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The 2025 Queensland Endurance Championships and the Equestrian Australia National Championships held at Stirling's Crossing Endurance Club, Imbil, 11 to 13 July. Rides ranged from 40km - 160km. The major endurance event attracted some of the best in the sport and included the Youth and Open Championships.
I 12 August 2025
Varroa destructor mite reaches Verrierdale
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Get ready for a wild ride into show season!
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Cooroy divided over Woolworths development proposal BY SARAH JANE SCOTT PLANS to build a $100 million Woolworths shopping complex and aged care facility on the outskirts of Cooroy have ignited passionate debate, with some residents and developers presenting starkly different visions for the town’s future. The proposed development, on a 6.6-hectare site at the corner of Myall Street and Ferrells Road, includes a fullline Woolworths supermarket, retail and dining outlets, aged care accommodation, and the preservation of two hectares of green space. Woolworths
says the project will bring jobs, services and investment, but opponents argue it threatens Cooroy’s character and existing businesses. Cooroy Area Residents Association (CARA) and the Noosa Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association (NSRRA) have publicly opposed the project. CARA president Rod Ritchie said the development’s scale far exceeds Cooroy’s needs. “The 4,800 population of Cooroy does not warrant a full-line supermarket,” he said. “Woolworths’ aim is to meet the demands of a catchment area
from Eumundi to Traveston.” NSRRA vice-president Aaron White warned the project could draw foot traffic away from the town centre. “You only need to look at what happened to Noosa Junction after Noosa Civic was approved to see the outcome of splitting your customer base,” he said. “There’ve been empty shops in the Junction ever since.” Rod said the site’s zoning is another issue. “The site is zoned ‘Community Facilities’. This supermarket proposal and up to 15 shops located 1.2 km outside Cooroy’s business district don’t meet the intended outcomes
for this zone,” he said. “Cooroy already has two IGAs, a fruit shop and two butchers, and there are three other Woolworths in the shire.” One of the most pressing concerns from residents is traffic. “The Elm and Myall streets intersection is already congested. Overlander Avenue and Ferrells Road would become even more dangerous for children walking or riding to school,” Rod said. Woolworths disagrees, stating that Cooroy is ready for a second full-line supermarket. “Typically, a town of Cooroy's size should have two supermarkets,” said
a Woolworths spokesperson. “Currently, many residents leave the area to do their weekly shop. By retaining that shopping locally, we support the economy and create flow-on benefits for other businesses.” Woolworths said the project would generate 700 construction jobs and 300 ongoing roles across retail, dining and logistics. “We’ve completed a full traffic impact assessment and are working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads on improvements to the intersection,” the spokesperson said. Continued page 2
The Australian Property Pendulum: Buyers and Sellers Enter a New Phase of Opportunity Noosa Hinterland buyer demand is surging, with a 64% month-on-month increase in Hinternoosa open home attendance. Opportunity is knocking.
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0 7 5here 4 4 7to 7view 000 , 30 MAPLE STREET, COOROY Scan full 0 7 list 5 4of 4 9buyers 1186, 777 EUMUNDI NOOSA ROAD, DOONAN HINTERNOOSA.COM.AU
Cooroy Rag, 12 August 2025 - Page 1