Council lists big achievements for 2016/17

In 2016/17, Council answered more than 65,000 phone calls, emptied 1,846,152 household bins and lent over 570,000 library books.

These are among the figures detailed in Noosa Council’s Year in Review document now live on Council’s website.

Compiled by CEO Brett de Chastel, it lists more than 60 achievements from the past 12 months, across categories such as environment, community, economy and long-term planning.

Mayor Tony Wellington said developing Council’s Zero Emissions Strategy – which will see Council reduce its net emissions to zero by 2026 – was among the more significant achievements of 2016/17.

“But it’s by no means alone. We’ve also finalised the design for the new Peregian Beach Digital Hub and secured $1million from the State to help us build it,” the Mayor said.

“Over the year, we distributed more than $800,000 to local community groups in the form of grant funding. 

“And work is well underway drafting the Shire’s new planning scheme. This lengthy project will include further community consultation before final sign-off by the State in 2019. 

“We also endorsed a new Transport Strategy that seeks to manage traffic congestion and growth. Developed with significant input from the community, Council received over 1,250 suggestions during the consultation processes,” the Mayor said.

“Community engagement has been a hallmark of the past year, with a long list of projects enjoying community input. Various social strategy plans, planning studies and economic development projects have directly involved residents and local businesses. So too have many individual issues such as the future of the Cooroy Memorial Hall.”

“This year Council also awarded a new waste management contract, worth $46 million, to see the Shire through to 2024.

“Other achievements include the trial of new environmentally-friendly asphalt, approval of 99% of all development applications received, and better than forecast financial outcomes. On top of that, we’ve even managed to restructure the organisation, creating a new Environment & Sustainable Planning Department.

“Looking back, it is incredible what the organisation has been able to achieve over the last 12 months. None of it would have been possible were it not for the significant efforts of our very dedicated staff. I want to acknowledge the passion and pride that Council staff put into their work on behalf of the Noosa community,” Mayor Wellington said.

4 August 2017