[Video]Representatives from the Caloundra and the Glass House Country Chambers of Commerce, the Organisation of Sunshine Coast Association of Ratepayers (OSCAR) and the Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) will participate in a community forum on the Halls Creek issue on the evening of Thursday 3 July 2014 at the CCSA Hall in Caloundra.
The forum will provide an opportunity for the community to find out more about the issue and the Halls Creek and Beerwah Caloundra South Corridor areas.
The forum will commence with brief presentations on the planning and environmental constraints of both areas which will be delivered by independent professionals. Following the presentations a panel consisting of Hon Mark McArdle, the Hon Andrew Powell, Mayor Mark Jamieson, OSCAR President Ian Christesen, Caloundra Chamber of Commerce representative Bill Darby and SCEC Executive Officer Wiebe ter Bals will participate in a Q&A style debate of the issues.
“As key stakeholders in the region we have all been following these issues for a long time and have a good understanding of the key concerns. But we understand not everyone in the community will be as familiar with the issues and we want to provide an opportunity for people to find out why this issue is so important and to ask questions of experts and decision makers,” said SCEC Executive Officer, Wiebe ter Bals.
“This issue concerns everyone in our community. It has major implications for the character of our community in 30 or 40 years time. The decision we take now will determine whether we will be able to preserve the character and the natural beauty that makes this such a unique place to live.”
“This is why business, community and environmental groups have come together to host this forum. This is not just an economic issue, and not just an environmental issue, these decision will affect everyone across all sectors of our community.”
“Given the existing oversupply of land for development and Caloundra South development of 50 000 people yet to commence, it will be interesting to hear the reason the State Government wants more development areas opened up” said Ian Christesen, president of OSCAR.
“This forum needs to be all about ensuring the community gets the hard facts. This issue is too important to be debated on emotion,” said Bill Darby from the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce.
The groups have prepared a video that provides an overview of some of the key issues to help to community get an understanding of what is at stake.
What: Community forum
Where: CCSA Hall Caloundra
2 Nutley St Street
When: Thu 3 July 2014
7:00 – 9:00 PM
** For more info visit the SCEC website www.scec.org.au**