Hinterland the topic of dinner table talk

from Cooroy Rag 19 October 2022 edition

Residents submit impact submission to council

news Hinterland the topic of dinner table talk

Cooroy Chamber of Commerce president Sirah Robb, Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart and Councillors Karen Finzel and Amelia Lorentson.

HOW Noosa Council has supported, and is supporting the hinterland was the topic at this year's Dinner with the Mayor.

Local residents and business owners at the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce annual event held at Saw & Mill earlier this month heard from Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart with Councillors Karen Finzel and Amelia Lorentson in attendance too.

Cooroy Chamber of Commerce president Sirah Robb said Dinner with the Mayor is a highlight on the chamber's calendar of events, and this year was no different. "Mayor Clare delivered an insightful speech reflecting on council's achievements and the path forward." "It was apparent there is much for our hinterland community and local businesses to be excited about, including a new council CEO with a 'how can we do this' approach, whole shire thinking that prioritises the hinterland, and opportunities that will become legacy benefits for our region off the back of our involvement in the 2023 Olympic Games," Mrs Robb said.

Mayor Clare Stewart said there have been many challenges and changes for council since last year's Dinner with the Mayor event. "The appointment by this council of our new CEO Scott Waters is the biggest change and an incredibly positive one, while the flood damage to the region in February and March has been the biggest challenge. "The shire endured one major landslide, 28 landslips, two water crossings and over 100 roads damaged, and council is currently fixing 70 potholes a day on average and has advocated the state government for $37 million in recovery funding for the Black Mountain landslide."

But despite the impact of these major weather events, Cr Stewart said council still delivered $35 million worth of capital projects in the 2021–2022 year to the Noosa Shire – the most in a 12-month cycle. "Other commitments by this council to the hinterland include: $1.1 million in the budget to upgrade trail 5 of the Noosa Trail Network, and $250,000 for upgrades of trails with high ecological value and an audit completed of all nine Noosa Biosphere core trails with upgrades planned for two trails next year; completion of two hinterland bridges, Wahpunga Lane Bridge and Tablelands B Bridge – with the third, Cooroy Belli Creek Road Bridge, to be completed (weather permitting) in November as part of a $4.2 million package of works; and $1.59 million committed to upgrade 2.3 km of Middle Creek Road." "Council also bought a specialised six-wheel grader for hinterland gravel roads for council's Pomona Depot, upgraded Cooran horse yards, renovated and reopened the Kin Kin Rec Hall, extended the lease at Cooroy Butter Factory for three more years, saw the Hinterland Adventure Playground project through to completion with a $6.7million investment, completed concept plans for Cooroy Sports Complex with a soccer and cricket house redevelopment and expansion of the gymnastics facility, and stood by our hinterland community, as promised, taking the operators of the Kin Kin Quarry, Cordwell Resources, to court. "Pomona Community House will also get a library kiosk in the next month or so and council's free weekend buses cover the hinterland from Noosa to Cooran via Cooroy and Pomona included," Cr Stewart said.

Mrs Robb said healthy businesses equal a strong community. "Chamber members once again enjoyed the chance to interact with the mayor and take on board insights from the night to consider for their own future planning, which will no doubt strengthen our community at large," Mrs Robb said.