Black Mt residents

from Cooroy Rag 7 September 2022 edition

Town meets country at show

news Rate discounts extended for Black Mt residents

EXTENDED rate discounts are being offered to Black Mountain residents affected by the landslide that will take two years to fix.

Noosa Council has written to all Black Mountain residents, committing to extended discount periods until all landslide works are completed in mid-2024.

Mayor Clare Stewart said the extension recognizes the unprecedented impact faced by residents following the February flooding event.

“We are keen to help residents where we can and the three-month extension for this period and for future rates notices will hopefully provide greater cash flow flexibility to those impacted residents,” she said.

However, Black Mountain resident Aimee Curatolo said – while appreciative of the acknowledgement and positive response from council – her family feels it does not fully reflect the situation at hand.

“I can’t speak on behalf of the Black Mountain community but I can certainly offer my family’s feedback.

“Although we are appreciative of the acknowledgement and a positive response from council, my family and I feel it does not reflect the situation at hand.

“We do not have the services provided to us in a normal capacity. The current waste management does not reflect the rates we pay – whether it is now or in November. This is going to be an ongoing issue until 2024,” Mrs Curatolo said.

Noosa Council’s Communication Manager Ken Furdek said extra waste collections are happening.

“We continually talk to our waste contractor who is providing extra collections at the central waste location at Black Mountain,” he said.

Mrs Curatolo said the condition of Andersons Road is also not reflected in their rate system.

“The road is not at the same level of safety, and deterioration is fast and constant as a result of the increased traffic, so the roads are also not reflected in our current rate system,” she said.

Mr Furdek said Council’s road crews visit the area weekly to carry out maintenance.

“We have just completed further upgrade work to the temporary crossing on Andersons Road,” he said.

While Mrs Curatolo said the rates extension is a step in the right direction but “only temporary appeasement”, Cr Stewart said this is understandably an “incredibly difficult time” for many in the community.

“This extension of time for the payment of rates is a small way that we as a council can show both understanding and empathy to those affected by this incredible natural disaster. "We appreciate their patience and understanding as this is new territory for all of us,” Cr Stewart said.

Black Mountain residents have to detour around the 150-metre-wide landslide on Black Mountain Road, which is so extensive that it is expected to cost $25 to $30 million to repair.

Infrastructure Services Director Larry Sengstock said reconstruction work is being funded by the state government through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).

“We certainly appreciate the ongoing support of the QRA and are working closely with them to progress the reconstruction work. "Technical experts have analysed the landslide and, given the complexity and instability of the area, full reconstruction is considered the safest and long-term option. "We are still awaiting final designs which will help provide more clarity on exact costs," Mr Sengstock said.

Black Mountain residents have until November 19 to take advantage of the five per cent discount on their rates.

“Council provides flexible payment options to any resident who may be suffering financial hardship and our rates staff are always available to provide advice to help make paying rates more manageable for Noosa ratepayers,” Cr Stewart said.