Council Amends - Salinity Pump Works Notice.

neale bertram
Sep 23
2 min read

Updated: Oct 3

Date: September 23, 2025

Author: Adrian Reed, VP NWRA

Major Win for Noosa Waters Residents

I'm pleased to report a significant victory for our community in holding council accountable for their legal obligations. Following our formal request, Noosa Shire Council has retracted their incorrect Works Notice and reissued it with corrected funding arrangements for the salinity pump replacement.

What Changed

Original Notice (July 10, 2025) - INCORRECT: "These essential works will be funded through the Noosa Waters Lock & Weir Maintenance Levy."

Amended Notice (September 23, 2025) - CORRECTED: "These essential works will be funded through Council's maintenance budget."

Why This Matters

This correction represents more than just a funding change - it's council's formal acknowledgment of their legal responsibility for salinity infrastructure maintenance under the original 1983 development approval conditions.

Looking Forward

While this is an important adjustment, it's just one example of the broader issues we're addressing through the working relationship with council. We're continuing to establish:

• Clear cost allocation principles distinguishing council obligations from resident responsibilities

• Performance standards to prevent future infrastructure failures

• Transparent processes for infrastructure planning and budgeting

• Independent oversight to ensure council meets their legal obligations

Community Impact

Thanks to our advocacy, residents will save approximately $150,000 that would have been inappropriately charged through the special levy.

Next Steps

We'll continue building on this momentum as we work with council to develop a comprehensive charter that:

• Protects residents from inappropriate cost-shifting

• Ensures proper infrastructure maintenance and performance

• Provides transparent processes for community consultation

• Establishes clear accountability mechanisms