VIEW News

LOW CARBON DIET PROGRAM – During March/April a group of families across the Sunshine Coast will be participating in the Queensland Government Climate Smart – Low Carbon Diet Program. This community education program aims to assist households in reducing their monthly CO2 by 2000 kilos and encourages the embedding of low carbon habits in day to day behaviour. I have been invited by ICP Aust Inc (Not for profit Indigenous Projects) a local indigenous projects group who are key advocates of the Low Carbon Diet Program to become involved in their program “Small Footprint – Common Ground”, a one-month long program recruiting up to 30 households. I will be attending the launch being held on 6 March at the Nambour Community Centre at 3pm and would encourage all to attend. If you would like more information on this program, please contact Walbira Murray on 0422 944 009 or at walbiramurray@yahoo.com

MALENY CROQUET CLUB - I have been working with the Maleny Croquet Club and council staff to resolve some of their drainage issues in time for the 2012 World championships.

A number of options were considered, and Council and the Club agreed to look at the drain revegetation option in more detail. The swale drain at the car park will also be reprofiled to discharge into the field inlet. The preferred option should resolve most of the weed infestation in the longer term, after a basic initial clean-up and weed spray

CAMBROON BRIDGE NOT SO FAR AWAY- A council project manager has been appointed to oversee the construction of a new Cambroon Bridge. Council has allocated money in the budget for its design and preliminary work and has applied for Natural Disaster Mitigation funding from the State and Federal Governments, about which we should hear in the next couple of months. Once the site, design and environmental aspects have been finalised, the new bridge construction will commence.

BOTANIC GARDENS ART AND ECOLOGY CENTRE UPDATE – Because of the new Koala Conservation Legislation, Council was required to reconsider the location of the proposed new Art and Ecology Centre planned for the Botanic Gardens. We await a positive response from the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to plan the new facility in the existing bus-parking area. A concept layout and engineering brief has been prepared which would be used to fully develop the design of the building.

KALORA PARK, Palmwoods Repairs to the gazebo will commence soon and we hope to have the project finished by June, weather permitting. Council recognises the significance of the structure to the community and will upgrade with these sentiments in mind.

Sir Francis Nicklin Park, Palmwoods The current wood-fired BBQ’s are past their use-by-date. These BBQ’s will be removed; however Council is yet to resolve whether to replace them with electric BBQ’s or to maintain this park as a “picnic basket park”. There are a number of other electric BBQ’s in close vicinity so we are seeking feed-back from park users regarding their thoughts on what needs to be installed at this facility.

NO BARK IN THE PARK JUST YET – Feedback regarding residents request for consideration of a dog park at Ewen Maddock Dam. A meeting was held with Council staff, SEQWater and local residents regarding this request. This reserve area is exclusively owned by SEQWater and thus not a matter for Local Government; however SEQWater is currently developing its strategic plan for the area and assures me that the community will be fully consulted in the process..

PALMWOODS TELSTRA TOWER - I have been advised by the developer of the proposed Telstra Tower in Palmwoods that the notice of intent to build the facility is now open for public submissions. Submissions in opposition or support will need to be lodged by the close of business on the 26 February.

I emphasise that it is important for residents to lodge their objections/support in the right format, the form is available from the council’s development desk in Nambour or you could call Customer Service on 1300 742 339 for more information.