Community Jury members give jury concept the tick

Noosa’s inaugural Community Jury members have given the Community Jury concept – a first for a Queensland council – the thumbs-up.

The 23 residents are finalising a set of recommendations on ways to reduce the 11,000 tonnes of organic waste Noosa is dumping to landfill annually.

Jury member Brian said the process distilled jurors’ vastly different views to reach a group consensus.

“Everyone came to the table and the thoughts that they had were totally different to mine, but over the process it was interesting how we've all narrowed that down,” he said.

Community juries provide a way for councils to gauge everyday peoples’ views rather than the views of special interest groups.

Jury members have called on leading waste management names, Council waste management staff, and residents from shires that have adopted organic waste management systems, in their quest to reach a set of recommendations.

Council will consider the Jury’s recommendations in August, following five months’ work by the Jury members.

“I have expanded my idea of what organic waste management is and what it means for Noosa and I think the most important bit has been learning about other peoples’ views and incorporating that into my own view,” said Jury member Gabee.

“It doesn't feel like it's my view now, it feels like more of the group’s thoughts and ideas.

“I've met a whole heap of people I would never have come across.

“I've really enjoyed listening to what they say, I don't agree with everything they say, which has caused some interesting discussions in the group, but I've really enjoyed the process.”

Jury member Jacqueline said the community jury process gave residents a say.

“Bringing everybody on board, it's not about the council, it’s about the whole community, society and the whole Noosa Shire acting as a whole and we've seen that Noosa can do that with the Free Noosa campaign. The community can really come together.”

15 July 2015