Noosa 360

Sandy recently announced a positive outcome to her request for no commercially built structures in the Great Sandy National Park with the Queensland Government no longer proceeding with the Cooloola Great Walk Ecotourism Project (CGWEP) and have also reassured that…

Following on from our September 2023 Noosa 360 update, which in summary relayed the CGWEP Noosa MP survey results,  a letter was sent on 11 September 2023, to both the Queensland Minister for Environment and the Queensland Minister for Tourism…

As an Independent MP, it is important for Sandy to hear directly from Noosa constituents, as she does not simply adopt the ideology or beliefs of any particular political party, nor her own views, instead strives to represent the diversity…

As an Independent MP, Sandy strives to represent all of our electorate’s diverse viewpoints, and direct feedback is greatly valued to help inform advocacy as we don’t ascribe to the views or ideology of a particular political party, nor Sandy’s…

The Cooloola Great Walk Ecotourism Project The Cooloola Great Walk Ecotourism Project (CGWEP) is a proposal being advanced by the Queensland Government, in conjunction with the local Kabi Kabi indigenous group and a commercial “cabin style” accommodation provider (CABN) to…

The following article was authored by Sandy Bolton MP and published in the Noosa Today on the 9th of June 2023: Noosa is one of the most stunning places visually, yet underneath is the real beauty.  Its people, the knowledge…

The Cooloola Great Walk Ecotourism Project (CGWEP) Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between the State of Queensland and the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation has been approved and registered with the Native Title Tribunal and is available at: http://www.nntt.gov.au/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/ILUA_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=QI2022/021 The…

There has been much debate in the community about the impact of different parts of the Nature Conservation Act on the management of the Great Sandy National Park and the proposed Cooloola Great Walk eco-tourism project. In order to get…

In response to our advocacy regarding the need for better engagement about the Cooloola Great Walk Project and Kabi Kabi First Nations People, we have received the following from the Minister for Environment: The Queensland Government recognises and respects the…

The Kabi Kabi Registered Native Title Claimants (Kabi Kabi RNTC) have provided the following responses in italics to questions asked (in green) to our office following a women’s gathering at Poona Lake. Where responses concern government legislation and/or approval processes,…

With much speculation, confusion and even misinformation regarding the Cooloola Great Walk, we continue to obtain information and update whenever new information is available. In response to questions relating to whether the proposal includes a 30-year lease period with the…

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) have provided the following information in relation to the Cooloola Great Walk and the Kabi Kabi First Nations Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group. “The State is aware that the Kabi Kabi First…

In response to ongoing advocacy from our office and residents alike, the Department of Environment and Science (DES) have proposed that two sites be relocated to alternative sites along the route. We have been advised the following: New proposed Site…

In response to questions and concerns raised at a Cootharaba Community Association meeting earlier in the year, the Department of Environment (DES), has provided the following responses. Issue CCA question/request Proposed response Approvals and timeframes A detailed outline of the…

The recent Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Summit at the Sunshine Coast Conference Centre, 30 years after Mabo, was one of the biggest gatherings ever of this kind. Convened in partnership with Queensland South Native…

With concerns coming to our office regarding the Cooloola Great Walk Ecotourism Project (CGWEP), a project between the QLD State Government, a private company CABN and the Kabi Kabi peoples, and the many often confusing processes involved including Native Title…

In response to queries put forward to the office, a Question Without Notice was asked of the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef regarding the ongoing environmental impacts on Cooloola Great Walk, please see the below transcript.…

Having discussed environmental concerns regarding the proposed camp sites for the Cooloola Great Walk directly with the Minister again last week, it was reiterated that the sites for the proposed camps are still undergoing environmental assessments and have NOT been…

Further to previous updates and following discussions between Sandy and Minister Scanlon, and also her staff, we have been advised the following: Whilst a document listing sites for cabins/safari tents was sent as part of the EPBC referral process, these…

Further to our update on 28 July (click here) and in response to further concerns raised about the lack of consultation for the Cooloola Great Walk Ecotourism Project Proposal and requests for an outline of the process, we have been…

In response to queries put forward to the office regarding the Cooloola Great Walk, we have contacted the office of the Minister for the Environment, who have responded with the information below: Community Consultation Between 31 May 2019 and 22…

In response to inquiries, we have received an update from the office of the Minister for Tourism regarding the project. The $1.5m allocated in the budget for this financial year will go towards the project’s operating budget, which includes Indigenous…

As posted previously, the State Government put out tenders for 3 Eco trails across QLD and the Cooloola Great Walk was one of these. The tender process undertaken by the Department can be found at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/tendering/improve-approach/capability/steps and incorporates a number…

There was a site visitation with Norman, traditional owner Brian Warner, and the teams from QPWS, DES and CABN- approximate time frame for commencement is 2 years. The first of our indigenous trainees are currently at Landcare, and work now…

Five camp sites have been pinpointed and approved by the traditional owners. These sites are on existing or close to service roads. The Department is currently awaiting the finalisation of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement. The partnership with the Kabi…