Noosa councillors vote to remove Park Rd at Thursday’s ordinary meeting

A temporary pathway popular with local residents along Park Rd will be removed in a vote which split the councillors. It was one of four key decisions at Thursday’s meeting.

The Youngcare residential care facility on Noosa Hill has won council approval.

Here are four key decisions local residents should know about from the Noosa Council ordinary meeting on Thursday:

Park Rd pathway

A temporary pathway popular with local residents along Park Rd will be removed in a vote which split the councillors.

Councillors Brian Stockwell, Frank Wilkie and Joe Jurisevic voted against its removal, with councillors Tom Wegener, Karen Finzel and Mayor Clare Stewart voted to retain it.

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Ms Stewart used her casting vote after Ms Amelia Lorentson declared a conflict of interest and did not vote due to her friendship with Park Rd residents.

It's the end of the road for this temporary pathway along Park Rd.

This pathway was constructed in 2018 while the major boardwalk upgrade to the national park was taking place.

Councillors were told by staff that the pathway would cost $103,000 to bring up to safety standards and the cost of removal was $130,000.

Removal costs will be covered as part a budget review or other project savings.

Residential care facility

Noosa Hill’s scenic Viewland Dr will now be home to a new Youngcare high-needs residential care facility despite local concerns about the impact of the facility on traffic and parking.

Ms Stewart, who is a board member of Youngcare, excused herself from the debate.

The vote was passed unanimously by the remaining six councillors.

Noosa Council has split over a decision to remove a pathway locals wanted retained.

Council CEO Brett de Chastel has been authorised by council to investigate traffic and parking issues raised in objections. Timbers removed from the heavily vegetated site may be offered to local wood-turning groups rather than the developer just mulching the trees.

As well the council approval noted that a cultural heritage management plan may be required for the site to ensure there is no Aboriginal cultural damage caused by construction.

Shopping centre’s new tenant

After years of sitting empty, the council-owned Sunrise Beach shopping centre at Grasstree Court has found an anchor tenant.

Local operator Tanglewood Pty Ltd run by the people behind Hastings St’s landmark Cafe Le Monde has been unanimously awarded a five-year lease for a fresh produce organic markets outlet.

Mayor Clare Stewart outside the Sunrise Beach shops about to have a crucial tenant vacancy filled.

The council will have an option of four five-year lease extensions, all going well.

The closure of the former FoodWorks local convenience store impacted on the centre, but council now stands to earn ratepayers a return of $85,000 a year in rent.

Budget review

Councillors were presented a third budget review for the year.

Returns from commercial facilities were better than expected and helped slash the annual operating deficit from $3m to just under $1m.

This was due largely to the venues reopening from the COVID-19 shutdowns earlier than expected.

Council facilities like the Noosa Aquatic Centre reopening sooner than expected after the COVID-19 shutdowns has council's revenue flowing better than expected.

Financial services manager Trent Grauf said the capital expenditure program has been revised back by $4.2 million to $31.2 million for the financial year.

This follows a review by council’s capital works executive. The changes were adopted by councillors unanimously.

Originally published as Noosa councillors vote to remove Park Rd at Thursday’s ordinary meeting