Vote 1 Tom Wegener!

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Talking Heads

If you follow the conversations on Swellnet, you’d be aware that we believe there should be more surfers in politics, at all levels, and across all jurisdictions. Increasingly, the coast is a contested space as surfers who once held sway now compete with the needs of fishoes, boaters, surf clubs, and worst of all *shudder* developers.

It’s a great idea in theory, it really is, but the reality was driven home to me the other night when I had to attend a local council meeting and saw what it is those people we elect to local government actually do. It was late on a weeknight and motions were being passed, hands raised, again and again, and for all manner of things: driveways widened, new street lights, a roundabout installed. I don’t want to call them trivial, but they were to me, yet each councillor gave them complete attention.

I like to think I’m a big picture guy, which is another way of saying ‘marvellous at pointing out mistakes, not so hot at coming up with solutions. But in politics, the latter is important, vitally so.

All this is a way of introducing the news that Tom Wegener, AKA the sunniest bloke on the coast, is making a tilt at local politics.

Swellnet: When did you decide to run for Noosa Council?
Tom: Well, it came to my attention on Boxing Day. I had some people that had worked in council come to me and they said, "You know what, Tom? Noosa Council's in danger. There's a very, very strong lobby of developers that are putting these candidates forward, throwing a pile of money at them. And if they get in, if they can buy their way in, Noosa will change forever." 

They then said they’re looking for the best person to run against them. The implication being that was me.

And your reaction?
Well, I was just honoured that they came to me, I couldn't believe it. And so I said, "All right, I'll have a look at it." I told my wife and I expected the worst then she said, "No, that's a great idea. Let's do it."

So that was it, and then soon I created a bit of support and a fantastic group of people that I've met so far that have formed around me. We have the common goal of maintaining Noosa's legacy of being a very environmentally friendly place to come, maintaining small business and just not letting it become a Coolangatta or a Gold Coast.

Are you prepared for public life? As a shaper you received many accolades, but as a councillor you’re sure to get some arrows.
Oh, I've had plenty of arrows shot at me. When I was the executive director of the Surfboard Industry Association, a lot of shapers had it in their mind that I was there to shut them down. The opposite was true, I was there to help them comply with the regulations to make sure that they didn't get shut down.

So yeah, that was a time in my life where I received numerous death threats for actually backing the backyard surfboard shaper like I have my entire life.

Surfing has its own politics. Now, can you give me a crash course in local politics. Can we lump Noosa in with Queensland politics, or is it something a little bit different?
Well, it is different because Noosa is still basically a small town. And that’s because of things that a small group of environmentalists fought for, such as stopping a road going right around to Sunshine Beach, or opening the entire north shore to sand mining. Those things that they fought for made Noosa the tourist destination that it is right now.

Noosa had $1.2 billion in tourism revenue last year.

I understand that tourism is a bit of a bit of a touchy issue up there.
Well, it is a bit of an issue, but I'm happy to point out that it’s only an issue for two months of the year.

I'm sure that people get very uppity about the fact that it's very, very busy over the Christmas season. But on the other hand we have paradise for the other ten months of the year.

So yeah, some people say it's being loved to death, but then I actually think, say, not having enough car parks sometimes is actually okay.

That's got to be a tough one to argue though, Tom.
Well, it is a tough one to argue, but if we made a million car parks down there we’d change what it is people come to Noosa to see in the first place.

And the argument goes that, if you put more car parks in, they’d fill very quickly creating the desire to build yet more car parks.
Exactly that.

What are some of the platforms that you're taking to the council elections?
Well, one of them is the AirBnB issue - which is very, very controversial.

We've watched other places like Byron Bay be negatively affected by the AirBnB's. When I say negatively affected, I mean the community has been compromised. Other people might say, “Well that's great because the real estate values are the highest in Byron Bay,” and that they look to AirBnB as a reason for that success. That's the measure of success. 

Where I as a councillor would measure success by happy residents. 

Also, if we have this new technology called AirBnB then it needs to be regulated or else it just takes the zonings that have been implemented and  just throws them out the window.

That's a real big one up here.

It sounds like it might be another tricky debate, are you prepared for that?
Well, I worked as an environmental lawyer in California, and as a Ph.D. student I looked at small manufacturing, and I understand there are some winners and some losers on each side, but mostly you have to communicate the principles you used to come to the conclusion. 

I've been putting on these forums up here where we talk about principles going all the way back to the nature of democracy coming through Athens. I have my favourite topics: Socrates, the American Revolution, talking about how democracy works. I like to explain how Noosa democracy has worked really well because we have created a paradise for ourselves that is working economically and on a cultural basis really, really well. 

We've created all this, it’s become the envy of many, many places. I mean my gosh, there's no unemployment here and so why change that? Democracy has served us really well, so in democracy there are debates but the best debate is when you follow principles and not emotions.

Noble proposition.
It has to be, especially when the other side has a few people throwing big money at their candidates.

Noosa needs someone who can be trusted to stand up against the forces that would be very, very happy to throw out the height restrictions on buildings, or giving the okay to massive developments. 

Okay, let's just zoom out for a moment then Tom, because Australia is going through a population boom. We have a growing domestic population, plus successive governments have increased immigration and those people have to live somewhere. How do you resolve what you're doing there at Noosa and what's going on with the broader Australian government?
Noosa's one of the only councils in Australia that is actually saying, "Hold on, we'll just limit the amount of people coming in here." Most councils do not, we are so different from every other council and we just feel as though Noosa is so darn special that it should be preserved as. 

As you know I originally come from Southern California and Santa Barbara to the Mexican border was a paradise. You had salmon swimming up the Los Angeles River, which is now nothing more than a storm drain. All of those beautiful wetlands through San Diego are just lifeless, polluted marshes that could have been treated so very differently. I'm looking at that and say Noosa does not need to be just like the rest of them. 

Noosa is the way it is because of the foresight and the planning of the environmentalists through the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s, but we need to continue the fight to maintain Noosa's individuality.

Interesting you mention Southern California as I recall an interview with Bob Cooper who recently passed away and he mentioned that he doesn't take Australia for granted because he's seen what's happened in California. 
That's exactly right and I'm the same. People took California for granted and I saw how it was sold off too quickly. I’ve seen how things can go very wrong very, very quickly.

Okay Tom, when are the elections?
March 28th.

You've got a busy two weeks coming up.
Well, for a politician about 20% of the people are aware of what's going on, but 80% of them are busy raising kids, working all that. So my real, real journey is to get through to those people and say, “Noosa's in good hands with me.”

If you like the way Noosa has developed until now, I'm your guy. If you would rather see rapid development and maybe a short term economic boom, well then there's the other candidates there.

Visit the 'Tom for Noosa' website
And he's on Facebook too!

Comments

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 3:55pm

Good luck. Give it to the bastards.

I’d do the same myself except I’ve got a head like a leper’s ball bag and there’s too many photos floating around of me manhandling a skunk bong whilst hanging halfway out of a kupu kupu malam.

Australia needs crew like you....even if you are a Seppo.

stylemaster1970's picture
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stylemaster1970 Tuesday, 17 Mar 2020 at 12:37pm

"I’d do the same myself except I’ve got a head like a leper’s ball bag and there’s too many photos floating around of me manhandling a skunk bong whilst hanging halfway out of a kupu kupu malam."

That's fricken hilarious!

NDC's picture
NDC's picture
NDC Tuesday, 17 Mar 2020 at 5:16pm

Too funny - again
Keep em comin blowin

nick.minor's picture
nick.minor's picture
nick.minor Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 4:26pm

You only need to look at that arial photo to make the concept of preserving Noosa (as a natural place) as laughable. It's only preserving the current status quo for the current crop of rich boomer Noosa elites under the guise of sustainability... obviously the national park is untouchable due to s109 no matter what any prodevelopment council might want.

Also it's pretty out of touch suggesting there is no unemployment. Lot of underemployed tradies.

I'm no where near owning a house but the Airbnb ban seems pretty off. It's council interfering with basic property rights.

bill-poster's picture
bill-poster's picture
bill-poster Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 5:07pm

Airbnb is a scourge, it needs to go. Here on the mid north coast some people take it to ridiculous levels. The street next over has 4 or 5 houses that do it, one of them has about 3 at a time. Often the guests bring two cars and all of a sudden you've got 20 more cars parking on a short suburban street. Then there's the coming and going, party noise etc.

People buy into neighbourhoods like this because they're quiet, not to live next to a hotel.

nick.minor's picture
nick.minor's picture
nick.minor Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 8:33pm

That might be the case. I guess my attitude is informed by a bit of an anti establishment/ rights preserving viewpoint wanting less government interaction in our lives. Without knowing anything about the council's attempts to regulate this I'd be surprised if any court of the land wouldn't find it ultra vires.

I think the main thing I take offence to is the zero unemployment statement by Tom which effectively dismisses/ undermines any person who is struggling in his electorate. His representation there to me distances him as being a voice of the common surfer and position him more as a rich retired lawyer not wanting development in his back yard, having bought into an area that historically has been full of development.

That Amelia loreston chick who's running surf's also... I don't know anything about her other than chatting for 5 minutes walking back to the car the other night

dandandan's picture
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dandandan Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 10:00pm

God, I wish the establishment would intervene with AirBnBs. In Hobart, more than 600 residential homes have been bought by investors and taken out of the long term rental market and turned into hotels. They're the absolute pits and every single person operating a full-time AirBnB in Hobart should be thrown into the sea. An ex colleague literally has 17 homes that could be housing locals, but the complete lack of regulations means she can continue to buy more and more and turn every single one into a hotel. I'm hoping she goes bankrupt this winter after the cancellation of Dark Mofo.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Tuesday, 17 Mar 2020 at 9:39am

And the beauty is that the government will bail out the banks who encouraged this bullshit. Or even better and more likely....the government will bail IN the banks so that the prudent people who save some money will see their deposits taken to pay for the crazy speculative festival that our economy has become.

Pops's picture
Pops's picture
Pops Tuesday, 17 Mar 2020 at 9:57am

It'll catch up with her if she ever sells them - gotta pay capital gains tax on any income earned through air b'n'b when you sell. I've heard of a few folk getting stung big time by that.

Mata's picture
Mata's picture
Mata Wednesday, 18 Mar 2020 at 9:24pm

““I mean my gosh, there's no unemployment here and so why change that?””

If that’s a direct quote, that’s seriously out of touch with reality here

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 10:35am

Hang on, Nick. My understanding is that Tom lives way out the back of Noosa and not in town because he is not a rich retired lawyer at all. It doesn't appear that his lack of purchasing power has resulted in sour grapes either.

I think the air bnb issue has a lot of impact on people and needs to be looked at. If people want to operate hotels they need a permit and a whole range of things to offset those impacts get considered. Air bnb simply imposes those impacts on residents with no consideration to them. It also means that housing is taken out of the resident and rental markets and further locked up so that streets are further taken away from residents and the creation of community. Our part of town is testament to it - so many holiday homes which are occupied for 3-4 weeks a year and left shuttered the rest of the time. Be great to have residents living in them.

bipola's picture
bipola's picture
bipola Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 4:32pm

well good luck with that

Ape Anonymous's picture
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Ape Anonymous Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 5:06pm

Do it for the 'women and the children' Tom -that'll get you there! Good luck.

the-u-turn's picture
the-u-turn's picture
the-u-turn Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 5:07pm

That's a great interview. Behind Tom's happy-go-lucky presentation is a smart fella.

He has an excellent grasp of environmental law and, as mentioned, an understanding of what happened to the LA-San Diego strip. Having just come home from that location, and driving up to LAX along the coast, it's an appalling sight. Australian council's need voices that articulately put forward an alternative, non GDP driven,, vision. Get up 'em, Tom.

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 5:32pm

For anyone who wants a real background read Australian writer, conservationist and Noosa resident Nancy Catos book : The Noosa Story. A study in unplanned development.

Her view on Noosa development is obviously not as rosy as Toms assessment.

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 6:38pm

Agreed, that's a great book and I actually did a uni assignment on it many years ago.

Yep I think Tom's a little off the mark in his unspolit paradise assessment given the multiple canal estates, trained river mouth and engineered beachfront.

The zero unemployment is a bit of a stretch also and ignores the fact that most talented young people leave for university and rarely return due to lack of work.

Also the environmental activists might claim the population cap as a victory for themselves but the reality is that a short water supply is the main factor in limiting Noosa's population.

Oh well at least he's consistent with many other Noosa residents (my own family members included) who tend to have distorted and over-inflated views of exactly what Noosa is, so he'll probably get in.

Robwilliams's picture
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Robwilliams Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 5:37pm

Foresight, Truth and sustainable balance has been missing in local and Australian politics for years. Failing agendas that are constantly being rushed through. How are big business buying their agenda through Local politics Australia wide? And are political representatives getting away with breaking common Australian law? If so why?
Where is Australian politics taking you and your communities, now and after another four year term? Can we approach democratic leadership better?

Tony12's picture
Tony12's picture
Tony12 Monday, 16 Mar 2020 at 9:12pm

oohh yep that old Noosa development chestnut old as the hills-- heres another chestnut for you Tom the rorting wanna be / active politician chestnut wow how bizarre for a person with a PHD could this be an actual demonstration of how worthless universities have become to the real world

redclement.'s picture
redclement.'s picture
redclement. Tuesday, 17 Mar 2020 at 5:23pm

You won me over when you spoke highly of my surfing and offered to shape me a board. And helped Woof out. Thank you.

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Tuesday, 23 Jun 2020 at 3:41pm

Tom's Candidate Questionnaire....
https://www.oscar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OSCAR-questionnaire-...

Qldurrz secret Noosa Surf Timeline to plumb up the nUSA surfie councillor.

12,000 y/o - 40kms offshore from Noosa... Barwon Sand Island sinks from trace.
This was said to have left a lost tribe to roam as outcasts without spirit.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-12-19/ancient-sand-dunes-preser...

Age old former placid Headland of Noosa adopts a Surf Culture.
World's largest Saltwater Surf Hub expands several different surfcraft designs.
East Coast surfers share unique Surf Culture & Surf Stories abound each Nation.

Teewah (Rainbow) fought Burwilla (Cyclone) for his daughter Murrawar
Lighting split the sky & winds howled & tore up trees & tremendous seas raged.
For days the battle raged, after the storm Saltwater people returned to the beach.
Staring at wave carved cliffs of the Shattered Rainbow & a long drought followed
This event seems to fit after Island sunk + nearing heavier inshore surf of 6000y/o.

6,000 y/o Wild Horse was forever paddling his canoe even when the Seas rose.
Timeline mirrors last flooded landscape not suggesting other than that fact!

Moreton Island hooks in distressed Seafarers, forever a Ngugi refuge hub
1791 Bryants , Castaway Whalers , 1823 T'O'Leave crew > Parsons > Noosa River)

Noosa: 'Shadowed by Trees'...( is a crude understanding of a new life iconic welcome)
When Aborigines die they were set in trees with a fire burning to appease spirits.
Noosa NP having easy access to many such trees...is both a funeral pyre & conduit.

Aboriginal Dream Trails permeate all realms unbroken from 1st people to now.
So all peoples must relate from their time...this they know as fact.
Note: All White newcomers travelled & entered Noosa via this conduit Beach Track.
This track blows leaves drops twigs, whistles winds all are conduits to evermore.
Note: ABC Show Cleverman...where Elders travel thru Tree Hollows...

There is no other reason to believe that these charcoal white burnt remains returned.
Whites as husbands or fathers to Blacks, re-welcomed by spirit by name, look or sign.

Lets try that again...
Noosa WSR + Moreton Island are established shining lights toward Reconciliation.
All original peaceful meetings of our peoples are wiped to promote Us vs Them.
See 1791 B/W Mother & child sharing is well before 1799 Flinders "Bloody Skirmish."

1876 Noosa Point Big Surf Safari Tours (Bodysurfing + Surfing the sets back home.)
1879 Noosa Surf Reserve
1939 Noosa NP > IUCN (World Protection)
1971 Great Sandy NP > IUCN (World Protection)
1992 Kgari WH Largest Surf Island...accessed by Oz/Bne/SEQ through "Noosa"
2007 Noosa (UNESCO) Biopshere Reserve partners Kgari WH.
2015 Noosa NSR
2020 Noosa WSR
WH Kgari < > Great Sandy NP < > Noosa WSR = ( *235 kms of World Surf Reserve +....)
800,000 y/o Kgari World's oldest biggest beach > 12,000 y/o Noosa as Oz youngest beach.
> Blue Heart > Moreton +N/S Stradbroke Islands + GC Spit > GC WSR (All protected!)
Kgari < 500kms > Border Native Title WSR include (cbd surf bathing reserves)
History records Saltwater as birthplace of Surfing...Let's celebrate #1 Surf Culture.

2020 Noosa Shire Beaches 200 [P] vs Actventure Wave Pool before SC Council 400 [P]
Actventure sits between Bne & Sunny beaches.
See how fast WSR Culture can be overshadowed by a new false Surf idol.
5 years back Noosa locals felt said wave pool would detract or cost the Noosa WSR Title?
http://www.yourneighbourhood.com.au/water-park-holiday-resort-steve-irwi...

Sunny Coast slagging off Goldie ...we're never gonna take the bait.
eg: Noosa NP / WSR Hot Dog Comps / Grom Beach Pubs ...Good luck with that shit!

Here's what Goldie tbb drools over upon each Sunny Coast dream run.
Sunshine Coast -Noosa Beach Road 65kms- (4 sets of Traffic Lights) WTF.
GC hwy 40kms -(100 sets of Traffic Lights) Slow = Beachfront Hi Rise enclaves.

Smart Councillor > (WH Surf Safari Coast Rd ) to scrub out White Board World .
Timeshare Trolleys install lights that lockout W> E local beach runs & enclave Rich.

Noosa Bus services end before 10:00 pm...so do all punters drive home?
Perhaps a night link trial might smarten things up!

Iconic Sunny is hard on yer eyes...Sunny Coast iconic Sunnies (Tip!)
tbb got ripped off...sunnies fell off my face before tbb made the border.
Hastings St Sunny Stands cop sun & surf so Sunnies screws are all corroded.
Sunnie's iconic product is leaving visitors feeling ripped off!
So dodgy Sunnies are being flogged from dodgy Council leased Footpaths.
WSR / NP dog handler can go under cover Sunny Tester! ...Good Luck Tom!

[Disclaimer...tbb's family run both Mayoral/Council campaigns]
Just saying this Column + ABC doco would've cost a fortune...Never got that lucky!

tbb salutes Sunny candidates fighting to keep Ocean clean & Surfing Honest.

SC 8 / Kathryn Hyman: Uncovers the PFAS trail leaking into Blue Heart Surf Reserve
https://www.facebook.com/KathrynHymanDivision8/
SC 9 / Maria Suarez: Weeds out WSL crooks compromising Blue Heart Surf Reserve.
https://www.facebook.com/MariaSuarezDivision9/

velocityjohnno's picture
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velocityjohnno Wednesday, 18 Mar 2020 at 7:27pm

That was really good tbb. 10pm shuttle bus curfew is OK by us as we tend to get kicked out of establishments north of Coffs harbour by about 8:30pm...
Added: grandmother used to climb Mt Coolum as a 10yo girl, circa 1920
Grandfather and fishing crew used to permanently park a Landrover north of Noosa for the DI fishing trips, 1940s/50s. Uncle bodysurfed Mooloolaba to double over head 1940s (no boards)

Sir Abacus Bent's picture
Sir Abacus Bent's picture
Sir Abacus Bent Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 9:06am

More research needed tbb .
Maria Suarez worked for Lend lease (2006) at the time Lend Lease successfully lobbied to rezone the land east of the hwy at Yaroomba to remove its recreational and environmental protections. That rezoning made a motza for LL when they sold to Sekisui.
Try this disingenuous crock from her bio:
"... my next role with Lend Lease at the Hyatt Coolum project. The vision for Hyatt Coolum was to maintain the relaxed nature of the resort, implement environmental initiatives, create opportunities for the wider community to utilise the resort, give back to local organisations and keep resort development low-key while solving the economic challenges of the resort. "
As we all know , this an absurd rewriting of history. Indeed bullshit is rarely so pure.
.
You want green? VOTE GREENS! The candidate in Div 9, Daniel Bryar, is outstanding.

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 12:02pm

Good call...tbb saluted activists long before election, if also candidates, then so be it! Purely supporting their upfront gutsy civic pride, without fear or favour above ones own interests. Both activists devote own time to research, uncovering the crime & exposing wrongdoing to empower the local community. They earn no reward or votes & may even lose a lot of support & backers!

They could be standing around behind a banner bitching about it! The Greens or Enviro groups could step up to help them uncover all the corruption...no ones stopping them...(Let's be fair...here's the Greens on Sunny PFAS )
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-15/pumping-pfas-contaminated-water-o...
Sorry if tbb missed something! Yawn! Bring on the reformed whiteshoe activist chix who are kicking sand in the slimeball hodad's faces...

Maria is alone in exposing the Blue Heart double Fuck...by WSL River & Airport PFAS.. fighting against local corrupt Surf Groups that are fucking the The River & poisoning the surf.
https://www.coolumadvertiser.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Coolum-Ad...
https://www.coolumadvertiser.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Coolum-Ja...
Maria also contributes to Sophie Kate PFAS fight!
https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastairportcontaminationwatch/?hc_ref=...

All we know is Enviro groups are cock blocking swellnet's Sophie.Kate.
Sophie did warn us...not what they seem...Sophie respects Maria...Good'n'uff.

PS: tbb would have to step up research to reward Greens candidate so easily. Who here thinks tbb has that much time to kill...For the record, tbb engages positively with Greens & Sunny Enviro Groups quite often! ( Not a regular visitor but loves Sunny Coast!) Good luck extends to the Green Guy!

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Phil Jarratt Wednesday, 18 Mar 2020 at 12:07pm

I've lived in Noosa (off and on) for 30 years, I know most of our councillors personally and I know we need Tom Wegener in their midst. It's important, of course, that he's a committed surfer, but more important that he's a free thinker and a visionary. I support Tom 100% and look forward to his input to the maintenance of civic sanity.

Sir Abacus Bent's picture
Sir Abacus Bent's picture
Sir Abacus Bent Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 11:53am

A free thinking 'environmentalist' who refuses to condemn an unwanted wave pool on a flood plain as the earth warms faster than science had predicted, a wave pool condemned by every community and environmental group in the SCRC?

A free thinker who wants less people to park and surf in Noosa but has no problem with a wave pool that will face into the prevailing on shores thereby crowding out Coolum with hundreds more on our natural and rare offshore days?
.
I'd say you fellas confuse free thinking with rabid self interest. Not so much 'think globally, act locally', as 'me first' n' bugger the rest.

Let's be clear here. You chose to go small ignoring the political power and communities of interest when you CHOSE to exclude EDV and the Maroochy north shore from a new Noosa Shire.
Now, as you say, you are vulnerable to the very same conservative forces you joined to deny the rest of us.
Kharma's a bastard, eh?
And civic sanity? Really?

MrBrown's picture
MrBrown's picture
MrBrown Thursday, 19 Mar 2020 at 9:36am

Nick.Minor's second paragraph sums it up for me.

Sir Abacus Bent's picture
Sir Abacus Bent's picture
Sir Abacus Bent Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 10:11am

TW: "not having enough car parks sometimes is actually okay."
Ah, yes, spoken in the true spirit of Noosa's elite and ugly localism.
.
And this from the OSCAR questionnaire:
:
"Q 19 Do you support the proposed Coolum West intense residential/mixed use development and wave pool
proposal on significantly constrained land, which is also outside the urban footprint?
NB The reason for this question being asked of Noosa Shire candidates is that Noosa Tourism published a survey in what appeared to be support for the project
YES/NO If NO, will you, if elected to the Noosa Shire Council, support SCRC community groups in advocating to the State Government against this proposal?" https://www.oscar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OSCAR-questionnaire-...
Wegener REFUSES to answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hiding behind NO ANSWER to make sure there is plenty of big development to fuck up in his neighbour's backyard and sustain his life style but not a damn concern for his neighbours
Well, Tom you can run from California.... but , hey, you know, The Eagles

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
'Relax' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave!'
.
Perfect words.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 22 Mar 2020 at 12:14am

Sir Abacus Bent knows that Question 19 was loaded.

Q:19 (Here's the easier surfie version)
Do you support Surfing Australia's Hodaddy bankrolling Sunny Mayor's campaign to nudge CEO to pen a WSL upzone to the State Govt, that are up to the eyeballs in WSL junkets & Hodaddy play money, just enough to rubber stamp the in house fake consultation for WSL Coolum Ranch. [ Yes / No ] ... Hint >> (Pick No) Then wash hands!

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 10:29am

Just because people want something doesn't mean its a good idea. If developers and others had their way the Australian coast would be a very poor imitation of the California coast.

Endless growth simply cannot continue in a way which maintains the values people espouse for the coast. Regardless of the motivations, limiting growth, particularly in places like Noosa which are loved to death, is a move in the right direction. It then requires more out-of-the-box thinking to facilitate opportunities for development (improving the quality of things rather than the quantity aka growth) which lead to employment. Besides, the growth mantra's underpinning is that the past was never good enough, which is absurd.

It's funny how most people support individualism, free markets and small government when it works in their favour but then when the tables turn are very quick to point out the inequality of the situation eg having a go Noosa elites because they can afford a place at Little Cove.

nick.minor's picture
nick.minor's picture
nick.minor Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 12:30pm

I'm not sure if I follow your third paragraph. Pure neo liberalism would make those in Little Cove develop high rises on their properties making them money and making it more affordable to live there for those buying shitty shoe box apartments.

I like your idea though about out of the box thinking facilitating development along the lines of quality.

mowgli's picture
mowgli's picture
mowgli Wednesday, 23 Sep 2020 at 3:54pm

Plenty of councils want quality, but their hands are tied by State building regs. There's a bunch of them that would make developers do super ecologically sustainable developments but they aren't allowed to.

State's also dictate to where all the new people have to go. Most councils don't get a say. Our economy is so dependent on building buildings. It's the fiscal drug that's so easy to get and most pollies just want more of it. Because having a truly diversified economy would mean ya know, doing hard things that mostly don't have a pay-off for 10-20 years (namely re-jigging the education system and actually forward thinking infrastructure plans) - and that includes the kudos part.

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 6:55pm

Yep, agreed. State policy here dictates a 15-year land supply provision. Rescode sets out what you can and can't do, all out of the hands of local govt councillors, let alone planners. Though I'd argue that many councils couldn't plan to save themselves. We did have a pretty significant win for the community down here though - largely as a result of a blue between the major parties and an election rather than a clear vision for sustainable development. Its such a shame the system places such a low value on that 10-20 year horizon.

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tango's picture
tango Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 6:51pm

Yes, I may have read one corona virus article too many and been on a look-at-where-years-of-small-government-has-got-us-now trip, but what I was trying to get at was that people all support capitalism when it suits them but when you have a classic issue of supply and demand (such as real estate) and it doesn't work in their favour they aren't so keen on it. The residential development monster referred to by Mowglii above is a good case in point - the tradies are making good money around here thanks to supply/demand but then can't afford the flash homes they build. And normal people can't afford to build them either. Deep down I know its relevant...somehow....but maybe I'm corona crazy at the moment.

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mowgli Wednesday, 23 Sep 2020 at 3:56pm

Anyone who's been up to Noosa the last 5 or so years knows raffic is a problem about 6 months of the year.

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truebluebasher Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 2:33pm

Once Sunny beachgoers swam freely, now all penned into half a dozen 60m cages
Dogs have acquired several kms of beach for Dog Surf Reserves & demand more.

SEQ Dog Surf reserves serve Lismore,Toowoomba,Ipswich,Brisbane,Gympie.

These dogged Weekend Warrior Sparrow Farters waft off by 8:00am.
Hungover lads with pet eating guard dogs patrol beaches by 8:01am
Turtles are all eaten by 8:02am
https://www.peregianbeachcommunityassociation.org/current-projects/news/
Boardriderz order Hot Dogz to invade NP Sanctuary & Main Beach swimmers Pen.

Everyone is fighting for same resource each Weekend Morning.
Dog Beach crew pay Rates,Licenses,Fines & are seldom denied more of everything.

Note: GC dog ownership exploded by an extra 10,000 'licensed' dogs in 3 years.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/when-your-favourite-dog-beach-bec...
Noosa residents are limited to 2 dogs / owner...
tbb is saying the push for more dogs & beaches & Car Parks is the stress factor.
Dog owners pay their way whereas Govt is being fleeced by Starky's Flock.

Surfies may be the Govt' plaything for now but from now on it's a dogs life.
Dogz already chased out master basherz from WSR...
Love the smell of turtle shell soup in the morning & NP Koala Stew for Dinner!
...just saying there are bigger problems afoot!

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 10:24pm

The dog situation is classic tbb, I watched it for years. Dog owner parks at Stumers, dog on lead, dog owner walks around corner northward toward enviros, dog taken off lead, dog bolts up into the fordune system of a national park (dogs prohibited) and out of eyeshot. Foredunes there contain a range of ground nesting/dwelling animals: rainbow bee eaters, pittas, carlias, ctenotus, pogona, swampies and so on. My dog wouldn't do that, he's a good boy, yeah right asshole.

Icing on the cake there is the dog shit bags, they scoop up the dogshit in the bag then leave the fucking thing on the beach, many ultimately probably end up in a turtles GI tract when they degrade due to UV. Don't know how many I picked up in my time.

Sir Abacus Bent's picture
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Sir Abacus Bent Saturday, 21 Mar 2020 at 4:33pm

Just for you, Tom W ...
Noosa councillor , Brian Stockwell, says this re The Slater Cesspool:.
" I think It constitutes a major conflict with the Regional Plan Settings. It is very similar to the refused approach to a Space Theme Park in the Emu Swamp in the 1980s ( the state government came in a declared the area National Park). It would, in my mind set a bad precedent that may affect Noosa Council in terms of permitting major urban developments .outside the Urban Footrpint , in flood prone land etc. However, I can't commit to anything specific in terms of what mechanisms may be appropriate for Noosa Council to take in order to make its views on this issue known.
.
Two Qs for you as a wanna be politician:

1 Can you refute Brian's points as a conservationist or as public servant ?
2. Why is it any of Noosa's business what happens in Coolum given you wanted no part of this end of the coast when you left the SCRC?

My community looks forward to your accountable response.

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Friday, 27 Mar 2020 at 11:01pm

Last minute AEC advice for Voting Qldurrz.
Bring own pencil as AEC pencils won't let go + Bring own sanitiser.
Enter far end of neighbouring Division to queue (Several kms) to pace out yer booth.
Pack GPS, bottled water, Trail Mix, dart the M1 / QR xings + curb a few corner blocks.

[ Chief Health Officer's - Dan Murhpy Ad ]

"Voters take care not to Infect the Schools with yer Corona while voting on Saturday"

[Another Appalling Govt - Dan Murphy product placement by Alcoholic minister!)

Premier - Prematurely closes all contaminated Schools come Monday...(Coincidence!)
Frontline Staff feel privileged to dunk their kids in coveted AEC corona petri dishes.

[ Govt - Dan Murphy Ad ]

Kidz go home spreading AEC strain to parental front line staff...killing off last Qldurrz.
Shouldn't take more than a jiffy!

Dr No is again left kicking the can...'Dratz ... My evil plans are not half as devious!'

[ Disclaimer ]
The risk of getting appallingly high at Dan Murphys, did tempt tbb to expose himself.

Crew said ...Good Luck Qld Surfies

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Sunday, 29 Mar 2020 at 2:29am

Qldurr...says Sun is shining on Tom / Kathryn / Maria.

stunet's picture
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stunet Thursday, 23 Apr 2020 at 8:16am

...that'd be Councillor Tom Wegener now.

Sir Abacus Bent's picture
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Sir Abacus Bent Thursday, 23 Apr 2020 at 9:33am

Ah yes , now known as Councillor 'We the People' who, along with the his cohorts, loves the benefit of wave pools as long as they stuff up other peoples backyards and surf breaks.
Nothing says me first like the 'conservationists' of Noosa.

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Tuesday, 23 Jun 2020 at 6:46pm

Noosa Femlin Councillor Amelia Lorentson logs out with nUSA Hodad Tom
https://www.facebook.com/Amelia4Noosa/photos/p.112450646849539/112450646...
https://www.facebook.com/amelia.lorentson/about
Councillor Amelia has style & smashes that solid left & could easily snake Tom!

https://www.facebook.com/noosacouncil/videos/live-swearing-in-ceremony-f...

Surfer 1) Swearing in Declaration Femlin Amelia Lorentson [1610 > <15:15]
Rewarded with People's Voice (Fair & Honest)
Work Hard & Listen & Speak Loud & Clear [ We Will ] Make Noosa Better

Surfer 2) Swearing in Declaration Hodad Tom Wegener [22:30 > < 8:35]
Thanx for Support > Opportunity +Team & Especially Wife Margie.
High Standard of Living + Low Rates (Balance) Tap Turned off >
Money aside > Noosa has Environment & Volunteers.
Great opportunity for DIY in Hard Times. ( Good live feedback)
Tom's own words A Silly Example: What I did a few weeks ago ...
[ Essential Business DIY Albacore bellyboard kit is selling like crazy..Essential Plug]

tbb: "Lockdown / Caretaker mode selling ice to eskimos? A bit on the side never hurt?"

Well done fellow surfers Amelia & Tom...swellnet crew are stoked!

Sir Abacus Bent hurls Tom a lifebuoy for JW's wave trough back wash.
https://www.swellnet.com/comment/600315

[US Dream Mall] (Retail) 55% > 30% vs Resort Wave Pool /Slides 45% >70%
https://blooloop.com/news/american-dream-increases-entertainment-reduces...

Would one or two Sunny Coast Wave Pools starve Noosa + Surf Lakes movin' in?
http://www.yourneighbourhood.com.au/water-park-holiday-resort-steve-irwi...

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Tuesday, 23 Jun 2020 at 9:04pm

22nd April- Tom's "Register of Interests" reads a little interesting...
https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/2152/2020-04-22-tom-wegener-...
Sources of income over $500/yr
Global Surf Industries (Royalties)
NBN Tower on Property...

30th April - @ 1pm - Noosa Council 1st Ordinary (Closed) Meeting
(Comment) Lee-Anne Phipps: "Who goes to a Council Meeting in a Hoodie?"
(Surfie Reply) Tom's swellnet secretary: "Bros before Hos!" (Hang loose Siss!)
https://www.facebook.com/noosacouncil/photos/a.196908713833148/131102599...

5th June - Rookie joins Noosa Green Team.
Kook Hodad Councillor is the Rep on Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Board.
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/05-06-2020/wegener-secures-spot-on-biosph...
https://noosabiosphere.org.au/the-board/

18th June - Tom aims to Improve & Upgrade NBR 130km x 8 trail network
Tourism / NBR Foundation / Landcare / Cyclists are Stoked.
https://www.facebook.com/noosacouncil/photos/a.196908713833148/135444127...
https://noosabiosphere.org.au/trail-tourism-in-the-spotlight-with-the-no...

tbb: Surf Reserve trail links WH Kgari -NBR- NWSR- thru > 2 proposed Wave Pools.
Tom's Trail steers clear thru 2 Wave Park Developments...Hodads vs Hodads.
One of those in nextdoor Council with Fast track Stamp. (Has a Pony watering Shed)
The other Fast track in nextdoor Council has to skip over the WSL grand Canal.
Failing to hook a wave thru either Wavepool & the Noosa Trail turns back on itself.

Tom's WSL Nemesis (Part 2)
12th June (NT Page 2) WSR say no to Shark Nets (Council's Stand?)
[ WSR ] + Noosa Parks Association
Backed 'Action for Dolphins' letter to Noosa Council to remove Nets.
Reminder that WSL repeatedly surf Long Board Comps on Noosa Bar
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/68295/SharkEquipm...
(Bar > No nets) & splits both Great Sandy SR (nets/drums) + WSR (nets/drums)
https://issuu.com/starnewsgroup/docs/2020-06-11_

American White Shoe Line bribes Qld Jewish White Shoe Govt.
WSR say No to Nets & Yes to Dogs & US Tom harpoons WSL with Noosa Trails.
Somehow! Don't know how? That's supposed to make sense to us Qldurrz!

Tom finds himself at the heart of a forbidden "Hampton Rails to Hell" controversy...
Cr Wegener "was not sure what all the fuss was about!" (Awaiting Appeal!)
So Hot! The Newspaper had to remove the Tell all Photo!
https://theworldnews.net/au-news/over-the-top-railing-against-canal-clutter

tbb can only make out that some White Trash built a "Rusted on Entry Statement"
Pretentious Yuppie pontoon feature that blots out all neighbour's Canal views.
Think Noosa Surfest with Hodad's Hot Dogz Hanging 10 thru a WSR grom'z Bar.

10 Years after:
Tom says he had no idea, Hampton's deckchair would end up a Noosa Casino Marina?

With that slip of the tongue...baptism of Fire! The Honeymoon period is over!
"Not sure what all the fuss was about!"
OMG! Tom! (What were you thinking!)
Lets all drop Acid...Tear up the Town Plan...Set Fire to the Shire!

ryder's picture
ryder's picture
ryder Wednesday, 24 Jun 2020 at 8:44am

Someone is bored shitless...

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Wednesday, 24 Jun 2020 at 11:18pm

ryder...re: 23rd June 2020 (Above) The world's oldest & richest surfing history.
Bryant's Tangalooma landing history predates all recorded Moreton Bay discoveries
SEQ Libraries have tbb Presentation > (Oz oldest Surfing scenes 1791 Postcard set)

Sunny Coast Surf History is exclusive to swellnet...free for all to read...happy to share.

Recent reporting of Shark Nets..
Sunshine Coast Newspaper run no less than 6 polls...making it No 1 SC Council issue.
Noosa thru Wave Pools Walking Trail also gathered most local [f] replies.

Whether crew say it's really good or needs more research, tbb is seldom bored!
Fair enough most reads are presented in a timeline form rather than a colourful story.
Researcher part freelance historian trawls Council minutes, as boring as it reads.
Flip that & folk compliment tbb as a really wild surfer...sadly retired part paralysed.

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Tuesday, 7 Jul 2020 at 7:16pm

Cont...
Cr Wegener's Noosa Council is wedged by Noosa WSR (No shark net Policy)
Surfrider Foundation also want an end to Shark Nets.
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/surfrider/pages/281/attachments/or...

Noosa Cr Tom Wegener is also a Surfrider Foundation Patron
https://www.surfrider.org.au/ourambassadors

(Above) Cr Wegener also heads the Regional Trail Network that runs thru WSL site.
WSL have committed to linking to Noosa Trail running thru the Blue Heart site.
However Tom's Surfrider Foundation have called for an end to this WSL proposal.
https://mysunshinecoast.com.au/news/news-display/state-government-should...

Noosa WSR baptism of fire...
Cr Tom Wegener is no sooner circled by local Hodad Sharks of every description.
How ya going Tom Ol' mate...at least he gets free beer for next 4 years.