YOUR SAY: How can the Airlie Beach foreshore be improved?

Whitsunday Regional Council has launched the public consultation period for the Airlie Beach Foreshore Revitalisation Proposal, which will run until June 23.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said council is committed to improving the Airlie Beach foreshore, which is suffering from serious degradation, and restoring it to become a multi-purpose space for both residents and tourists.

“The Airlie Beach foreshore is an iconic and much-loved community space, and we’ve worked hard to develop a draft plan that returns the temporary car park adjoining the Whitsunday Sailing Club to its intended use of parkland,” Cr Willcox said.

“In order to get this project right, we want as many people as possible to take a look at our draft plan, which includes such things as feature gardens and pathways, serviced areas for the market stalls, an outdoor stage and additional public toilet facilities, and provide us with their opinions and feedback,” he said.

Councillor Jan Clifford, who chairs the Airlie Beach Foreshore Project Control Group, said that all feedback received during the public consultation period would be considered before the development of the final Airlie Beach Foreshore Revitalisation plan.

“Council is committed to engaging our community in decision-making, especially on significant projects such as this, which is why we’re using a variety of engagement tools to obtain community feedback on the draft plan,” Cr Clifford said.

“Over the next three weeks, our community engagement team will be attending the Airlie Beach markets to explain the draft plan, answer any questions and take on board suggestions which members of the public may have,” she said.

“We’ve also set up a display at the Cannonvale Library, where community members can look at the draft plan and provide their feedback, and there’s ample information available on council’s website regarding our vision to improve the foreshore.”

Members of the community can participate in the public consultation process by:

• Collecting a map from the Cannonvale library, Airlie Beach market stall or website, detailing their suggestions and returning it;
• Completing the survey that is available online between Thursday, 2 June and Thursday, 23 June 2016 or completing one at the Airlie Beach markets on Saturday, 4 June or Saturday, 11 June 2016; and
• Writing a letter and returning it by mail or email between Thursday, 2 June and Thursday, 23 June 2016 or dropping it off at the Airlie Beach markets on Saturday, 4 June or Saturday, 11 June 2016. Letters should be posted to PO Box 943, Airlie Beach QLD 4802 or emailed to airliebeachforeshore@rpsgroup.com.au.
• Suggestion box will be available for all letters and maps at the Cannonvale library between the Thursday, 2 June and Thursday, 23 June 2016 or at the Airlie Beach markets on Saturday, 4 June or Saturday, 11 June 2016

Further information on how members of the community can participate in the public consultation period is available on council’s website at http://www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/511/Airlie-Beach-Foreshore-Revitalisation-Pr

SOURCE: MACKAY DAILY MERCURY