Glen Hartwig fumes at Noosa Mayor over meeting snub
A war of words has erupted between the Noosa and Gympie mayors over the inclusion of a Gympie councillor in a Teewah Beach working group meeting.
QLD News
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A war of words has erupted between the mayors of Noosa and Gympie over the attendance of a Gympie councillor at a Teewah Cooloola Working Group meeting, which has so offended the Gympie mayor he has threatened to withdraw his council from the group and campaign against its mandate.
Correspondence obtained by The Courier Mail shows Gympie Regional Council Mayor Glen Hartwig blasting Noosa Shire Council Mayor Frank Wilkie for allowing Gympie councillor Jessica Milne at last week’s meeting of the Teewah Cooloola Working Group, without his knowledge or endorsement.
Formed in 2018, the group was established in response to concerns raised about the impacts of visitors accessing Teewah Beach within the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park for recreational beach driving and camping.
It is understood that Ms Milne, who is the Gympie region councillor elected to represent Rainbow Beach and the Cooloola Coast, was contacted by a Rainbow Beach representative member of the TCWG, who stated there was a meeting on and they were expecting to see her there as the divisional councillor, with her predecessor Mark McDonald formerly part of the group along with the region’s mayor.
According to Ms Milne, as Noosa council was the original convener of the meetings, she approached Mr Wilkie about attending the meeting, rather than the Gympie mayor.
“I made inquiry as to how to be there, as requested by a Rainbow Beach representative member of the TCWG, given my position as the divisional councillor for the Rainbow Beach area and was subsequently provided permission by Mayor Wilkie to attend as an observer only,” she said.
“At no time did Mayor Wilkie personally extend an invitation to me.”
After the meeting, she emailed Mr Hartwig advising of her observer only attendance at the meeting and given his non-attendance, updated him on what happened.
Recreational four wheel drivers are a major contributor to the Cooloola Coast visitor economy, which is worth about $116.2million each year.
With more than 100,000 vehicles visiting the Great Sandy National Park area annually, authorities are now suggesting a cap on daily visitor and camping numbers.
Witness reports have also emerged of the Cooloola stretch from Noosa North Shore to Rainbow Beach being degraded by “ferals”, hoons, and people who treat it like a toilet.
Some representatives of Gympie Regional Council and Noosa Shire Council appear to be at odds over the management of this once pristine coastline, in terms of the recreational four wheel driving going forward.
In the correspondence, Mr Hartwig alleges that Mr Wilkie snubbed him and allowed Ms Milne to attend the meeting without his knowledge.
“For Friday’s meeting the Noosa mayor allowed the attendance of Cr (Jessica) Milne from Gympie without the knowledge or endorsement of GRC,” he wrote.
“My understanding was that attendance at these meetings was invitation only, from the group.
“I have heard members apologies on some occasions for bringing someone not listed but who could provide vital information to assist the group.
“It is pretty poor of a mayor in this group to circumvent the normal process of decency and invite a councillor from another council along even though this councillor has not approached the mayor of their own council.
“I am not sure how Mayor Wilke thinks this is ok on any level and I am sure if I was to medal (sic) in Noosa matters he would be rightfully disappointed.
“I am sure Mayor Wilke would expect as a minimum, if I was approached by a Noosa councillor, for me to send them back to him.”
Mr Hartwig hit out at the apparent lack of respect being shown towards himself over his position, claiming “Cr Milne was seen by Noosa as someone more in line with their desired outcomes”.
“I will again reaffirm that myself and the CEO, as representatives for the Rainbow Beach community, have nothing to gain from proceeding with goodwill and agreeing to vehicle restrictions. It’s not in our interest to limit traffic flow. We have come this far to try and find some common ground,” he said.
“Again there is no value in this for us, Sandy’s property value and lifestyle improves, Noosa council gets to say they are saving the foreshore and Rainbow has limited opportunity to attract visitors North and support the largest industry in town, tourism.
“Receiving feedback after the meeting that Cr Milne was seen by Noosa as someone more in line with their desired outcomes doesn’t in anyway promote goodwill in this process rather an attempt to manipulate the process to achieve their desired outcome, hardly respect for GRC.”
Mr Hartwig also said he would consider leaving the group if such behaviour was to continue.
“If this continues I will have no option but to make representations to GRC councillors and the Rainbow Beach community to leave the group and campaign against vehicle restrictions that do not serve the interest of this town that is totally reliant on tourism,” he said.
In a statement, Mr Wilkie said he approved Ms Milne’s attendance as an observer in the spirit of openness and regional cooperation.
“I had assumed our Gympie colleagues had discussed this request and welcomed the interest,” he said.
“I have since organised a one-on-one meeting with Mayor Hartwig to better understand any concerns and offer support where needed.”
The Teewah Cooloola Working Group consists of the Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett MP, Mr Wilkie, Noosa councillor Amelia Lorentson, Gympie council representatives, Tourism Noosa, Destination Gympie, Rainbow Beach Commerce and Tourism Association, Qld Parks and Wildlife Service, Qld Police, Noosa North Shore Association Inc, Noosa Parks Association, Teewah Landowners Association, Noosa Council CEO and Director of Strategy and Environment (observer), and representatives for the Kabi Kabi people.