President’s Report 2023
Cooroy Area Residents Association is a non-political community organisation formed in 2012. We provide information to our community, lodge submissions to all levels of government on issues and development proposals affecting our area, and give residents a forum to express their opinions. We are independent of council or business interests and receive no external funding.
New Developments
Cooroy continues to evolve as a service town and is increasingly becoming a destination for visitors. Several development sites have had applications before council, including a car wash in Elm Street. The retailer, Woolworths, has purchased the Myall Street land opposite the Cooroy Golf Club and has sought community consultation ahead of its development application to council. The affordable social housing project adjacent to the light industrial area west of town was rejected due to non-adherence the planning scheme. This decision is being appealed. Just recently, an innovative coffee and local produce outlet at Black Mountain, Busstop Espresso, was given notice that it must close. CARA believes the rural community has special needs that are best serviced by such hubs and will continue to argue the case to council.
CARA led community consultation for the new Cooroy Police Station, and following demolition of the residence on the site, building work has now commenced.
The popular Hinterland Adventure Playground has settled in after it opened in May last year. The playground is popular with residents and visitors alike. However we are requesting improvements to the stormwater drain and shade sails over the splash pool are needed.
The GemLife appeal in the Planning and Environment Court, lodged in April 2021, has progressed slowly. CARA is a co-respondent by election with Noosa Council in the appeal. Members attended court in Brisbane for four days, until GemLife requested an adjournment in August this year, so they could improve their evidence. The hearing resumes19February 2024and will run for 3-4 days.
Cooroy State Forest, comprising 1,200 ha was gazetted a Conservation Reserve earlier this year, after a long campaign to have this state forest receive perpetual conservation status. The area includes subtropical rainforest and tall wet sclerophyll forest, and features the critically endangered Native Guava. It’s also home to the endangered Greater Glider, Koalas, the threatened Giant Barred Frog and the vulnerable Tusked Frog.
CARA made submissions and attended a Council workshop on the Draft Noosa River Catchment Plan and the Draft Destination Management Plan Discussion Paper.
The CARA Facebook page, Cooroy Community Noticeboard, has grown from around 14,200 members this time last year to over 20,000 this year. The page is a great communication tool, feedback source, and a way of keeping our residents up-to-date with the latest planning applications, local events, council information, employment, and even information on exercise classes, lost pets, car accidents, and the best tradies.
This year we lost our valued committee member, Ross Hielscher. Finally, thanks to our committee and ordinary members, and to our councillors and local state MPs for their support.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
December 2023
President’s Report 2022
Cooroy Area Residents Association, now ten years old, is a non-political organisation that was formed to provide information to our community, lodge submissions to all levels of government on issues and development proposals affecting our area, and give residents a forum to express their opinions. We are independent of council or business interests.
New Developments
Cooroy continues to evolve as a service town and is becoming a destination for visitors as well. Several development sites have current applications before council. Post-covid, nimble, new business models have evolved, including Busstop Espresso and Daddows Pizza.
Plans have been approved for three shops, with offices above, at the vacant Emerald St site opposite the Amcal Pharmacy. Council has also received a development application from Kings Group Pty Ltd to build a car wash in Elm Street. currently before council is a proposal for affordable social housing in a tiny house complex.
In July, CARA was involved in community consultation for the proposed new Cooroy Police Station. Our Facebook page, Cooroy Community Noticeboard, was used to gauge public opinion on the designs and a submission was later presented to the Police Department.
The Hinterland Adventure Playground opened in May following a dramatic flooding event that saw the whole site covered with overflow from Cooroy Creek and stormwater from the town’s CBD. The playground has been beautifully vegetated, and is popular with residents and visitors alike, although there are some issues which must be addressed, such as polluted stormwater entering the drain; shade sails over the play equipment; and improved water quality in the wading pool.
The GemLife appeal in the Planning and Environment Court, lodged in April 2021, is progressing slowly. However, a mediation session has been scheduled for 13December and a trial will be booked to run for several days, early next year. CARA is a co-respondent with Noosa Council in the appeal.
The transition of West Cooroy State Forest to National Park status, which is awaiting a report on existing resources and perhaps some final harvesting, still appears to be achievable.
The CARA Facebook page has grown from around 9,200 members this time last year to nearly 14,000 this year. The page is a great communication tool, feedback source, and a way of keeping our residents up-to-date with the latest planning applications, local events, council information, employment, and even information on exercise classes, lost pets, car accidents, and the best tradies.
Finally, thanks to our committee and ordinary members, and to our councillors and local state MPs for their support this year.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
December 2022
President’s Report 2021
Cooroy Area Residents Association (CARA) is a non-political organisation formed to provide information and lodge submissions to all levels of government on issues and development proposals affecting our community, and give residents a forum to express their opinions on matters affecting them. We are independent of Council or business, and do not accept funding from either.
In March 2022, CARA will have been incorporated ten years. Ray Kelly lodged our original incorporation application in 2012.
The Cooroy town centre continues to evolve with its retail mix and is becoming a destination for visitors as much as a service town. The Hinterland Adventure Playground has changed the face of the Mill Place precinct and its popularity has the potential to put stress on our biggest infrastructure issue, the intersections.
The Year
Our new councillors and mayor have settled in with the guidance of the three incumbent councillors, along with outgoing CEO Brett de Chastel, and have become a unified group prepared to look for solutions that benefit resident.
In February, Council planning staff recommended refusal of the GemLife Golf Resort proposal for 246 seniors’ housing units in Myall Street, and councillors unanimously backed this refusal at their Ordinary Meeting on 18 March. GemLife subsequently lodged an appeal and CARA has joined with Council as co-respondent to defend the appeal. We consider the proposal to be an inconsistent land use that will have serious impacts the town’s amenity and infrastructure.
Our plan for a Recreational Cycleway from Cooroy to Tinbeerwah, where it would connect with cycle paths with Tewantin and Noosa, was advanced by committee members Ross Hielscher and Ray Kelly. Indications are these representations are unlikely to achieve a successful outcome in the short term, due to lack of funding
The supermarket chain, Woolworths, has purchased the Myall St property across the road from the GemLife proposal and have signalled their intention to lodge a development application for a large supermarket and associated businesses.
The transition of West Cooroy State Forest to National Park status, still appears to be achievable.Cooroy residents with dogs have requested an off-leash dog park. CARA is liaising with Cr Wegener, who is looking into the possibility of fencing the Kauri Street dog park.
Two CARA members also lodged submissions requesting more support in the Noosa Council Budget for the Botanic Gardens, which was successful.
The Noosa Trails network has received a $1.2m grant from the State Government, to upgrade the Pomona to Cooran section of the trail.
The objects and membership rules for joining our organisation have been updated. These changes were approved at a Special Meeting on 19 October. The Office of Fair Trading advised us recently that the rule amendments were registered on 29 November.
The CARA Facebook Page, Cooroy Community Noticeboard, has grown from around 5,200 members this time last year to over 9,000 this year. The page is a great communication tool, feedback source, and a way of keeping our residents up-to-date with the latest planning applications, local events, council information, employment, and even lost pets.
Finally, thanks to our committee members and supporters, and to our councillors and local state members for their efforts this year.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
14 December 2021
President’s Report 2020
Cooroy Area Residents Association (CARA) is a non-political organisation formed to provide information on issues and development proposals affecting our community, and to give residents a forum to express their opinions. We are independent of Council or business, and do not accept funding from either.
Obviously, 2020 was a struggle for many. The virus brought changes to the way we live, work and play. Disruptions were many, especially during lockdown, but the town is back on an even keel and looking to the future more positively now that a vaccine is on the horizon. And Cooroy continues to be the thriving hinterland capital. Council is assessing development applications, and the town centre continues to evolve with its retail mix and is becoming a destination for visitors as much as a service town. Rental properties are in short supply as the town benefits from many people deciding to move from the cities to regional areas for lifestyle and health reasons due to the Pandemic.
For all these reasons, CARA believes our role as a guardian of the heritage and character of the town is more important than ever.
The Year
In late March, a newly elected team of councillors and mayor were elected. The incumbent councillors, Wilkie, Jurisevic and Stockwell were re-elected, and they were joined by councillors Lorentson, Finzel, and Wegener. Cr Stewart was elected as the new mayor, replacing Cr Wellington. We would like to acknowledge Tony’s support of CARA for many years, and look forward to working with Clare.
Two members of the CARA Management Committee have been kept up to date on preliminary planning for the proposed Hinterland Adventure Playground. Staff have been working through the planning approval process, and adjusting the scale of the development, to suit the budget and requirements of the Cooroy site. Once the process is complete, staff will prepare a report for Council seeking approval to start construction on the revised plan. Our Committee remains disappointed at the lack of public input into the project, and particularly that such a large project is being considered for the CBD before necessary infrastructure improvements.
GemLife’s proposal for 242 seniors’ housing units as part of a Gated Retirement Resort adjoining Cooroy Golf Course is still going through the approval process. Part of the applicant’s application is a gift to Cooroy Golf Club of $4.5 m worth of improvements. CARA was unable to hold our usual town meeting to outline the
project due to COVID restrictions. Because we considered the proposal to be an inconsistent land use and will have impacts the town’s infrastructure, our submission objects to approval by Noosa Council.
A recent proposal to remove an old Queenslander from the Cultural Heritage Precinct in Maple St drew widespread disapproval from the community after Cr Stockwell employed social media to urge upholding the Noosa Plan. Councillors voted to support the planner’s recommendation to disallow the MCU.
New Projects
Recently, CARA was approached for support by the Save Noosa Hinterland group who are trying to get some limits put on the Kin Kin-Pomona Rd quarry traffic. With over 200 trucks daily hauling gravel to the Bruce Highway and points south, local residents are facing danger on the roads. School buses must share these roads, and residents have their normally quiet existence shattered by this traffic six days a week. More recently, the trucks and trailers, with 40-tonne loads have been taking the Cooroy route to the highway on some days. Council recently decided to engage a barrister to review all aspects of the Kin Kin Quarry Management Plan.
Our plan for a Recreational Cycleway from Cooroy to Tinbeerwah, where it would connect with cycle paths with Tewantin and Noosa, is being advanced by committee member Ross Hielscher who has had various meetings with consultants and the new council reference group.
The Sunshine Coast Airport is having its flight paths re-evaluated by Air Services Australia. CARA understands alternative flight paths proposed by coastal residents may move paths from the coast to the surrounds of Cooroy, and we have therefore put in a submission that seeks to protect Cooroy’s interests.
The recent state election saw local LNP member Marty Hunt pipped at the post by new ALP member Rob Skelton. We thank Marty for his past service and look forward to working with Rob on the issues that affect us here.
One of these issues will be to progress the transition of West Cooroy State Forest to National Park status.
The CARA Facebook Page, Cooroy Community Noticeboard, has grown from around 2,000 members this time last year to over 5,200. The page is a great communication tool and a way of keeping our residents up-to-date with the latest planning applications.
Finally, thanks to our committee members and supporters, and to our councillors and local state members for their efforts this year.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
1 December 2020
President’s Report 2019
CARA is a non-political organisation formed to provide information on issues and development proposals affecting our community, and to give residents a forum to express their opinions. We are independent of Council or business interests, and do not accept funding from either.
Cooroy continues to evolve rapidly. New housing estates are selling out, and the town centre is changing its retail mix and becoming a destination for visitors as much as a service town.
CARA and the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce held a joint town meeting in February to gauge public opinion on the various options for the two congested intersections. Over 200 residents turned out to hear an introduction by Mayor Wellington, followed by talks by local MP’s, Marty Hunt and Sandy Bolton. An exit poll of 115 people showed 46 people preferring lights at the Myall/Elm intersection and 60 a roundabout. There were 10 votes for no change. At the Diamond/Elm intersection, 45 wanted lights while 60 voted for a roundabout. There were 11 votes for no change. We are still awaiting TMR’s report on the survey they conducted. Recently, Marty Hunt has asked a question of the appropriate minister in State Parliament.
The New Noosa Plan has occupied Council staff for years now, and written submissions closed in May. CARA was, by and large, content with the plan as it affected Cooroy. A number of changes are now proposed that are considered “significant” in terms of effect on land use outcomes and assessment requirements for certain types of development, and these have been submitted to the state Government for consideration.
Throughout the year, CARA was represented on Noosa Council’s Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Reference Group to consider the benefits and impacts of tourism on our local community. We were disappointed that discussions for the year wrapped up last month without a joint accord being decided upon. CARA, along with resident groups from Pomona, Noosa, and Perigean, had agreed to wording of an accord, but shire business associations appeared unwilling to compromise, and so an opportunity was lost. CARA intends to review its participation in the group for the coming year.
Two members of the Management Committee have been kept up to date on preliminary planning for the proposed Hinterland Adventure Playground. Now, funding of $2.8 m from the state government has been approved, and Council voted to spend $2.40 m. The Committee is disappointed at the lack of public input into the project, and that such a large project is being considered for the CBD before the intersections have definite plans for improvements.
CARA met with local MP’s, Marty Hunt and Sandy Bolton, Mayor Wellington, and the head of Council’s Infrastructure Department, to propose a Hinterland Transit Centre for the land adjacent to the railway station. This project would require State, Council and QR working together, but the benefits for all in having a hinterland transit interchange were obvious to all at the meeting.
New Projects
Lutheran Services is progressing a development application for new aged care services at Cooroy, and recently held a meeting to consult on the project with CARA. The 52-bed Cooroy Care Farm is a therapeutic, farm-centric approach to care, contributing to much needed facilities for dementia care, aged care and respite options on the Sunshine Coast. The project is located on a 25-hectare site at 521 Elm Street and 10-22 Rose Gum Road, Black Mountain. Noosa Council is assessing the proposal.
Gemlife is proposing some 242 seniors’ housing units as part of a gated Cooroy Golf Course development. Although the project could have a big impact on the town’s traffic and services, the good news for the Golf Club is that they would get two new fairways and a new $2.2 m clubhouse in the centre of the existing 18 holes. CARA recently met with the developer’s planner for a briefing and learned that the DA had been lodged with Council. When the notification period commences, we will hold a town meeting to outline the project and get feedback from residents.
We are pleased that Council has budgeted for a pedestrian bridge on Gumtree Drive to reconnect the pathway following the demolition of the old bridge. Also, we are preparing a plan for a recreational cycleway from Cooroy to Tinbeerwah, where it would connect with cycle paths to Tewantin and Noosa.
CARA has been consulting with SEQWater on key issues with the Lake Macdonald dam wall raising, including fauna and flora management with such a significant water drop, protection from the spread of invasive pests, and the traffic management during the project’s building phase.
Our Facebook page, Cooroy Community Noticeboard, has grown from around 800 members to over 2,000 in the past 12 months. The page is a great communication tool and a way of keeping our residents up-to-date with the latest planning applications.
Finally, thanks to our committee members and supporters, and to our councillors and our local state members for their efforts this year. Special thanks to retiring Treasurer, Clytie Glass.
CARA will continue to take an active interest in development proposals in 2020.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
3 December 2019
President’s Report 2018
CARA is a non-political organisation formed to provide information on issues and development proposals affecting our community and to give the residents a forum to express their opinions. We are independent from council or business interests and do not accept funding from either.
Cooroy is evolving pidly. The town centre is changing its retail mix and becoming a destination for visitors as much as a service town. Circa has opened in the Madills building, and Saw & Mill operates from the bowls club, so that’s two more places where you can sit with a cup of coffee or dine. Traffic congestion and traffic issues remain unsolved and peak-hour congestion is something residents have to contend with. Just recently, TMR has come up with a plan for traffic lights at the Diamond/Elm Streets and Myall/Elm Streets intersections. Since the deadline for submissions has been moved from 17 December to 18 February 2019, CARA and the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce have decided to hold a town meeting to gauge public opinion on the various options.
Following the state election, we met with the newly elected state member for Nicklin, Marty Hunt MP. Marty has a long record of distinguished service in the police force and an excellent grasp of grassroots issues. He came well informed about theintersections issues, but was also keen to listen to our concerns. We have also had meetings with councillors discussing Cooroy topics.
On 18 April, CARA joined with the Noosa Residents and Ratepayers Association to hold a public meeting about the complexities of the short-term rental phenomenon. The meeting showed that no one size fits all as far as the rental impacts go and ditto there’s no one solution to fix the obvious anomalies. Over 200 people turned up to hear from our mayor, Sandy Bolton MP, and speakers from United Synergies, Tourism Noosa and an airbnb host talk about the evolving changes to house letting and its disruptive effects on communities. The disruption to business was also raised by the rental industry. Tony Wellington has been appointed to a state government advisory group that will make recommendations to the minister.
Throughout the year, CARA was represented on Noosa Council’s Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Reference Group to bring Hinterland tourism issues to the fore. Infrastructure, visitor numbers and how we might balance the benefits and impacts of tourism on our local community continue to be the focus for us. We have been kept up to date on preliminary planning for the proposed Cooroy Adventure Playground and hope to be able to inform the community about this project in the near future.
CARA was invited to an open day at Noosa-Cooroy Palm Lake Resort, a rapidly expanding development. We were interested to see if the new residents (there are around 100 now) are keen to interact with the town. We talked with residents and management and decided that as issues concerning residents arise, CARA would be receptive to helping advocate for them.
Other issues included the opening of the Gumtree Drive pathway, consultation by Ross Hielscher with SEQWater on key issues with the Lake Macdonald dam wall raising, including fauna and flora management with such a significant water drop, protection of spread of invasive pests and the traffic management during the project’s building phase. CARA referred a resident concerned about a Garnet St development to Cr Stockwell for assistance, and Council decided to place a protection order on the iconic mango tree; the first such tree protected in the shire. The planning application for the Eastside Shopping Complex, proposed for the old motel site, will be a topic for discussion in 2019.
We now have a Facebook page called Cooroy Community Noticeboard. Check it out.
Finally, thanks to our committee members and supporters, and to councillors and our local state members for their efforts this year. It is important than that CARA continues to take an active interest in development proposals in 2019.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
11 December 2018
President’s Report 2017
CARA is a non-political organisation formed to provide information on issues and development proposals affecting our community and to give the residents a forum to express their opinions. This year, we took some pride in marking five years as a group, and we are firm in our desire to remain independent from council or business interests and to not accept funding from either.
CARA was involved in finding a suitable location for the Before I Die… public art project and attended its launch on 15 February. Lasting for several months, this project drew widespread attention and was regarded by Council as a great success.
Last year, Noosa Council defended the Cooroy Broiler Farm appeal that was lodged on 4 January 2016 in the Planning and Environment Court. A ‘Without Prejudice Conference’ was held at the Maroochydore courthouse in October 2016. In April of this year, the applicant filed a notice to discontinue the appeal.
CARA asked Peter Wellington and Tony Wellington about changing Cooroy State Forest’s status to National Park.
Tony has been working with the former Environment Minister Miles, and will continue to press for the transfer post election.
Following the installation of the CCTV cameras in the centre of town, CARA reported the latest Queensland Police statistics show that crime in the town is at a similar level to what it was 15 years ago, even though the population has doubled. In other words, crime has been halved. According to Sgt Mal Scott, 70% of local police work is attending domestic violence complaints.
Noosa Council went against the advice of its planning staff and approved a service station at the Cooroy industrial area in Holts Road on the old upper mill site. To date no work has commenced on the project.
The Energex and Bowls Club sites, on Cooroy’s east side, recently changed hands again, and the new ALDI development proposal is on hold while the new owners, Heritage Motels Investments, a Gympie company, decide what they will do with the sites.
We continued to take an interest in local recycling efforts and drew attention to the material collected in our yellow recycling wheelie bins. Noosa Council assured the community that locals should feel confident the majority of the items from their recycling bin were being recycled.
On 20 November, CARA held a well-attended ‘Meet The Candidates’ event for candidates in the Nicklin electorate at the Cooroy Sports Hub.
Cooroy is evolving rapidly, the town centre is changing its retail mix and there seems no limit to the places where you can sit with a cup of coffee. But with change comes issues such as traffic congestion, parking problems, and loss of amenity. Certainly, the traffic issues remain unsolved and peak-hour congestion is something residents have to contend with. The 2016 Census showed the population of the Cooroy hinterland (defined as from West Cooroy north to Kin Kin and east to Tinbeerwah) now at 13,121. This represents 25% of Noosa Shire’s population.
It is with sadness that we report the passing of committee member Peter Lyle, after a long treatment for cancer. His wit and wisdom will be greatly missed.
Finally, thanks to our committee members and supporters for their efforts this year. It is more important than ever that CARA takes an active interest in development applications in 2018. We continue to be well reported in the local media and I believe we continue to punch above our weight as a community group.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
5 December 2017
President’s Report 2016
President’s Report 2016
The Cooroy Area Residents’ Association is a non-political organisation formed to provide information on issues and development proposals affecting our community and to give the residents a forum to express their opinions to the Noosa Council.
Over the past 12 months, the Noosa Council has deal with two development applications in our area in the Planning and Environment Court. You will remember that the applicant for the Cooroy Highway Service Center (Peter Zipf) lodged an appeal against the council’s refusal last year on the 28th of August. In June of this year, the applicant lodged an application to discontinue the appeal. Later this year Peter applied to build a gourmet supermarket on the site of the old Wimmer’s factory in Garnet Street, which was approved by council in August this year.
The applicant for the 8-shed chicken meat farm on Top Forestry Road, Ridgewood lodged an appeal against the council’s refusal on the 4th of January last year and on 11 October a ‘Without Prejudice Conference’ was held at the Maroochydore courthouse. Four expert reports were presented by Noosa Council and two were submitted by experts for the No Broiler Farm Cooroy community group. An order was made by the court for the developer to install equipment to monitor wind speed and direction for a year, which will enable our air quality experts to accurately assess the impacts on people living nearby.
In March a nail-biting local government election was held and we were very happy with the result. On 28 June, CARA hosted a ‘Meet the New Councillors’ event at the RSL, which was very successful, with about 50 people attending. Councillors Ingrid Jackson, Brian Stockwell and Jess Glasgow gave talks and answered questions. Of particular interest to the community was how council could be involved in the reopening of the Memorial Hall and just last weekend the council held the first of its community consultations on the future of the hall. Once the state government has resolved the problems with the various land titles, the council has offered to take over the hall trusteeship.
Other 2016 items of interest include:
1. Comments on the New Noosa Plan Discussion Paper, due by December 12. Comments can be made on the council website. On Tuesday, November 22, council planners visited Cooroy for talks with the community.
2. Palm Lake Resort Noosa, which is well underway and the RV stopover location, which seems to be well used.
3. Support for the Cooroy Farmers’ Market, due to open on the 17th of February 2017.
4. Discussion of the tomato farm appeal (at Lake Macdonald), which has been dealt with by mediation.
2016 has been an exciting year for Cooroy residents and it looks like more of the same for 2017, with work to do on the New Noosa Plan and submissions on the SEQ Regional Plan.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
December 2016
President’s Report 2015
The Cooroy Area Residents’ Association (CARA) is a non-political organisation formed to provide information on issues and development proposals affecting our community and to give the residents a forum to express their opinions to the planning authorities.
The past 12 months has seen several development applications in our area considered by the Noosa Council, notably the Cooroy Highway Service Centre and the Cooroy Broiler Farm, both of which were refused by Council. The applicant for the Service Centre lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court on 28 August but there’s been no hearings to date.
After the horrific accident at the intersection of Swift Road and Lake Macdonald Drive, CARA decided to host a public meeting on road and traffic issues such as speed limits, parking issues, pedestrian crossings, the Elm Street Bridge congestion, cycle lanes, signage, traffic calming, noise issues, and accident procedures.
CARA asked the Noosa Council and State member Peter Wellington for assistance with the Elm Street bridge congestion. Peter replied that the state has a policy of fixing problems that cause the most fatalities. However, Council has employed traffic consultants who conducted research on the Elm Street Bridge and Elm Street – Cooroy-Tewantin Road intersections, which showed that these are both dangerous. Council is hoping that this research will help when presenting a case to the state government for funding new intersection arrangements.
Revising the Noosa Plan
After council elections next year, the new Noosa Council will embark on the huge task of rewriting the Noosa Plan. To gather ideas on changes that would benefit the Cooroy area, CARA hosted a Cooroy planning breakfast (Cooroy: Where To Now?) at the Bowls Club, which was attended by about 50 people and emceed very capably by Richard Hansen of Inspiring Cooroy.
Councillors and representatives of the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce spoke, and attendees presented many excellent ideas on planning Cooroy’s future. A website (www.cooroy.org) was set up by CARA for interested persons to post and discuss ideas on planning changes to council. Next year, we may hold workshops to finalise any recommendations for changes/improvements to the town plan.
Future CARA information nights: Meet the Candidates (mid Feb 2016) and an EDV debate.
Other 2015 items of interest:
- April: The custodian of the Butter Factory is now the Lower Mill Board, which has received and extra $80,000 to firm up their proposal.
- June: A six-month trial of an RV park at the campground opposite the tennis courts – 4 consecutive nights stay limit. Council to construct a dump point.
- Formation of the Noosa Community Biosphere Association – membership is free, so go online and join at Noosacba.org
- The Cooroy Palm Lakes over 50’s retirement village started construction in October.
- Closing of the Cooroy Memorial Hall, possible CARA involvement on the steering committee. Support for NCBA’s proposal to apply for and manage a grant to restore the Hall.
2015 has been an interesting year for the residents of the Cooroy area and 2016 looks like having plenty of issues to bring before residents.
Office Bearers for 2016
President: Rod Ritchie
Secretary: Julia Walkden
Treasurer: Clytie Glass
Committee member: Alan Hodgkinson
Committee member: Helen McGregor
Committee member: Peter LyleSpecial note:
We’d like to thank Dennis Pitman, our inaugural Treasurer, for his years of dedicated service to CARA. While Dennis is stepping aside from an executive role, he remains a valuable supporter and member.
Rod Ritchie
CARA President
December 2015