CARA Newsletters - Cooroy Area Residents Association

March 2022

Cooroy Community Noticeboard Hits 11,200 members
Our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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Adventure Playground Build Interrupted by Flooding
Work on the new Adventure Playground was interrupted by a flooding event in Cooroy on 24 February. Water covered the whole site and even entered the amenities block. There was damage to the garden beds and Marara St was covered with water just past the library all the way to the church. Of particular concern was the untreated town stormwater which joined with the swollen Cooroy Creek to inundate the site. Completion is delayed by six weeks and will open to the public in mid-April. The official opening is planned for 7 May.

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GemLife Appeal News
GemLife’s appeal was lodged in the Planning and Environment Court on 23 April 2021, even though the project site is not consistent with zoning or local and state government plans. Cooroy Area Residents Association, has joined with the Noosa Council as Co-Respondent in the appeal. Various reviews were held in October and December 2021 and in February 2022, because the applicant had not fulfilled various obligations to the court. In March 2022 GemLife reduced the number of lots in response to concerns from Noosa Council about development in the Riparian Zone. Another review is scheduled for 7 April.
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Constitution Objects and Membership Register update
The Secretary, Julia Walkden, reported that a subcommittee was formed and update the Membership Register and protocols for joining our organisation. We have also updated the Model Rules, according to the advice of the Office of Fair Trading.
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Report on the intersections by Rob Skelton MP member for Nicklin

I recently spoke to members of the Cooroy community regarding traffic. I do not support traffic lights nor are roundabouts a long-term solution. I will be supporting a bypass and advocating that to the Minister. Just so my position is clear. I do not know what the time frame on that will be but it is the long term solution that satisfies all public interests.

I don’t consider individual interests in this matter. That may not be satisfactory to some but that is the way forward that I will advocate. Time frame will depend on funding. I hope that clarifies some misleading posts about me made beforehand.

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Now we are 10
In March 2022, CARA will have been incorporated for ten years. Since much has changed in the last decade, the committee formalised CARA’s membership register and revised the Objects of Association. These were approved at a Special Meeting on 19 October.

When you subscribed to our newsletter, your name was included on CARA’s membership list. There is no need to contact us if you’d like to remain a member, but if you no longer wish to be a member, please let us know, and we’ll delete you from the membership roll. Membership remains free

October 2022

Hinterland Adventure Playground
After being affected by flooding earlier in the year, the Playground was opened in May. It’s been very popular, especially with younger kids and their families. There are some issues which have to be addressed. 1. Children need to be made aware they shouldn’t play in the storm water drain. 2. Shade sails over the play equipment have not yet been erected. 3. Dogs allowed in the playground despite best practice is that dogs not be allowed. 4. Water in the wading pool needs to be kept clean.

GemLife Appeal Update
The appeal is moving along at a snail’s pace and there have been a lot of postponements. However, late this year there will be a without prejudice conference and, early in 2023, a trial will be booked to run for several days. CARA is a co-respondent with council in the case and at this stage the process hasn’t involved any costs. We will closely monitor the case moving forward, and after mediation will reappraise our involvement.

New Development in Emerald Street
Plans approved have been approved for three shops, with offices above, at the empty Emerald St. site opposite the Amcal Pharmacy. One condition of approval is that the awning to be more appropriately designed.

Pilot of a potential Futures Process for Noosa
Cr. Brian Stockwell invited CARA to be involved in a pilot of a potential Futures Process for Noosa. The aim is to get some initial bottom up involvement in developing a new initiative for next year’s budget that would need to be in a draft from by around Feb 2023. The aim would be to work with small groups to set the context and scope of the potential project. Then get input into the drivers of change in Noosa – from a political, ecological, economic, social and technological perspective. Cr Stockwell will seek the group’s opinion as to the critical factors that could/should be investigated to develop future plausible scenarios for Noosa (at a local and a Shire-wide scale).

September 2021

Cooroy Community Noticeboard Hits 8,200 members
Our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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Adventure Playground Build Continues
Work continues on the new Adventure Playground. Earthworks and built structures show the scope of the project. The poles are going up for the climbing tower, the water pay area is constructed, the ablution block started and mature trees are being planted. Completion is due for the end of the year depending on weather events.

Check out the 3D visualization video of what’s being proposed.

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Constitution objects and Membership Register update
The Secretary, Julia Walkden, reported that a subcommittee has been formed and is presently updating the Membership Register and protocols for joining our organisation. We are also in the process of updating the Model Rules, according to the advice of the Office of Fair Trading.

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Off-leash Dog Park Kauri St
Cooroy residents with dogs have long wanted an off-leash dog park. CARA has contacted Cr Tom Wegener, who said he would look into the possibility of fencing the Kauri Street dog park.

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Grant for the Noosa Trails Network and Funding for the Botanic Gardens
The Noosa Trails network has received a $1.2m grant from the State Government, to upgrade the Pomona to Cooran section of the trail.
Two CARA members also lodged submissions requesting more support in the Budget for the Botanic Gardens. Ray Kelly will contact the council to ascertain the status of the Ida Duncan Fund.

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Soon We’ll Be 10
In March 2022, CARA will have been incorporated for ten years. Since much has changed in the last decade, the committee has decided to formalise CARA’s membership register and revise the Objects of Association.

When you subscribed to our newsletter, your name was included on CARA’s membership list. There is no need to contact us if you’d like to remain a member, but if you no longer wish to be a member, please let us know by 30 June, and we’ll delete you from the membership roll. Membership remains free.

June 2021

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Cooroy Community Noticeboard Hits 7,500 members

Our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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Adventure Playground Build Starts
Work has started on the new Adventure Playground. Earthworks show the scope of the project. The contaminated soil will be removed from the site. ;Completion is due for the end of the year depending on weather events. .

Check out the 3D visualization video of what’s being proposed.

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GemLife Appeals Council Decision
As we reported last newsletter, GemLife’s proposal for 246 seniors’ housing units, as part of an Over-50s Retirement Resort adjoining Cooroy Golf Course, was unanimously rejected by councillors at the General Meeting 15 March.
The company has now lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court. Councillors have yet to receive a recommendation from council staff regarding defence of the appeal against the decision.

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Relaxation of COVID Protocols
In August 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Noosa Council Property Manager, Clint Irwin, presented a report and recommendations to our councillors, on crowd numbers allowed at events of various sizes in the Noosa Shire. The report and recommendations were approved unanimously by councillors, and the COVID Reference Group.

In December 2020, Council asked various groups for feedback on the relaxation of crowd numbers at 2021 Noosa events. The council then presented a second report and recommendation, to retain the crowd numbers for the largest events at the original level, and include some type of community consultation. This was rejected by councillors 5-2.

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Introduction of Local Laws for Short-term Lets
The proposed local laws aim to manage the potential impacts of short-stay letting and home-hosted accommodation on the residential amenity of permanent residents by requiring a local management framework and code of conduct for guest behaviour and minimum safety standards for guests. The local laws will also regulate the ongoing operation of short-stay letting and home-hosted accommodation. Read CARA’s submission to Council HERE.

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Draft Budget Management Process
The community was invited to use the Balance the Budget Tool and the Your Say online form to provide feedback on 2021/2022 Budget Priorities and the draft Capital Plan. A report of the outcomes was presented to Council on Friday 23rd April 2021 and the community was invited to comment on the draft.

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Soon We’ll Be 10
In March 2022, CARA will have been incorporated for ten years. Since much has changed in the last decade, the committee has decided to formalise CARA’s membership register and revise the Objects of Association.

When you subscribed to our newsletter, your name was included on CARA’s membership list. There is no need to contact us if you’d like to remain a member, but if you no longer wish to be a member, please let us know by 30 June, and we’ll delete you from the membership roll. Membership remains free.

April 2021

Facebook Page Continues to Grow in Numbers
Our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

We now have over 6,500 members and you can access the page and join our group HERE.

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Adventure Playground Build to Start Soon
Councillors have approved a tender for the Playground. Council 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. Construction will begin soon and completion is set down for November this year.

Check out the 3D visualization video of what’s being proposed.

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GemLife Development Application
GemLife’s proposal for 246 seniors’ housing units, as part of an Over-50s Retirement Resort adjoining Cooroy Golf Course, was unanimously rejected by councillors at the General Meeting 15 March. Reasons included:
• Incorrect land zoning
• Negative environmental impacts
• The density of the housing
• Affects on Noosa’s water catchment
• Lack of need for such housing.

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Air Services Australia
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.

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Save the Noosa Hinterland
CARA was approached for support by the Save Noosa Hinterland group who are trying to get limits put on the Kin Kin-Pomona Rd quarry traffic. With over 220 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 to endure 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 engaged a barrister to review all aspects of the Kin Kin Quarry Management Plan and Mayor Stewart is pushing to collect $133,450 in council fines. Sandy Bolton MP recently gave a speech in state parliament on the issue.

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Cooroy Intersections ImprovementsFinally, TMR has released the result of its survey taken almost two years ago. Here is a copy of its letter to Rob Skelton MP.

“TMR has undertaken early planning for the upgrade of two intersections in the town of Cooroy at Elm Street and Diamond Street, and Elm Street and Myall Street. Both traffic signals and roundabouts were investigated as potential options, with traffic signals currently identified as the preferred option for both intersection upgrades. Traffic signals will provide a cost-effective solution that improves safety for all road users, particularly for pedestrians and bike riders, with minimal property impacts.
Key stakeholders and the local community provided feedback on traffic signals as a possible future upgrade option for both intersections. TMR undertook a thorough process in evaluating the community input. We understand the local community sentiment favours a roundabout option at both intersections.

At this time, there is no funding allocated to progress the upgrades to detailed design or construction due to higher priorities across the state-controlled road network. TMR has no plans to undertake further community consultation at this time. Subject to future funding outcomes, TMR will re-engage with key stakeholders and the community.” END

As reported in the last newsletter, CARA presented a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm Street intersection roundabout to Noosa Council. We have long held that traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for our vibrant rural town. And we’d also like the east side of town to have the traffic calmed and pedestrian crossings and bike lanes included.

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Taking Stock of Tourism in Noosa
it’s time we faced up to the impacts of tourism on our community. We know it’s an important part of the economy, but we also know that there is a limit to the number of visitors that can be provided for, catered for by our infrastructure, gives an experience that lives up to the promises in the brochures, and is affordable to our ratepayers. If we are going to claim to be the relaxation capital of Australia, we need to make sure this applies to residents, too, and put a tourist population cap on visitation. And we need an effective plan for destination management. Sustainability planning, a topic the Stakeholder Reference Group of the previous council spent 18 months discussing, before being closed down, came to virtually zero.

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West Cooroy State Forest
Due to its importance as a Koala Habitat, West Cooroy State Forest is to be transitioned to National Park status. CARA has approached our local member Rob Skelton MP to undertake discussions with the State Government to achieve this.

November 2020

Cooroy Community Noticeboard Hits 5,000 members
Wow, we’ve hit 5K members and are now the town’s premier Facebook page. CARA continues to provide direct communication about what’s happening in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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Adventure Playground to Start Next Year

Mayor Stewart explained recently staff had been working through the planning approval process, which was almost complete. “Construction was delayed slightly while we reviewed the 2020/2021 Capital Works Program in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

The scale of the development, to suit the budget and requirements of the Cooroy site, should be finalised in coming months. Once the process is complete, staff will prepare a report for Council seeking approval to start construction on the revised plan.

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GemLife Development Application

The GemLife Retirement Resort application has been delayed while a technical hitch concerning the Bio-retention land was clarified in the Planning Court. Since the proposal is considered by CARA to be inappropriate, we lodged a submission with Noosa Council earlier in the year to this effect.

The DA should now come before the Council Planning Committee in the December or January round of council meetings.

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Sunshine Coast Airport Flight Paths

CARA members attended a public consultation in April, and a meeting convened by the Flight Path Forum at The J on 22 June. Although Cooroy appeared to be unaffected, we have since seen proposed alternative flight paths, published by affected coastal residents, that move some runway approaches from the coast to the surrounds of Cooroy.

Air Services Australia are now planning to make changes to their proposed flight paths, which could see flights moved out our way. CARA has put in a submission for the Draft Terms of Reference V2._______________________

Kin Kin Quarry Traffic issues

CARA is helping Kin Kin/Cooran/Pomona residents fight the dramatic escalation of quarry trucks on the Kin Kin-Pomona Rd since the new lease owner took over operations. With over 200 trucks daily hauling gravel to the Bruce Highway and points south, local residents are facing danger on 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. We are also concerned that Tourism Noosa is still promoting the northern loop of the Noosa Country Drive when the roads are now clearly not suitable for a tourist drive.

Council recently decided to engage a barrister to review all aspects of the Kin Kin Quarry Management Plan. The Save Noosa Hinterland group is now incorporated, and they are uniting to fight the increases in the truck activity. They have held two protest rallies outside council chambers, and are having a meeting in the next few weeks with Sandy Bolton, Clare Stewart and councillors, to discuss the current issues and concerns of the community.

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New Member For Nicklin

Robert Skelton has been elected as the new state member for Nicklin by the very close margin of 85 votes. After serving in the Australian Defence Force, Robert was the Leading Firefighter at Queensland airports for nearly 15 years. He has three children, two sons and a daughter. He understands the importance of protecting the unique landscapes of Nicklin, when developing much-needed infrastructure projects to keep Queensland moving.

Robert will work with the Government’s investment in infrastructure projects, such as the Bruce Highway, will keep locals connected, and encourage more Queenslanders to visit the natural Nicklin environment.

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Message From Marty Hunt

As you may have heard I was narrowly defeated at the recent State Election. Whilst I’m disappointed, I accept the will of the people and wish the incoming new member all the best in the next term of Parliament. For me, it’s not about the individual or the party, it is about the local community and what they need. I understand the newly elected member is quite new to our area so I hope he works to learn quickly the priorities of our communities and the community can benefit in the long run.

When I was elected it was a very humbling experience and it was an absolute honour to serve you all. Nicklin is a diverse group of communities with fantastic community organisations, clubs and groups and I loved visiting you all and helping where I could.
Farewell and thanks, Marty.

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Cooroy to the Coast Cycleway

CARA Committee member Ross Hielscher presented an update on the shire-wide cycleway proposal and the results of various meetings with consultants and the new council reference group.

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AGM Reminder

CARA’s annual AGM will be at 5:30pm on Tuesday 1 December at the Cooroy RSL Club. All members are welcome.

August 2020

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Cooroy Community Noticeboard
With nearly 4,000 members, our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening daily in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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GemLife Development Application

The GemLife Retirement Resort proposal is considered by CARA to be inappropriate and should not be approved by Noosa Council. Some of the reasons include:

Inconsistent land use: The proposal is located on land within the Rural Zone, which is an inconsistent land use. The proposal is not a suitable use, given the context and characteristics of the site. The development would negatively impact on the Myall/Elm streets intersection and further exacerbate the parking problem in the Cooroy CBD. The proposal will negatively impact on the scenic and environmental values of the rural land for residents located to the north and south of the subject site.

Need: There is no need for the proposed rezoning for retirement housing, since Cooroy already has two retirement residential/resort living establishments. Also in the New Noosa Plan, land opposite the site at 125 Myall Street, Cooroy (Lot 4 SP248479) is proposed to be zoned ‘Community Facilities’ for a Residential Care Facility in the future.

Insufficient buffer areas: The design does not provide sufficient buffer areas between the premises, which will lead to potential adverse amenity impacts.

Motor Vehicles: Statistical data indicates that 39% of dwellings in retirement housing have two vehicles, and 35.5 % one vehicle. If this flows on to GemLife, then the expectation is approximately 330 vehicles within this application.

The DA comes before the Council Planning Committee on 11 August. A decision will be made at the Ordinary Meeting 20 August.

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The New Noosa Plan

The New Noosa Plan was recently passed by councillors. Representing several years work by Council staff and consultants, the plan is a blueprint for the future and builds on previous plans to keep Noosa planning principles to the forefront of decision making.

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Cooroy Hinterland Playground

Update on project: parking and raised crossing to be completed this year; tenders have been delayed; and budget funding postponed until next year.

CARA will write to Noosa Council asking that the Cooroy Hinterland Playground be redesigned to a less expensive concept, based on genuine consultation with the wider community. The present proposal, which was designed in the pre-COVID-19 era, should be scaled down to make it more affordable, especially since, in its present form, it will cost around $500,000 a year to maintain.

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Cooroy to Coast Cycleway

Ross Hielscher presented an update on the shire-wide cycleway proposal and the results of various meetings with consultants and the new council reference group.

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West Cooroy State Forest

Report on the progress of transition of West Cooroy State Forest to National Park status. CARA will approach Cr Stockwell to undertake discussions with the State Government to achieve this.

March 2020

Cooroy Community Noticeboard
With nearly 3,000 members, our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening daily in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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GemLife Cooroy Clubhouse and Senior Living Proposal

The site, on Myall St, is located outside of the Urban Growth Boundary and is zoned Rural. Accordingly the proposed residential use creates conflict with the intent of the planning scheme. The proposal is also within the water catchment.

The applicant must demonstrate how the proposed dwellings provide for aged care as per the need identified in the Housing Needs Analysis, and how the proposed dwellings are able to be certified by a private building certifier as relocatable. Also, how the tree lined access to Cooroy is to be provided.

Other questions asked of GemLife, include details on how the proposal links with current public transportation, the location of pedestrian links, traffic surveys, including traffic generation, parking, and stormwater issues. The committee resolved unanimously to conduct a town meeting once the objection period has started.

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The New Noosa Plan
The draft New Noosa Plan was first released for public consultation from 18 February – 20 May 2019, and was recently returned by the state government for further revision. In response to submissions, a number of changes are now proposed that are considered “significant” under the Planning Act 2016 in terms of effect on land use outcomes and assessment requirements for certain types of development. Council needs time to consider two of the conditions more thoroughly. With the caretaker period looming, the Minister’s approval didn’t allow sufficient time for this to happen and have Council adopt the scheme. The new council will have to decide the best way forward.

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Noosa Decides 2020

This is one of the most important council elections in the recent decades. The lines are drawn between those who want the best incumbents returned to protect the Noosa environment and lifestyle (through the New Noosa Plan) and those looking for a clean sweep of mayor and councillors.

There are 2 mayoral candidates and 21 candidates vying for councillor positions. They are:

Tony Wellington is running on his 10 years of experience in Local Government, including the last 4 years as mayor of Noosa Shire. He is backing candidates, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Joe Jurisevic, Cr Brian Stockwell, Phil Moran, Tom Wegener, Yanni Van Zijl, Megan Halverson, Alan Lander, Julien Cahn and Janet Kake.

Comment: Of these candidates, Wellington, Stockwell, Moran, Wegener and Kake reside in the Hinterland. They will be an effective voice for Cooroy and the district.

Clare Stewart is running on the strength of brief careers as barrister and business woman. She is endorsing Amelia Lorentson, Andrew Squires, David Fletcher, Karen Cook-Langdon, Karen Finzel, and Patrick Lloyd.

Comment: While none have Local Government experience, they have a range of experience in business and health care. Only Finzel lives in the hinterland.

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Sustainable Tourism Reference Group
CARA is represented on this Noosa Council reference group, which is working 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.

Resident groups from Noosa, Pomona, Peregian Beach and Cooroy are finalising a joint statement to Council that sets a framework for a tourism future that has constraints based on what our infrastructure can handle, and how the hinterland would change were it to become an overflow area for coastal visitors.

October 2019

Cooroy Community Noticeboard
With over 1,800 members, our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening daily in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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Cooroy Community Precinct Adventure Playground

With a revised budget of $5.2m, and a new name, the proposal has been approved by Council. CARA is investigating the possibility of the project being impact assessable rather than code assessable. Council believes they have the right to the latter because a playground, much smaller in scale and impact, was proposed on the site in the past. CARA believes this new project is will possibly overload the parking and traffic on Maple Street, and put further traffic pressure on the already problematic intersections.

The Library and mobile display in Cooroy has been delayed, while Council finalises the project and prepares the materials to accompany these engagement activities. Engagement with the community and seeking feedback remains a priority, and the project team will be available to answer questions and take feedback when the mobile displays take place, and at the Christmas in Cooroy event on 7 December 2019. Feedback from a display at the Noosa Show was overwhelmingly supportive.

Check out the 3D visualization video of what’s being considered.

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The New Noosa Plan
The draft New Noosa Plan was first released for public consultation from 18 February – 20 May 2019. In response to submissions, a number of changes are now proposed that are considered “significant” under the Planning Act 2016 in terms of effect on land use outcomes and assessment requirements for certain types of development.

Only matters identified as “significant” are now on public notification. These include, but are not limited to:

The zoning of properties;
The approach to short term accommodation within various residential zones and other zones;
The provisions for the Major Centres at Eenie Creek Road and Noosa Junction;
The provisions for the Low Impact and Medium Impact Industry Zones;
The Riparian Buffers shown on Biodiversity Overlay maps;
Mapping and provisions of the Coastal Protection Overlay; and
The Reconfiguring a Lot Code.

Any person may make a submission about the “significant” changes to the draft New Noosa Plan during the consultation period, which starts Monday 16 September 2019 and ends on Monday 11 November 2019.

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Lutheran Care Farm

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.

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Diamond Street Intersection

As reported in the last newsletter, CARA presented a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm Street intersection roundabout to Noosa Council. We have long held that traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for our vibrant rural town. And we’d also like the east side of town to have the traffic calmed and pedestrian crossings and bike lanes included.

Frustrated by the lack of feedback from TMR to our February meeting, Marty Hunt MP has agreed to ask questions in the current parliamentary sitting. Our question was: “Is the Minister aware that TMR has advised that the majority of people who participated in the consultation process held in Cooroy in February this year are against traffic lights as the solution to the safety issues at the two major intersections?”

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Sustainable Tourism Reference Group
CARA is represented on this Noosa Council reference group, which is working 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.

July 2019

Cooroy Community Noticeboard

With over 1,000 members, our Facebook page provides direct communication about what’s happening daily in our busy hinterland town and surrounds.

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The Adventure Playground

The final budget of $4.6m has been revealed, and it appears that this proposal will include much-needed town infrastructure, including extra parking and an amenities block. The playground has been pitched to Noosa residents rather than planned as a major SE Queensland tourist attraction, which would possibly overload the traffic on Maple Street, and put further traffic pressure on the already problematic intersections. The town is awaiting a consultation process to ensure we have input into the design.

While many residents may miss the open green space in front of the Library, home to annual events, they will be relieved to know that Apex Park will be upgraded to accommodate these events. And if we can persuade TMR to build a new roundabout at the Diamond/Elm intersection, Cooroy will indeed develop in a manner that is sympathetic to its country charm.

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Future Proposals

Forward-thinking CARA members have been working on various proposals that would benefit Cooroy in the future.
Ross Hielscher is developing a plan for a family cycleway, from Cooroy to Tewantin, that follows the old Cobb and Co road and would cross the road in two places. Ray Pratt has been working on a proposal for an alternative Cooroy State School drop-off point. Mike Prior has been corresponding with Queensland Rail about a replacement pedestrian overpass, and Ron McCarthy has worked up a concept document for the proposed Cooroy Transit Centre to be located adjacent to the railway station.

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Flight Path Update
CARA members attended a public consultation in April, and a meeting convened by the Flight Path Forum at The J on 22 June. While it didn’t first appear that Cooroy was overly affected, we have since seen proposed alternative flight paths, published by residents affected by the flight paths, that move the new runway approach from the coast to the south west of Cooroy.

However, if Airservices Australia were to make changes to their proposed flight paths, there would be considerable delays while another EIS was completed and further consultation was undertaken. While we think it unlikely the paths will be altered significantly, we are keeping a watching brief on the issue.

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Diamond Street Intersection

CARA presented a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm St intersection roundabout to Noosa Council. We have long held that traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for our vibrant rural town. And we’d also like the east side of town to have the traffic calmed and pedestrian crossings and bike lanes included.

You can view our plan for the new roundabout HERE.

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May 2019

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The New Noosa Plan

Those interested in the Shire, and in Cooroy in particular, should check the Council website for details about the New Noosa Plan HERE. Written submissions are welcome up to Monday, 20 May 2019, 5pm.

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Diamond/Elm Streets Intersection

In his media release on April 18, Marty Hunt (Member for Nicklin) reported that TMR has advised that “the majority of people who participated in the consultation process are against traffic lights as the solution to the safety issues at these intersections” and that he will be meeting with TMR in early May, to discuss the future for the intersections. He will meet with CARA following his talks with TMR.

Meanwhile, Noosa Council has asked CARA to present a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm St intersection. With the expected growth of the town CBD to the east of the rail line, the plan is to present the east side as an alternative retail zone with a Cooroy character. Traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for a vibrant rural retail precinct.

CARA’s plan will include an iconic roundabout that presents a distinctive eastern entrance to Cooroy, with pedestrian crossings to both new development proposals, associated traffic calming measures, and a new Transit Centre near the railway station.

Our concept plan has now been submitted and you can read it HERE.

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Gumtree Drive Bridge

This deteriorating wooden bridge (off Swift Drive) has been removed. Council is considering a pedestrian bridge, but meanwhile CARA has requested, through Cr Jackson, that the steep banks be fenced off. She wrote to Council:

“Families come to the adjacent Lions Park and children playing could inadvertently fall into the creek, as the timber rails are an inadequate barrier (see photo).

Is it possible to reinstitute the wire barriers on both sides of the creek, such as was previously used to prevent people going onto the disused and dangerous bridge? I believe this is a valid concern.”

You would all be aware that Cooroy is buzzing with
new development and bursting at the seams with
shoppers and traffic.

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20 February 2018

CARA will attempt to keep residents informed of new
proposals and continue to lobby the council for
appropriate planning. We especially welcome
suggestions, and would like to hear from anybody
interested in what’s happening and how issues
might be solved.

Agenda for 2018
Here is a list of some ongoing topics and proposals needing further investigation:
• Affects on local recycling efforts following China’s decision to restrict the intake of low-value
recyclables.
• Council’s plan for extra dwellings on existing lots
• Traffic congestion at two major Intersections
• Parking issues
• Speed limits on local roads
• Pedestrian crossings in town
• Installation of the CCTV cameras in rural areas
• Ex quarry site development on Lake MacDonald Drive

April 2018

Cooroy Community Noticeboard

New CARA Facebook page now online
This community noticeboard for Cooroy allows
direct communication about goings on, the
selling of goods,

enquiries for services and anything you might
want to know about our busy hinterland town
and its surroundings.

One Billion Rising
CARA member Pam Macqueen was again an organiser for this important
annual event.

Traffic Lights For Cooroy?
Noosa Council has been informed by the State Government that the installation of traffic lights at the two
congested town intersections is the preferred option for a quick solution to traffic problems at these locations.
Both roads are state roads and therefore the state is responsible for traffic management. While Noosa Council can request solutions (ie roundabouts) it is the state that funds and builds the infrastructure for their roads.

Cast your vote
With only two sets of lights in the Shire, Council obviously prefers roundabouts over lights. However, it’s
obvious that something needs to be done soon. Both Mayor Wellington and Nicklin MP Marty Hunt would
like feedback on the matter.

Short-Term Rentals
Joint CARA and Noosa Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association Meeting
6:0pm, Wednesday 18 April, Noosa Lions Football Club, Eenie Creek Road

Speakers
Tony Wellington, Mayor, Noosa Council
Sandy Bolton MP, State Member For Noosa
Elizabeth Reynolds, Deputy Chair, Tourism Noosa
Christopher John, CEO United Synergies
Adrienne Penny, Airbnb host

Topics
• What’s happening with Airbnb locally?
• Hear the latest from Council, State and other interested stakeholders.
• Have you concerns? Do you support Airbnb? Are you a supplier?

Come along and share your views and ask questions

Meeting With Marty Hunt MP
The newly elected state member for Nicklin, Marty Hunt met with CARA
executive members recently to introduce himself and to ask about our concerns
for Cooroy. Marty has a long record of distinguished service in the police force,
and an excellent grasp of grassroots issues. He came well informed about the
intersections issues, but was also keen to listen to our concerns about issues
such as domestic violence, the plan for dwellings in backyards, local tourism,
and town infrastructure.

September 2018

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Noosa-Cooroy Palm Lake Open Day
Rod and Julia were invited to an open day at this rapidly expanding
development. We’ve long been keen 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.

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Unity Water Lake Macdonald Dam Upgrade
CARA has little reason to question the fundamental proposition
of the Dam up-grade and supports the Project in general.
But we are liasing with Unity Water on key issues in the areas of
water supply security, fauna and flora management with such a
significant water drop, protection of spread of invasive pests,
and the traffic management during the Projects building phase.

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Gumtree Drive Bridge
This deteriorating wooden bridge (off Swift Drive) may be removed without any Community
consultation. The continuous pathway previously provided by the bridge should be considered
as a reasonable request for council funding to support some form of replacement.

______________________________________
Maple Street Pedestrian Crossing Upgrade
Work has nearly finished on the crossing upgrade. The aim is to make motorists aware of
pedestrians and calm the traffic.

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Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Reference Group
CARA continues to be represented on this 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.

Please contact us if you have any local issues you feel we should advocate for.

7 July 2017

CARA Turns Five

Five years ago, residents wanting to ensure that people from Cooroy and district had a say in the future of the town, formed the Cooroy Area Residents Association (CARA). Independent from council or business interests and funding, the aims were:

• To provide for the betterment of Cooroy and its surrounds, with particular focus on the area’s residential community.

• To facilitate two-way communication with individuals and organisations, including local and other levels of government.

• To provide a forum for resident discussion on planning and other matters which affect Cooroy and
surrounds.

Rather than take a position on particular development applications, CARA holds information evenings to hear both sides of an application. And around local or state government election times, we provide a forum for candidates to present their policies and plans to the community.

Recent concerns include:

• Upgrades to the Elm St intersections

• Duplication of the rail line to Nambour

• Submissions to the New Noosa Plan

• Development applications for the CBD

• Inappropriate rural development
• Police crime statistics for Cooroy

The 2016 Census figures have just been released, with 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.

Current CARA president Rod Ritchie says, “Now, more than ever, development pressures are impacting
on what was once a small town with a big heart. We need to ensure that future growth is sustainable, and that Cooroy does not come to resemble just another Brisbane suburb”.

10 November 2017

Meet the Candidates Evening
CARA traditionally holds a Meet the Candidates evening for Nicklin Electorate voters who roll up to listen
to candidates and ask them questions. The bar will be open and there will be a sausage sizzle.

Meet the Nickliin Candidates
6pm, Monday, 20 November 2017
Cooroy Sports Hub
5 Opal St, Cooroy

Energex and Bowls Club sites
These sites, on Cooroy’s eastside, 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.

Cooroy Farmers and Artisans Market
The first market, held on 7 October, at Lower Mill Road, was a great success. The plan was to operate on the first, third and fifth Saturday of each month, from 6am to mid-day. Unfortunately the second market was cancelled due to poor site conditions. The second market popped up on 4 November.

Hopefully, the organisers will improve site conditions so that stallholders and visitors alike can depend on
there being a regular market.

10 September 2017

Waste Recycling

Following the recent Four Corners’ investigation into the recycling industry in New South Wales, many Noosa residents were interested to learn what happens to their recycled waste.

Here is a breakdown of how the various categories of recycled materials from the Noosa Shire are processed. This was provided by Garry Reeve, the Coordinator of Collection Services at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) located at Cooney Road Nambour, where all our recyclables are taken for
primary sorting and ultimate sale to various secondary processors.

The facility which is operated under contract by Visy Recycling, processes the following
recycling streams:

Paper & cardboard;
Plastic containers;
Aluminium cans;
Steel cans; and
Glass bottles and jars.

Each stream is processed as follows;

Paper and cardboard – sorted/baled and sent to a Visy paper mill to be made into cardboard
which is used locally and exported;
Plastic containers – sorted/baled into PET (clear plastic drink bottles etc.) & HDPE (laundry,
shampoo bottles etc.) and sent to Visy bottle blowing facility for reprocessing into new containers;
Aluminium cans – sorted/baled and sold to Aluminium Traders for reprocessing into “can sheet”
and returned to the beverage can manufacturers;
Steel cans – sorted/baled and sold to Steel Traders for reprocessing into “tinplate etc.” and on to
the Visy Can Factory;
Glass bottles & jars – crushed and sold to reprocesses in Australia such as OI Australia (new bottles) or Mineral Tec (industrial applications); and
Contaminants (non-acceptable items) are sent to landfill.

The recycling contamination rate equates to 5.34% of the tonnes received. This material is sent to landfill.

COUNCIL TENDER: Management services for Cooroy RV Stopover

Council invites Expressions of Interest from commercial operators or suitable community groups for the management of the Cooroy RV Stopover at 17 Mary River Road Cooroy. Council opened the facility in 2015 to cater for self-contained RV travellers.

Management services for the facility are sought for an initial period of one year commencing in January 2018 with the potential for extension subject to Council’s sole discretion. Tender including submission requirements are available via a quick link on Council’s website.

Cooroy Area Residents Association

CARA Links

Issues