August 19, 2026
INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS IMPACTS ON SMALL BUSINESS
Given the impacts currently being experienced by businesses due to Noosa Council’s Doonella Bridge Upgrade, the following information is provided to outline processes and supports available.
For anyone considering legal avenues such as compensation, Bond University operate the Bond Law Clinic, which is a legal service open to the community, providing free legal advice in the area of commercial law, property law, business law and general legal advice. To be clear, they do not take on individual cases to process through the courts, however this also means their advice is not tailored to obtain business for themselves hence should not contain any bias accordingly. You can find out more or book an appointment at https://bond.edu.au/bond-law-clinic
The Queensland Government produces a resource for government and councils to minimise the impact of construction on businesses, and as it is intended to be ‘business friendly’, it not only contains advice for Councils in the planning and construction stages, but also for impacted businesses themselves which is available on page 10, although we’ve also included more information on these below. You can access this publication at www.publications.qld.gov.au/ckan-publications-attachments-prod/resources/8332ce94-35ba-452a-913b-3b4982fae709/wfsb_business-friendly-guidelines_ws.pdf?ETag=b8da7fbd10aff8d4cb780c170aaa7d6b
While there are no grants or compensation schemes from the Queensland Government in relation to public infrastructure projects, below are a list of services that small businesses can engage with, and it is suggested doing so as early as possible:
Small Business Financial Counselling
The Queensland Government Small Business Financial Counselling program provides free, confidential, support to Queensland business owners facing financial hardship.
NEW Financial Counselling – South Queensland
Small Business wellbeing support
Free and confidential wellbeing support is available to help small business owners experiencing mental health challenges. Whether you’re navigating personal or professional pressures, wellbeing coaches will work with you to understand your unique needs and connect with flexible business support offering both face-to-face and virtual consultations.
NEW Wellbeing Support – South Queensland
Mentoring for Growth (M4G)
Is a mentoring program which helps you to engage with experienced business mentors through a free mentoring session. Experienced mentors volunteer their time to help business owners and offers insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities that you may be facing in your business.
Digital Solutions program (Australian Government)
Helps small businesses build practical digital capability with support from experienced business advisors. Through the program, eligible small businesses can access no-cost workshops, webinars and online learning to help improve the way they use digital tools, systems and technology. In addition, for a fee of $110 for up to 5 hours, (or at no cost depending on your financial circumstances), you can also access one-on-one digital advisory support with a mentor.
Further to these, for any businesses needing to discuss all options with someone direct, please contact Joe Proctor who is our local Small Business Assistance Officer from the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business. Joe can be contacted on 0448 753 807 or via NCbusiness@desbt.qld.gov.au
Given that a state MP is unable to directly intervene or instruct local councils regarding decisions or actions under their jurisdiction, rather their role is to advocate and liaise with state government, Sandy contacted the Minister for Transport and Main Roads to ask what assistance or resources may be available for Noosa Council regarding traffic management options. While TMR can’t directly take over managing the traffic situation themselves, their staff are reaching out to Noosa Council to offer assistance.
We will continue updating as further information becomes available through state government avenues and look forward to Noosa Council making further information available during their reconsideration of various aspects of this project.
Further Information:
To contact Noosa Council directly regarding the Doonella Bridge Upgrade project, you can email isprojects@noosa.qld.gov.au or for general enquiries or community feedback, email mail@noosa.qld.gov.au
Just as Sandy is Noosa’s representative to the Queensland Government, the Mayor and Councillors are the elected representatives for Noosa Council, and their contact information is available at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/About-Council/Councillors-and-meetings/Mayor-and-councillors
Information regarding oversight of Local Government: https://sandybolton.com/oversight-of-local-government/
