Craig Vella

2:09:41 Mayor Wilkie: The next question is from Mr Craig Vela who is also not here in person. So I ask our Acting CEO to read his questions and his responses will be provided by the Director of Development and Regulation Richard MacGillivray and Acting Director of Infrastructure Tyrone Dodd. Mr MacGillivray.

2:09:58 Speaker 6: Thank you very much. I've got a question from Craig Vela. The question is, I understand that domestic animals are not allowed off leash in conservation parks. If a conservation park over the Noosa River goes ahead, does Noosa Council know if the State Government allow residents to have their dogs on leash each time it goes below the high tide mark and swimming in the Noosa River? The response is, advice from the State Department of Environment, Science and Innovation website states that dogs and other pets are welcome in some conservation parks. State forests in recreational areas but not in national parks. As no decision has been made regarding the proposed concept of a conservation park over parts of the Noosa River, no advice has been provided by the State Government regarding animal management.

2:10:52 Speaker 2: Thanks Richard. Mr Vela, the second question is that in response to a resident's question in the June ordinary meeting, about reduced car parking, a Council staff's reply was, Council is committed to encouraging all residents and visitors to embrace public and active transport to reduce congestion as part of its endorsed transportation strategy. When were residents advised that Council had a strategy to encourage them onto public and active transport? Shouldn't residents be consulted before Council enacted a strategy that changed the way residents live their lives? Given the community negative reaction to loss of foreshore parking, will Council now consult the community to confirm they support its endorsed transport strategy which plans to encourage them onto public and active transport?

2:11:44 Speaker 4: Thanks Mr Vela for the question. In response to the development and endorsement of the Noosa transport strategy, Council reviewed from 2017 to 2017 involved several stages of community consultation and public input through 2017. Information about the strategy and consultation process was made available through multiple channels including public meetings, Council websites, newsletters and local media. Over 1,200 submissions were made by the public through surveys, submissions and in person events. And the final strategy reflected this. For further information on the consultation process, please visit the Noosa Transport Strategy 2017-2027 page on your Say Noosa. Council is committed to review the transport strategy and prepare a new movement and connectivity strategy which will include further community consultation. Thank you.

2:12:42 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you.