So much to share from Parliament and here at home this month including on the Cooloola Great Walk, Teewah management, pedestrian crossings, and much, much more. There were many moments of great celebration, as well deep shock and sadness, which I will speak about later, however am restricted due to the ages of those involved.

L-R: PNG Delegates visit; Friends of Basketball event @ Parliament; Noosa Surf Club Sponsors Brekky

From the Chamber and Beyond

In the first Adjournment speech this month, I shared concerns regarding some conflict between First Nations people in relation to the Cooloola Great Walk and have requested that any final approvals on this project not be issued until this has been resolved through ‘truth telling’. Kabi Kabi returning to country should not be negatively accompanied by what appears to be questions on Native Title and other processes. In the second, the importance of early identification and intervention in relation to our youth who are being abused or abusing. I requested government to mandate the Healthy Relationships program throughout schools as this provides opportunity for a ‘whole of schooling life’ monitoring of wellbeing, which given this recent reported horrific attack on one of our young girls, is essential.

In amongst many Bills debated, the Strengthening Communities Bill was rushed through to address the trauma being felt not only in Noosa but throughout Queensland. I supported this in deep frustration and desperation; although seek from government that this will not be seen as the answer and that longer term solutions must be developed for those who are not deterred by incarceration. This includes investigations into relocation sentencing, increasing efforts in addressing the contributors to crime, and early identification in schools of children demonstrating criminal behaviours with age-appropriate response supports as I mentioned above.

The Working with Children (Indigenous Communities) Bill endeavoured to address long standing issues with the Blue Card system by giving decision-making power to community justice groups. However, as outlined in my speech, our Legal Affairs and Safety Committee instead made several recommendations including prioritizing extensive improvements to assist indigenous communities in their applications and appeals, and a review of the serious offences legislative list. This Bill raised the issues again with our current systems and responses, and that it took 3 attempts and nearly 10 years to debate, is an example of why a review must be undertaken. The trauma these communities have gone through, including in relation to employment and kinship care, could have been avoided.

Hence my Private Members Statement, regarding our ongoing efforts to improve committee processes to address both old and new failings, to get the best outcomes for our communities. My Legal Affairs and Safety Committee has been tasked with reviewing support for victims of crime. This is an enormous body of work, and with us already working on 2, now 3 inquiries, the 8 weeks given does not do justice to victims and their families. After unsuccessfully seeking leave for this to be debated in Chamber, and writing to the Committee Legislative Assembly, I am more determined than ever to get this review of our systems done and await the response to my latest requests.

Thought provoking discussions on transport, and how we view it, were had at the QLD Futures Conversations. With the Olympics only a decade away, the key takeouts were around micro mobility solutions, automated vehicles and ‘Mobility as a Service’ (MaaS), which is a one application solution to get to where you need to go. On the Noosa front, the opportunity the Olympics presents is improved rail services between Brisbane and Gympie North which our office has been advocating for. View our latest Noosa 360 update regarding here.

Between briefings, meetings and many other events including the 2023 Basketball NBL1 North Season Launch, there is too much to share! However, can I say to all I encountered, thank you for my increased learnings every day.

L-R: Independent Retirees (AIR) Briefing; Cooroy ‘Moby’; ZEN Community Battery Workshop

On the Homefront

Where to start? So many fabulous catch ups, including during the Cooroy Mobile Office with residents and businesses, and how great it was to get a ‘sneak peek’ at the Cooroy RSL renovation before the ‘grand reveal’! Gratitude to all encountered and Rob Skelton MP for a permit to cross that ‘border’ without the need to quarantine!

Multiple International Women’s Day events across the electorate were celebrated, pondered, and debated! Starting with a Zonta Club breakfast, then to the ‘Mirror Mirror’ exhibition at the Cooroy Butter Factory, a luncheon with guest speakers such as former Brisbane Lord Mayor Sally-Anne Atkinson at Noosaville, finishing with quiet contemplation on the Noosa Queen. The whole day encompassed brilliant, loving and talented women, and we look forward to our men’s groups hosting something similar for International Men’s Day on Sunday 19th November, as we would love to celebrate the amazing men in our lives and community as well.

There was lots of ‘smokin’ hot stories at the opening of the Indigenous Yarning Circle at Sunshine Beach State High School! Another step to greater inclusivity and understanding, hence the name Wan’din’y which means ‘Gathered Together’. An awesome way around the fire to share our past, and dreams for our future, as part of ‘truth telling’.

Thank you to all who came together to open the Noosa Festival of Surfing in pure Noosa style (sand between our toes) including fellow speakers. Congratulations, especially to the phenomenal volunteers and sponsors for a world class experience, as well to Minister Hinchliffe and Tourism Events Queensland for the 1st time ever, 3-year tenure!

It is always good to be put in the ‘hot seat’, this time at the Independent Retirees Association meeting to provide updates on a host of state matters such as policing, the decommissioned TAFE site, housing and Path to Treaty. As well, ‘speed date’ through questions with many in the Federal government jurisdiction including about the ‘Voice’. Our research on issues including those not in our realm however related to current issues such as Native Title, will continue to be posted to Noosa 360.

Welcoming new additions to our Noosa family is always a joy, and this month, it was NoosaCare’s new CEO Grant Simpson and St Teresa’s Principal Sam Anderson, who bring extensive experience to our efforts to see the best care for our matriarchs, patriarchs, and students. Another joy is congratulating those who dedicate so much to our community, especially our Justices of the Peace! Last week, it was the ‘Mayor of Pomona’ Stephen Hilditch, and it was fab fun having Hercules join his master. As they say, never work with children or animals?

Many MP funded Seeds for Change grant progress catchups were held, including combined Rotary Clubs who are about to develop their website for mental health, SevGen’s Galeru Forever Fruits plantings, Womenkind Inc regarding the housing ‘brick, ’ and Millie who amongst her year 12 studies, entered the Generation Innovation Challenge winning the Community Entrepreneur award! Millie has developed the Bin Buddy prototype, which encourages proper disposal of rubbish through positive reinforcement techniques. How fabulous our youngsters are!!! Keep an eye out for this year’s round of our MP grant program to foster those ‘seeds’ of great projects which are essential.

Thank you to the Noosa and Peregian Surf Clubs who work hard to keep all safe in our surf and elsewhere, from those on patrol, to the operational side providing first aid training and CPR skills. Julie recently saved the life of a fellow Noosan who collapsed in a shop with a brain bleed, and her recount of this at the Sponsors Annual Breakfast brought me to tears. The most important message is for all to update their CPR, as the greatest gift you can give is that of life.

Although I endeavour to attend all Citizenship ceremonies when not in Parliament, the hugs and lamingtons with our newest Australians this month was sorely missed and I warmly congratulate all who took their pledge and thank them for choosing Queensland and Noosa as their new home. As always, don’t overwater those natives provided?

L-R: Noosa Farmers Market; International Women’s Day Event; ‘Mirror Mirror’ exhibition in Cooroy

From the Inbox

Land valuations have been updated to reflect the property market, and when attending a briefing with the Valuer General, I saw that it was not only our electorate experiencing substantial increases, with a searchable ‘by address’ list available here.  Landowners who believe their valuation is incorrect can lodge their objection online within 60 days of the date of issue of your valuation notice. We have posted an update to Noosa 360 with information to assist on this and local government rate calculations here.

As properties raise in value, they may trigger land tax requirements for the first time. We have posted the full exemption process here to assist residents. A common exemption for this is if a property is your ‘home’ rather than an investment property. Following the 2022 valuations, I asked the Treasurer to commit to a review of the land tax valuation threshold (currently $600,000) commensurate with land valuation increases. It was not a positive response, with the QLD Government’s position available here. Given the 2023 increases, we revisited this with the Treasurer last week and will update the community once we have a response, as well why revaluations have occurred outside what has been deemed a standard 3-year cycle.

We are working on several bus stop related matters with parents to increase safety for our youngest Noosans, with frustrations all round due to delays in responses from Translink. In the meantime to increase knowledge regarding school bus stops in general, we have posted  here. Please contact our office on 53193100 if you need assistance.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have completed a formal speed review in response to resident concerns on a section of Factory St, Pomona, resulting in a speed limit reduction from 60km/h to 50km/h. A reminder that our office has posted an outline of the TMR speed review process , and continue to advocate for a pedestrian crossing on Factory and Hill Streets with a progress update recently uploaded here.

Enroute from Parliament last night, I attended a meeting via teleconference of the Noosa River Advisory Group to hear from Maritime Safety QLD on the final draft recommendations regarding improved management of our Noosa River in relation to speed, anchoring and houseboats. It has been a 2-year journey, and I thank all who gave their time in efforts to address serious long-standing issues. A full update will be posted to Noosa 360 as soon as available.

Progress has advanced over the last two years for an independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Queensland, as we are the only state without one, to address failings in our current system of environmental protections. Whether in relation to the inappropriate volume of heavy haulage devastating our villages, Glossy Black Cockatoo habitat destruction and more, all information including how best to advocate is available here.

The Teewah Cooloola Working Group met towards the end of March to view proposed changes to address the issues impacting this area. After 4 years of advocacy to get to the ‘pointy end’, we look forward in the coming weeks to sharing what will be implemented immediately, and those that will take longer through legislative change. With Easter coming up and secured extra resources for across the electorate, spread the word that there is a zero-tolerance approach to anyone doing wrong by our community whether speeding, driving on dunes, hooning or any other unacceptable behaviour.

Following advocacy from our office for real time flood images, we have been advised that flood monitoring cameras have been installed in a number of locations across our Electorate. A reminder that flood images are provided as a guide only, as water levels and road conditions can quickly change. Remember that a road will remain closed, even if the water level has fallen, until inspectors have visited the site and determined that the road surface  has not been damaged, or in the case of bridges, that the supports have not been weakened. Further information is  here.

Ongoing works on the Kin Kin Pomona Road continues to cause frustrations for road users, and angst for residents when night works occur. A reminder that if you require alternate accommodation, to contact our office.

L-R: 2023 Youth Parliament Member for Noosa Zac; Noosa Festival of Surfing; JP awardee Stephen

Grants and Reminders

More upcoming grants:

For further State Government grant opportunities see the QLD Government Grant Finder or Grants Guru.

Parliamentary Speeches and Questions

Recent Questions on Notice (QON’s) can be found at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Questions-on-Notice-and-Answers. and latest speeches at www.sandybolton.com/parliament/speeches

Upcoming Mobile Offices

Cootharaba & Tewantin – 14th of April, 9:00am to 12:00pm

Follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook to receive alerts of Mobile Offices in our electorate. As always, if you have any questions or require assistance regarding state related matters, or do not know where to start, please contact our office at 5319 3100 or via email to noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Have Your Say

For a complete list of Queensland State Government Consultations, including on Incident and Disaster Warnings in Queensland, head to www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi

New submission periods are always opening for bills going through parliament committees so to hear firsthand and to receive other updates, you can subscribe at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Visit-and-learn/Have-Your-Say/Subscribe

Office Reminders

Our office is open 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday, except during public holidays.  For community organisations we have the photocopier, marquees, and trailer available at no charge for your use, simply phone and book on 5319 3100.

Connect

With so much to share, stay up to date via  Noosa 360, Facebook page updates or our monthly newsletters. Columns are in Noosa Today, Coolum Advertiser, Cooroy Rag, Your Local Lifestyle, Forest star and Eastern Beaches News.

And finally…. 

We are all still feeling the shock, anger and deep sadness following the alleged deprivation of liberty and assault of a teenage girl in our community by three girls under 14 years old. I am not alone in asking how this could happen. We are a close community, connected by shared values, efforts, and vision. That we had no notifications to our office of any concerns in relation to these youngsters leading up to this, demonstrates that we need to have some frank conversations, especially around the importance of reporting. Given charges have been laid, we cannot discuss this case any further, however in my recent speeches I covered what I could.

Again, I reiterate that anyone involved in vigilante style behaviours, inciting racial hatred and vilification, and making social media commentary that creates even further trauma for victims, to STOP. These multiple wrongs do not make a ‘right’, and efforts need to go into supporting this lass, her family and all impacted, not in creating further fear.

Our community does NOT deal with violence by perpetrating further violence and the shameful acts that we have been seeing, and I truly hope those responsible are not one of our own, as that would be heartbreaking for us all.

Now, it is time to allow the police and courts to do their job, and for all to start the healing process. Think how you can help. In these situations, this includes how to make our home safer, even if it is checking with others that they are okay? If you know of any concerning incidents in our community at any time, be assured when you contact our police, or agencies such as Child Welfare, that your information is kept in the strictest of confidence. Sharing is not ‘dobbing’, it is caring. Always remember, ‘it takes a village’.

For relevant contact numbers, click here, and for hard copies, these are available at our office and can be posted on request by calling 53193100.

Until next month, be assured that we have really good teams who are assisting this lass and her family, including with counselling, as well holding those responsible to account. That includes those who have perpetrated further harms.

Sandy 🙏