Jenny McKay Newsletter

LIVING IN DIVISION 5 COUNCILLOR JENNY McKAY

AUTUMN/WINTER 2019

From your councillor

As many are aware, it will be time for me to hang up my councillor hat on 28 March, next year. Until then, it’s business as usual. We’ve lots to do and less than a year in which to do it!

Local government has changed since I was first elected. Today, thriving communities are those that work in partnership with council in smart and creative ways to achieve goals of importance.

Some say the Maleny Indoor Aquatic Centre will never happen. I don’t share that sentiment. I believe if you can dream it, you can achieve it. Each community plays a major role in achieving their own assets. With small amounts of government funding, Maleny Bridge Club purpose built a new clubhouse providing the community with a wonderful asset and the Maleny Golf Club delivered an 18-hole golf course.

Yes, the Aquatic Centre is an expensive exercise, but the hinterland community is deserving and having seen what Maleny can achieve, I have no doubt the vision of the late Joyce Newton will be realised.

The hinterland brims with hardworking, community minded people and is, in my opinion, the most beautiful part of the region. Let’s keep working together to better the place we love and call home.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you.

Cr Jenny McKay

Division5@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au 07 5441 8043

Agribusiness for our community

It wasn’t that long ago that the Big Pineapple was one of Australia’s top tourist attractions. Fast forward 40 years and a multi-million dollar renewal project is transforming this icon.

I was recently at the big fruit with Kate Jones, Queensland Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, for the launch of the TreeTop Challenge, Australia’s highest adventure course, and the Curated Plate, a new four-day destination food festival on the Sunshine Coast.

Both are expected to boost tourists numbers visiting the coast and hinterland, and give businesses in the rural railway townships the opportunity to capitalise on extra tourist dollars.

Balancing the environment, economic and community priorities is at the heart of council’s decision to seek international recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere. A biosphere can create niche markets for products, services, facilities and practices. This is significant for the agricultural, forestry, fisheries and tourism sectors so please get behind our nomination bid by participating in the community consultation on council’s website, before it closes on June 28.

Congratulations to Maleny Dairies, People’s Choice winners at the Australian Dairy Milk Awards, and to the Big Pineapple Music Festival, winning the Queensland Festivals of the Year Award for the second year.

From your Mayor

With our fantastic climate and natural environment, it stands to reason that the Sunshine Coast is a community that loves to be outdoors and active.

Research suggests our region has some of the best health outcomes in the nation, while our great outdoors attracts growing numbers of local and international visitors for sporting events, conferences and holidays.

We love our sport and are home to the Sunshine Coast Lightning – Australia’s most successful start-up national sporting team – and to the Pro Racing Sunshine Coast cycling stars, who are shining internationally.

Council is also investing in community sport and recreation facilities like our multi-milliondollar upgrades to the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex and the Caloundra Tennis Centre, which started recently. These upgrades will provide better facilities for local AFL, netball and tennis players at all levels.

Council continues to invest in bikeways and coastal pathways and to protect our green space by adding to our environmental landholdings. However you enjoy your lifestyle, the Sunshine Coast is the healthy, smart and creative place to be.

Mayor Mark Jamieson

Mary Cairncross update

This newsletter was written from the wonderful Mary Cairncross Rainforest Discovery Centre. It’s a perfect place to reflect on Bob Taylor’s vision.

Bob was a dedicated volunteer who was passionate that the reserve continue to grow economically and ecologically. I am delighted that in recent years land adjacent to Mary Cairncross has been purchased through the Environment Levy to help protect and expand the reserve’s important habitat.

Most recently the reserve has buzzed about the BioBlitz – a community event attended by scientists, artists, First Nations representatives, climbers, volunteers and more than 250 members of the public all focused on finding as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time.

Once these species are verified they will be on show at the Discovery Centre in the Biodiversity: That’s Life exhibition and a full report will be available in June.

Adventure Sunshine Coast

With over 150 free, self-guided walking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding and canoeing activities, the Adventure Sunshine Coast online guidebook is your passport to our great outdoors. The guide is designed to help people of all ages and abilities explore land and water trails across 53 local areas.

www.adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

What’s on

Maleny Wood Expo 4-6 May Maleny Showgrounds

Maleny Agricultural Show 31 May-1 June Maleny Showgrounds

Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show 14-16 June Nambour Showgrounds

Queensland Oztag Tri series 15 June Sunshine Coast Stadium

Open Cockpit Weekend 6-7 July Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra

Queensland Garden Expo 12-14 July Nambour Showgrounds

Velothon Sunshine Coast 19-21 July Various courses

Proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ Experience-Sunshine-Coast/Events