12726888-MS46-24
Friday, 8 November, 2024
Phone (07) 5455 6946
Trades & Classifieds 1300 666 808
LUJO: Luxurious Seaside Residences See Property Liftout
noosatoday.com.au FREE
Bravery medal for Stephen Fitzpatrick
Noosa Tri in its all glory
Melbourne Cup fever hits Noosa
40-page liftout Property Guide
PAGE 3
PAGES 4-6, 34
PAGE 7
INSIDE
Tri inspires Dominic has a collection of medals at his home from sporting events on the Gold Coast and New Zealand but the Tingirana Noosa Special Triathlon is a special favourite for the Brisbane triathlete who took part in his 12th event on Saturday and Grant was his buddy. “There’s not a lot of sporting opportunities for people with a disability,” Grant said. “This is one of the best events. It’s the most inclusive. It combines a few disciplines so it’s good for his health. Dominic loves the high fives and cheers.” Matthew Streeting also travelled from Brisbane for the special Tri, entering the event for his 19th year alongside his buddy and cousin Ivan Corry. Asked why he keeps coming back Matthew said: “I just do it because I like it”. Louise Mathewson also “loves it”. Having entered for more than 10 years, her sister and buddy Jane Trotter said so keen was she they’d be “talking about next year tomorrow”. It was the third Tingirana for Daisy Doherty. Noosa councillor Amelia Lorentson, who was her buddy on the day, said as they progressed around the course she could “feel how much joy Daisy gets out of it”. Continued page 6 High fives for Dominic as he heads to the finish line with Grant, his buddy in his 12th Tingirana Special Triathlon. (Rob Maccoll)
Draft reshaped Noosa Council has redrafted its Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan after widespread criticism of its initial draft plan. In response to feedback the new draft retains the tennis court and car parking previously earmarked for removal and maintains the area’s character in place of an overly modern design, and it looks set to be released for public consultation. The revised draft plan, prepared at a cost of about $200,000, following the initial plan priced at about $336,000, was discussed at a Special Meeting on Wednesday with councillors approving it be released for a final round of community consultation from 15 November to 15 December. A report to council states the new draft plan has been significantly redrafted to respond to community feedback from the previous community consultation but is not the final document and may be amended subject to commu-
nity feedback received in the proposed round of consultation. “It’s hoped the community will see we’ve listened and made the changes they’ve requested for this popular, two-kilometre public park,” Mayor Frank Wilkie said. “We’ve retained virtually all the car parking, except for a few minor exceptions where it’s proposed to convert about 10 spaces along Gympie Terrace to motorbike and scooter parking to allow for wider, shadier, shared pedestrian paths to more safely accommodate all users,” he said. “The boat ramp facility is largely untouched, and we acknowledge that the tennis court is a valued part of the foreshore and its heritage, so we’ve looked at options to keep it while potentially diversifying the sports that can be played there,” Cr Wilkie said. The masterplan covers a two kilometre stretch of the Noosaville Foreshore parkland
reserve containing parks, sandy beaches, pedestrian and cycling pathways, parking lots, boat launching sites, public jetties, and amenities suitable for families such as barbecues, pavilions, and playgrounds. The space, well used by residents and tourists, is valued for its natural environment and vibrant river culture and regarded as an important recreational space within Noosa Shire, according to the report. Key features of the redrafted plan include retaining existing car parking bays, loading zones, and maintenance and delivery access, establishing two swimming areas, widening shared paths, enhancing the riverside promenade and upgraded bridge to improve accessibility, enhancing two ‘Cool Refuge Areas’ with large shade trees and cool breezes, upgrading and enhancing parkland facilities, proposing one new amenities block and retaining and enhancing exist-
ing recreation, sports and play opportunities. Challenges highlighted in the report include aging infrastructure, river flooding, tidal inundation, and storm tides with much of the existing infrastructure having reached the end of its service life and no longer meeting contemporary standards, having been upgraded in excess of 25 years ago. Implementation costs of the plan are estimated at more than $10 million for critical asset renewal expenses, which encompass revetment walls, pathways, parking facilities, and playgrounds with council to investigate grants and other funding mechanisms to help cover the costs. The report states that while some community feedback was negative, others in the community appreciated the widening of footpaths to make them safer, the new proposed toilet block, refreshed playground equipment and the natural approach to Chaplin Park. Visit the Your Say Noosa webpage to provide input.
DELICIOUS • AUTHENTIC
Thai Food Dine in or Takeaway
Serving Eumundi for over 15 years Since 2009 102 Memorial Drive, Eumundi
Open 7 Days from 3pm | All functions catered for Ph: 5442 8806 • www.salathaieumundi.com 12718500-MS39-24