Wow, what a month! Between travelling across Queensland with my Youth Justice Reform Committee, the first sitting of Parliament, and the endless early ruckussing/campaigning/politicking by parties in readiness for the State Election in October, there has never been a dull moment! Add in the local government elections that have commenced (pre poll locations on page 5) where I am being confused with Mayor Clare which has added some extra complexity in the complexities? As I said, never a dull moment!
Supporting our Not-for-Profit Organisations
Thank you to all of our amazing community organisations who have applied for our Quick Start Grant program funded from our office operating budget. We look forward to contacting the successful applicants by the end of March, and can I say again how every volunteer organisation is deeply appreciated. They work so hard to deliver events and services to us in a risk adverse world that equates to higher costs and lots of extra paperwork, permits and procedures. This as we have seen with the recent announcement by the King of the Mountain race committee, who after 44 years of operating in an increasingly difficult compliance space, have announced that the race will now retire, with the community celebration component retained. As I have said in response to social media commentary, please support the KOM committee in its decision, alternatively put your hand up to give them a hand with these extra compliances as it is so easy to criticise from the ‘sidelines’. Be the change you wish to see?
L-R: With Noosa Hospital CEO Karl; Opening of Parliament 2024; With the team from Arthritis QLD
Lake Macdonald
Seqwater have released the final design concept for the upgrade of the Lake Macdonald Dam, with early works set to commence in March ahead of major construction mid-2024. It is vitally important that the dam wall is upgraded to improve safety for nearby residents and enable greater water security and resilience during flood related events. Thank you to the Seqwater team for their work and all Lake Macdonald residents for their ongoing patience during the planning and construction phases. More information at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360 and the Seqwater project team can contacted on 3432 7000 or via projectinfo@seqwater.com.au if you have any questions.
Shark Control Safety Measures
The importance of data and evidence as part of decision making by governments, as well consulting with residents, cannot be understated. In response to community concerns regarding shark net entanglements of marine life including baby whales on Noosa Main Beach, we will be conducting a dedicated survey, starting 12 March, to gauge Noosa Electorate resident views as to whether further trials of alternate shark safety measures should be brought forward in efforts to reduce these impacts. For those already subscribed to our newsletter, this will be emailed directly to you, if not, subscribe now at www.sandybolton.com/newsletters or follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook!
Education
Following meetings with local teachers and as a part of our ongoing advocacy for earlier intervention and supports, I asked a Question on Notice in Parliament regarding additional and expanded screening programs for our children experiencing specific learning difficulties. The received response is available at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360. Our advocacy will continue including any recommendations that emanate from my Youth Justice Reform Committee and in addition, as part of our 2024/25 State Budget letters to the Ministers, I requested the implementation of all relevant State and Territory recommendations that were presented in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with a Disability. We will update once a response is received.
Noosa Hospital
Having met with the Minister for Health and the CEO of Noosa Hospital to address the barriers to the permanent expansion of the Emergency/Casualty Department from the current ‘transportables’, Ramsay are appealing Noosa Council’s decision to reject their application to utilise a property adjacent to the hospital in order to move the renal and oncology operations to facilitate the needed expansion. In continuing to advocate regarding negotiations on the hospital lease, I have to say am deeply disappointed in both levels of government who do not see the urgency, and may some good news emanate as I have had quite enough of the slow processes, complexities touted and the rationale that losing one residential home to address our health needs is not acceptable, when hundreds continue to operate illegally as STA’s? Previous updates are available at www.sandybolton.com/?s=Noosa+Hospital
L-R: With NRM Regions; With my’ Woggle’ Scouting on the Green; Live Learn Survive @ Parliament
Noosa River
Following Maritime Safety QLD (MSQ) introducing new river speeds in September 2023, MSQ advised they are currently progressing legislation changes to effect further waterway management reforms as part of ‘stage 2’, including anchoring limitations following previous public consultation, and we should have a timeline on these this week. Since September, in addition to general safety compliance and issuing infringement notices, MSQ’s focus has been to ensure anchored vessels are adequately prepared for storm seasons whilst protecting the rivers’ enviro values. We will provide an update shortly, with previous posts available on Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/?s=Noosa+River. Further enquires can be emailed to Maritime.Operations@msq.qld.gov.au or just call our office on 53193100.
Political Parties Ballot Harvesting
Governments need to ensure your privacy is protected, hence why for three years we have raised the issue of political parties and Members of Parliament (MPs) mailing out postal ballot requests via reply- paid envelopes that go firstly to a party’s or MP’s own mailbox address, prior to being forwarded on to the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ). This directly impacts Queenslander’s privacy as reply-paid envelopes should at least indicate who the address belongs to for transparency. We welcome the recent Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ recommendations that directly addresses this issue, which is just as relevant for state elections as it is for federal. We have requested again that the Queensland Attorney General address this, with further information at www.sandybolton.com/electoral-laws-and-political-parties-update-december-2023.
Electric Bike & Scooter Safety
In response to advocacy, reforms were introduced into Queensland Parliament and recently passed. These expand the application of careless riding offences for personal mobility devices and bicycles encompassing roads as well all road-related areas such as footpaths and bicycle paths. Riders are now legally required to stop and provide their details in the event of an incident, with offences carrying a maximum fine of $6,192 so please let family and friends know! If you witness any breaches of the Queensland Road Rules, please report these to the QPS by emailing Policelink at policelink@police.qld.gov.au or by calling on 131 444. All information received by our police assists them in determining best compliance monitoring and where hotspots have developed.
Cooroy Intersection & Railway Overpass
In December, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) completed pavement repairs on the Cooroy Overpass. As these works did not meet community expectations, we provided feedback alongside the Member for Nicklin to TMR, who in response announced a complete resurfacing of a 1.3 kilometre stretch of Cooroy Connection Road (Myall St), from the Ferrell’s Road intersection and including the railway overpass and both approaches to the bridge. In addition, it was really good to have Noosa Council join our efforts! Tenders for the works have been called, with construction expected to commence mid-2024. Although situated in the Nicklin Electorate, we continue to advocate for TMR to reengage with the community on future upgrade options for the Elm/Myall and Elm/Diamond St intersections, as well the allocation of funding for planning and design.
Youth Justice
Over the last months I have attended many meetings, public hearings and visited watch houses and detention centres across regional Queensland in my role as Chair of the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee. This provided vital insights to our Inquiry, especially in relation to serious repeat offenders. As one witness said, there is no one ‘silver bullet’, it will take silver ‘buckshot’ to reduce this recidivism and its contributors including households impacted by alcoholism, domestic violence and mental illness. School absenteeism, lack of access to mental and physical health services, as well pathways when exiting detention are being identified as needing to be addressed.
L-R: Moments across QLD during our Youth Justice Reform Committee Inquiry
The saying ‘it takes a village’ has never been so relevant, especially regarding young Queenslanders who through their own trauma as victims themselves, are traumatising others through their crimes. This cycle needs to end, otherwise we will see this recidivism grow for decades to come, which is not an option. We need greater safety now, as well into the future, and I thank all who we have encountered for both the candour and passion, which at times has been hard for them to tell, as well for us to hear.
L-R: More moments
During our findings government announced a relocation sentencing trial through an expanded intensive On Country Program for First Nations young offenders. This is welcomed following our advocacy based on the results from the annual Noosa MP survey which saw over 80% of respondents supporting ‘sentencing repeat youth offenders to remote rehabilitation/work/education facilities and programs’. Being only 1 of 5 MPs last year to support relocation sentencing as an extra option for the courts, my remaining concern is that this should include nonindigenous youth, or that similar long term residential programs be initiated to ensure community safety by breaking the cycle we are seeing where detention is not a deterrent, however extensive, contained and connected pathways are.
From the Chamber & Beyond
As a unicameral parliament with no scrutiny from an upper house, public conduct and integrity agencies, as well the committee system, play a vital oversight role. Whilst the latest Integrity Bill progresses reforms, it did not go far enough to fully address the recommendations from Professor Coaldrake’s report. As I outlined in my reduced speech the increased powers to committees will not deliver any change given our current committee system is flawed.
This systemic failure was also highlighted in the debate on the sitting week ‘business motion”. As the representative of seven (7) diverse cross bench electorates that cover over 25% of Queensland, these members need a say on contentious bills, and it has never been more relevant to get the review we have been fighting for. Why? To address major issues, we need much-needed bipartisan agreements. It is really simple – we need to stop the politicking and get on with the fixing to deliver the greatest benefit for our communities, as well democracy!
Another leap forward, was the crossbench being allocated one Private Members Motion (PMM) per sitting week, equalling 12 to 13 per year, versus the previous 1 to 2. A PMM is one of the only ways to bring an issue into Chamber that Queenslanders want to see debated and voted on besides a Bill, as a Motion Without Notice is never supported by government. It was my successful PMM two years ago that led to equitable resourcing for crossbench MPs, and that it had not been addressed by either major party, demonstrates why it is imperative there is a crossbench with independents to hold all sides accountable!
L-R: With Caz & Peppie (Shark Net Working Group); QRI annual carnival; Noosa FM broadcast
Outside of Chamber there were many meetings with Ministers including updating the new ones with unresolved issues such as the Noosa Hospital Emergency/Casualty permanent expansion, as well a number of informative sessions with advocates and organisations including Natural Resource Management (NRM) Regions, Live Learn Survive, and Scouts Queensland which was much appreciated during the lunch break!
Noosa MP Community Survey Results 2023/24
Thank you to all fellow Noosans who ‘had their say’ regarding priorities for advocacy and Chamber decisions going forward this year. A total of 333 responses were recorded for the 2023/24 Noosa MP survey which is a decrease from last year indicating either a level of ‘complacency’ or alternatively ‘survey fatigue’, and we are investigating how either can be addressed! A summary of survey results including some interesting percentages around nuclear power is available at www.sandybolton.com/your-say-annual-survey.
L-R: Just some of the fab businesses and residents visited during the Noosa Junction Mobile Office Part 2!
On the Homefront
It was so good to visit our fabulous Noosa Fair and Noosa Junction businesses and meet some serious ‘legends’ , as well those who had ‘shopping centre chats’ with staffer Dylan on disaster preparedness, housing, the decommissioned TAFE and more. Thank you to all for the hugs, even though they were ‘sweaty’ and the insights to affordable worker accoms, shark nets and so much more including that I may need a cranial massage! With such an early start, so sad to miss some, however I left my card and messages for anything you need?
At Noosa Lawns Club, it was an honour to ‘roll the first bowl’ to open the Queensland Rail Institute (QRI) annual carnival which included over 100 attendees from across Australia and New Zealand. It was going to be a week to remember, as well my attempts to rope in the visitors to cheer for Queensland! Thank you to Garry, David and ‘Cookie’ as well Manager Craig for hosting, and from our whole community, welcome and thank you to all players for playing and staying with us!
Office meetings included with Steiner and ‘Flexi’ school advocates, the Queensland Law Society, Sunrise Glossies, University of the Sunshine Coast and Arthritis Queensland, which is based right here in Noosa! With over 5000 of our residents impacted, there is so much assistance, support and peer to peer mentoring available in managing what can be a serious and debilitating condition that affects children as well. Further information is available at www.arthritis.org.au.
Regular Reminders
Further information on all of the above is avaliable on Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360. Recent Questions on Notice (QON’s) can be found at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Questions-on-Notice-and-Answers with latest speeches at www.sandybolton.com/parliament/speeches.
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! 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, please contact us on 5319 3100 or via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au to assist with any State Government matter.
And finally….
It was wonderful to catch up with three (3) fellow Noosans on the Australia Day Honours and Awards list, pictured below. The selfless service to one’s community is the highest calling, how blessed we are to have them in our lives!! My sad moment was not being able to attend due to being in Parliament, or travelling with my committee, the life celebrations of those who we love, and who have been our shining lights. Rest well Brian Lawson and Maureen Farrington.
L-R: Nicole Cleary OAM Animal Welfare ; Bronwyn Edinger AM Performing Arts; Paul Mardon Australian Fire Service Medal
With Noosa Council Elections upon us, to all candidates, again I wish you well, with a reminder that local State Government matters I have been working on are well advanced, with progress at www.SandyBolton.com/Noosa360.
Early voting has started in Cooroy and Noosa Heads, with our closest pre poll or postal voting information at www.ecq.qld.gov.au. Election Day is on March 16 so for any other enquires, the Electoral Commission Queensland can be contacted on 1300 881 665 or via ecq@ecq.qld.gov.au. Have an awesome March everyone, and I send a mega ‘thank you’ to everyone who sent messages and gorgeous cards for my big ‘60’, and to my better half Shoey and his ‘Committee’ for organising a surprise party that had me in tears! To my beautiful children and grandies who flew in so I could get 60 hugs, how blessed I am to have you and so many incredible people in my life.
𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮
𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙉𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙖
𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘢. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦
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