Former councillor: ‘Nambour needs some genuine love and attention’

Former Division 10 councillor Greg Rogerson has issued a strong rebuke of Sunshine Coast Council’s 2025 Budget, saying Nambour and the hinterland have once again been overlooked.

“To say I was completely underwhelmed at what the Hinterland and especially what Nambour received in the SCC 2025 Budget, is no exaggeration,” Mr Rogerson said.

While he acknowledged the positives, including continued funding to seal gravel roads and final works in Eumundi, Mr Rogerson said the broader budget outcome was far from satisfactory.

“It was extremely good to see the dirt and gravel road budget still being rolled out and the residents around North Arm will genuinely appreciate the money being spent on bitumen sealing the North Arm Road, but remember there is still approximately 500–600 kilometres of dirt road sealing yet to be done.

“It was also good to see Eumundi getting money to finish off their streetscape within the town centre, although I have been well informed that what infrastructure they eventually got, was nowhere near what was promised or expected.

“Eumundi also got final funding for their long awaited pedestrian bridge on the outskirt of town.”

But when it comes to Nambour, Mr Rogerson said the funding amounted to little more than a token effort.

“The Nambour Chamber of Commerce and ‘I Am Nambour’ representatives have been collaboratively working with Council reps in a bid to improve pedestrian manoeuvrability and aesthetic improvements around the Currie, Howard and Mill Street intersection with the aim to continue works along Howard Street, in future yearly budgets.

“Whilst money has been put alongside these improvements on paper, there is a couple of asterisks placed with the amount declaring that indeed the large percentage of funds allocated to the works will need to be funded by the Queensland State Government.

“Nambour doesn’t need ‘half baked’, poorly funded inspirations, especially now!”

Mr Rogerson said he was aware of Council’s financial challenges but said that couldn’t excuse inaction.

“I’ve read all the hullaballoo about Council not having much money and their undervalued management of present regional infrastructure, but surely, Nambour needs some genuine love and attention, and it needs it now.”

Critical hub:

He said Nambour remained a critical hub for the entire hinterland and deserved to be treated as such.

“Nambour is the undisputed gateway to the valuable regional hinterland and the vast majority of smaller towns and villages rely on Nambour and its businesses to support their liveability.”

And while the town is not alone in its struggle with empty shopfronts, he pointed out a key difference.

“Coastal towns like Maroochydore and Caloundra have their fair share of empty shops as well, but the big difference Nambour has, is it hasn’t got beautiful sandy beaches and glistening blue waves and water to lure tourists and foot traffic into town.

“Nambour and its immediate surrounding area is bursting at the seams catering for affordable housing and existing businesses within Nambour and the local community deserve a chance to prosper and Council needs to recognise this and act accordingly, for the entire Sunshine Coast’s sake.”

His final message to Council was blunt: “Wake up SC Council and start taking Nambour and the hinterland seriously.”

Greg Rogerson: “Nambour doesn’t need ‘half baked’, poorly funded inspirations, especially now!”