Precious space 'worth keeping' as it is

Foreshore review draws huge interest

HUGE RESPONSE: Noosa Council's Clint Irwin is urging more locals to join an already massive response on river foreshore land use. Picture: Peter Gardiner

NOOSA residents are so passionate about protecting the Noosaville foreshore public space that the public response to the draft land use master plan is shaping up to be the biggest ever to council.

That is according to council property and facilities manager Clint Irwin, who is urging as many people as possible to have their say on the crucial issue before the February 22 public consultation cut-off.

To date, 90 per cent of responses are for no further encroachments.

Mr Irwin said the council draft was in favour of no extensions to commercial leases on public land.

"We had over 1000 surveys completed, 18,000 views of the project video and 55,000 posts (on Facebook),” MrIrwin said.

"That's big numbers.

"So far the community consultation is backing that - there's 90 per cent of people want it to remain as an open piece of relaxing space where you can enjoy the river.

"The proposal to lease recreational land for commercial purposes... that was soundly rebutted by the community, so we're not pursuing that.

"The community has a vision for the foreshore which is about open space.”

He said allowing extended uses would only chip away at that land area.

Mr Irwin said it was important for people to go online now to Your Say Noosa and have a look at the plan.

"Just see if you like it. We still want that last minute feedback on whether you agree with us. I'm hammering home the public consultation does close on February 22.

"The job's not done yet.

"We hope to have a report back to council on the feedback of the draft in two or three months' time.”

He hopes to have the final report out by June to be voted on by the council.

"I was surprised at how many people took the time to respond,” Mr Irwin said.

"I knew the area was popular. I think the community is saying that these areas are really important and council must take its trusteeship very seriously.

"The dog off-leash area that we're proposing, that's generating some interest so I think we'll hear some more from this.”

To respond, email [e-mail] and use the title "Submission to the Draft Noosaville Foreshore Land Use Master Plan” or send it to Noosa Council at PO Box 141, Tewantin 4565.