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Lack of progress by
both Councils in jointly proceeding with their respective election commitment to provide a public aquatic facility for Mission
Beach became the catalyst for informal resident action group meetings.
This issue served to unite the community and led to the public airing of many other areas of inconsistency and dissatisfaction
caused by divided governance. It became evident that a formal structure and organization would be necessary to address the
many concerns of the community. The South Mission Beach & Wongaling Beach Community Association already existed. The Mission
Beach Progress Association had already ‘folded’. Consequently, the functioning Association voted to broaden its
sphere of representation to embrace all of the villages and within 8 months had 180 financial
members and is still growing.
On its formation it
was agreed the Association would focus on the following matters that are of concern across both Shires:
- Town Planning Controls & Development Vision – Attaining consistency across both Shires
to ensure preservation of the natural beauty, low scale amenity and conservation values of this World Heritage area
- Rates & Services – Obtaining value for $ in the services provided to the Mission
Beach district by Councils, separately and jointly.
- Tourism – to encourage both Councils to jointly foster and appropriately fund Mission
Beach Tourism.
- One Mission Beach
– to work toward merging the Mission Beach
villages so that they are governed by one local government authority.
At a meeting in late
January 2005, the goals of the fledgling Association were presented to the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Desley Boyle,
and her encouragement and support have assisted in having MBCA recognized as the ‘voice’ of the Mission Beach
community.
The Mission Beach Community Association under the direction
of its members, has and continues to work towards achieving these stated aims and is proud to say progress has been
made in having Councils and Government recognize the aspirations of members.
On March 15 all of Mission Beach became part of the new
Cassowary Coast Regional Council which meant that one of the major objectives of MBCA has been achieved.
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