Council is "too restrictive"

Noosa Chamber of Commerce president Martin Bushell with Jeff Nuske.

Geoff Potter

The Sunshine Coast council takes too long to act, is too restrictive and has created a “hideous” atmosphere for businesses on the Coast, according to two men who have led the Noosa Chamber of Commerce.

Incumbent president Martin Bushell sided with former chamber president Jeff Nuske in lamenting the deepening trouble in the region and what they see as a council with misplaced priorities.

“Council needs to get back to basics. It would keep costs down,” Mr Bushell said.

“They should be performing much better and getting more value out of their staff.

“We need to see old-style politics return, where promises are kept.”

Mr Bushell said council often spoke of ideas that would be worked on, but eventually they disappeared into the ether with no result.

And that, combined with the “mixed messages” of local government, meant businesses were not confident enough to set up shop here.

“Generally, council should be there to facilitate business, but you get mixed messages,” Mr Bushell said.

“If we start losing businesses, we start losing services and that affects everyone.”

Mr Nuske has two sons in their mid-30s who are involved in the building industry.

Both have been forced to work out of town because there is so little construction or development on the Coast.

“They’re both working between Mackay or Airlie Beach,” he said.

“Where are the long-term jobs in Noosa? Soon we will end up as the biggest retirement village in Queensland.”

Mr Nuske said it was not the role of council to create businesses, but it did need to encourage investment and “provide the opportunity for things to happen”.

But economic development councillor Lew Brennan fired back, saying that while he agreed that the “green mantra” had caused problems in the region, Noosa’s struggles may be brought on by its disdain for council.

“I certainly understand the interpretations of council policy, but I’m all about jobs and business support,” Cr Brennan said. “There has been a very strong commitment to the environment, but I’m telling council it cannot be at the expense of business.

“But in Noosa, there is a lot of negativity.

“There is a lot of jostling for position, egotism and unelected politics.”

The former Noosa Shire councillor said other Coast areas were working with council and beginning to prosper.

“All I’m saying is that groups in Noosa have shown bitterness and aggression and it will not take the area forward. There are very hard times ahead and Noosa risks being left behind.”

“If we start losing businesses, we start losing services and that affects everyone.”