Council announces an extensive program of community engagement for the first term of Council

Noosa Council will embark on an extensive program of community engagement initiatives for 2024 to ensure residents' voices continue to shape decision-making on key strategic projects for Noosa Shire. 

Coffee chats were a part of the first phase of the Destination Management Plan community consultation.

The schedule of community engagement was detailed at Council’s May 16 Ordinary Meeting, with some of the key projects being Phase 2 of the Destination Management Plan, Amendment No.2 to the Noosa Plan 2020, the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan and Concepts for Resilience Phase 2, the Pomona Placemaking Plan Phase 2, the Noosa Botanic Gardens Master Plan and the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan.

Mayor Frank Wilkie said all of Council’s strategic plans reflected the aspirations of the community, as provided by community feedback.

“Noosa Council recognises that community engagement is a vital part of effective democracy. Quality engagement between Council and residents across Noosa Shire is critical to good governance and supports strong, resilient communities.”

Several initiatives to enhance internal and external engagement were also announced.

“We are delighted to bring Council Ordinary Meetings back to communities around the shire so that our residents have an opportunity to come along and meet with us and watch the decision-making process first hand, close to home, without having to make the trip to the Council chambers at Tewantin,” the Mayor said.

“The first “Council in the Community” meeting will be held in Pomona from 5pm on Thursday, June 20, at the Pomona Memorial School of Arts Hall. We’re also inviting the community to come along before the meeting from 2pm for an informal conversation with Councillors about what matters most to them in their community,” Cr Wilkie said.

Council staff will also be on hand between 2pm and 5pm on June 20 to listen to the views of the local community on Amendment No.2 to the Noosa Plan 2020 and the Pomona Place Plan Phase 2. Both are major projects for the shire that are inviting community feedback.

Councillor Coffee Chats, which were paused due to COVID, will also soon return.

Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock, said restrictions around the local government election period imposed considerable delays on local governments’ ability to engage with the community, which has contributed to a busy schedule of community engagement for the remainder of 2024. 

“We understand and appreciate that there is a lot of information competing for people’s attention every day. That is why we will continue to focus our community engagement activities on the matters where community interest, impact and influence are high,” he said.

Mayor Wilkie encouraged the community to stay informed about Council projects and take the opportunity to help shape decision-making on important issues.

“Council’s Your Say community engagement platform is a great way to get across any new projects that are open for community input or under consideration. It provides all the background information you will need to provide your input on a Council project. The Your Say platform is great for people who may not have time or prefer not to attend a face-to-face engagement event.”

You can also register your details on the platform to be kept informed about new Council projects. Go to yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au to find out more.