Mayor Andrew Willcox said that councillors had fielded many calls indicating the community needed a longer consultation and the feedback period has been extended until July 27.

“Council is committed to improving the Airlie Beach foreshore, which is suffering from serious environmental degradation, and restoring it to become a multi-purpose space for both residents and tourists to enjoy,” Cr Willcox said.

“Over the past month, Council has undertaken significant community engagement regarding the proposal, and I want to thank everyone who has made a submission or who has stopped in at the Cannonvale Library to look at our display or approached our community engagement team at the Airlie Beach Markets to learn more about the proposal and have their say,” he said.

Mayor Willcox confirmed that the proposal was only the initial draft document, and would be amended following the conclusion of the consultation process to reflect community feedback.

“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.

“This proposal is not set in stone, and we fully intend to incorporate the feedback we receive during this consultation process into our draft plan and take it back to our community again.”

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

• Collecting a map from the Cannonvale Library, Airlie Beach market stall or Council’s website, detailing their suggestions and returning it;
• Completing the online survey
• Writing a letter and returning it by mail or email. Letters should be posted to PO Box 943, Airlie Beach QLD 4802 or emailed to airliebeachforeshore@rpsgroup.com.au.

Further information on how members of the community can participate in the public consultation period is available on Council’s website.