Health & Wellbeing prioritised

The Issue

The lack of Council prioritisation of health matters for the the people of Noosa Shire is concerning, particularly given Noosa’s aging population with 36% currently over 60.

My Policy

The Council will prioritise Noosa residents’ health, medical needs and wellbeing, including by enabling construction of medical facilities in Coastal and Hinterland areas.

Background

In 2016 Noosa Council voted to refuse a development application for a clinic to house medical technology  across from the Noose Hospital. The outcome was that residents with cancer or heart issues continued to have to travel to Buderim, Maroochydore or Gympie for PET scans and angiography.

In 2020 Noosa Council refused an application for a medical centre across from Eden Rehabilitation Hospital in Cooroy.

 A Noosa Community Health and Wellbeing Plan, prepared with input from medical professionals, was approved by Council in February 2020, just before the end of the last Council term.  After the election, it disappeared.

 A recent positive step is that in late 2023 Cancer Care announced construction of a clinic with PET, CT, MRI, and other imaging services at the new health precinct adjacent to Noosa Civic.

My Action

I will encourage prioritising residents’ health and medical needs in Council decision-making.

I shall seek to have the Noosa Community Health and Wellbeing Plan updated and instituted.