Mooloolaba

• Mooloolaba Foreshore Masterplan:

  • I fought to retain the Loo with a View and have it restored; Council voted to remove it, against the wishes of a Petition signed by more 1000 Residents. I was the only Councillor who voted against having the Loo with a View demolished. It saddens me to think that the Council could have saved this building if it had the will to do so.

  • The construction of new Seawall and the Central Meeting Place will have major impacts on the Mooloolaba businesses and tourist accommodation owners during construction.  I intend to do all I can within Council, to ensure that Council encourages locals and tourists to support the businesses during the construction phase i.e including incentives such as free parking for at least a minimum of three (3) hours per day.

  • I want to ensure that Council minimises the loss of car parking on the beach terrace car park during construction.

• Multi-deck ‘Park and Go” Car Park Station does not work effectively, the previous Council rushed the construction, and the result is that it has proven difficult for large cars to use. There are solutions to fix the problem, but there is also a lack of will to do so. The Chamber of Commerce is asking for three (3) hours of free car parking like Sunshine Plaza which I definitely support.

• Construction of the Hotel on the corner of Brisbane Road and First Ave, Mooloolaba will be an issue with all the other planned foreshore construction works.

• Mass Transit, if rolled out, will be a loss of two (2) lanes on the Esplanade from Alexandra Pde, Venning St, Walan St, and Brisbane Road. Other fixed infrastructure such as pedestrian barriers and stations are likely to be constructed.

• There is still one section Stage 4 of Brisbane Road to be completed going from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. This has been delayed so that it is not being built at the same time, with the major construction happening on the foreshore, and we want to lessen the impact on our Residents.

• Increased density in the New Draft Planning Scheme will significantly impact the low rise residential areas:

  • More unit developments meaning loss of privacy and amenity and,

  • with reduced car parking rates for units, this will create more problems with cars trying to find a car park on the road.

• An emerging issue has been the increase of storage vehicles parked on roads in residential streets. The problem for Council is the State Government allows registered vehicles of a legal size to park on a public road for as long as it wants unless sign posted, and in a regulated parking zone. Council is exploring options and needs to act.

• Airbnb’s in residential streets.  Any property built prior to 2014 can operate an Airbnb under the Planning Scheme it is an ‘As Of Right’ Development Approval. After 2014 an Airbnb must go through an ‘Impact Assessable’ Development, which allows third party appeal rights. Airbnb have been a real problem in Division 4 especially large houses in residential streets which become ‘Party Central’ over the weekends, destroying the quiet amenity for the surrounding neighbours. The Police are the only ones that neighbours can call on. It is a problem when the Owners of the Airbnb’s don’t have strong enough conditions or penalties to better manage their Airbnb. Unfortunately, the State Government has no interest in giving Council the powers to prevent Airbnb’s being approved in residential streets.

• Illegal Camping; the increased numbers of illegal campers is creating major concerns for Residents that feel that our car parks and parklands close to the water are turning into second grade camping sites. I have with our Officers, continually struggled with this issue as many of these illegal campers have mobile apps that promote Local Government areas that don’t have strong compliance control, which has prompted the increase. The action to prevent illegal camping is to start the rollout of signage which prevents parking between the hours of 10pm and 4am. We will be rolling these out in Parkyn Parade, Penny Lane and River Esplanade. This is something that is common in many other areas which I recently observed in Kingcliffe.

• E-scooters.  Many members of the Community do not realise e-scooters and e-bikes are allowed to operate on a Council footpath under State Laws.  Only the Police have jurisdiction over rider behaviour, and speed, Council has absolutely no jurisdiction. Something desperately needs to change before someone is seriously injured or killed! I have been working with the Hon Fiona Simpson and the Qld Police Service to see if more can be done by the State Government relating to issues in managing the speed, and rider behaviour. Through my actions Council has created a special ‘Customer Request Code’ which relates to any complaints the Council receives regarding these E-scooters. This way Council could then gather information to provide feedback to the State Government. I have lobbied to get the State Goverment to get tough on those who own privately owned E-scooters and who remove the ‘inhibitor’ that restricts the speed of the E- scooter which then allows these E-scooters to travel at dangerous speeds, well over and above what the legislation allows.

• Council agreed on preceding forward with an eighteen (18) month trial of E-scooters even though I agreed to the trial, it was conditional on making sure E-scooters wouldn’t be left all over the footpath like they have been allowed to in Brisbane. Through geo-fencing technology that the Neuron Company uses on their E-scooters this ensures they can be left in specific nominated parking areas. This technology also allows them to control the speed as well as prevent them from going into areas that Council does not allow them to enter i.e. cafe precinct or Shopping Centres. The feedback I received is that many don’t like the visual pollution ie e-scooters being left in high profile visual areas which lowers the aesthetics of the area. I am yet to be convinced that they are being used as a serious mode of transport to reduce the amount of cars on the road, and that it is more of a thrill seeking venture at this stage. obtain an impact accessible development approval. A solution needs to be found.

• The reduced funding from the Federal Government for the Mooloolah River Interchange will impact access to Mooloolaba from Kawana Way and the Nicklin Way.  It is now up to the state government to find the additional funding. This is another prime example of the lack of funding for infrastructure to support the growth the Sunshine Coast has experienced.

• Achievements for this Term was the complete resurfacing and renewal of the curbs and channelling and landscaping upgrades of the carpark at The Wharf at Mooloolaba. Many might remember the massive pothole between Sealife and the then Hogs Breath Cafe.

• Built two (2) raised pedestrian Crossings on Parkyn Parade to improve Pedestrians safely crossing Parkyn Parade as well as an additional raised Pedestrian Crossing on River Esplanade.

• I have supported three (3) Moon Festivals as well as two (2) Mooloolaba on the beach at Mooloolaba in September which brought a multi-cultural flavour to the area. I have also supported two (2) Mooloolaba Beach Festivals and personally involved with supporting the Mooloolaba Beach Rugby 5’s Festival.

• Helped celebrate Mooloolaba’s the Centenary Celebrations in 2023.

• As the Local Councillor I was closely involved with the construction and opening of the Northern Parklands which included the the Boardwalk to Alex Headland.

• I have given strong support and worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce.

Minyama, Buddina, Parrearra & Warana

• New Planning Scheme: Major changes expected compared to the current town plan. Council have indicated they are considering a major increase in density in this area from low residential to medium residential.  Taller buildings around Kawana Shopping Centre are also proposed. The current, low-density residential streets will be heavily impacted by these proposed changes in the Draft Planning Scheme. The key driver is to increase density to support a Mass Transit System, which I have been totally opposed to, and have spoken out publicly against it.

• Mass transit. If rolled out by the State Government, it will mean the loss of two (2) lanes of traffic on the Nicklin Way.  This is the most congested road in the Region already. Unless Kawana Way is upgraded to 4 lanes and, a new 4 lane motorway is built from Caloundra Road to connect with the Mooloolaba motorway, congestion will get worse on the Nicklin Way.  The result will be increased ‘rat running’ along Oceanic Drive, which will impact the residents living along that beachfront.

• The reduced funding from the Federal Government for the Mooloolah River Interchange will impact access to Mooloolaba from Kawana Way, and the Nicklin Way.  It is now up to the State Government to find the additional funding. This is a prime example of the lack of funding to keep pace with growth, a major problem everywhere on the Sunshine Coast.

• During this term the Jessica Park Master plan was developed, and went to public consultation. This Park is not being used as much as years gone by and I believe it is in much need of love and attention.

• I am committed to reduced height for buildings in the northern part of the Buddina Urban Village along Pacific Blvd.  I was successful to have Council support me in having this included in the last Planning Scheme Amendment, only to have Stephen Miles, then Minister for Planning, remove it.  I am keen to make sure this is presented in the New Draft Planning Scheme.

• Traffic congestion around the Kawana Shopping Centre has to be addressed, especially Pt Cartwright Drive.  How the previous Council allowed the Shopping Centre to expand without requiring another lane on Pt Cartwright Drive is unknown. This has led to problems of ‘rat running’ through Pacific Blvd and Oceanic Drive. This will only get worse if the densification proposed for the area is allowed to occur.

• Onstreet parking is going to be a major issue if the density of the area is increased; reduced car parking rates for units will create more problems with cars trying to find a car park on the road.

• Pt Cartwright and La Balsa Masterplan.  The previous Masterplan for La Balsa Park did not reflect what the Community wanted for that Park. The new Plan addressed those issues and brought about a much better outcome.

• Changes to dog access to Point Cartwright was needed. (though I recognise not all agree with the outcome)

• Illegal Camping; the increased numbers of illegal campers is creating major concerns for Residents that feel that our car parks and parklands close to the water are turning into second grade camping sites. I have with our Officers, continually struggled with this issue as many of these illegal campers have mobile apps that promote Local Government areas that don’t have strong compliance control, which has prompted the increase. The action to prevent illegal camping is to start the rollout of signage which prevents parking between the hours of 10pm and 4am. This is something that is common in many other areas which I recently observed in Kingcliffe. We have already rolled out carparks along Harbour Parade as well as the end of Pacific Boulevard at the Lighthouse on Point Cartwright.

• Surf Club redevelopment and masterplan of the Parklands is required.

• Completion of Coastal Pathways, which is fully funded in the current Budget; Warana beach access 233 to Buddina beach access 229. This means Buddina will be connected to Currimundi via the Coastal Pathway. The delivery of this section is four (4) years ahead of when it was forecast to be delivered in the 10-year Capital Works Budget.

• A Major issue which emerged during my Term was the large increase in dual occupancy application in Buddina.  Recommended changes I have suggested to the New Draft Planning Scheme is to increase the minimum lot size, and reduce the number of dual occupancies able to be placed in a street. I have worked hard to increase the privacy provisions. The privacy provisions in the current Planning Scheme are very weak.

• I have also had much involvement with the development of the Turtle Management Plan as well as supporting initiatives on reducing lighting impacts on Turtles while nesting.

• I have attended many of the Kawana Chamber of Commerce Events in support of the Chamber.

Kawana Island

• An issue which emerged during my Term was canal lots seeing large increased leasing charges for pontoons. I worked hard with Residents to have the charges reviewed, and disputed the validity of the valuation process.  Pontoons cannot be separately sold or leased out, so I found it difficult how a Valuer could establish such a high leasing rate.  Luckly the review reduced the amount from the original valuation, but I still believe the residents have a case to argue in the future.

• Kawana Island is wedged between two congested State road systems, the Nicklin Way and Kawana Way.  Kawana Way is still not 4 laned in large sections, and if Mass Transit is rolled out the Nicklin Way will be reduced by 2 lanes of traffic, this will mean travelling to and from the Island will be difficult.

• I have committed to funding and doubling the off-leash dog area and creating two separated areas; the existing leash-free will be for small dogs, and new extended leash-free part for large dogs.  The primary reason for this was the request by several owners of small dogs to provide a safe off-leash area for their dogs separate to large dogs because of the high incidence of larger dog attacking the smaller dogs.

• To continue to work with the Kawana Island Resident Association to ensure Kawana Island is maintained at a high level of amenity.

• In the next term I am investigating upgrades of playground equipment at Double Bay. I am keen to find out whether the current equipment is age-appropriate, and if not, what age-appropriate equipment options are needed.

• I have supported each year the Jazz in the Park held by the Kawana Island Residents Association at Double Bay.

Kawana Industrial Area

• Car Parking is a problem and in the next term we need to consider what options are available.

• Graffiti on buildings on Premier Court continues to be a problem. I cant promise we can find a solution but I am keen to work with the Owners to see if one is possible.

• Transition under the New Town Plan will mean sections of industrial land will transition from Industrial to Residential.  I have real concerns what this means to the business operators who will be forced out. Where will they have to relocate to, and the inconveniene of this for their customers, staff and suppliers?  The other issues will be conflicts between industrial activities and residential amenity. eg hours of operation.   Car parking is difficult to find in all industrial areas during trading hours, however there will be competition for car parking because in the New Draft Planning Scheme reduced car parking rates for units will create more problems with cars trying to find a car park on the road.