HELLO AND WELCOME TO MY BLOG!
As I am standing as a councillor for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, this blog gives you some info about my work and life experience, and the issues I think are important in the March 15 election. More importantly, it also gives you the opportunity to give me feedback. I'm looking forward to this new world of interactivity!
KEY ISSUES FOR THIS ELECTION
Above all else, the goal of valuing and protecting the special environment and lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast must be the defining issue for the March 15 election.
That can only be done by identifying the sustainable carrying capacity of theSunshine Coast, based on high quality planning studies and community input, and implemented within the term of the new regional council.
This election will set the direction for the Sunshine Coast for decades to come. The next 4 years will be literally the make or break years for the Sunshine Coast region from Beerburrum to Kin Kin.
The choice is equally stark for Division 9 voters. You can choose the Maroochy Council "business as usual" option, the dominant characteristics of which are secrecy, incompetence, lack of vision and poor environmental performance.
The starkest example is Maroochy Council’s failure to challenge the population growth figures to be imposed on the Sunshine Coast by the State Government under the SEQ Regional Plan. The future planned for the Sunshine Coast is to have population figures of 424 000 by 2026, very close to the Gold Coast right now.
Most people moved to the Sunshine Coast precisely because they did not want the Gold Coast lifestyle. They love our special blend of beaches, environment, hinterland, mountains, and low key relaxed lifestyle. Population figures of 424 000 will inevitably mean that these qualities will be lost forever. If we do not act now, our children will not thank us for the legacy we leave behind.
Instead of challenging this future, Maroochy Council has submitted a secret Local Growth Management Strategy to the State Government outlining how it proposes to shoehorn in the planned population increases. Mayor Natoli has admitted that growth will be concentrated in Nambour, Burnside, Bundilla, COOLUM and Peregian Springs.
With limited greenfield sites, future growth must be accommodated by increasing residential density in existing areas, either by increasing numbers of allowable storeys or increased duplexes and/or units. Maroochy Council is going to an election without releasing this information to its residents.
I offer a real alternative to this cowardly roll over. I believe it is imperative that the Sunshine Coast Regional Council consult with its communities on the kind of future they want, and then work towards achieving that future through changes in its town plans.
This is what we did in Noosa Council. I have direct experience and knowledge of the planning mechanisms by which this can be done. I can provide sensible answers to the scaremongering and myths that inevitably are raised.
As a powerful, amalgamated region, we must use our combined strength to tell the Queensland Government what kind of a future we want for this region, not have them impose an unwanted future on us.
10 January 2008
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MY COUNCIL EXPERIENCE
I have served the community for 10 years as a Noosa Councillor, delivering major improvements in co-operation with business and the community. I know that it is possible to be effective on both environmental and economic issues. My achievements and experience over this period:
*Delivered multi-million dollar improvements to the David Low Way and the Peregian Beach shopping centre
*Instigated a Retail Precinct economic development strategy to revitalise the local business centres of Noosa Junction, Noosaville, Tewantin, Peregian Beach and Pomona
*Served 4 years on the Noosa Tourism Board, developing a 10 year Action Plan and an innovative way of funding and managing tourism development, with results evident in the bottom line of tourism operators
*Member of the Planning and Environment Committee which developed the ‘Population Cap’ Planning Scheme now so valued by the community.
*Chaired the Works and Community Services Committee, which had responsibility for the biggest works programme in Noosa’s history, including huge Main Roads demaining contributions.
*Chaired the Transport Reference Group which had community representation. We changed the culture of Council’s Works Department from road-builder to transport facilitator, delivered on road funding and planning, received significant road funding from Department of Main Roads and initiated a major new partnership on public transport with Queensland Transport.
*Instigated and chaired the Bicycle Advisory Group and worked consultatively with all bicycle user groups. As a result of our consistent focus, Noosa is now recognised as a leader in cycling facilities in south-east Queensland. Received a National Cycling Award in recognition of my efforts.
*Steered the introduction of the first-ever intergovernmental management of the Noosa River, a treasured and heavily-used natural and recreation asset
*Founding member on the LivingSmartNoosa sustainable housing project, which promoted sustainable housing design and businesses
*Initiated Noosa’s membership in the Cities for Climate Protection program focussing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
*Delivered multi-million dollar improvements to the David Low Way and the Peregian Beach shopping centre
*Instigated a Retail Precinct economic development strategy to revitalise the local business centres of Noosa Junction, Noosaville, Tewantin, Peregian Beach and Pomona
*Served 4 years on the Noosa Tourism Board, developing a 10 year Action Plan and an innovative way of funding and managing tourism development, with results evident in the bottom line of tourism operators
*Member of the Planning and Environment Committee which developed the ‘Population Cap’ Planning Scheme now so valued by the community.
*Chaired the Works and Community Services Committee, which had responsibility for the biggest works programme in Noosa’s history, including huge Main Roads demaining contributions.
*Chaired the Transport Reference Group which had community representation. We changed the culture of Council’s Works Department from road-builder to transport facilitator, delivered on road funding and planning, received significant road funding from Department of Main Roads and initiated a major new partnership on public transport with Queensland Transport.
*Instigated and chaired the Bicycle Advisory Group and worked consultatively with all bicycle user groups. As a result of our consistent focus, Noosa is now recognised as a leader in cycling facilities in south-east Queensland. Received a National Cycling Award in recognition of my efforts.
*Steered the introduction of the first-ever intergovernmental management of the Noosa River, a treasured and heavily-used natural and recreation asset
*Founding member on the LivingSmartNoosa sustainable housing project, which promoted sustainable housing design and businesses
*Initiated Noosa’s membership in the Cities for Climate Protection program focussing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
MY OBJECTIVES
(1) Develop sustainable population growth targets for the region to protect our unique coastal lifestyle and environment. This will be done in consultation with local communities, together with expert planning advice, and by assessing all the infrastructure that growth requires, including transport, water, open and recreation space, economic development, hospitals, schools and aged care.
(2) Increase sustainable transport options, including bus rapid transit, cycle and hinterland transport to combat congestion and reduce the impact of petrol prices.
(3) Establish responsible financial management strategies to hold down rates across the whole shire and ensure that new development pays its full way.
(4)Work in partnership with the tourism and business operators of Coolum, Yandina, Eumundi and Bli Bli to protect and increase market share.
(5)Support communities in their struggles against Bridges industrial development, the Powerlink corridor and the Kulangoor landfill. I will seek a regional waste strategy, as has been done elsewhere.
(6)Value and protect the individual character of Coolum, Eumundi, Yandina and Bli Bli by working in co-operation with local community groups.
(7) Work with local communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy generation and work in partnership with rural landowners to increase food production capacities and markets
(2) Increase sustainable transport options, including bus rapid transit, cycle and hinterland transport to combat congestion and reduce the impact of petrol prices.
(3) Establish responsible financial management strategies to hold down rates across the whole shire and ensure that new development pays its full way.
(4)Work in partnership with the tourism and business operators of Coolum, Yandina, Eumundi and Bli Bli to protect and increase market share.
(5)Support communities in their struggles against Bridges industrial development, the Powerlink corridor and the Kulangoor landfill. I will seek a regional waste strategy, as has been done elsewhere.
(6)Value and protect the individual character of Coolum, Eumundi, Yandina and Bli Bli by working in co-operation with local community groups.
(7) Work with local communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy generation and work in partnership with rural landowners to increase food production capacities and markets
