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15 December 2009 Hi In this edition
Council wishes Sunshine Coast residents and visitors a happy and safe festive season. Visit our What’s On guide for ideas on how to keep busy during the long summer days ahead. On the other hand, if relaxation is your main aim, splash about our patrolled beaches and aquatic centres, borrow a stack of books from our libraries or take a drive to discover the region’s hidden delights. On a more practical note, it is business as usual for Sunshine Coast Council over the holiday season. Rubbish collection services operate on all public holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Customer service centres and libraries are also open as usual—only closing on public holidays. Council's eNews recommences on 9 February and follows the council meeting cycle that resumes on 27 January.
Council's free holiday bus services aim to ease traffic congestion and parking during the busy Boxing Day to 3 January holiday period. So avoid the traffic and catch a free bus (on selected routes across the region). Most local Noosa buses will be free, along with all buses on Route 600 between the Caloundra bus interchange and Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore. This congestion-busting scheme is funded by council and delivered in partnership with Sunbus and TransLink. The free Route 600 service is an initiative of council's Public Transport Levy with the ongoing Noosa services also supported by Tourism Noosa. These services form part of council's overall sustainable transport strategy. Information and timetables are available on council's website or at Translink, or telephone TransLink on 13 12 30. Timetables are also available at all council offices, libraries and Visitor Information Centres or by phoning 5449 5200.
Turtle nesting season has started and—with a few disturbances already recorded on Coast beaches—council offers these tips to ensure turtles can lay their eggs in peace. Across four days recently, there were 15 recorded incidents where turtles crawled onto the beach but returned to the water without laying after being disturbed by people and dogs. Residents and visitors can help nesting turtles by:
Council is seeking nominations from community organisations, industry representatives and individuals interested in being part of the Transport Community Group. Representing the broad and varied views and needs of the community, the group will help council develop an integrated transport system for the Sunshine Coast. Download an information pack and nomination form from council’s website or request one through council’s Customer Service Centre.Nominations close Monday, 21 December 2009.
Swimming pools across the Sunshine Coast will face more intense scrutiny following council’s decision to extend its swimming pool inspection program. Tragically, the majority of Queensland toddlers who drown do so in backyard swimming pools. Of these pools, a staggering 86% have fences with gaps, gates that did not close properly or worse—gates tied back or propped open at the time. From 1 December, all new pools must meet the latest pool fencing standards, including:
The state government also proposes a second round of changes that focusses on existing pools in late 2010. Further information about pool safety is available from council’s website or through the Queensland Government's Department of Infrastructure and Planning.
Council has adopted its first disaster management plan for the region—a milestone document aimed at ensuring a timely and effective response, recovery and return to a safe environment after a disaster. Residents are encouraged to use this as a basis to develop their own emergency plans to ensure that they are well prepared for any disaster. The plan is the result of a partnership approach between council and a range of emergency and community services on the Sunshine Coast, as part of the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group (SCLDMG). It replaces the outdated Noosa and Caloundra City Local Disaster Management Plans and the draft Maroochy Disaster Management Plan.
Work on the Maleny Community Precinct master plan project starts in early January following the appointment of Gamble McKinnon Green (GMG) as the lead consultant. Building on the work of the Maleny Community Precinct working group and council, GMG will deliver a final master plan to council by June 2010. The concept plan for the 122 hectare site, approved by the former Caloundra City Council in November 2007, continues as the basis for the master plan. The master plan is the next stage in bringing the precinct to life. It will finalise the detail for the environmental rehabilitation of the site, the golf course layout and the proposed location of the sports fields and clubhouse. The plan will also provide a cost estimate for the precinct and an assessment of the feasibility of the proposed residential areas.
Nominate for the Sunshine Coast Council’s Housing Affordability Task Force and add your expertise. Not-for-profit housing providers, design and development sector, real estate representatives and interested community members are invited to help tackle affordable housing issues on the Coast by getting involved. There are four vacant positions on the task force and nominations close on 25 January 2010. Details of the roles, the nomination kit and nomination form are available on council's website. Get involved with the task force and help inform council on key housing and affordable living issues, be innovative and become part of the solution. The task force is looking for people who have a strong desire to bring about change and a keen interest in making the Coast an inclusive community, affordable for all. Appointments will be confirmed in time for the task force’s meeting in February 2010.
A waste minimisation strategy to reduce the region’s waste to landfill by 70 per cent was approved by council at its meeting last Thursday. The strategy guides council in reducing the need for landfill, educating the community, creating jobs and fulfilling its vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region. Education is a big part of the strategy—equipping residents and commercial users with the tools and information to implement their own minimisation strategies and to better understand the difference between waste and resources. The strategy requires council to be a corporate leader in waste reduction and sustainability. Do you enjoy eNews? Why not invite a friend or colleague to subscribe! If you would like more information on what your council is doing, please visit the Sunshine Coast Council website. | |
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