Friday, 30 Dcember, 2022
Major Sponsor Contributing to water safety
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Baby miracle
Success breeds success
2022 in review
44-page Property Guide
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PAGES 24-30
INSIDE
PR OP ER TY
Noosa set for New Year fun With the Christmas rush behind them Noosa locals and visitors headed to the beach for some rest and relaxation ahead of New Year celebrations this weekend.
A busy Main Beach on Boxing Day.
Picture: ROB MACCOLL
Creek review on By Margie Maccoll For two hours at its final meeting for the year, Noosa Shire councillors debated whether to contract an independent review of Burgess Creek water flow. They finally voted to delay the decision until a fast-tracked council report on Burgess Creek being conducted as part of a shire-wide study on water quality issues was completed. “Over the past year I have become increasingly concerned in learning the history of the Burgess Creek catchment and when engaging
with our community understanding that my concern is matched,“ Cr Lorentson told council’s ordinary meeting. After asking for data six months ago that has not yet been forthcoming, Cr Lorentson said she was seeking “an independent review to cut through the bureaucracy and seek plain and simple answers“. “While I have the utmost respect for our staff and the staff of Unitywater, I have not been satisfied with the responses received and am now seeking an independent review,“ she said. Cr Lorentson said the community had
No markets on Christmas or New Year’s Days
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raised concerns about the impact of the discharge from the creek and Unitywater wastewater treatment plant on the environment and infrastructure, and with mis-information circulating and government mistrust evident, an independent review would provide real answers. Council chief executive officer Scott Waters backed Cr Lorentson, saying he was willing to provide finance from the CEO’s discretionary funds for the review which he expected would cost about $20,000, and Unitywater was also supportive of the move, having committed the
provision of historical data. Other councillors were less enamoured with the proposal and prepared to wait for a report on shire-wide water quality that was currently being undertaken by council staff. Cr Brian Stockwell said the shire had “bigger water quality problems elsewhere“ than Burgess Creek and submitted the results of a 2021 water quality monitoring analysis report prepared by Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee showing pollution rates ranging from B to F with F the worst case scenario. Continued page 6