Sunshine Coast Council Community Update

► AGED CARE FACILITY - GIRRAWEEN

The need for quality aged care facilities in Noosa will be met through a new residential aged care facility that was recently given the green light by council for construction in Grasstree Court at Girraween. This new development will address a current shortfall and growing demand. Noosa’s demographics show an older population when compared with that of the Sunshine Coast region and currently there is no aged care or retirement development servicing the eastern beaches locally. This new facility will provide options for local residents to remain in the area as they age and require increased care.
Council’s recently adopted http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=pos-age-strategy and the http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=affordable-living both identify the need for residential and aged care options for the region’s elderly and to increase levels of aged care accommodation to Federal benchmark standards.
The new development strongly aligns with council’s adopted strategies and would be important in achieving the goals and commitments they contain. The aged care facility will comprise of 96 beds over two levels and the retirement village will comprise of 54 apartments over two levels and 55 single level villa-style independent living units and a central facilities building with 20 serviced apartments and a recreational centre.
This Blue Care development will be a key community service that will provide medical care, home care, nursing and respite care. Construction of the new facility is expected to start in the next three to five years.

► TEWANTIN COMMUNITY FORUM 14 MARCH
You are invited to discuss future community projects that could be undertaken with the aid of funds generated by Tewantin Community Bank® Branch of Bendigo Bank on Wednesday, 14 March at 6.00pm. Projects may be small, large, one - off or ongoing and may also be carried out in collaboration with other groups or levels of government. The forum will be held at the new Tewantin State School Hall (accessed from Goodwin Street) and a light supper and refreshments will be served.
Kindly direct enquiries to: Simone Flavelle, Tewantin Community Bank® on 5440 5289. Please RSVP by Friday, 9 March for catering purposes. We look forward to seeing you there!


► NOOSA RIVER SPIT EROSION PROTECTION
This project is now programmed to be carried out between now and June 2012. The dredger has been mobilised to site after delays due to weather conditions. Dredging work commenced on Tuesday 24 January and is proceeding well. The first part of the project involved pumping sand to create a bund to close the southern channel. This will reduce the current in the channel to facilitate construction of the geotextile container structures and will also have an immediate impact on reducing the serious erosion of the foreshore that is occurring. It is anticipated that the geotextile containers will be installed next week.
Visit Council’s website for more information: http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=noosa-spit-erosion
► COMMUNITY GRANTS FUNDING AVAILABLE
Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Grants Program, Landholder Environment Grants, TravelSmart Grants, as well as Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants are now open. Detailed information on all grants and funding programs is available on council’s website at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/grants and grants officers are available to assist with the development of ideas and submissions – contact Council’s Customer Service on: 07 5475 7272 and ask to speak with a Grants Officer.
Community Grants Program
Not-for-profit community organisations can apply for up to $50,000 to fund one-off projects that benefit Sunshine Coast communities. Community events, facility upgrades, equipment purchases, oral histories, sun-safety measures, festive season activities and conservation works are just some of the projects funded previously through this program. Applications close Thursday 1 March 2012.
Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF)
The RADF funding program is a partnership between council and Arts Queensland that supports the professional development and employment of artists and arts practitioners and the development of quality art and arts practice. Visual arts, theatre, music, dance and multimedia are examples of projects funded previously through this program. Applications close Thursday 1 March 2012.
TravelSmart Grants Program
Council seeks to fund projects that encourage people out of their cars and onto bikes, public transport, carpooling or walking. Projects should aim to change the way people travel and encourage sustainable transport to get from A to B instead of always choosing the car. Community groups, workplaces, individuals, schools, universities and government and non-government organisations are all eligible to apply. Applications close Thursday 1 March 2012.
Landholder Environment Grants
Private landholders can apply for a Landholder Environment Grant to help with conservation projects on their properties. Priority is given to projects with high ecological values. The grants can help with projects like revegetation, environmental weed control or fencing of waterways. Expressions of Interest close Friday 24 February 2012.


► NOOSA JUNCTION PLACEMAKING
Following the successful delivery of the first stage of the Noosa Junction project, the upgrade to the Arcadia St entrance from Sunshine Beach Road, including public art and the decorative streetscape, has now been completed. Community consultation has been ongoing to determine the final concept design for the second stage of the project. Design consultants and artists have been commissioned to assist in developing positive outcomes for the community and local businesses. Once the concept and planning stage is completed in March, information will be available to the public and further updates will be released to stakeholders. The detailed design of this stage is due for completion in late 2012 with delivery of construction works after Easter in 2013.
Visit http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=noosa-junctionhttp://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=noosa-junction on council’s website

► TURTLES
I have been advised of the wonderful news that there may be up to four green turtle nests at Peregian Beach. This is an amazing natural occurrence that we would love to encourage. To help protect the turtles and their eggs/hatchlings please ensure the local laws of the area are followed and that dogs are kept under effective control at all times.
There are Turtle Care volunteers on the coast who are responsible for the implementation of an ongoing turtle monitoring program for their nesting activity - please report any sightings of turtles on the beach or emerging nests to Coolum District Coast Care on 0403 370 157 or Council’s Turtle Care Coordinator on 0437 559 067.
Turtle Care Sunshine Coast has a very interesting and informative website: www.turtlecare.com.au and I have copied the following “tips for emergence” from their website.

􀂃 “If you are lucky enough to be on your local beach to witness what is surely one of nature's most wonderful displays please remember the following hints :
􀂃 It is important that you DO NOT USE TORCHES or cameras with flashes as they easily disorientate hatchlings, hindering their race to the ocean. If hatchlings are following lights everywhere they are more likely to be trodden on and they are wasting precious energy that is needed for their swim away from coastal waters;
􀂃 Hatchlings can actually emerge through the protective mesh put in place by Turtle Care volunteers. This is left in place even after emergence as not all hatchlings may emerge with the main group;
􀂃 On beaches where there is intrusive lighting from parks, streets and housing Turtle Care volunteers may need to use a gutter guard barrier around the rear of the nest to funnel the hatchlings down the beach away from inappropriate light sources.
􀂃 Always keep clear of the nest as you may inadvertently push sand into the nest, restricting the progress of hatchlings below;
􀂃 Allow the hatchlings to emerge naturally and exit the beach without interference. Hatchlings are imprinted to the dip and intensity of the earth’s magnetic field. Handling the hatchlings interferes with this process, which is particularly critical for female hatchlings that will use that imprint to return to the same region for nesting in 25-30 years time;
􀂃 If other residents or visitors join you on the beach please explain why the use of torches and handling of hatchlings is prohibited.”


► NEW PLANNING SCHEME

As you would be aware, Council is developing a new planning scheme for the Sunshine Coast, to replace the three existing planning schemes and become the tool used by council to manage land use and development for the region in a sustainable way. Community feedback on the Statement of Proposals, Phase 2 consultation, strategies, policies and discussion papers, sought in 2009 and 2010 has helped inform the draft of the planning scheme. Following formal review from the state, council will conduct a community engagement campaign, sending the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme out into the community to seek your thoughts and views on the draft.
The next steps
State Government
On 29 July 2011, council delivered the preliminary draft of the proposed Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme to the Queensland Government for consultation and review. We are currently working with the State Government to resolve their interests. Iconic places advisory panels  The advisory panel for the iconic Queensland place of Noosa and the advisory panel for the iconic Queensland place of Blackall Range were appointed and notified in the government gazette on 7 September 2011. In accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, council provided both advisory panels with the draft planning scheme and the respective council impact report evaluating the potential impacts of the draft planning scheme on the declared iconic values for the iconic place. The advisory panels reviewed this material and in November 2011, provided their respective advisory panel report including recommendations to council.
Council is currently considering the advisory panels’ reports and preparing a council response report for each iconic place. The next step is for council to submit council’s impact reports, the advisory panels’ reports and council’s response reports together with the draft planning scheme to the State government to formally conduct the First State Interest Review.
Phase
Key Activities
Timing (approx)
Phase 5
First state interest review process
2012
Phase 6
Public notification process
2012
Phase 7
Consider and report on submissions
2012
Phase 8
Second state interest review process
2012/2013
Phase 9
Adoption of Planning Scheme
2013
Phase 10
Commencement of Planning Scheme
2013
Community involvement
After responding to the feedback from the First State Interest Review, council will conduct a community engagement campaign, sending the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme out into the community to seek their thoughts and views on the draft.
More detailed information about the http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=planning-policies-menu and its development process is available on council’s website.

► PLANNING APPLICATION – PEREGIAN BEACH

Peregian Beach - MCU11/0266
An application has been lodged seeking to redevelop the supermarket site in Peregian for a new mixed use development. The current proposal includes shop and restaurant uses on the ground floor, and 3 office tenancies on the first floor. The shop component is proposed to operate during the day time only with mobile stalls. These stalls are then to be packed up at night and stored to allow the ground floor to operate fully as a restaurant.
The building has been architecturally designed to include an internal green wall, pivoting shade louvers to the beach and square facades, as well as a landscape trellis and a permeable hardwood screen bi-fold to the Heron Street frontage. A rooftop garden terrace is also proposed, and therefore no roof pitching or eaves are included, differing to other more recent designs in Peregian Beach.
The application is code assessable and not required to be formally publicly notified. However the plans may be viewed and comments are invited from members of the public. You can view this application http://pdonline.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/MasterView/Modules/Applicationmaster/default.aspx?page=found&7=MCU11/0266 on PD Online on SCC website. February 2012 Page 5 of 6

► GIRRAWEEN SPORTS PRECINCT
The Girraween Clubhouse is now at lock-up stage. Planned work in the near future includes external cladding, external battens, gates and screens, painting inside and out, and landscape works. The clubhouse contract is expected to be completed this month, weather permitting. Remaining works at the site include internal roadways and car parking and the Criterium Track and associated landscaping.
► MAIN BEACH STAGE 3
We are continuing with Stage 3 of the Boardwalk at Main Beach, in front of the Noosa Surf Club. This new section will be built by Council’s works crew, commencing in June and finishing (weather permitting) in September. Works will include the relocation of the lifeguard tower to enable unobstructed views throughto the river mouth, a dedicated ambulance bay for access to the first aid room and new beach showers.
► SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT
The annual report is one of the ways council connects with the community and demonstrates its commitment to achieving its vision for the region through implementing its corporate and operational plans. The annual report details council's achievements in delivery of services to the Sunshine Coast region.It is the culmination of regular reporting to the community and other stakeholders and constitutes council’s efforts to be transparent and accountable. It is now available via council’s website: http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=annual-report

Downloadable: "Division 11 Community Update February 2012" pdf

Cr Russell Green
Statutory & Regional Planning Portfolio
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Division 11
08 February 2012
Division 11 Community Update February 2012

Permanent Link: Sunshine Coast Council Community Update
Publish Date: 09 Feb 12

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