There is only
ONE Phone (07) 5455 6946
Trades & Classifieds 1300 666 808
12777981-FR24-25
Friday, 20 June, 2025
noosatoday.com.au FREE
‘Humpback highway’ is back
School holiday activities
Travel Today
20-page lift out Property Guide
PAGE 3
PAGE 14
PAGE 23
INSIDE
Noosa is coming alive
Xxx Xxx xxx xxx.
Magic is in the air as the 23rd NOOSA alive! festival is more than 60 % sold with one month to go. From 18 to 27 July, Noosa will come alive with 10 magical days and nights filled with theatre, music, ballet and world-class performances. “We’re thrilled to see such a positive early response to this year’s program which will truly ignite your senses! Our program of live shows, thought-provoking literary events, and exclusive premiere performances married with Noosa’s finest food and wine experiences is one not to be missed,” festival director Ian Mackellar said. “The NOOSA alive! Festival is known for selling out early and our Noosa Jazz Cruise sold out in just one week after launch. We urge folks to check out the full program and book early.” Headlining the program is the world premiere of Sleeping Dogs by acclaimed Australian playwright David Williamson, directed by Ian Mackellar and starring Erik Thomson (All Saints, Packed to the Rafters), Alison Venning, Jo Hendrie, Louisa Williamson, and Samantha Sherrin. Continued page 32
Xxx Page x
Amber Lawrence will perform live at NOOSA alive! 2025. (Supplied)
Revised plan a go By Margie Maccoll Carparks and pathway width dominated debate when the revised Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan won the vote when it came before Noosa Council’s general meeting on Monday. Much of it was focused on the Thomas Street boat ramp area where two paths converge and conflict arose between the proposal to widen the pathway to 3.5m to improve safety and enable separation between cyclists and pedestrians and the resulting loss of 10 carparks. The initial foreshore masterplan released a
year ago was met with community protest and criticised for its proposed changes to the character of the much loved area including the removal of the tennis court and carparks. In delivering the plan this week for recommendation staff acknowledged the first iteration of draft plan “didn’t get it right” with this second iteration being a softer more responsive design created after “significant community engagement” and a plan which they said has received significant community support. “Key topics such as carparking, tennis court, playgrounds, boating, public amenities, pathways, and river edge treatments have been ad-
dressed to align with community feedback,” the staff report states. “The Plan sets out a vision for the next 20 years, addressing significant foreshore challenges such as aging infrastructure and flooding, tidal inundation and erosion accelerated by climate change. “The Noosaville Foreshore parkland reserve stretches for approximately two kilometres and includes a diverse range of recreational facilities on the riverfront. “It contains 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. This reserve constitutes an important recreational space within Noosa Shire and is highly valued by both locals and visitors for its natural environment and vibrant river culture. “Some of the challenges of the foreshore the Master Plan seeks to address include aging infrastructure, river flooding, tidal inundation, and storm tides. Much of the existing infrastructure in place today has reached the end of its service life and no longer meets contemporary standards, having been upgraded in excess of 25 years ago.” Continued page 2
12775407-JV23-25