Petition calls out budget bias. Nambour fights for fairness
Nambour businesswoman Jennifer Barker has launched community petitions calling on Sunshine Coast Council to stop overlooking the town in budget allocations and to honour long-promised commitments to revitalise the hinterland.
The owner of Amaroo Day Spa said she felt compelled to act after what she described as another year of Nambour being “left on the shelf” while coastal areas received the lion’s share of funding.
“Again we have been left on the shelf whilst funding remains to be given to coastal towns yet again,” Ms Barker said. “Nambour needs funding for our town to grow. We cannot be repeatedly put on the back burner.
“Through my conversations with local businesses I’ve heard they all want change for Nambour and most of them have lost faith in our town, and the system. Regardless of private investors coming to town, some businesses want to relocate to the Coast where it all seems to be happening. Previous petitions have been raised by some of the longer running businesses but all have fallen on deaf ears. Almost every business is asking “why’ is Nambour being left out?”
The paper-based petitions, one for businesspeople to sign and the other for residents will collect real signatures from locals calling for an urgent review of Council’s 2025–26 budget.
It specifically urges Council to:
1. Honour its commitment to prioritise Nambour and hinterland revitalisation.
2. Reallocate funding to progress the long-awaited Nambour Library Precinct. 3. Invest in streetscape improvements to support struggling local businesses.
Ms Barker said she had consulted Division 10 Councillor David Law on the best way to ensure the petition’s impact, and is encouraging all local businesses – including home-based operators – and residents to sign. Copies are available at Amaroo Day Spa and LDL Boutique in Queen Street.
The campaign follows strong community backlash to Council’s recent budget, which delayed the Nambour library and administration centre project until at least 2031 despite $1 million already spent on preparatory work.
Cr Law described the deferral as “deeply disappointing,” while Nambour Chamber of Commerce president Mark Bray said the town’s existing robust infrastructure made it an ideal candidate for investment.
“Council could achieve meaningful improvements here with a fraction of the cost required elsewhere,” he said.
Mayor Natoli and CEO John Baker gave strong statements of support for Nambour at this month’s Chamber of Commerce event but Ms Barker said it still was important to maintain pressure.
Ms Barker said the growing list of signatories reflected widespread frustration that Nambour continues to be undervalued.
“A thriving Nambour benefits the entire Sunshine Coast,” she said. “We urge Council to act now. We will present the petition for both businesses and residents to sign at the Pink Ribbon fundraiser at the Town Square Markets on Thursday morning (October 30).”
Businesses wishing to sign can visit the Oct 30 markets, Amaroo Day Spa or LDL Boutique in Queen Street, Nambour.
Jennifer Barker: “We cannot be repeatedly put on the back burner.”