No doubt we all have our views on the Maleny Community Precinct drama. However it's hard not to feel that an 18 hole golf course would be a terrible waste of a golden opportunity to implement some of the ideas we have been promoting as "Sustainable Maleny", such as the " Town Farm" and " Sustainability Centre". The below article from Maleny Voice includes links to a wonderful alternative plan that explicitly includes space for these projects. Please take a look. I think you'll be inspired.

If you're inspired enough, write to Don Aldous, and tell him how much more you prefer this plan to the Council's "option".

Barry Earsman
Sustainable Maleny Project
http://www.sustainablemaleny.org

Click here for original article

Maleny Community Precinct - The Next Big Battle Looms Closer
2 August 2007
It seems the Woolworths development site on the bank of Obi Obi Creek was but a precursor to the main development battle looming on Maleny's horizon. Several years ago a group of concerned local citizens managed to convince the local council to purchase a large tract of land on the eastern side of the town for future use as a cultural and recreational precinct with land to be set aside for forest restoration.
A few years down the track and surprise, surprise, the local council in a closed door session decided to build an 18-hole golf course with heaps of condominium houses. It seems they are hell bent on development at all costs, even in their dying days as a local authority. (The Queensland Government recently legislated to amalgamate three local council areas into one Sunshine Coast Council).
Despite a protracted public consultation process which clearly showed what the majority of local people wished to see happen on this site, they are sticking with their coastal perceptions of what Maleny should be.
Here you may see a draft gardens concept plan showcasing an alternative view for the site. Make your own mind up about what would be better for the local community, the environment, water quality and our future... This is the plan our local paper declined to publish, it is clear to see which camp the new owners of the publication are in.
More comment and opinions may be seen on the Maleny Times website.