Brian O'Connor

Question 1

Pomona remains the only town in Noosa Shire without a flagpole at its war memorial. In its responses outlining progress on the Pomona Place Plan initiatives, the council states that the placement of a flagpole at the Pomona War Memorial is 'under consideration' - an action that has been underway, on and off, since before the memorial was refurbished and rededicated in 2018.

The question is this: This matter having been under investigation for the past seven years, what are the 'considerations' around a flagpole at this location and has that consideration resulted in any outcomes, such that the Pomona community can look forward to permission being granted for a flagpole to be located at the memorial rotunda in Joe Bazzo Park?

Response from Director Community Services Kerri Contini

Thank you, Mr. O‘Connor, for your question and your continued interest in the Pomona Place Plan initiatives.

Council acknowledges your longstanding interest in the proposal for a permanent flagpole near the Pomona Rotunda War Memorial in Joe Bazzo Park. Over several years, Council officers have carefully evaluated various factors, including the park’s limited space, high community use, safety concerns related to children and pedestrian movement, and maintenance implications such as mowing access and obstruction risks. A permanent flagpole in the open park was not supported. These considerations were outlined in previous correspondence to you.

The idea of installing a flagpole was included for consideration in the Pomona Place Plan and will be further assessed by Council to see if it could be accommodated in an existing garden bed. This proposal still needs more research and hasn't yet become a funded project. The evaluation process will continue as resources, staff capacity, and overall organisational priorities permit.

In the interim, Council advises that temporary flagpoles can be effectively utilised for commemorative events, offering flexibility without permanently impacting the park's function. Additionally, the permanent flagpole located outside the Pomona Fire Station across the road is also available for use during commemorative occasions.

Question 2

If it takes seven years to consider something as relatively simple as the placement of a flagpole in a park, beside a war memorial at Pomona, what prospect is there that Noosa Council will complete all 52 actions in the Pomona Place Plan within a 10-year timeframe; some of those actions being complex, in need of detailed planning and requiring cooperation and considerable funding from other levels of government?

Response from Director Strategic Planning & Environment Kim Rawlings

The Pomona Place Plan has actions with specific timeframes for commencement to ensure implementation of the plan can be staged in a sustainable long term approach. A Draft Short Term Implementation Plan has been prepared showing good progress against many actions in the Place Plan. This will be continually monitored over time with medium and long term projects being considered over the appropriate timeframes as part of the council budget process to ensure adequate funding.