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The Noosa River and lakes were flooded by sea during
the glacial period 130,000 years ago making Noosa Heads
into an island. The mountains in the area were formed
by volcanic lava thrust upward that have withstood erosion
over millions of years whilst the softer land around
washed away and created the Great Sandy Park with its
high dunes.
It is speculated that the name “Noosa” is
derived from the Aboriginal “noothera” or
“gnuthuru” meaning shade or shadow. The
first visitors to Noosa, the Gubbi Gubbi people roamed
the area in bark canoes living off the abundant riches
provided by the river system. The Gubbi Gubbi was a
well planned matrilineal society with the woman’s
name being given to the land and the tribe.
Tewantin’s first permanent resident Grainger
Ward settled in 1870 and by 1912 Tewantin had developed
into a thriving town with four hotels, shops and a regular
coach service to Gympie. The early wealth was created
by timber and milling with a regular paddle steamer
the Culgoa making three trips a fortnight delivering
timber to Brisbane until being wrecked on the Noosa
Bar on 13th May 1891.
Noosa tourism developed in the late 1920’s. The
Noosa Surf Life Saving Club began in 1927 as a tent
on the beach and now a major building on the beach offering
wonderful views, food and service. |
Over the years many battles have taken place between
the demands of the developer against those that wanted
to protect this unique and wonderful coastal community.
Nancy Cato, in her book The Noosa Story first published
in 1979 provides a gripping story of the battles that
were fought, won and lost. Nancy sadly died in 2000
and is remembered in a memorial park named after her
on Noosa Parade. More recently Michael Gloster in his
beautifully illustrated book The Shaping of Noosa published
in 1997 carries on the story.
The 70’s saw developers working hand in hand
with a local council and business desperate to exploit
the pristine parcels of land that boarded the coastline.
It was also the start of what has been a continuing
migration of people from southern states and overseas
attracted to the Noosa lifestyle. A capture of Noosa
Council during 1982 – 1985 by a strong pro conservation
group started a process of change, and a desire to preserve
“paradise”. Battles have taken place over
extensive development of the North Shore with planned
jet airport and resorts, building on Noosa Hill and
currently a fierce and vocal debate over the planned
Noosa Shire Business Centre.
Today, Noosa led by Mayor Bob Abbott, a conservation
minded community, the benefits of being surrounded by
National Parks and council purchased protected areas
has become a success story for excellence in town planning
and provision of highly desired lifestyles. Some argue
that Noosa represents the world’s most perfect
town, a cry not just made by locals but recognised in
press stories appearing around the world.
Noosa’s dependence on tourism is gradually decreasing
with the growth of intellectually based business managed
by “barefooted executives” making full use
of the new telecommunication technologies and the skills
within the community. Noosa tourism still remains the
major industry and developers are still building noosa
holiday accommodation for the visitors that are coming
to Noosa from all over Australia and the world.
A population cap of 50,000, no high rise development
permitted and very limited land available for development
should protect Noosa for future generations to enjoy.
It also leads to some of the fastest rising property
prices in Australia, creating a vibrant real estate
business, which can be viewed on the futuristic video
screen displays in the Tom Offermann Real Estate office
on Hastings Street.
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