Remembering Hermann Schwabe; Hinterland mourns the loss of visionary leader

Vale Hermann Schwabe
June 19, 1941 – August 7, 2024

The Sunshine Coast has lost a good man in former Maroochy Shire Council Division One Councillor, Hermann Schwabe.

Hermann Schwabe was a Councillor in the then Maroochy Shire Council, for over two decades. In that time, he was Councillor for Division 1, and spent one term as deputy mayor. When he first ran for Council, he had recently immigrated and had a thick German accent. He won his first election by only 6 votes. From then on, until his retirement, Hermann was each time re-elected with a comfortable majority, even being elected unopposed for one term. From that first term, the majority of residents in his division recognised his determination and vision, and their support is testimony to his character, vision and integrity.

Hermann saw things that he believed could be done better, and he fought for those things. He fought for the environment, he fought for the “little guy”. If he thought there was a better way, he would push for it, regardless of how uphill a battle it might be. He was not afraid of standing alone for what he believed in.

Hermann was dogged in standing up for environmental protection, even at a time where the the catchcry of the day was “progress, growth and development”. He pushed for developers to bear the costs of infrastructure and was instrumental in creating the “user pays” principle, ensuring that developers, not rate-payers were responsible for those costs. He negotiated with developers to set aside land protected from development for the enjoyment of residents and the protection of natural habitats. He pushed for reducing the heights and locations of high rise buildings, helping to protect some of the beautiful green areas on the coast. He fought to protect the Maroochy River floodplain from over-development, and was passionate about protecting various coastal habitats.

Hermann was an active member of many organisations, both within Council, and in the broader community. He worked within Council’s Water Board, pushing his vision for a better water quality and effluent treatment. He was integral in shaping Council’s Town Plan, helping to shape and preserve the liveability of the Sunshine Coast. Hermann was an avid supporter of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, often working closely with them to preserve and protect local environment.

“My father had strong views on many things,” said his daughter, Cornelia Schwabbe. “Even after leaving Council, he was dedicated to the betterment of the Sunshine Coast. He was a man who stood up for what he believed in, he stood in his integrity and he relentlessly pursued a more effective, more environmentally friendly and generally better way, in all that he did. This did not always lead to his popularity, but it has absolutely helped to shape the the Sunshine Coast, in terms of developments, lifestyle and the environment, and has impacted on the lives of many.

“Over the years, I have learned so much from my father, and among the strongest ideals that I have gained from him is to stand up for what I believe in, both for myself and for others; to give a voice to those who are unable to exercise their own, and never, ever give up. My father was a man of passion, vision and determination. When the community said, ‘someone should do something about that’, my father answered with ‘I am someone’. In my family at least, this will echo through the generations.”

Hermann Schwabe passed on August 7, 2024 at Sunshine Coast University Hospital. He had battled with increasing dementia for a number of years, after a stroke in 2021. He will be remembered for his vision, strength, dedication, passion and so much more.

• A public memorial will be held for Hermann, which will be organised by his daughters, Cornelia and Heidi. If you would like to be involved, share memories or just be informed of the time and place of the memorial, please contact Cornelia, at rememberinghermann@gmail.com.