The Noosa
spirit has triumphed again!
For me
personally, this all-consuming campaign has been bruising but rewarding.
My
sincere thanks go to all those stalwart volunteers who contributed so much
time and effort and never lost faith.
time and effort and never lost faith.
Over time,
we must pass on to younger generations the story of how they are
privileged to belong to a community so willing to fight for the right to determine
its own future.
privileged to belong to a community so willing to fight for the right to determine
its own future.
They of course will also have the responsibility to deal with future
challenges just
as others have done for the last 50 years.
as others have done for the last 50 years.
We need to
acknowledge that Saturday’s opportunity was provided by current
Premier Newman who sat across the table and told us “I give you my word”.
He kept his word even though it was made very clear to us that his new
Government preferred to remain with amalgamated Councils.
Premier Newman who sat across the table and told us “I give you my word”.
He kept his word even though it was made very clear to us that his new
Government preferred to remain with amalgamated Councils.
As a community,
our next challenge will be the election of a new Council later
this year to deliver on those things that led to such a strong YES vote.
There will be seven vacant positions, and I’m sure there will be many candidates
keento deliver effective and efficient local government in Noosa Shire.
this year to deliver on those things that led to such a strong YES vote.
There will be seven vacant positions, and I’m sure there will be many candidates
keento deliver effective and efficient local government in Noosa Shire.
I know that
many people will feel the job isn’t finished until our Council is
actually in place.
So keep the spirit front and centre for a while longer, and be part of the
important last phase of restoring local democracy.
The final challenge will be with our new Council.
actually in place.
So keep the spirit front and centre for a while longer, and be part of the
important last phase of restoring local democracy.
The final challenge will be with our new Council.
Being part of the establishment of a new Council will be an exciting
opportunity but also a huge responsibility.
Our community will have very high expectations.
Having kept the dream alive and then worked so hard to make it happen,
residents will want truly exceptional local government.
This needs
to be underpinned by an organisational culture that is totally
different from our experience of the last five years.
Of course we will also want better services returned, bureaucracy outlawed,
and efficient financial management.
different from our experience of the last five years.
Of course we will also want better services returned, bureaucracy outlawed,
and efficient financial management.
And after five years of frustration at being ignored, many in our community
will want a Council that encourages residents to have a say in what they want,
and then actually shows by its actions that it is listening.
We deserve
a Council that partners with its community, not one that thinks
it knows best.
After all, it wasn’t the Council that saved local democracy, it was the community.
Future Noosa Councils should never forget it.
it knows best.
After all, it wasn’t the Council that saved local democracy, it was the community.
Future Noosa Councils should never forget it.
Regards, Noel Playford.