By Lee Mccarthy
The ’Centre Block’ at Rainbow Beach is the ’heart’ centre of the community with events such as the monthly markets, music festivals, Santa’s annual arrival via helicopter, and it’s also popular for families who want to kick a football or throw a frisbee.
In March this year, a letter was submitted to the Gympie Regional Council on behalf of the members of the Community Information & Resource Service Association Incorporated (CIRS) and Rainbow Beach residents, regarding the zoning reclassification of Lot 1, 32 Rainbow Beach Rd (vacant land on the corner of Rainbow Beach Rd and Clarkson Drive).
This letter followed discussions at the CIRS general meeting on 15 February where a motion was passed to write to council to seek clarification on its future intentions and current zoning of Lot 1, 32 Rainbow Beach Road.
Lots 1,2, and 3 form a land parcel locally referred to as ‘The Centre Block’.
The zoning has been the focus of community concern since 1992 with residents’ opposition to a commercial development application made at that time which led to the Council acquiring the land and zoning it for ‘Community Purposes’.
The submission by the CIRS committee stated that it was “obviously of great concern to our members and Rainbow Beach residents generally then to learn that it has since been rezoned Local Centre in a subsequent Planning Scheme.”
“Our concerns are firstly that we were not consulted on this change by Council planning staff at the time.”
“Whatever happens on Lot 1 may impact our management of the hall and our events held on Lot 2. As managers of the neighbouring parcels, we should be considered stakeholders and kept informed of any Development Applications, Changes to Material Use or rezoning of any part of the Centre Block.”
“Secondly, we need this centrally located green space to remain available for activities associated with our function as the designated evacuation centre for the Cooloola Coast.”
“In the event of a natural disaster, this flat empty space will be utilized for accommodation overflow (evacuated campers and caravans), pet management, food and medicine drops, and other purposes as required.”
Thirdly, this space has been used for community events such as rodeos, car shows, touch football matches, fetes, and outdoor musical events. It is the last public open green space available in the heart of town. Once it is gone there will be no similar site to replace it.”
The submission also stated that “CIRS members strongly insist that if any development of Lot 1 is proposed, it should be for a publicly owned community asset accessible to all residents, not for private residences, tourist accommodation or commercial enterprise.”
“CIRS members want to know what precipitated the rezoning and what, if any, development proposals have been presented to Council for consideration.”
“We also want to know if Council have planned any community consultations on this or any other planning matters relating to Rainbow Beach. We understand that there have been many changes within Council so we are offering to provide some valuable local insights to the Planning team, to contextualize the views or advice that you may have been provided with.”
A public meeting has now been organised to discuss this issue as well as any other planning matters of concern on Monday 26 June from 2pm to 4pm
at the Rainbow Beach Community Centre Hall and residents are encouraged to attend to have their say on the matter.
According to CIRS president Fiona Hawthorne, planning scheme coordinator Simon Kinchington will attend the meeting for council and may bring other Council staff to the meeting to respond to residents’ concerns.
“If there are any local issues that you want them (council) to respond to, please email me or call me on 0423 344 316 and I will notify council of the points to be addressed,” she said.
You can also email any concerns to [email protected].