Craig Vella

Question 1

Given considerable community concerns with the concept of a Conservation Park over the Noosa River please advise the origins of turning the fish habitat areas of the Noosa River into a Conservation Park. Without supplying an individual name, was it a State Agency, Council Staff, a Councillor, or another person that proposed the concept.

Response from Director Strategy & Environment, Kim Rawlings

One of the complexities of managing the Noosa River system and catchment is that it is governed by a range of agencies, each with different responsibilities and legislative, regulatory, planning and community roles. For catchment management to be effective there needs to be a concerted and coordinated approach across all agencies and stakeholders. For the past 20 years Council has explored a range of mechanisms to achieve integrated management and collaborative arrangements for the Noosa River Catchment. Most river catchments and many other local governments grapple with this and there are a range of models that’s exist. Council has explored many of these and various ideas have come from various sources both within Council and from our community. This most recent idea of a conservation park as another management model to explore or consider was first suggested by Noosa Parks Association. Council officers did some initial investigation, noting like other models previously explored it was worthy of further consideration, officers therefore recommended it be included for investigation and consideration in the River Plan.

Question 2

Could the Sustainable Transport Levy which is budgeted to raise $933,000 in the 23/24 draft budget be used to repair and/or reconstruct the 'on land component' of the boat ramp and associated car and trailer parking at Hilton Esplanade or at any other boat ramp in the Noosa Shire? If not then why?

Response from Acting Director Infrastructure, Shaun Walsh

The Sustainable Transport Levy contributes towards the cost associated with a range of transport services and initiatives that have the purpose of reducing traffic congestion and demand on Noosa’s road network. This currently funds Councils “Go Noosa” initiatives including free bus services during peak times, satellite parking areas, carparking studies associated with demand management such as the carparking technology trail implemented by Council in 23/34 Christmas period. The levy is being fully expended at present and funding for new carparking initiatives would either need the levy to rise, or existing services to be curtailed. If levy funding was made available in the future for water transport, the most aligned for use of the Sustainable Transport Levy could be associated with any “on water” public transport including jetties for future public ferries (if that was a desired option), as well as support satellite carparking spaces for patrons of a public ferry, rather than construction of carparking and trailer parking for private use of the boat ramp. It is noted that Council has recently undertaken sealing and line marking of the existing boat ramp carpark at Noosaville as part of its ongoing funding allocations and commitment to asset renewal and maintenance. In terms of upgrades the optimal funding mechanism for boat ramp and associated car and trailer parking is grant funding, underpinned by use of Council asset renewal budget. To be able to seek grant funding Council would ideally have shovel ready projects to meet submission obligations of the state and federal government programs as they arise. Council has commenced Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan, to assist in having shovel ready plans for the Noosaville Boat Ramp, but note that more planning work needs to be done at other boat ramp and parking locations in the Shire such as Tewantin, and has budget allocations for future years to allow that work to commence.