A year of ‘change, challenges and triumphs’

Delivering a record $43 million capital works program, adopting a new corporate plan and finalising a housing strategy are among Council’s 2022/23 financial year highlights.

These and other achievements are detailed in Acting CEO Larry Sengstock’s 2022/23 Year in Review report tabled at this week’s General Committee Meeting. 

Major projects delivered include a new roundabout for the future Tewantin Bypass.

Mayor Clare Stewart said the report was a revealing read.

“The report shows just how big a year it’s been, with much achieved in 12 months. We’ve implemented change, navigated challenges and notched up plenty of triumphs,” she said.

“Our Acting CEO Larry Sengstock and staff are to be congratulated for the volume of work completed,” Mayor Stewart said.

“We finalised our housing strategy and we’re delivering its actions - planning scheme amendments to encourage smaller, affordable housing are before the state for approval and we’ve signed an MOU with a housing provider to progress housing opportunities on Council land.”

The Mayor said a letter-writing campaign to encourage short-stay owners to place their properties on the permanent rental market was a success with more than 60 owners taking up the call and helping provide permanent homes for locals.

Fire management remained a priority with Council delivering four in-house controlled burns, while 16 staff now have nationally accredited fire training and the Firetech program is testing AI and other tech to detect, predict, and remotely fight bushfires.

It’s been a big year of infrastructure delivery, with Council completing a record a $43 million capital works program.

Projects include a new roundabout for the future Tewantin Bypass, $3 million Wahpunga Lane Bridge renewal, $1.55 million upgrade for a two-kilometre section of Middle Creek Road, and the $1.3 million Cooroy Belli Creek Road upgrade.

“Our Infrastructure Services team has worked tirelessly on the most ambitious capital works program we’ve ever tackled, all while overseeing an $80 million flood recovery works program.”

Council’s Sport and Recreation team secured more than $3 million from six different funding programs to support local sport and recreation projects, plus deliver the Olive Donaldson Pavilion at Noosa District Sports Complex.

The Mayor said expansion of Noosa Library Service’s reach was a big win, with a more versatile mobile library now on the road, and two library kiosks expanding access to the library’s services.

“Other highlights include 42% of the shire’s land now protected as conservation land, plus we’ve upgraded the Noosa Trail Network’s Cooroora Trail, distributed significant funds to community groups, provided over 50,000 hours of service to local seniors through Noosa Seniors, and refreshed our Council brand,” Cr Stewart said.

“It’s been a huge year. Council is batting above its average to support our community.”

The CEO’s Year in Review is available online on Council’s website.