another deja vu moment for Michael Donovan, recalling a 2011 Noosa Biosphere Reserve submission to Queensland Regional Development for walking and cycle trails across the Noosa and Great Sandy Biospheres.
Sandra Acheson gives an update on Boomerang Bags Noosa's $2000 donation to help fund the Ocean Crusaders Paddle Against Plastic events, and how the team is coping with demand from shops across the Shire as shoppers come to terms with the plastic bag ban..
The recent controversy around Sunshine Coast Council’s decision to pump PFAS contaminated water out to sea, along with the release of water from other affected sites across Australia, raises a much bigger question about pollution of our land and water in general. While it is necessary question where this water should go, it also must be asked where the PFAS is coming from in the first place?
Desire Gralton's submission to the New Noosa Plan looks at how the plan affects her personally and provides some observations of the changes in the Sunrise Beach area where mansions are replacing family homes and affordable housing sneaks out the back door. While the plan states to "provide densely landscaped settings with mature trees and vegetation retained wherever possible”, the truth is far from it. Could community placemaking events help Council to find a better way?
More smoke and mirrors as Noosa Council adopts a new funding deed with the NBRF. Watered down transparency, lack of KPIs, no measurement plan ... no cigar.
I wrote recently about the need not to react with alarm to scaremongering about the claimed poor state of Noosa River's biodiversity from NBRF and Noosa Council. That was exaggeration, not science.
NBRF and the Council need to develop an...
Attending a recent screening of 2040 caused some serious reflection on whether we really can engineer our way out of this mess humans have created. With Council elections approaching, it's the perfect time to ask what sort of future Noosa we are heading for. Open Noosa invites future scenarios for this place we call home.
After years of efforts to get the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation out of the cupboard to demonstrate that it is eager to engage and be more visible and disclosing about its decisions and operations, here we are in mid-2018 and that cupboard door has resisted all efforts to prise it open.
As controversy continues to swirl around the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, a major recipient of funding from Noosa Council, KEITH JACKSON reveals his experience of trying to make the organisation more transparent and accountable.
The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation certainly...
I hate pouring water on an otherwise great parade but let’s consider the ramifications of the news that Tourism Noosa has appointed its Chairman to the CEO’s job. I acknowledge he’s been a good Chairman. But something’s not right.
The Sunshine Beach State High School P&C this week unveiled the Whale-trailer, a Containers for Change collection point that can be used at the school and at community events to raise funds for other environmental and student well-being initiatives at the school.
The complexities of the short-term rental phenomenon are well worth debating and in April a public meeting held jointly by resident’s groups NSRRA and CARA and attended by over 200 people showed that just as its impacts are various, so too no one solution will fix the obvious anomalies.
The ZEN EV Expo provided an opportunity to discuss Noosa's existing cycling infrastructure and where improvements can be made, with residents and visitors agreeing that we have a great backbone to start from, and many low hanging fruit that could lead to a smoother, safer and more enjoyable riding experience for all.
We do not question the worth of trying to restore oyster reefs in the Noosa River, but questions need to be asked about the way the funding is being pushed through with a disregard of - and indeed at the expense of - other programs run by local organisations and council.
Looking out the window over the Noosa River, awaiting my interview with Mayor Barry Goodenough, I was impressed at how successful the oyster hatcheries had become.
