Budget
COUNCIL recently adopted its budget for the 2022–23 financial year and I’m looking forward to quite a few Coolum projects coming to fruition.
Thanks to community feedback, a new half-court basketball court will be built in Lions–Norrie Job Park for the young and young at heart to practice their ball skills on and, excitingly, $40,000 has been allocated to progress plans for the design of a pump track in the park. In welcome news for another local park, a new $350,000 amenities block is planned for Jack Morgan Park.
The Coolum Sports Complex Intersection will be upgraded with $700,000 of work thanks to funding from the Queensland Government.
Whether walking or riding, plans are progressing for a new pathway along Emu Mountain Road, between Old Emu Road and David Low Way, to make the trip between Peregian Breeze and the beach safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Funding has been allocated to create a pathway to Lowes Lookout and complete the coastal pathway from beach access 533 to 536 along David Low Way.
Putting a budget together is a challenging process with many competing priorities. As a council, we also had to mitigate as best we could the increase in the Queensland Government’s property valuations. Please remember interest-free rate payment options are available – check the brochure in your rates notice for the details.
Plant a tree for National Tree Day at an event near you
Book now for National Tree Day and join in Australia’s largest tree-planting event. Council will once again be back at the Doonan Creek Environment Reserve on Sunday, July 31, for a family-friendly tree-planting festival. I encourage you to book now at sunnshinecoast.qld.gov.au. Tools, plants, gloves and guidance provided.
Minor grant success
Congratulations to the eight local groups for their success in council’s recent round of minor grants – Coolum Beach Breakers AFL Football Club, Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Hoofbeats Sanctuary Sunshine Coast, Coolum HeARTs, Coolum Beach Junior Rugby League Club, Coolum Croquet Club, Bli Bli Tennis Club and Coolum Beach Bowls Club.
A reminder that I regularly share my community chat days, local events, new development applications and other messages on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MariaSuarezDivision9.