Noosa Council's Pomona Place Plan has been recognised at the 2025 Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence, receiving the Award for Planning Excellence in Community Engagement and a Commendation for a Strategic Planning Project.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding contributions by planners and planning teams who are shaping healthy, sustainable, and vibrant communities across Queensland.
Developed in partnership with Archipelago and CRED Consulting, the Pomona Place Plan was co-created with the community through deep listening and creative participation.
More than 1000 community members helped shape a shared vision for Pomona, resulting in a plan that celebrates local identity, delivers quick wins, and establishes a transferable model for inclusive, community-led planning.
Council adopted the finished plan in March, with several early improvements delivered throughout the planning process , including new timber park furniture, sandstone block seating, upgraded lighting for the basketball half court, and a refreshed Stan Topper Park barbecue area - all responding directly to community feedback.
Other more recent actions underway include new management of the Pomona Pool for public access, the commencement of a walking network plan, a street furniture audit, a new footpath to improve safety walking to and from the high school and a review of heritage signage in the village.
Council's Environment and Strategy Director Kim Rawlings said Pomona was a great place to pilot Council's new Place Program due to its strong village character and engaged community.
"Placemaking focuses on understanding what is important to communities, helping shape places and spaces to improve quality of life, and this program will guide how Council respects the unique identity of towns and villages across Noosa Shire.
"We're delighted to receive this prestigious award. It acknowledges the efforts of our staff, project partners Archipelago and CRED Consulting, and the community for getting behind this placemaking project to shape a future for Pomona the whole community can be proud of," Ms Rawlings said.
