A VERY big month of Parliament estimates hearings, community events, media requests, meetings, bill research and many messages/texts/calls regarding my intentions in the next state election, which is not until October 2024. To ‘put to bed’ the concerns, rumours, and questions, be assured I will be seeking again your wonderful and appreciated support to keep Noosa Independent as it deserves. Until then, my focus is always on the work that needs to be done for the community I adore in all ways, and there is much to concentrate on!

From the Chamber and Beyond

Speaking of Estimates, during the 2023 Hearings, we sought greater clarity on Noosa topical issues, such as how adequate police resourcing is determined. And what can be done when courts do not utilise the legislative tools (harsher penalties) provided for repeat offenders, all the way through to how our Local Disaster Management Groups are updated on the progress of recommendations from the Inspector General’s Emergency Management report.  Other budgetary areas covered included our roads, black spots, rail, community batteries, palliative care and polystyrene! My Legal Affairs and Safety Committee ‘Questions With and Without Notice’ and all 55 of my ‘Questions on Notice’ to other portfolios are available here. As it is not a short read, we recommend you use the ‘Control F’ search function on computers to skip to the topics you are interested in! My Appropriation to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee Report 53 speech, where I again included the need for a review to our committee systems and Estimates process’s (I won’t rest until this is done as part of improving outcomes through bipartisan agreements!) is available here.

L-R: The Voices Against Crime Rally; Parliamentary Education Seminar; Renovations Parliament Annexe

The August sitting saw an untenable situation where the Child Protection Bill (which was good and would have been unanimously supported) had amendments introduced that negated the systems in place (flawed as they are) of scrutiny via the Committee process which includes public consultation. This rightfully drew opposition, including from myself, as when we bypass the systems in place for any reason, we are making a mockery of the very system itself.

As I reported throughout the month, the draft ShapingSEQ 2023 Update opened for consultation with a projected permanent population by 2046 for the Noosa Shire of 76,000 residents which is not feasible nor sustainable. There are many who have fought so hard for Noosa over the decades, and we will fight again, for our communities, our environment and our economy. To clarify in response to questions, we are NOT being forced to accommodate 8 storeys, nor 10,000 extra residents in the next 3 years. However, being asked is how we are making provisions to respond to the need for affordable worker accommodations through a Housing Supply Statement, and I am working with Council and State to get to a good outcome. Submissions, which I encourage you to do, close on 20 September, with the draft plan, as well information on how to make your submission valid, available here.

Events were sprinkled amongst the latest sitting, including the Parliamentary Education Seminar where myself, Nick Dametto MP and Trevor Watt MP all were questioned by a packed Undambi room on being a politician, including one directed to me on the benefits and challenges of being an Independent. Now you know what I said to that!

The Voices Against Crime Rally was a wonderful example of people coming together with a specific purpose, and that is to be peacefully heard! I met victims and families of victims, including the children of Emma Lovell, who as a group had compiled a number of questions for the Premier, Attorney General and Minister for Police, and presented these at a meeting with Minister for Youth Justice. This included a request that a committee be formed specifically for the purpose of working on how to reduce youth crime, where representatives from the group would be included.

On the Homefront

It has been 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and it was an honour to again stand with our servicemen and women, their families and all in attendance to remember those courageous individuals who remind us every day to do all we can to make them proud.  In amongst the many beautiful tributes was the poem ‘Welcome Home’ read by youngest volunteer Zoe. Gratitude to all of our Veterans, Parade Commander Paul, MC Graham, the Tewantin Noosa Subbranch team, Reverend Phil, Piper Iain and Phil Grainger for our Ode tears. Amongst a packed month, we joined our fabulous operators at several events including Tourism Noosa, the Noosaville Business Association, the Pomona Chamber of Commerce as well the Noosa Business Roundtable to provide updates and hear about issues facing our businesses. Thank you to all for what you do, and to the many speakers peppered throughout who gave both food for thought and potential solutions. We love our Noosa ‘biz’ from coast to country!

L-R: Pomona Chamber catchup; Andy & Isobel QLD award; Noosa Come Together Fundraiser

Our history is important, as that is how we keep track on our present and envision our future! As we trawled through some fascinating memories at the annual Tewantin Heritage Pioneers Lunch, we were again reminded that our past is to be treasured, referred to and held in safe spaces including the incredible photos tucked away in boxes that remind us of the joys, hardships and people we may have lost. I adore these pioneering families, their history, stories, and memories of our home that we love and are extremely protective of. Thank you to everyone for coming, some from far away, to Gail and the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society team, and to my co-patron Elvie who turns 90 this year, happy birthday beautiful!

We have spoken before about the fabulous work PTSD Dogs Australia do for our veterans and first responders. During my speech at the High Tea for Hounds event, I shared the reality of invisible injuries, and the impacts that can permeate through the generations. Thank you to founder Angie who shared about healing from the heart and love, and to all fellow speakers including those whose lives have been saved by these incredible furry guardians. As always, gratitude to the whole PTSD Dogs team, the foster carers and many other volunteers for the lives you are saving every day, and to all who came to support this wonderful morning tea made lovingly by the Cooroy RSL. It was superb!

Updating our matriarchs and patriarchs on state issues facing Noosa in the longest ‘speed date’ ever at the National Seniors Meeting in Tewantin was fantastic!  Thank you to Robyn and members for the excellent questions followed by much comradery and laughter amongst coffee and scones.  Although many questions were in the Council realm, it was great to be able to share some insights from when I was a Councillor, and also advocacy tips. As I relayed, for anyone unsure as to which level of government will handle your particular issue, just contact my office!

Another joy was to be patron for the ‘rock opera’ fundraiser for Katie Rose Hospice and Noosa Salvos. ‘It takes a village’ has never been truer! Thank you to all in attendance who raised an estimated $17,000 for two organisations that change our world. Noosa Coolum Salvos during our life and Katie Rose Cottage Hospice in our last days.  Gratitude to composer and arranger of this soft rock opera Dick and his beautiful Gillian, to the Deep Space Adventurer 1 Band formed especially for this one- off event consisting of Noosa locals including the Cooran Choir, and to the wonderful ‘vollies’ and sponsors on the night.

Further on the community fundraiser front, was one for Noosa Come Together, with live music from the Parkbench Ukulele group and many laughs! As well, the enormous generosity of Lin Nolan who produced beautiful Noosafied paintings to raise money for Oz Bayldon’s event next year. Thank you Lin for the opportunity to speak on the reality of homelessness, and the Draft SEQ Regional Plan. A night that demonstrated the love and compassion of our community, for our community!

A special treat was to join Kin Kin State School students and the Noosa Community Biosphere team to inspect the progress of the Huon Mundy Oyster Reefs. The questions from our youngsters were truly heartwarming, including ‘When will Richard show us the octopus’?! I was especially enamoured with certain birdlife camped firmly overhead, waiting for the product of the reef labours! In-between community events were many meetings regarding everything from new apps to reduce our household electricity bills and emissions, updates on electric bus rollouts, religions instruction in schools and all the way to funding requirements for DV Safe phones, tiny homes for vulnerable residents, and the Ronald Macdonald’s charity team.

Finally, continuing our mission to visit all of our industrial ‘biz’, conversations were held in some very dynamic spaces including under trucks, alongside pottery kilns, inside repurposing outlets and with modal shift suppliers and repairers (bikes, not people?) The challenges? We have disparity with some businesses overwhelmed by orders leading to 5-year waitlists due to federal legislations on importing workers, to a reduction in demand due to living cost pressures. Thank you to everyone who abandoned ‘tools’ to speak up, it was deeply appreciated.

L-R: Katie Rose/ Salvos Fundraiser; Noosa’s newest Mobile Police Beat; Industrial Moby Stage 2 

From the Inbox

Having previously provided a MP Funded ‘Seeds for Change’ grant for wildlife signage and data collection on McKinnon Drive and Cooroy-Noosa Road, in efforts to further reduce wildlife strikes, we have outlaid nearly $10,000 from our office funds for an assessment of key wildlife road-kill hotspots across the electorate. This will inform what types of responses are needed, with the outcomes provided to the managing authorities of identified roads whether that be the Department of Transport & Main Roads or Noosa Council. This will include recommendations for site specific mitigation options, and we look forward to sharing these with the community upon its completion. This continues our ongoing commitment to use as much office operating funds as possible for the betterment of our community. Please find information here including the project aims.

As we know, our frontliners are vitally important, in everyday incidents, and also during major disasters. It was welcomed, after advocacies for expanded training resources, that funding for rural and volunteer firefighter training, as well for non-voluntary staff has now been allocated. Further details have been updated to Noosa 360 here. Another welcomed announcement following advocacy from our office and many others on the lead up to the Budget, was the $3,000,000 extra per year over the next four years for Lifeline to expand their capacity in Queensland to deliver much needed extra support for our communities. Thank you to everyone who lent their voice and to Emma from Lifeline Queensland for really good work! Also committed are equal funds to Kids Helpline Official which is fabulous! More on this is available here. We have continued to raise the lack of recycling of renewable energy products such as solar panels and wind turbines as Noosa is passionate about recycling, and this is a key gap that needs to be addressed. The Queensland Government has announced a review of the requirements for wind farm developments with further information available here which has further information including the history. On policing, we welcomed our new mobile beat vehicle, named ‘Neville’, who is shiny, solar powered (for the appliances, not the motor!) and gets around everywhere. This allows our police to utilise resources more efficiently and effectively, pop up in hotspots and even host educational videos, important messages and disaster logistics via an external large screen. No more loans from Maroochy, this fella is a certified Noosan!  Thank you to Noosa Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Anthony and Senior Sergeant Troy for the onsite inspection, and a reminder to ‘lock up’, and as advised in the last newsletter for information on policing in our electorate including questions during Estimates in relation to Operation Sandstorm, please visit here.

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 (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

Noosa Marina/ Noosaville Stage 4/ Noosa Junction – September 2023

Follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook to receive alerts of Mobile Offices times and locations in our electorate.

L-R: Vietnam Veterans Parade; National Seniors Tewantin Noosa Branch; On the water with our kids

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.

We are also a proud drop off location for DV Safe Phone & Hope in a Suitcase!

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.

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.

And finally….

The causes of some our greatest issues are often hidden, hence they can be difficult to resolve, which often does not fit into an election cycle. This leads to an inclination in the political world to promote a quick fix or ‘band aid’ in response to community calls, however as we have seen, regurgitate around leaving the same issue. Real change to our failings that have taken decades to evolve, can take years to see an improvement.  To ‘be the change’ takes courage from all to not subscribe to the quick fixes, which is hard as we are all very impatient. However, we need to resist fearmongering, ask for facts, and seek changes to the governance system to promote bipartisan agreements instead of the combative environment that sees partisan legislation pushed through, then repealed when governments change. That is not effective, nor sought. It is also expensive.

Sandy 

Our Voice. Our Noosa. Our Future

 

To avoid missing out on important updates, subscribe to receive this monthly newsletter via email at www.sandybolton.com/newsletters. This will also ensure you are advised when Noosa MP specific surveys are held. Paper copies can be picked up from our office at Noosa Civic at the start of every month.