New infrastructure for North Shore youth
Fri 05 November 2010
Emily Wilson, Bachelor of Journalism
Youth of the northern Sunshine Coast were set to receive much needed facilities, following the release of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s draft social infrastructure plan on October 11, 2010.
The Sunshine Coast Daily reported that the Council was planning $7 million worth of community building projects for the Sunshine Coast region.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council social planner Paul McKinlay said a $3.5 million grant from the Federal Government had already been secured for the development of a community centre north of the Maroochy river.
The remaining $620,000 needed for the project would be provided by council. 
The Sunshine Coast Regional Council released a draft social infrastructure plan for the north Sunshine Coast on October 11, 2010, as part of the ‘Our Place Our Future’ campaign.
The plan detailed a number of improvements to social facilities on the northern area of the Sunshine Coast from Twin Waters to Noosa.
Council invited input from residents of the area, with residents able to offer their suggestions on how the money should be spent from October 11, 2010, to November 8, 2010.
Mr McKinlay said council was interested in the needs of youth on the Sunshine Coast.
In the draft strategy, some of the proposals aimed at youth included refurbishment of the Coolum Civic Centre, the organisation of community events and social gatherings, refurbishment of the Mudjimba Hall for age-specific functions and investigations into the Coolum Youth Centre at Jack Morgan Park and how to best use the building for youth needs.
“Of course, these are only suggestions from Council’s planning process...the community will have their own ideas of what their priorities will be in their local area,” Mr McKinlay said.
Residents of northern Sunshine Coast communities expressed their concern over the lack of social facilities for young people outside of Mooloolaba and Maroochydore.
Former Mudjimba resident Emma Lloyd, 20, said while growing up there were few places for young people to go.
“Aside from the beach, it was hard to find things to do,” Miss Lloyd said.
Coolum Resident’s Association president Mr Walpole agreed with this concern.
“We have very strong sporting facilities in Coolum and surrounds, but in terms of other places providing interaction for young people, they are not there,” Mr Walpole said.
Mr Walpole said activities for social interaction would reduce some of the vandalism and destructive behaviour in the community.
“There is a need for (social infrastructure), so those who get a bit frustrated do not take it out on the township,” Mr Walpole said.
Mr Walpole would like to see the community have more involvement in organising and running youth activities.
“The Council should provide support and some funds, but not run activities; let the people in the community do that,” Mr Walpole said.
“If we get responsible young adults to consider applying for and running these things, the community would be better for it.”
Sunshine Coast Regional Council social planner Paul McKinlay said Council had similar ideas for youth events.
“Council is currently working on a youth strategy, and a central theme of this strategy is to ensure the youth are heard and can be involved in the planning and operation of youth events,” Mr McKinlay said.
Miss Lloyd agreed that the plans for infrastructure and youth events would be beneficial to north Sunshine Coast communities.
Projects already underway to provide social access for youth include the North Shore Community Centre, to be built within the Mudjimba multi-sports complex.
The centre was to be able to house age-specific events such as blue light discos, presentations and sporting activities.
The design of the centre was developed with input from local residents until July, 2009, and construction was expected to begin in November, 2010.
Mr McKinlay said the upgrading and installation of school halls funded by the Federal Government would also continue, providing additional venues for events and activities for young people.
Schools to be updated included Noosa State School and Sunshine Beach school.
“(The new halls) will probably have the most immediate positive impact on the community, allowing groups to have access to some of the most up-to-date facilities on the Coast,” Mr McKinlay said.
Mr McKinlay said that although there were different community needs to balance in the long term plan for the northern Sunshine Coast, Council was aiming to ensure the community was getting access to the best facilities.
“Through a combination of the Social Infrastructure Strategy and the Youth Strategy, it is hoped that the needs of youth can be incorporated into the needs of all sections of our communities,” Mr McKinlay said.
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