Open letter to Bob Abbott
If the councils amalgamate, please run for Mayor of the amalgamation. We in the hinterland of Maroochy council are sick of our elected councillors bowing to the wishes of the developers. Most people that live on the Sunny Coast, do so for the life style...

Elijah – The Piece for Our Time
When Noosa Chorale decided to perform Elijah in October, they had no idea how appropriate this piece would be for Noosa. Mendelssohn’s Elijah is about Israel keeping true to its unique identity and fighting with all its might to preserve and enhance that identity...

A copy of a letter that i am circulating giving my views on council amalgamation
With the forced amalgamation of local councils I am surprised that more people are not questioning why the state governments are not being eliminated. It stands to reason that Local councils know and represent their constituents at a more humane level than do our state reps...

We can all argue till we are blue in the face
We can all argue till we are blue (or any other colour combination you fancy) in the face. Lets get down to the nitty gritty. The state is changing and this part more dramatically. We can not live in an isolated past. The way we now want to live is joining up setlements,towns and cities along the coast.

Amalgamation of councils
I don't believe that one large council can serve the people in every area. Locals know what locals need. I also do not like politicians riding rough shod over the people and the peoples wishes. June, Golden Beach

re Amalgamation
Greatest thing to happen in recent times. Let Bob Abbott know that the Confederates lost the civil war. The Union prevailed and endured!

My message is to the Council of Maroochydore
Don't get comfortable!! There is now way Noosa residents & the people who have fought to make Noosa what it is, today, over the last 30 years, are going to let this amalgamation go ahead.

Same problem here in the NT
We are having exactly the same problem here in the NT. Our wonderful little shire is being dissolved and reformed into a 'super shire' against the wishes of the local people. Stand up for what you believe in. Hardy, Darwin

Amalgamate local councils
Due to changes in society, information and communication, globalisation, need for national consistancy in education, health, legislation we do not need the State level of Government...

No
I dont think the council should go ahead with the amalgamations. Rebecca

What is happenning regards this amalgamation
What is happenning regards this amalgamation, is it all over, do we have to accept this decision, are we going to have a referendom ? I think it is so upsetting that we have no control or choice and the state government can do what they like despite everybody being against it.

Noosa is a beautiful part of the Sunshine Coast
Noosa is a beautiful part of the Sunshine Coast, governed by a strong council who are devoted to this holiday haven. It is wrong to merge these Shires as they are very different in many ways, Mooloolaba has been over-developed and Maroochydoore is a commercial strip that merges only merges into Caloundra.

Why don’t people realise
Why don’t people realise that the committee sought to amalgamate councils increase strength, unify decisions and save money? . . . Weak or no money saved is a always good thing for all of us.

Why aren't State Governments being eliminated?
With the forced amalgamation of local councils I am surprised that more people are not questioning why the state governments are not being eliminated. It stands to reason that Local councils know and represent their constituents at a more humane level than do our state reps

Everything is an opportunity!
The amalgamations and anything else which would seem to disturb our present situations are not the problem some persons think...

To all those that are saying...
To all those that are saying that the 'forced mergers' a death to democracy. The Sunshine coast has been talking about merging for at least 10 years...

withold our rates
What efect would it have if we all withold our rates in protest at this political victimisation? Thousands of ratepayers saying NO The Brits did it when Thatcher (the iron lady) imposed the Poll Tax - and the people said NO and the people won. Peter, Noosa Heads

Lack of Duty of Care
When the Noosa Division 4 Councillor Vivien Griffin resigned from Council earlier this year, the Beattie Government knew that there were plans afoot to amalgamate the shires of Noosa, Maroochydore and Caloundra...

Dear Fellow Supporters of Noosa
Attached is a letter to the Governor informing her of our will in the matter of amalgamation. It was drafted after reviewing a document prepared by a Research Analyst in Constitutional Law (53 years experience).

'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'
Old maxim: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'... Seeing amalgamation as an opportunity to "green up" Calundra and Noosa is ridiculous, as Noosaites will only be a small percentage of the voting population. It is unbelievable that Noosa can be the tail that wags the dog. Lesley

If Caloundra & Maroochydore are happy to amalgamate, let them
On the other hand, Noosa is unique in local government in that it demands reasonable development (not over development) & is one of thenicest Council areas I have ever visited...

BACK OFF BEATTIE
BACK OFF BEATTIE - democracy has gone - We will fight you and your federal mates to the end. The environment should be preserved at all costs. Well done Noosa CIty Council I support you all the way continue the fight. Jo, Brisbane

The sooner this reform takes place the better
The sooner this reform takes place the better. Australia is over governed and Council amalgamations in Victoria in the 1990s was great for the state. Victoria is now moving ahead and not looking back. Queensland shoudl do the same and Noosa needs to get it head out of the sand otherwise it will be left behind. Good on you Premier! Congratulations. Andrew, Melbourne

It is inevitable
Come on Guys, it is inevitable that we were going to become one. And it makes sense. Everybody is looking at the negative side in the fact that the other shires are going to pull the us down. Really is is the opportunity for the best practices in each shire to lift the game of the others.

Overgoverned
Re amalgamations: Most of us would agree that we (Australians) are per head of population one of the most overgoverned people on earth.

Lets have a mean and green council led by Bob Abbot
Much bleating by an elitist few, driven by self serving councillors about to be tossed out so they have to get a real job for a change!

WE WILL UNITE & WE WONT LET BEATTIE DEFITE US
Noosa is a sustainable community with friendly people and beautiful surrounds. Instead of the government respecting what we have and mirroring it, it wants to take it over & destroy it.

Private Funded Referendum
I heard that if councils try to hold a referendum to undo the amalgamation forced upon them, the state government will force councillors to pay for it out of their own pockets.

Sick to death of this Dictatorship
This government has a habit of riding roughshed over the democratic process of the electorate. Cate Molloy got kicked out for doing the same thing, she was elected to represent her community, did just that, and got booted.

I am all for the amalgamation
I am all for the amalgamation, and believe that the whole area will benefit, e.g. infrastructure such as roads (Bruce Highway), and hopefully more professional Councillors. Ken, Buderim

'Yipee' lets go forward and progress!!
I orignally came from South Australia where amalgamation has taken place. It was the greatest thing that ever happend to my area south of Adelaide. The 'Super Council' did more as a whole than all the individual smaller councils could have dreamed of. I s

Review of The LG REFORM COMMISSIONS REPORT & Proposed Amalgamation of NOOSA
I have sent the following to all Members of the State Parliament, the Governor of Queensland, some Federal MP's, the Prime Minister and the Federal Opposition Leader in the hope that someone will review this in a common sense manner.

They wait in line...
Imagine a small, beautiful community by the sea where there lived ten flourishing families. Each family had a set of kind, intelligent parents who loved and cared for their children. All the parents instilled a sense of pride and individuality and uniquen

past resident of Maroochydore
As a past resident of Maroochydore (for some 30 years) and a person who has recently moved to the 'Noosa' hinterland. I want to state unequivocally that I do not want Noosa Shire to be amalgamated into a Sunshine Coast super shire.

Say hello to the amalgamation...
Say hello to the amalgamation and also hello to Noosa becoming the next big Juniper (Development) slum :( Say goodbye to the sun on the beach and hello to mini chernobyl estate developments popping up all over the coast. Ian B, Eumundi

Let's go for gold...
My mate John Birmingham (journalist) is blogging for Fairfax about the immanent amalgamation - please notify your members, friends, etc to respond to his blog tomorrow at...

Prior Sunshine Coast Amalgamation Articles
A lot of information was released from Interested parties prior to the final Recommendations, if you are interested in who said what in regard to 'Sunshine Coast Council Amalgamation' just click here...

Maybe this will knock Noosa residents down off their high horse
Well, the answer is in... Maroochy, Caloundra AND Noosa are ALL going to be part of the new Sunshine Coast Council, decided by QLD State Govt today... Maybe this will knock Noosa residents down off their high horse... John, Buderim

Let's face it
The ONLY reason Mr Beattie wants to amalgamate Noosa council is that he WANTS OUR WATER!!!!! This is because He did NOT plan ahead. Now WE have to pay for his mistake.

Council Amalgamations
Councils exist to service the State Government: their primary purpose is to provide State-agreed services properly and efficiently. If we want councils to be community bodies (on the other hand), then we should request a referendum/plebisite to have bodie

Noosa Council - Model for the Sunshine Coast
If we are going to have one council, why not model the Sunshine Coast on the best Council on the Sunshine Coast. A lot of rate payers see Noosa as the best. Also, the Gold Coast did it and from all indications, the conversion was successful.

Noosa should stay as is
Noosa should stay as is, it`s a unique area and has been well managed, unlike the rest of the coast. I`d hate to see Noosa loose the image it has and the uniqueness it has by changing the current council setup.

NO amalgamation
We @ noosa don't want to be amalgamated, sure make some boundry changes but NO amalgamation. Ask Maroochydore they don't want us either. Deb

Submission to the Local Government Reform Commission
I am writing with regard to the proposed Local Government Reform process announced by Premier Peter Beattie and Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser on 17 April 2007, and the subsequent Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2007 which wa

Please Explain....
I don't understand why everyone on the Sunshine Coast is up in arms? None of our Councils was on that 'weak' councils report that came out last week? I thought the Government was doing this whole reform bit to get rid of councils that were corrupt, not

Council Amalgamation
My belief has always been that a democracy provides a Government of the People for the People. What has happened in Queensland? We have a premier who everyday becomes more and more like President Mugabe, and we seems to be becoming part of a dictatorshi

Back off Beattie
The Sunshine Coast is not the only area that has an issue here, it seems the big boys in BrisVegas find all of us rural areas to be a pain and don't want the hassle as we don't have enough voices to compete with the all important cities. Bothered from Ba

Would amalgamation prevent the Noosa Shire Council Fish Hatchery...
Would amalgamation prevent the Noosa Shire Council Fish Hatchery, from dumping used chemicals directly into Lake Macdonald just beside the water treatment plant?

Say Yes to council amalgamation to make Noosa a safer place to live in
Because the Noosa Shire Council lied under oath and fabricated criminal charges against me and a person on my fish hatchery, no contractor is game to work for me on my property like they have done since 1985.

Don't be a lackey to Maroochydore
Maroochydore have always tried to be the Sunshine Coast Council. They get the lions share of everything and it is not proportionate to the population.

Who Cares
the state government will do whatever it wants and we will have not say. maybe they will look at money spent and stop the christian churches taking over the whole sunshine coast

Why Amalgamate?
I want to know what is behind this? We are not the only area they are talking about? Sounds like a favourable Land Developers grab to me, shame on the Government! June, Peregian

'super council'
A bigger 'super council' on the coast as the last thing the residents want, though I can understand the economics of it; less duplication of services, bureaucracy etc.

amalgamate and get rid of tom heulet and all is good mooloolaba
Simon Hudson

If Noosa is as far as Peregian
If Noosa is as far as Peregian, then extend to the maroochy river to avoid confusion, why have Toolga st east as a boundary then the next home is worth...

Leave Noosa council alone
Leave Noosa council alone - we run own green council well and don't need to be told by Mr Beattie that we need to Amalgamate. LEAVE NOOSA ALONE. NO AMALGAMATION, NO DAM. Leonie Shanahan

Amalgamation might have advantages for some Councils
Amalgamation might have advantages for some Councils on the coast where they have a community of interest...

Don't let Noosa amalgamate
Don't let Noosa amalgamate with Maroochy and Caloundra! Kate Israel

I love Noosa Shire
I love Noosa Shire because it has a beautiful environment, a human scale in its built environment, an aesthetic that make living here a delight and a Council that is approachable, proactive, visionary, continually on the look out for how to improve its ow

'Sunshine Coast Amalgamation Comments', How to have your say here...
This Amalgamation business is obviously affecting a lot of people all over Queensland, though how it will affect our own backyard is of immediate concern to us here on the Coast. Please have your say, raise your thoughts, see if others feel the same way.

Culture vs Economics
I have to admit, being a Noosa resident, I am not in favour of Amalgamation with any other shire. Having said that, I do understand many of the Economic advantages that being a super Sunshine Coast council would give us here.

Amalgamate this....
While we are talking about amalgamation of councils, dont stop there, based on the same reasoning we can amalgamate a lot more.

Albert shire & Gold Coast city council
Well my view point on the whole amalgamation of councils is not very good. In theory it sounds like a great idea but after going through the amalgamation of the two councils on the Gold Coast ( Albert shire & Gold Coast city council)...

Noosa should stay as it is...
It seems to me based on some research that Noosa should stay as it is given its environmental record compared to Maroochydore Council. Noosa can look after itself and does not pander too developers like many other councils do...

Opec and Upec and Ipec and Gregory pec...
We should not amalgamate, because Maroochydore would take power over noosa and develope high rise buildings. Maroochydore and Caloundra are fools for choosing which to amalgamate.

The battle for democracy in Queensland just got murkier
The agenda behind the amalgamation of Councils has always been about centralising power at the State level, not efficiency nor planning for future growth as Beattie has claimed. If you needed proof, consider the following recent events...

Had to happen
Had to happen,the best thing yet to happen to this area.Noosa needs to get it nose out of joint and work with the rest of us, No body is impressed by their childish behaviour.we have a great future and we all neeed to work towards that end. Graham, Bli Bli

I've not heard any benefits for amalgamation
I've not heard any benefits for amalgamation other than more efficent - no measurable figures supplied. In fact, info on the web only suggests it marginalies' individuals from the communities that are there to represent and serve! David, Pelican Waters

disgusted at the lack of public consultation
I'm disgusted at the lack of public consultation and the bulldozer attitude of the state government and peter beatties deceit over this council amalgamation that is going to offer less services and cost more... i see no benefit for the general public but plenty of revenue raising what happened to democracy....mary bruce

we need a new name
i think the mergers of the councils in time will prove to be a good thing for all concerned. also all the very expensive equipment each council now owns can be better utlized and the costs spread out saving millions of tax payers money. and a master plan for the new sun- coast. we need a new name

DOGS ON THE BEACH AT COOLUM
Like many dog owners we love our small Lhasa Apso to run feely on the beach, he just loves it. On Sunday morning little Harry was savagely attacked by another, larger dog, and lost his eye as a result; our little Harry was innocent, just walking quietly with us.