A CAMPAIGN to preserve the environmental integrity of Lake Weyba has just received a major boost, with Noosa’s most powerful green lobby lining up to oppose any major development outside current planning guidelines.
Noosa Parks Association has fought and won most of the significant green fights in the area over the past 50 years. Its president Ian Seels said the time had now come to oppose the proposed Mantle Group development.
“NPA is gearing up for another conservation battle, with a massive development application (DA) of the size of Peregian Springs looming,” Mr Seels said.
“This proposed development – spanning both sides of Walter Hay Dr around Eenie Creek and extending east to Lake Weyba – is asking for development to be permitted in a non-urban area.
“This DA contravenes the Noosa Plan, which limits excessive development, and it should be rejected from the outset.”
Mr Seels said 75%of this land was in the old Noosa shire, with the remainder lying in the former Maroochy shire borders.
“Not since the days of the proposed Kin Kin Titanium development have Noosa’s core conservation values been so threatened,” Mr Seels said.
Mr Seels said the NPA was staunchly opposed to self-interest parties with “scant regard for Noosa’s development control guidelines” intent on making a “short-term fortune at Noosa’s long-term expense”.
“The developer, Mantle, will no doubt espouse virtuosity by claiming they will be donating large tracts of environmentally significant land for the protection of the dwindling koala population.
“The stark reality is that all the land being offered as ‘biodiversity offset’ is already protected and thus cannot be developed.
“The bottom line – Mantle will be offering us nothing.
“NPA intends to strongly oppose this DA and, having already spoken to Local Member Glen Elmes regarding its concerns, will be discussing this matter with local councillors shortly.”
Mr Seels said the NPA expected Noosa’s Division 11 councillor, Russell Green, to strongly oppose any DA and wanted the newly elected Division 9 councillor, Steve Robinson, to do likewise.
Any development would destroy a huge area of pristine green space, risk polluting Eenie Creek and Lake Weyba as well as endangering flora and fauna, he said.