The end of the year has rushed upon us in a flurry with so much to share since our last newsletter, especially as this is the last one for 2022, and written in advance to ensure a printed version is delivered to every household!

There have been, and are, many magical moments with festive celebrations, visits with community groups, and our aged care residents to spread chocolate cheer. Also, school graduations, end of year forums and many, many meetings! We have had beautiful life celebrations of those that have done so much for our community and grieved with the loved ones of those who have passed way too soon.

The commencement of historical projects, that have been hard won, such as the replacement of Six Mile Bridge #7, which I have posted to both Facebook and Noosa 360, are appreciated after a journey of 7 years.

Something well overdue, which required much advocacy, was the welcomed response from Government to Queensland’s Housing Crisis. We can now see some light at the end of what has been a long dark tunnel, with an extra 1 billion dollars to the Housing Investment Fund, changes to the use of secondary dwellings (granny flats), a land audit, analysis of the impacts of Short Term Accommodation and a report due back in the November Parliament sitting on outcomes from the Housing Summit that I attended. Key takeout’s from the Summit were posted to Noosa 360 on our website, as well from the Sunshine Coast Community Aviation Forum with the PIR (Post Implementation Review) due out by end of year for community comment. Many other updates are also available.

L-R: Mobile Office at Pomona; Fabulous ‘Re Loving’ @Lifeline; SFC with Terri from SevGen

From the Chamber and Beyond

A chance for healing, as well as heartbreak, were experienced during my Parliamentary Legal Affairs & Safety Committee inquiry, into matters relating to donor conception. Several recommendations ensued, including that donor information be made available to donor conceived persons, however contact must be facilitated and with the permission of both. As well, that a register be established for those conceived in a fertility clinic, with private arrangements voluntary, which does not address Recommendation 1, that donor conceived persons have a right to know their origins.

The most recent report from the Oversight of the Queensland Family and Child Commission, highlighted thankfully that child deaths continue to decrease each year from natural causes, however concerningly have increased from car accidents, and suicide. Is it now time to consider mandatory and defensive driving courses for our youngsters as part of obtaining P plates? Should we also move away from subjective diagnosis of mental illness, to instead utilise neuroscience that is showing advancements in both diagnosis and treatment of depression and suicidalities? We must do more, and we have the world class Thompson Institute here on the coast to assist.

In October I again spoke in Parliament regarding housing in preparation for the QLD Housing Summit, to reiterate that recommendations from this must turn into urgent ‘on the ground’ action. We also need an analysis of how all levels of government can work better together to resolve and prevent this from ever happening again!

Whilst I supported the Casino Control and Other Legislation Bill and its intent, I outlined my concerns during debate regarding the lack of harm minimalisation mechanisms for cashless gaming, and expansion of simulated products.

Another infrequent speech opportunity raised the importance of the development of an effective Independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for QLD, and that we should accept nothing less than what the review of Victoria’s EPA highlighted. With QLD having less powers than other states to rectify the impacts to our communities from flawed legislation, processes, and government decisions, this is one opportunity to fix the wrongs, including the inappropriate volume of heavy haulage through our villages.

With a speech prepared, but unable to be delivered due to Parliament time constraints, I was one of only 5 MP’s who opposed the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Bill, and we can only hope that the concerns of doctors and patients who contacted us are never realised.

Parliamentary Speeches and Questions

All parliament speeches and questions with and without notice can be viewed under the Parliament tab on our website at www.sandybolton.com

From the Inbox

It is no surprise that ongoing capital works and maintenance of Kin Kin Rd continues to hit our inbox. With the outcome from Noosa Council’s court case against quarry operators still outstanding at time of writing, we ask for continued patience and a focus on reporting any hazards or dangerous driver behaviour for greater safety. While our advocacies to fix a broken system of ineffective legislation and environmental authorities has advanced, it is a lengthy process which understandably is frustrating for all.

Successful advocacies have seen two sites of concern on the Cooloola Great Walk Ecotourism Project moved and, as of writing, we await Kabi Kabi determinations as to whether the project will proceed to the next phase.

Updates on these, and many other topical issues for our community, which should include by end of year the Lake Macdonald review, are posted to www.sandybolton.com/noosa360

L-R: With scholarship student Metaya; Open Studios 2022; Cooroy Pomona RSL Sub Branch Dinner

On the Homefront

Where do we start? With so many events, meetings and roundtables, there are too many to list, however all were fabulous! Thank you for the invites, the hugs, the laughs and the debates!

Seeing projects blossom, boosted by our Seeds for Change funding, has been heart-warming. From SevGen’s Galeru property planting 150 natives so far with our funding for implements; EndED’s community connection activities for eating disorders which is so important to remove the stigma; the Don’t Bottle It Up Conference during Mental Health Month hosted by Rotary with presenters speaking on a range of topics from post-traumatic stress disorder to suicide prevention. Congratulations to all on the work that you do.

The Cooroy Pomona RSL Sub Branch Annual Dinner with our returned and current service men, women and their loved ones was genuine, informative and heart-warming. Guest speakers included Club President Barrie, also a Director of Rural Aid Australia, who spoke of the reality our farmers have, and the work they are doing to assist including a million dollars to households impacted by the mice plague. We need our Aussie food growers so let’s consider how we can assist them including donating, buying local and not taking anything for granted.

With adult migrant English students, I was put on the Q&A Hotseat! Coming from so many countries including the Ukraine, Chile and Vietnam, these fellow Noosan’s were keen to learn about the 3 levels of government and representation, as well a whole host more! Thank you everyone.

At the Queensland Information Centres Association Conference, it was an honour to welcome managers, staff and volunteers from across QLD to Noosa for multiple events over 2 days. ‘High 5’ to the Tourism Noosa team and QICA organisers, as well to SevGen who separately hosted delegates from across the globe attending the World Social Enterprise Forum. And what can I say about the Noosa Tri? Electric! With the Premier and legend Dawn Fraser on the ‘hooter’, over 8000 entrants braved the course and thrilled crowds. Now allocated with 2 extra years of funding, it was a fantastic event and efforts by all including our road closure crews were excellent!

A huge congratulations to Parkyn’s Hut Tewantin who were named Queensland Visitor Information Centre of the Year in the volunteer category. So very much deserved, congratulations again!

On the business front, an incredible 21 Noosa locals were nominated for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards 2022, which must be a record. With others taking out a range of awards from building to innovation in firefighting technologies and equipment, as well award-winning mead, the list is endless. Top job everyone!

L-R Housing Summit; Noosa Biz @ the Community Chest Event; QICA

Grants and Reminders

With well in excess of $2M in grants funding coming to Noosa from State Government for community projects this year, congratulations to all involved and gratitude for your efforts!

For State Government grant opportunities visit QLD Government Grant Finder – www.grants.services.qld.gov.au and Grants Guru – www.grantguru.com.au.

Have Your Say

Don’t forget to take 5 minutes to have your say on priorities for 2023 via our annual survey at www.sandybolton.com/your-say-annual-survey, or hold your camera over the QR code. With this
newsletter and the Annual Connect written weeks in advance to meet printer deadlines, should anything major have emerged as of writing, apologies, as my crystal ball ran out of batteries! Please Santa can I have a new one?

For Queensland State Government Consultations, including on Incident and Disaster Warnings in Queensland, head to www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi.

L-R Streetside meetings ; Seeds for Change with endED; The KK Team @ the Great Noosa Trail Walk

Office Reminders

Our office is open 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday.  We are closed for Christmas from Mon 19th December until Mon 2nd January  2023. For community organisations we have the photocopier, marquees, and trailer at no charge for your use, simply phone and book on 53193100.

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 and Eastern Beaches News.

L-R @ the start Noosa Tri 2022; With furry bud @ Vision Australia; QLD Collective rally for Inclusion

And finally…

Can you believe end of year is here? I cannot! It has been joyful, at times heartbreaking, with celebrations as well commiserations. Enormous successes, as some disappointments. Much realised, with still more to do!

With COVID mostly taking a back seat, as I said in Connect, it is still important we remain alert, and to work on our fitness and diet as part of strengthening immune systems, just as Shoey and I did by a recent stint at ‘Bootcamp’. Please ensure your household is prepared for any situation, including having your evacuation kit handy. Given our community’s experience of significant impacts from natural disasters, with this year even my own house going under with many others, how thankful we are to our teams, volunteers and neighbours who are there in times of need.

However, we need to do our bit to keep others as well ourselves safe, so head to www.getready.qld.gov.au.

After a year of floods, a broken foot, a dose of COVID and still waiting for our home to be refitted after flooding, I am looking forward to the break, to do all that I haven’t been able to, including just sitting under a tree with a book! May the predicted storms and wet weather be kind, and that our teams do not spend Christmas in emergency mode.

Gratitude to all, including my extraordinary hard-working staff. Congratulations to our trainee Jordy on completion, as well as university placement Lucia. Your beautiful energies have been gold, and we wish you all the very best for your future! Welcome to James, Parliamentary Policy Officer and Dylan, Assistant Electoral Officer. To our volunteers Peta and Marilla, we adore you, and may your arms heal quickly, which no, was not because of any arm twisting!

Have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season fellow Noosans! I look forward to seeing you out and about, whether in our kayaks (yes we finally got them), walking the trails or on the beach. So much to enjoy, I never know where to start!

And may 2023 be all that you wish for

Sandy