Peregian Springs News September 2015 by InFocus News

Peregian Springs News inform know grow Vol 1. Issue 1.

September 2015

0422 215 648

INSIDE

On the bus, page 2

PLAY TIME: An off-leash area is proposed for the Duck Pond.

UNLEASH THE DOGS? COUNCIL has responded to increasing inquiry by Peregian Springs residents by investigating potential sites for a dog off leash area in the suburb. Currently Council has identified The Avenue Park (known as the Duck Pond Park) at Peregian Springs as a site that potentially has the size and amenity to accommodate such a facility. Discussions have been held with nearby residents and are ongoing. Having reached a preliminary resolution of some land

tenure issues Councillor Stephen Robinson says Council is now seeking to further consult with the public on the issue and ascertain resident interest in the project. Council welcomes public feedback on the issue and has opened it up to public consultation until midSeptember. Council will be installing information signs around the community at various locations from August 28. More details on the project and ways to get your views heard are on pages 4 and 5.

Peregian Springs News, September edition 2015.

REAP rewards, page 7

Hit the dance floor, page 8

Local News

elcome to the first edition of Peregian Springs News — your new purely Peregian Springs focussed bimonthly news source dedicated to bringing you stories on government, land development, business, culture, education, local identities and more. This edition details Council plans for public consultation for a proposed dog off leash at The Avenue Park and explores the debate over the development application for land between the shopping centre and Arcare on Ridgeview Drive. We meet a food rescue group doing great work for locals in need and look at some relaxing ways to treat local Dads this Fathers Day, 6 September. There’s so much happening in the community and so many great people and businesses to talk about we can’t wait until the next edition in October. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the read. I’d love to hear from you with any feedback, comments or issues you’d like investigated for future editions. All gratefully received at peregianspringsnews@gmail.com or via the facebook site, facebook.com/peregianspringsnews. Our next edition is out on 26 October 2015. Rebecca Crockett, Editor

TOP SHELTER: Two Peregian Springs Drive bus stops have had makeovers.

Bus stop upgrades COUNCIL has installed two new all weather bus shelters which are also wheelchair accessible at two locations on Peregian Springs Drive. There is one outside Sentosa and one opposite the Golf Club. Councillor Stephen Robinson said the new bus stops were expected to be completed and ready for use by mid-to-late August.

Keep an eye out for Neighbourhood Watch… HARD work and patience by members of the Peregian Springs community is about to pay off with the impending creation of a Peregian Springs Neighbourhood Watch 2

chapter. Members of the fledgling group will attend the State Conference this month to learn more about NHW. Behind the scenes a spokeswoman said the group was working with

local police to have the group formalized. Once this process is completed a launch will be held. To keep in touch, like the site at facebook.com/PSNHW for updates.

Peregian Springs News, September edition 2015.

Local News

Council set to rule on the retail vs residential challenge next to shops SUNSHINE Coast Council is set to decide the future of land next to Peregian Springs Shopping Centre which could see up to 67 housing lots with a childcare centre on site. Development applications before Council show part of the land is within the “Village Centre” precinct of Coolum Ridges Master Plan (Plan). A report lodged with Council on behalf of FKP Residential Developments Pty Ltd (FKP), says the Plan does not envisage detached housing use within that precinct. FKP has lodged a reconfiguration of lot and material change of use application (MCU) seeking approval of 31 residential lots, 2 village centre lots (with one child care centre proposed) and access easement, within the current village centre precinct as well as 1 “englobo” lot. An englobo lot is essentially undeveloped land which is capable of subdivision. The “englobo” lot sits

GROWING PAINS: The land between the Shopping Centre and Arcare is awaiting development approval. outside the village centre precinct of the Plan and appears to be part of a separate development application for approval of around 36 residential lots. Owners of the Shopping Centre, Alceon Group Pty Ltd as Trustee for Peregian Springs Trust (Alceon) object to the MCU application and say, in Council lodged documents, that the application was made under “the now superseded Maroochy Plan 2000”, is contrary to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 (which increases the Shopping Centre’s retail floor space) and does not allow for a range of uses such as offices,

community facilities, (e.g library, community hall) entertainment and dining and will impact ability “to provide the full suite of uses intended within the Precinct.” FKP says in it’s documents to Council their plan supports the existing ‘village centre to thrive..’ and other “appropriate” uses like retirement villages, motels and units would likely achieve similar residential density to what they proposed. Public comment closed on 7 August. However, application details are available at www.sunshinecoastcoun cil@qld.gov.au/pd online (refer to REC14/0148 & and REC14/0147).

Peregian Springs News, September edition 2015.

Education Sizzle time

Be sure to enrol your Prep ENROLMENTS at Peregian Springs State School are in full swing and have been open since Easter. Completing the enrolment forms means the School can provide the families the school newsletter directly and stay in touch with parents and caregivers about the Early Transitions Program – which involves a Term 4 playgroup, Parent/ Teacher interview and preliminary assessment and uniform fittings. Although the School runs tours 6

every Thursday morning parents need to complete the enrolment process so they can be involved in the ETP activities to help boost the child’s school readiness. Principal Dr Gwen Sands’ advice to parents and caregivers is ‘get in early’ and the school has generally found that children who have taken part in the ETP are more settled at the start of the school year as they are familiar with the teachers and the classrooms.

Prep is not compulsory, but if parents and caregivers are considering holding the child back, they are advised to discuss their options with school personnel before making a final decision. Dr Sands says the School welcomes the opportunity to meet with parents thinking of keeping their school aged child at home for an interview and assessment of their child which may assist the decision about participation in the Prep year.

Peregian Springs News, September edition 2015.

Peregian Springs State School parents and helpers will be sizzling up a storm at Bunnings Noosa on Sunday, September 20. If you want to help behind the barbecue, email sarah.wedgwood@ yahoo.co.uk. Alternatively, bring your money and grab a bite to eat for a good cause.

Father’s Day Don’t forget Dad this Father’s Day. Peregian Springs State School students are encouraged to bring a coin or two along on September 3 to buy their Dads a present for the big day. The P&C has organised the stall as a fundraiser for the school. For St Andrew’s Dads there’s a Father’s Day breakfast and chapel service at the school from 7.30am on September 4.

Local identities Making a difference in people’s lives FEEDING those in need by finding a new home for food that would otherwise be wasted is a key driver behind REAP – the regional arm of national charity OzHarvest. Peregian Springs resident Michele Lipner helped set up the REAP Sunshine Coast in August 2014 and serves as the REAP Sunshine Coast coordinator. After one year of operation the group has collected more than 10 tonnes of excess good food helping meet the food needs of local charities and the people they serve. REAP, like its umbrella organisation OzHarvest, rescues excess fresh, prepared, packaged and canned food from food providers and suppliers (for

example, farmers markets, conventions, wholesalers, bakeries, supermarkets, markets, restaurants, butchers etc.) and delivers it to people in need via existing charities and/or community programs. Michele said the group started out focusing on Noosa -Tewantin to Coolum and has since expanded to Maroochydore. She said part of the success of the operation had been working with local schools to hold can drives, providing large collections of dry goods for charities to build into packages given to those in need. Noosa Pengari, Peregian Springs State School and Sunshine Beach State Primary School have participated in can drives in the past

BIG HEARTS: REAP team members survey cans donated as part of a food drive at Peregian Springs State School. year, donating over 2000 cans and pantry items. Michele said the group’s volunteers from Peregian Lions Club and the general public are vital to linking suppliers and recipients and she is always looking for

Peregian Springs News, September edition 2015.

new supporters. To learn more contact Michele on 0406 085 747 or via email at michele.lipner@w estnet.com.au. OR on Facebook at httpswww.faceboo k.com/ REAPbyOzHarvest.

Dining and Culture Dig in for Father’s Day fun AS a treat for local Dads on Father’s Day, Sunday 6 September, Benchmark Restaurant is offering it’s popular 2 large pizza and a jug of beer or bottle of wine for $45 deal from 12 noon to 6pm. The deal is usually only on for dinner but is available all afternoon from lunchtime for this special occasion. To book your seat

HAPPY DAD: Benchmark deal a sure hit. phone Benchmark on 5448 1911. The team at the Pool Café were yet to finalise their menu for Father’s Day as we went to print. They have

however indicated there will be a set menu of sorts that they hope Dads will love it. To find out more about their offer phone 5448 2207.

PEREGIAN Springs dancer Amaliah Grace is launching a beginners Argentinian tango class at Coolum. For more see www.sunnytango .com.au or phone Amaliah on 0414346113 (Artwork above thanks to Michael Falk, www.michaelfalkar t.com.au)

Business spotlight

Local broker named among Aussie’s best WHEN it comes to helping people with home loans local mobile Mortgage Broker and Peregian Springs resident Trevor Ryan could write a book. At the recent Aussie Home Loan Awards Trevor was named number 1 Senior Mortgage Advisor 8

in Qld and NT and number 2 in Australia after writing more than 225 loans in the 12 months to June 30. Trevor started his business in Coolum 12 years ago, and together with a small team, including his wife, Denise and assistant Angela, he

has watched it grow, helping hundreds of locals. Trevor said with the low interest rates around at the moment he had found many local residents had been in touch to find out if they could get a better deal than the one they already had.

Peregian Springs News, September edition 2015.

Trevor Ryan If you’re keen to know where you stand Trevor can be reached on 0411 211 401.