The Queensland Police Service has provided the following enforcement statistics collected during Operation Sandstorm, a four-day operation conducted across the Noosa North Shore, Teewah Beach, and Cooloola Coast areas during the Christmas holiday period to target inappropriate and non-complaint behaviour.

Enforcement Type Statistics
Random Breath Test 749 with 1 driver being penalised
Random Roadside Drug Test 151 with 12 positive readings
Notice to Appear 1 driver due to dangerous operation
Traffic Infringement Notices 105 for speeding

30 for not wearing a seatbelt

189 Defective vehicles
Type 1 Traffic Offences 1 driver for attempting to evade police
Offences under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 5 notices issued

 

We thank the police for their enforcement efforts over peak holiday periods, as well residents who report incidents. As we have reiterated before, the Queensland Government must do more to reduce unacceptable behaviours, and we have updated both the new Minister for Police and the Minister for Environment regarding our ongoing advocacies to address over visitation, non-compliant behaviour, safety, and environmental concerns in the Noosa North Shore, Teewah Beach and Cooloola Coast areas.

This includes the implementation of automatic sharing of essential enforcement information between agencies, including the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Maritime Safety Queensland, so that permit restrictions can be placed on offenders in our national parks, as well the implementation of recommendations in the Cooloola Visitor Capacity Study, which includes decreasing the volume of day-trippers during peak periods and other initiatives.

Whilst we await further action, Sandy asks everyone to continue to report incidents to the appropriate authorities with a CC to noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au to assist in our own evidence gathering.

Cooloola Recreation Area Management Plan

In a recent response from the Minister for Environment, they updated the following regarding the draft Management Plan for the Cooloola Recreational Area:

The public consultation phase of the planning process for the draft Management Plan for the Cooloola Recreation Area has been completed, with approximately 700 responses received. Submissions are undergoing analysis in consultation with Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation and Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation before the final plan is progressed for gazettal.

As mentioned in our July 2024 Noosa 360 update, Sandy has requested a response to feedback to our submissions on behalf of Noosa stakeholders, given the longstanding efforts of the Noosa Electorate and Shire to achieve better environment and amenity outcomes for this area, and we will continue to update as more information becomes available.

Turtle protection on Teewah Beach

Sandy’s advocacy regarding Turtle protection in the region has continued with the following being provided to our office by the Minister:

DETSI provides extensive education on driving and visitor safety on its website and camping booking site as well as through park alerts, conditions reports and signage. All visitors are encouraged to undertake responsible and safe four-wheel driving by promoting minimal impact beach driving practices through the point of sale of camping permits, onsite signage and the use of social media channels. Information is also supplied to permit holders regarding turtle hatching and the need to be cautious when driving on the beach including new signage at beach entry points.

Rangers undertake regular patrols of the area and actively engage with turtle volunteer groups such as the Coolum and Cooloola Coastcare to identify potential hatchlings.

The Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management study explored the feasibility of seasonal/nightly beach driving closures, and the former government confirmed that seasonal/night driving limits are not supported based on an evaluation of the potential threats balanced with the need to maintain essential tidal access to the gazetted road for residents, fishers, campers and emergency services.

With this response raising further questions especially given the access provided by Freshwater track, we shall update further after receipt of correspondence.

Further Information

Residents can search crime/offence statistics anytime at www.police.qld.gov.au/maps-and-statistics. We also have information on how policing works in the Noosa Electorate at www.sandybolton.com/policing-in-noosa-july-2023.

For those wishing to also advocate with the relevant Queensland Ministers directly regarding this, please consider emailing the following:

Please copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.

For all our previous updates regarding Teewah, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Teewah