Noosa Council unveils updated infrastructure plan for Noosaville foreshore

The controversial masterplan to redevelop the Noosaville foreshore has been given the green light after community backlash forced the council back to the drawing board.

Noosa Council unveils updated infrastructure plan for Noosaville foreshore after the original was torn to shreds by the public.

The controversial masterplan to redevelop the Noosaville foreshore has been fully revised after the original proposal was torn to shreds by the community last year.

Plans to reduce parking and remove what the public deemed key facilities led the community to reject the first draft of the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan in June and July, 2024.

The plan was endorsed at the Noosa Council meeting on Thursday.

In the year since, Noosa Council says it has conducted “extensive consultation” with thousands of residents to shape a new plan “that reflects Noosa’s collective aspirations” for the area.

Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said the council was ready to deliver the “collective 20-year vision for the foreshore”.

“We’ve worked in good faith to respect and balance all views … in a master plan that preserves what everyone loves about the Noosaville foreshore, while paving the way for improvements,” he said.

Of the 2000 residents who provided input, Mr Wilkie said “many” went so far as to thank council for reflecting the community’s wishes in the revised draft.

Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie. Picture: Iwan Jones

The updated 20-year plan includes retaining the existing parking and loading zones the public advocated for, as well as two swimming areas where boats are restricted and upgraded parkland facilities.

Mr Wilkie said there were various challenges, including ageing infrastructure, river flooding and erosion, that would also be addressed under the new plan.

“Much of the existing infrastructure has reached the end of its service life and no longer meets current standards,” he said.

“The master plan allows council to apply for external grant funding so we spare ratepayers the upgrade costs estimated at $10m over the next 20 years.”

Spinning what was once public outrage into something to be grateful for, Mr Wilkie thanked the community for their input.

“Key aspects of this master plan will undergo detailed design and ongoing community consultation to ensure residents are kept informed and that what’s delivered continues to reflect our community’s collective and evolving aspirations,” he said.

Despite the weight council had evidently given public feedback, questions continue to be raised about key community gripes with the infrastructure plan.

The justification for removing parking spaces to broaden certain walking footpaths were questioned at Thursday’s council meeting.

In response, infrastructure services director Shaun Walsh suggested finding a balance between carpark retention and accommodating recreational use of the foreshore was delicate.

Mr Walsh also emphasised that any changes were “dependent on future funding, ongoing design refinement and community engagement”.