CARA 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