New mayor commits to Maleny park and path
By Mitch Gaynor
THE Sunshine Coast Council has committed to not planting out an increasingly popular Maleny walking trail and will also begin public consultation for a new district park.
New off-leash dog zones were also under consideration as part of a suite of announcements made by new mayor Rosanna Natoli when she addressed the Maleny District Sport and Recreation Club (MDSRC) AGM last Thursday (April 18).
Cr Natoli chose the hinterland to mark her first official representation as mayor, saying she had heard loud and clear that the hinterland had felt abandoned.
Cr Natoli announced community consultation for a new district park, including an off-leash dog area, would begin in July.
“The lack of progress on the establishment of a district park has led to some community concern,” Cr Natoli told the MDSRC.
“But I can announce now that consultation, planning and design will continue over stages starting from July. The scope of this project includes the planning and design for a new dog exercise area in the precinct.”
Cr Natoli also announced that a path – unofficially called the Hinterland Trail and used regularly by the community – would not be re-treed despite ongoing threats by council officers.
“Let’s not have Park Run turn up on Saturday and have their path planted out. I secured a commitment that there would be no planting without further consultation,” she said.
Cr Natoli also attempted to allay concerns from the MDSRC that it had been left out of the consultation process over the revision and implementation of a master plan for the precinct.
The Committee had been pushing for a Precinct Director, which had been successful previously.
“I said (to the executive) that we needed one point of contact in council,” she said.
“It’s not the position of director, but the one point of contact will be able to manage your concerns and direct you through council.”
The AGM also saw the appointment of new president, Greg Williams, who said he was focused on progressing the MDSRC strategic plan.
“I will be moving to approve and embed our strategic plan,” he said.
“We will be submitting it to the council for approval and will be doing everything we can to advocate for the plans and recommendations within it.”
“We want Maleny to be an active community for everybody to enjoy.”
The committee also announced Richard Bruinsma would produce a fortnightly MDSRC newletter to keep the community informed of relevant events and news.