Foreshore forum and Land Use Strategy Launch
Sue Brooks November 25th, 2009
Tonight I am one of the speakers appearing at an Esplanade/ Foreshore forum at USQ at 6pm. I offered to outline the current Council adopted Foreshore Plan so will be trying to cover this in the alloted 5 mins. It will be a rush and I hope my powerpoint works and looks OK!
It will be interesting to see how many people attend and what type of questions are asked. The foreshore is always a hot topic and I hope that most of you agree with my personal views that the foreshore is a jewel in our crown, we are lucky to have such abeautiful sheltered and shady foreshore and I don’t want to see it turned into a manicured, pruned and trimmed lawn.
Council and related news..
Recently Council decided to form an Economic Development Advisory group which has been created through the Economic Development portfolio under the guidance of Cr Gerard O’Connell. We have released our financial statements and Annual Report for 08-09 and dealt with many other issues.
Recently in confidential, Council dealt with issues relating to the WBWC Water Park and to USQ in the creation of the Fraser Coast Centre for Economic Development and Enterprise (CEDE). Council was asked to financially contribute to these projects. I declined to support financial assistance to the water park on the grounds that I don’t believe Council should be involved in the running of the park it being a WBWC responsibility, but I did support a limited contribution to the establishment of CEDE with ongoing support being dependent on results gained after the first year of operation.
At the last Planning and Development meeting for the year Council will decide the future of the Souvlis retail development in Maryborough. This development is proposed to be larger than the Maryborough Planning Scheme requirements at over 2000sqm so Council has to decide how best to progress this development. It is very difficult at times to make decisions that go against the adopted Planning Scheme. I personally endeavour not to support development that is in contradiction with ‘the rules’ but it is difficult when one personally doesn’t support or like the ‘rules’. I believe retail development is very much constrained in our Planning Schemes and retailers have great difficulty in arguing the ‘need’ for their developments etc. It seems to me that residential development suffers less from such constraints.
LAND USE STRATEGY LAUNCH
Yesterday Council launched our Land Use Strategy which is now called Fraser Coast 2031 Sustainable Growth Strategy. I have eagerly awaited this as it is the beginning of the process to formulate a brand new regional Planning Scheme. I encourage everyone to take an interest and have a say in the future development of our region. Public consultation will be a very important part of this process and will be widely promoted. It should commence in late January or February 2010. Stay tuned so that you can have your say…
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Sue, thank you for representing those of us who value the natural vegetation of the foreshore. I come from an area of Sydney, near the harbour which was fringed with natural vegetation and was rich in native wildlife. Hervey Bay depends for its attraction on its natural beauty and wildlife and its closeness to Fraser Island.
If a city with its preoccupations can value and preserve its natural vegetation then a tourist destination like Hervey Bay ought to do even better. The foreshore is the first impression made on visitors. It keeps the rising sea level at bay and is a priceless habitat for the wonderful birds that gladden our lives and astonish visitors.
Thanks again,
Janet Kenny