This year’s Queensland Day Awards Ceremony was breathtaking as well record breaking, with 51 awardees and over 130 Noosans in attendance with so much love and appreciation generated. These incredible residents give their skills, time and expertise to us free of charge, from a broad range of community sectors including emergency services, sports, environment, animal welfare, heritage, culture and so much more! Volunteers dedicate hundreds of thousands of hours to supporting our community, and we often do not realise the impact they have on our everyday lives. Thank you to Noosa Today and Cooroy RSL for making the night possible, to St Teresa’s Catholic College’s band for the awesome performance, MC Richard Hansen, all attendees and to my staff Lisa and Dylan. Most importantly, gratitude for every single resident across our electorate who donate their time to better the lives of all of us. You are deeply, and always appreciated for what you do. The full list of awardees is available here and please congratulate them when you see them ‘out & about’.

It was wonderful, before jumping on the train to Parliament, to attend birthday celebrations for the beautiful, amazing and much-loved Maureen Farrington who has also given so much to our community and is a previous QLD Day Award recipient. Moments to reflect on where we have been, where we are going, and who we travel with are always treasured!

L-R: SBSLSC Awards, Noosa QLD Day Awards; Katie Rose Gala Fundraiser; Cooroy Rotary 30th anniversary

From the Chamber and Beyond

On the State budget, for our electorate specifically we had joy, as well a disappointment in the non-allocation for the expansion of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub at Sunshine Beach State High School. All items including those already announced or in process we have information on our website here, along with a copy of my speech which contains Noosa specifics and for broader Queensland which we shall be questioning further during the Budget Estimates Hearings. This includes why with a $12b surplus, more is not being put into our housing crisis, and for our small to medium businesses where there are no increases in support. Given the ongoing hardships from lack of staff, increased rentals, inflations and interest rates, this is deeply concerning.

Besides the Appropriation Bills debated, the other was the Births Deaths and Marriages Bill which was complex and highly emotive.  However, with inadequate inquiry time yet again, and government not addressing the concerns raised to my Legal Affairs Committee from families and specialists, in Statements of Reservation, nor reports such as from the Westmead Gender Clinic regarding children, it was not possible to support. Balancing deep care and compassion for all, whilst ensuring inquiries result in recommendations to further investigate concerns raised, which did not occur, is not easy. May government as a result listen to communities, and when undertaking confronting legislative changes broaden their engagement, inform Queenslanders early to address fears, and respond to credible concerns.

Parliament also hosted many events and meetings, and on a brisk night it was lovely to huddle near those heaters with lifelong Rotarians to celebrate 100 years of service and to meet our new incoming District Governor Paul Roger! The centenary coincided with the 30th anniversary of our Cooroy Branch on my return, which holds a special place in my heart as a former member, and it was a fabulous night of celebrations! Parliament also provided the opportunity to watch fellow MP’s have a ‘kick’ (no, I stayed out of that!) in readiness for the Women’s World Cup and meet with these young women who inspire all our youngsters not only in Noosa but across Queensland! A meeting with Emma from Lifeline Australia highlighted the continuing fall out from COVID. Calls to their helplines have not diminished, with 1.1 million calls answered in 2022, and now text and chat services available 24/7 via their 4000 trained volunteers and staff.  More than ever, they need government funding to continue providing the number of services they do to our communities which also includes connection to support services and suicide prevention. In amongst my Questions on Notice were two Questions Without Notice, and one was in relation to  the Grasstree Court development, in response to community seeking an urgent interim conservation order, with the Minister’s response here.

L-R: Rotary Centenary; QLD Flag handover to Noosa Women’s Shed; Emma from Lifeline @ Parliament

On the Homefront

Pink Stumps Day 2023 was a true nailbiter with Kin Kin beating Noosa Council 105 to 101! This annual event is always great fun, raising funds for breast cancer care which affects both men and women. My umpiring skills even after 6 years still leaves a lot to be desired, with our commentators Chris and Scott having trouble translating my ‘over the head’ signals! Thank you to all players, fellow umpires, the amazing volunteers and commentators, cheer squads, sponsors, donors and organisers including Anita and raffle queen Wanda.

The Katie Rose Gala fundraiser saw more than $40,000 raised for this much-loved facility with amazing people who are there for us in our last days. The heartfelt speeches by Drew, Eliahi and Sheridan highlighted the many reasons why we must keep fighting for fairer funding models for our hospices so that we all have choice, and I continue to work on this.

An actioned packed Noosa Pirates game day saw wins all round and many fun moments including when I joined the youngest players in doing the ‘tunnel’ for the women’s team!! Gratitude to all including Club President Liam, the fabulous vollies, players and sponsors, all who cheered the teams on and Mayor Clare who ‘tag teamed’ with me.

The Noosa Electric Vehicle Expo was hosted for the 5th year by Zero Emissions Noosa & Noosa Council, with more than 60 stalls showcasing everything from the latest in electric vehicles, scooters and bikes, to our students who demonstrated their solar speedsters, to practical and fun ways to become ‘electrified’! Opening the event in the Minister’s absence, it was great to see the thousands testing, asking and learning from EV owners and exhibitors including our police on the laws around e-scooters and e-bikes. With 44% of those who attended last year saying they would buy when the price comes down and/or when charging infrastructure improves, there is some good news including for ‘preloved’ EVs and advocacy to the Federal Government, with the QLD Government making several commitments on charging stations and a $6000 rebate. You can find more information regarding this here. As shared in a previous month, we have posted the rules around e- bike & e-scooter and current advocacy here.

It was an absolute pleasure to catch up with so many residents and businesses on our Eastern Beaches Road Trip, aka ‘Moby’ from Sunshine to Peregian Beach, with Sunrise and Marcus in between! We welcomed ‘newbies’ Peter and Dan of ‘O-Ren’, as well ultimately failing to resist in some retail therapy! To finish the day, we updated Peregian Family & Friends members on State matters, as well those outside our realm however of interest including Burgess Creek and flight paths. With representatives from Bonza and Sunshine Coast Airport also giving updates, it was a very informative evening!  Thank you to everyone who made this ‘moby’ so special, and to Dylan for his chauffeuring skills!

The Sunshine Beach Surf Club Awards was spectacular in ‘Coachella’ style, as was the fabulous Ross Bartlett who has just received an AM for his lifelong dedication to surf lifesaving. Congratulations to all members on the work you do to keep us safe.

This month also saw the 30th anniversary of Noosa Arts and Crafts at the very historic Wallace House, packed to its rafters with many interesting tales from those who were instrumental in the development of our art community! To think, going back when Council first purchased to prevent demolition, the original quilters hand oiled the floors, slept there as part of security (no cameras and alarms back then!) and went through many hardships including two fires. This ‘grand dame’ has stood the test of time, as have the original members who shared their stories, with much laughter and love of what they do which is creating beautiful pieces to share with loved ones and sell at their markets.

L-R: Noosa EV Expo; Pirates 30 years ‘Vollie’ Clare; Maureen Farrington’s Birthday

The Park & Cove opening at Peppers was brilliant! Meeting with local producers including our native food growers whilst testing their fare crafted lovingly by the very local Chef Andrew Wilcox, was a real treat. In addition, that the dinnerware was made just around the corner from my office, and the fab music was yes, a staffer of Accor, made this event a real ‘family’ affair! Thank you to the Peppers, P & C and Accor teams for a top night, as well reminding us how we can support our farmers, including wineries as by just purchasing 2 bottles per year of QLD grown and made, you are creating a force to be reckoned with! So just buy, eat and drink local as part of supporting our very fabulous product, and if you get a chance, test run the beer made with yams?

In amongst many, many meetings including PTSD Dogs, Kids Helpline, Sunshine Coast Screen Collective and with our doctors regarding the impacts to patients from payroll tax, was one with Connect Kids who run a support service and mentoring program for children and their families right here in our community, connecting them to whatever they need right now. Due to demand, they welcome Noosans to join in their efforts, to be matched with children who need a positive role model in their lives. Thank you to Danny and CEO Gordon for meeting with me & sharing the awesome work that you do!

From the Inbox

We gathered with representatives from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Noosa Council to further discussions on a pedestrian crossing to provide the best safety for all who traverse Factory St, Pomona daily to access essential services. The outcome was a location put forward by Council, which is being assessed by TMR regarding pavement strength, loss of car parks etc. and they will come back as soon as completed. It was great to see an agreement, and we will update to Noosa 360 when further information is provided. A reminder that TMR managed roads in the Pomona township area are Reserve St, Factory St & Hill St. Other roads such as Station St and Summit Rd, are managed by Noosa Council and any advocacy for crossings on those should be directed via our Mayor and Councillors. It was good to catch up with Daniela and Olivia from SEQ Water for an update on the Lake MacDonald replacement project which had been delayed due to a review. This has now been completed, and we shall have further information including on any community engagement in the coming weeks.

On to Unity Water, a reminder for our businesses that the new pricing structure for wastewater has come into effect, however as part of a staged approach, the first bill will only include 50% of the increases. Should any of our small businesses in the ‘very low tier’ be impacted adversely, please email us on noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au so we can raise this with the Minister for Small Business to further efforts to see impacts mitigated. Regarding Burgess Creek, Noosa Council and Unity Water are working together on this as readings degrade as released water moves past contributors such as households and roads, and we look forward to the findings with further information here.

The Noosa Hospital transitional demountable buildings are now installed to triage patients as part of ensuring the Emergency Department operates as efficiently as possible whilst Ramsay continues negotiations with State Government for an expansion. This will reduce delays and the need for some ambulances to bypass, or as officially now known ‘load share’, to Nambour or Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), which contributes to their ramping. The data from this triaging is vital as part of the case for a permanent expansion of this private hospital which is currently contracted by State Government to provide $22.6m of public services with $7m for the Emergency Department. This may sound sufficient, however given the limited capacity, and frustration of residents who are relayed unnecessarily to hospitals further away, we need to know exactly what is required now and into the future, as well the longer lease that we have been seeking from State Government to accommodate this.

L-R: Noosa Arts & Crafts 30th anniversary; Park & Cove opening; Pink Stumps Breast Cancer Fundraiser

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

Noosavillie – July 2023

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

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.

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.

L-R: Factory St, Pomona Discussion; Noosa Hospital Emergency Dpt team @ opening; Peregian Family & Friends MP Update

And finally….

Following the tragic death of long time Noosan John Kerr, which has been devastating for his family and our community, nearly 500 residents gathered in front of the Noosa Surf Club before walking to show our care for each other, and stance against violence and fear. Thank you to David who organised, and to all who joined in, including our police and media. A reminder to always report any suspicious behaviours to Policelink via 131444, and never approach anyone who appears erratic or behaving strangely, please, again report. It is up to all of us to keep our community and each other safe, as regardless of how many police we have, they cannot be everywhere at once hence why we are their ‘eyes’. It is not good enough to say ‘I do not want to get involved’ as this is our home, and it is up to all of us. As you know, we transitioned from static Police Beats to a mobile ‘beat’ so that it can move around, and I shared this ‘truck’ in one of my posts last year. That is in addition to the normal 24/7 and highway patrols, as well special operations such as ‘Sandstorm’ which targeted times/areas of concern. We have fabulous police, and I know they will be analysing what occurred, the contributors, and what is needed working in partnership with local laws officers going forward, including greater use of technology for monitoring sites.  As I have provided when we had that spate of car thefts, over the years in Noosa as our crime statistics have gone down, so did our Neighbourhood Watch groups. It takes a village, and I encourage anyone interested in forming one for their area to please contact me on 53193100 or email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

With so much misinformation currently doing the rounds, can you please share with anyone who has concerns including new residents that information is available at Noosa 360, as well to subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated, which also ensures they receive Noosa polls and surveys? Alternatively, for them to just give our office a call!

Until next month, enjoy this beautiful winter as it is truly stunning.

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.