From major events to our Anzac Day commemorations, national awards to book launch’s, co-chairing and co-hosting gatherings, treasured visits to those celebrating 100 years of life, and meetings in abundance that covered such breadth that I almost ran out of breath? ????That can be liberating, and other times, frustrating!  Welcome to the month past, and to the beautiful scents and scenes of a Noosa autumn!

Now before you read any further, our QLD Day Award nominations are open!! This is the perfect opportunity to highlight those who go above and beyond for our community, and I thank co-sponsors Noosa Today and Bendigo Community Bank Tewantin and Cooroy.????????Further information and nomination forms are available at www.sandybolton.com/qld-day-awards/  and via our office on 53193100.

L-R: Rotary Club of Noosa Heads AED’s; Australian Body Art Festival; Q&A’s with the Rotary Club of Cooroy

From the Chamber and Beyond

The Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill which passed this last sitting was complex. Whilst components of the Bill were well supported by submitters including around hooning laws, others not so. With both sides of the advocacies frustrated, the stories from communities reveal the true depth of fears around repeat juvenile offenders, including contributors such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and home environments filled with domestic violence, addiction, and poverty. There were no easy answers, and whilst it was acknowledged that imprisonment can lead to further criminality, communities must be kept safe whilst rehabilitation occurs. In addition, the environment, including households, that led to criminal behaviour in the first place must be identified, and rehabilitated at the same time. As was mentioned in my speech, it takes a village to raise a child, and we all form part of that village. ????‍????‍????‍????????‍????????????‍????‍????????

Whilst on speeches, my adjournment highlighted a real example of what can occur through delayed medical assistance, and how this can be alleviated. The reasons for ambulance wait times vary including unprecedented demand, however there are ways that we can help our fabulous paramedics as well our residents when this occurs via QAS volunteer first responders, or ‘Operational Volunteers’. The other is to fast track our emergency department expansion to decrease the need for ‘bypassing’, and I am currently working with both the CEO from Ramsay Health, and our Minister D’ath regarding.

As you may have seen on the Sandy Bolton MP Facebook page, events outside of Chamber are always plentiful. Between the inaugural Parliamentary Friends of First Nations People Event, honouring 49 former MP’s who actively served with the military during the Second World War, the Containers for Change Forum, and 30th Anniversary of the Electoral Districts Act 1991, much was learnt as well queried.

In addition, it was an honour to co-host the launch of Everald Compton’s book, ‘A Beautiful Life’. Listening to the diverse range of speakers, there were some profound messages. One was from the Rev. Peter Catt about binaries, narratives, and how we need to ‘live into’ dilemmas. Most importantly, that all stories matter. With the draft VAD Bill due from the Queensland Law Reform Commission on May 10, followed by the Health and Environment Committee processes, the legislation is expected to be debated in September. A long journey for so many, and one that I ask in all realms be dealt with compassion, empathy and respect for each other.

L-R: The launch of A Beautiful Life; Terri Waller from SevGen; With the Palliative Care QLD team ????

From the Inbox

The newly formed Noosa River Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting with 14 selected stakeholder committee members, representatives from MSQ and Noosa Council, as well Mayor Clare and myself as observers. Information has been updated on Council’s website at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/environment/rivers-creeks. Concerns/questions for the group can be sent to nrsac@noosa.qld.gov.au.

Following along, reports are now available for the dioxin testing of our river, and after a long journey of advocacy for this, very welcomed. https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/management/water/catchment-care#toc-3 and scroll down to the heading ‘Dioxin testing in Noosa Lakes’.

Fire bans within the Cooloola Recreation Area have been extended until September 2021, with further details available on the booking website. This decision was made following an ecological assessment of bushfire impacts from the 2019/20 bushfires and an assessment of the Fraser Island (K’gari) bushfire, however we have requested that this comes to local stakeholders for further consultation.

Our Housing Action Group meeting in March saw progress on several fronts including legislation around secondary dwellings, which Council will be workshopping in the coming weeks. In addition, the Mayor and myself met with former Lord Mayor Sallyanne Atkinson, Susan Davies President of Sharing with Friends, and Joanna Blyth from AECOM regarding a co-housing project by women, for women. ????That this concept started from a speech I gave to 2 years ago, reiterated the message I gave at that time, and continue to. We can, and we will. ???? Updates are posted to https://www.sandybolton.com/?s=housing.  For anyone at risk of or experiencing homelessness, there are supports available at  www.sandybolton.com/emergency-housing-contact-list/.  If you are currently awaiting assistance through the Housing Service Centre and your situation changes or worsens, it is important that you update them immediately on 5352 7333 or via maroochydorehsc@hpw.qld.gov.au.

The issue of heavy haulage vehicles through our villages remains a priority, with both State Departments and Noosa Council continuing to work on options to reduce the impacts on our communities and residents.  Updates are available on our and Council’s website and keep an eye out for the survey we shall be posting.

L-R: At St Teresa’s Academic Assembly; QLD Day Awards launch; Women housing Women!

Having met with multiple representatives from locality-based groups regarding Coastal Hazard Adaptation Plans, it was welcome news that a further extension in time for submitting has been granted from State to provide residents and Council some breathing space to engage further.

Due to demand, extra volunteers are urgently needed for our new transport pilot to Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Full training, authorisations and medical checks are provided. If you are ready to join in assisting fellow Noosans, please email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au to make the difference!!

With so much to say and so little space, stay updated via  www.sandybolton.com/noosa360/. It is easy to use! Just type a topic into the search bar, and the most recent post will be at the top. If you cannot find what you are after just call us on 53193100 or email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

On the Homefront

Record numbers congregated at Cooroy and Tewantin cenotaphs to honour and remember, with deep gratitude and love for those who sacrificed everything for us. ???? Thank you to the Cooroy Pomona RSL and Tewantin Noosa RSL Sub Branch teams, fellow speakers, participants, schools, volunteers and all who attended events or honoured on veranda’s and driveways for making this 106th Anzac Day truly unforgettable. Emotionally overwhelming, filled with stories to remind what is important, and connectivity that was palpable and beautiful. Time with our incredible matriarchs, patriarchs and our returned service men, women, 4 legged explosives experts and families was so special that I did not want the day to end. And that one of our very own, Denis Thompson, was one of only two awarded the annual Australian Anzac Award for service to veterans and the community, was special. We will always remember.  Lest we forget. ????

It was wonderful to join everyone at St Teresa’s College for their academic assembly, as well the 2021 Conversations with Industry Event, which brought together the Sunshine Coast region’s tourism and events organisations and operators. The theme? Transformation!  The Tewantin mobile office was made special with my offsiders Parliamentary Youth Ambassador Bianca and EO assistant Zac.  We visited our businesses as well four ????and two-legged residents and visitors lounging street side and introduced them to our fabulous volunteers at Tewantin Heritage Parkyn’s Hut and Katie Rose Cottage Op Shop. It was also wonderful to be put in the ‘hot seat’ by the Rotary Club of Cooroy, with questions from my role as an independent MP to the workings of Parliamentary Committees. Much was covered as an ‘entrée’ to dinner ???? Opening the Rotary Daybreak Noosa Bookfest had me drooling for all the books I can’t wait to read, whilst Shoey filled his bag with many cookbooks on meals we may never get to eat!! ????????

The Australian Body Art Festival again showcased the uniqueness of our Noosa countryside with a weekend full of incredible body, wearable, surfboard and face art. Congratulations to the BA team, Cooroy Chamber of Commerce, Noosa Outback and all other sponsors including 3 levels of Government who made this possible, with an extra special thank you to the 80 volunteers who as always rock! ????

It was fantastic to recently award some of our wonderful community organisations and schools funding via our MP funding programs, and I look forward to sharing these in the coming weeks.

L-R: Tewantin Mobile Office; Parliamentary Events; ‘Masked Up’ at Noosa Hospital

Grants and Reminders

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

Parliamentary Speeches and Questions

Recent Questions on Notice (QONs) can be found here. The latest speeches can be found below:

Recent Questions Without Notice can be found here. Estimates Hearings can be found here.

Have Your Say

Animal Welfare in Queensland – Open until 21 May 2021. https://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi/consultation/8102/view.html

Draft Traditional Knowledge in Biodiscovery Code of Practice and Guidelines – Open until 28 May 2021. https://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi/consultation/8251/view.html

Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce– Open now https://www.womenstaskforce.qld.gov.au/consultation/make-a-submission

COVID-19 Links

General information- www.covid19.qld.gov.au

Business supports- www.sandybolton.com/covid-19-business-support/

Mobile Office

Peregian Beach is on 1 May from 9-11am. To organise a meeting, please let us know on 5319 3100 ☺

Office Reminders

Our office is open 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday.  For community organisations we have the photocopier, marquees and trailer available at no charge for your use, though you will need to book? ????

L-R: From Cooroy to Tewantin – Anzac Day 2021. Lest we Forget ????

Connect

With so much to share, stay up to date via  NOOSA 360 , Facebook page updates or our monthly newsletters. Columns are in Noosa News , Noosa Today, Coolum Advertiser, Forest Star, Cooroora Connect and Eastern Beaches News.

And Finally….

Every month there are so many topics to touch on, and can never quite decide which one you would like to hear about? For those t

hat read my NT column, I need not revisit how a lack of knowledge can lead to incorrect assumptions. As a community we become more empowered as we increase our collective knowledge, and effective engagement is part of that! Having long advocated for transparent

and meaningful consultation from all levels of government, we encourage everyone to be involved by having their say! Whether it be on our own surveys, State or Federal inquiries, or local government, it is vital to understand what you think on matters that are important to you and your loved ones. Current consultations that impact the ‘now’ and into our future include Noosa Councils Short Term Lets and Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan, State’s Animal Welfare in Queensland, and in the

Federal realm, developing the next national plan to reduce violence against women and their children. Social media may be seen as an advocacy platform, however if you look at what your elected representatives refer to in their decision making, it is submissions, reports and information provided by credible channels (remember CRAAP? ????) which does not include Facebook posts?

If you want to assist better our world, choose the most effective avenue to get your voice heard ????

Enjoy this long weekend everyone and the shorter, cooler days. Explore places in our home that you have not previously, and please share the gems with us, yes via Facebook, as that is what it is fabulous for!!????

Sandy ????