Before he entered local politics as Councillor the Sunshine Coast Council in 2012, Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington numbered amongst his activities the publication of a newsletter, ‘The Gumshoe’.
‘The Gumshoe’ was used as the main communications vehicle by a small group of people, mostly clustered around the Noosa Parks Association, to mount a persistent attack on Noosa Biosphere Ltd, apparently in the belief they could make a better first of running it than its elected office bearers.
Later, when Noosa Council was restored in 2014 and – along with his colleague Noel Playford who became mayor – Tony Wellington was elected as a councillor, the boys had a chance to take over NBL. Instead, they abolished it and established their own version, the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF).
Here are extracts from three issues of ‘The Gumshoe” (#20 of 5 August 2010, #40 of 25 August 2011 and #43 of 21 October 2011) in which Tony Wellington indicated, through his criticism of NBL, how he might do better.
“NBL has voluntarily reduced its Council funding for this financial year. Last year they got a sweet $243,000 from Council. This year they will have to manage on just $216,000…. They are already funded by Council and are a Company wholly owned by Council. They are not a genuine community organisation….” (Our comment – NBRF is not a community-based organisation)
“NBL is a two-tiered operation [and] makes much of the fact that its membership, including Director appointments, “represent the general community of Noosa”. But none are actually elected by the community. All are either self-appointed or appointed by Council….” (Our comment – new NBRF directors are appointed by existing NBRF directors)
“NBL is a cosy little place. Although NBL members like to crow about their volunteer status some are featherbedding themselves” (Our comment – seems nothing has changed)
“In assessing NBL’s achievements over the past 2.5 years, we would have readers ask themselves two simple questions: What practical community initiatives are you aware of that Noosa Biosphere has fostered? Of its participants, how many of them are you familiar with, and how have they communicated with the people they claim to represent? We are stuck with a group of largely faceless people committed to shoring up their own positions of power.” (Our comment – the same questions could still be asked and answered with a shrug of the shoulders)
“What’s important to note here is that Noosa Biosphere community representatives will continue to be appointed without any input from the community at large…. There is no democratic process at work.” (Our comment – there is still no democratic process at work)
“NBL governance will hopefully be returned to the community…. The community will then have the opportunity to elect its representatives, and utilise the Biosphere Reserve status as a catalyst and framework for a new wave of community-led initiatives.” (Our comment – the Biosphere was not restored to the community, the community was locked out)
“Despite the best intentions of a handful of good people within the structure, Noosa Biosphere will remain a white elephant until it ceases to be a money-sucking plaything.” (Our comment – we have no comment but the word ‘disingenuous’ springs to mind)
