Tropical Cyclone Alfred and even more wet weather!
Our communities and broader Southeast Queensland (SEQ) demonstrated incredible resilience and tenacity during Cyclone Alfred, as well after with our minor floods. Noosa was fortunate to experience just a sample of what ‘Alfie’ delivered elsewhere, and by preparing for the worst, which is essential to saving lives and properties, we were ready. Thanking all during a speech in Parliament, including our Local Disaster Management Group and the Queensland Government, it was to our community that I gave the deepest gratitude. Everyone from our incredible volunteers, whether SES, Rural Firies or Lions (to mention a few), our frontliners, and the selfless individuals who helped others, you are all deeply appreciated!
L-R: Cyclone Alfred – Beach Erosion; @ the Noosa Leisure Centre; securing the North Shore Ferry
Disaster Assistance
With Noosa not activated for state government emergency hardship assistance, we wrote to the Minister requesting immediate inclusion of Noosa in line with other local government areas in SEQ. Under the current criteria, there needs to be assessable damage or considerable loss of power, which left Noosa ineligible. Feedback is important for the government when considering potential changes to funding guidelines, and we have ensured the inclusion of responses from our residents and our businesses, with support for businesses at the Business Queensland website. Sport and recreation clubs can access damage grants through the Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program, and our workers are eligible for loss of income payments from the federal government’s disaster recovery allowance, with information on the Services Australia website. Additionally, for those facing financial hardship, we have incredible organisations that may assist, such as St Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, Red Cross or others, with contact information available on our website. With natural disasters a regular part of life, please make ‘being ready’ a standard, with information available on Noosa Council’s Disaster Dashboard and the Get Ready Queensland website.
Noosa MP Initiatives
Thank you to all who lodged applications for our 2025 grant program, which closed on 31 March. We are currently reviewing the submissions, and our office will be in contact with successful applicants in due course. In our recent MP survey on a Public Child Sex Offender Register and Fluoride, 82.1% of the five hundred and fifty-three respondents supported the public child sex offender proposal as put forward by the government. Regarding fluoridation of the water supply, 56.19% supported the state government making determinations instead of local government, with 61.04% supporting retaining fluoride for the Noosa water supply regardless of which level of government makes the decision. Results on both topics will be provided to the relevant levels of government, as well utilised when these are raised in Parliament. More information is available at www.sandybolton.com/public-sex-offender-register-fluoridation-2-issue-noosa-mp-survey-results-march-2025.
Elder Abuse Inquiry
The Education, Arts and Communities Committee (EACC) held a public hearing in Noosa and we give thanks for their invitation to listen and ask questions of witnesses. With our electorate having a higher percentage of seniors than elsewhere in Queensland, this was an opportunity for an open conversation on the many different types of abuse of our matriarchs and patriarchs. This can include unacceptable property settlement court delays that are leading to homelessness and carers who are retiring into poverty due to a lack of superannuation. Written submissions close 10 April, and we encourage all impacted by elder abuse or who know of someone impacted to submit via https://bit.ly/ElderAbuseInquiry.
L-R: Heather Mander’s 20 years @ Pomona Community House; Noosa Cancer Care Opening; At St Theresa’s
HOT & ‘COOLER’ ISSUES
Boating and Other Infrastructure
Our efforts regarding needed facilities continued immediately after the election, including on the new government’s campaign commitments to our electorate. We are working with the new Transport and Main Roads Minister regarding the relevant commitments in their portfolio and are mostly satisfied with the progress so far! This includes the nearly $1 million for Pomona pedestrian infrastructure, and we have sought a meeting with both TMR and Noosa Council in attendance to get clarity around the Tewantin Bypass options. Regarding the $2.5 million for boating infrastructure, with a specific project not yet identified, we sought reassurance that this commitment will be provided without any ‘caveats.’
2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games Update
With the plan now released, we have seen many positives, including those in line with the 2023 United Crossbench Statement of halting a Gabba rebuild, adherence to the $7.1 billion budget and more legacy infrastructure in regional areas. Although the government announced that athlete accommodations, including in Maroochydore, would be used for housing after 2032, the term “affordable” was absent. We will continue to advocate that this accommodation be transferred to community housing providers to ensure affordability for key worker families. There’s much work ahead in a short time, including resolving housing, transport, and infrastructure issues before the Games and ensuring sports upgrades for training. The clock is ticking, and we trust the Games legacy is one that delivers what is needed.
L-R: Pink Nose Revolution Dinner
State Facilitated Developments
The decision by the Queensland Government to revoke the State Facilitated Development (SFD) for Tewantin has demonstrated a commitment by them to not override local governments, communities and their planning schemes. The Minister’s decision has provided relief for the community, who overwhelmingly opposed the project due to several factors, including excessive height and lack of genuinely affordable units. All levels of government understand the importance of delivering genuine affordable housing, and after years of inaction and then overreach through the SFDs, may we move to a space where projects that have ticked the planning scheme boxes are swiftly moved forward and whilst that is occurring, we continue to advocate for revising and refining the definition of ‘affordable’!
Southeast Queensland Regional Plan
The Deputy Premier, in response to my Parliamentary Question without Notice (QWN) regarding the development of new regional plans, gave assurances that these would be actioned as soon as possible in consultation with local councils. This is very positive as it provides an opportunity to have the excessive population targets thrust upon Noosa in the SEQ Plan 2023 reviewed.
Environment
In response to resident and local community group concerns and our resulting advocacy, the Minister for Environment has now merged future management planning for Tuchekoi National Park and Tewantin National Park to expedite an updated management plan for both, and we will continue to follow up regarding a timeline for this. Additionally, Queensland Parks and Wildlife are increasing compliance patrols outside regular working hours in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast region with efforts underway to increase the number of authorised officers.
L-R: Moments from the Tewantin Mobile Office
FROM THE CHAMBER
Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC)
The re-establishment of the QPC as an independent body will be invaluable in addressing important issues where objective, long-term analysis is needed. This includes in our electricity and building sectors, as well the public sector. While the Minister can direct the QPC to undertake inquiries, independence in their processes and reporting has been assured, including the release of those reports into public domain, and all will be watching this space. QPC, welcome back as you have been sorely missed! To read my full speech on this Bill as well as others, please visit www.sandybolton.com/parliament/speeches.
Inquiry into Queensland’s Container Refund Scheme
Our Health, Environment and Innovation Committee (HEIC) has begun an inquiry into the container refund scheme, tasked to report on its current state and operation. Particular focus will be given to the efficiency and effectiveness of the program, as well its progress toward achieving a container recovery rate of at least 85%. We encourage all residents to assist the HEIC’s work by submitting via https://bit.ly/4iXcDIf.
L-R: Women and Change; ASPG Election 2024 Uncovered; 100th Woman Elected to Queensland Parliament
Parliament Events
While some were rescheduled due to Cyclone Alfred, there were still many! This included the Australasian Study of Parliament Group’s Election 2024 Unpacked event, and the Women and Change 2025 launch, where we saw the incredible results of their many grants, including for Eating Disorders Families Australia and organisations assisting victims of domestic violence, such as Suited to Success and Yoorana. We also celebrated the one hundredth woman being elected to the Queensland Parliament, which, yes, has taken one hundred and fifty years, and we trust to get to two hundred will take much less time!
ON THE HOMEFRONT
Events – Noosa Festival of Surfing and much, much more!
The thirty-fourth annual Noosa Festival of Surfing was an absolute ‘vibe,’ with competitors, spectators, and pooches flocking to attend the longest-running and best-loved surf event in the world! We had the privilege of officially opening the festival and holding the carved dolphin bowl as part of the ‘Mixing of the Waters’ ceremony led by multi-Australian longboard champion Peppi Simpson and seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley! The rescheduled Zonta Noosa annual International Women’s Day Breakfast had as always ‘food for thought’ with kindness, security and collaboration three of many key takeouts from speakers Lee Banfield from the Rise 2 Foundation and Adjunct Professor Shelly Nowlan, as well Noosa District High students. The ‘Building Bridges’ event saw the Noosa, Eumundi and Cooroy Chambers of Commerce hosting a fantastic catch-up with our local businesses, including a hilarious ‘speed date’! The Noosa Surf Life Saving Club Sponsorship Breakfast showcased talented athletes, awesome lifesavers and the emergency response team, all supported by sponsors and very, very appreciated!
L-R: Noosa Festival of Surfing; Zonta International Women’s Day Breakfast
The Pink Nose Revolution Australian launch was very moving. This charity aims to combat gender-based violence by raising awareness and encouraging the participation of women and young girls in surfing and all sports. Meeting Andy and the Papua New Guinea team was inspirational and reiterated the importance of community solutions that are about accountability. We opened Cancer Care Noosa, the only comprehensive oncology centre in our region that hosts all services under one roof, alleviating accessibility issues. In joining a panel for a ‘Shark Tank-style’ entrepreneurial classroom experience at St Teresa’s Lutheran College, students pitched their business ideas, and I never thought I would be taste testing a dog treat? However, as I said, you must believe in your product to sell it! With other events cancelled due to our extreme weather, we look forward to the new dates, as well an end to the rain! As I have run out of room, congratulations to all for hosting events as every single one was educational, inspirational and deeply appreciated!
L-R: @ The Hub Noosa; Chamber of Commerce ‘Building Bridges’, SLSC Sponsorship Breakfast
The Hub Noosa
You know my love of op shops and the incredible work that they do, and the Hub Noosa is a fabulous one-stop shop supporting our community. Tucked next to Noosa Church, The Hub partners with Waves of Kindness to provide food vouchers, DFV hampers and a range of assistance to our residents experiencing hardship. Concession cards are no longer needed to access their range of affordable produce, groceries, household items and more, all thanks to donations from residents and organisations like SecondBite. Gratitude to Manager Jody, Warehouse Manager Brad, and their awesome volunteers for the tour, as well as the time to grab a ‘treasure’ of my own!
Meetings, drop-ins and catch-ups
Besides the many meetings with our Local Disaster Management Group and other emergency service teams during Cyclone Alfred, we had many others, including with representatives from Zero Emissions Noosa, the Live Life Whole Project and Rise and Thrive, as well received updates from North Coast TMR and Seqwater regarding the Lake Macdonald Dam upgrade. We also kicked off our mobile offices for the year, starting in Hastings Street and Tewantin which were both fabulous to catch up with residents and businesses ‘streetside’ on any concerns with state government. As always, it was hard not to want to shop!
L-R: Hastings Street Mobile Office
And finally…
As I shared in my latest Noosa Today column, homelessness is a difficult topic to discuss, particularly due to the confidentiality constraints that I, our frontliners and agencies must abide by. However, I want to reassure everyone that no resident needs to sleep ‘rough’ in our community, though we cannot force anyone to accept the accommodation offered. There are also situations where people arrive from other areas without Noosa connections, work or accommodations, and they are assisted to return to their families or base. What I can say is that over the years, I have been privy to the various reasons that temporary or permanent housing has been refused by residents when offered, including singles demanding family-sized homes instead of one-bedroom units.
Our teams are very good and consist of dedicated, passionate counsellors, mental health professionals and social workers who work in this space with Noosa’s organisations and are best placed to ensure both immediate and long-term assistance. For our beautiful community with the greatest of hearts who only wish to help, please be part of the solution, and in the first instance when you encounter anyone that is in need, provide them with the numbers available on our website or you can call whilst with them to connect them with the assistance available.
At times, we unknowingly become ‘enablers’ by providing cash or goods instead of being a stepping stone to move beyond their current situations, which can be physical, emotional or behavioural. These include addictions, and I can only reiterate the importance of ensuring that anyone you wish to help is connected to the many services that we have in our community.
To finish, the joy of celebrating turning 100, this time with Joan who is a true Noosan, and I loved looking through her fascinating photo albums packed with our history and her memories, which all must be recorded! Joan is an absolute riot and had us all in ‘stitches’ with cheeky tidbits about Tewantin life and nuggets of wisdom she has accumulated over her life. Happy Birthday Joan, see you at your 101st!
Have a wonderful month everyone and always remember to share your smiles and kindness to all you meet!
𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮🙏
𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙉𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙖
𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘢. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦