Following on from last month’s column and further questions relating to Native Title and other processes, we have had multiple meetings including with the Department of Resources and the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, a Parliamentary Question Without Notice to Minister Crawford, and have been endeavouring to secure a meeting with our Federal MP Llew O’Brien as much we are querying rests at a Commonwealth level.
In my recent Adjournment Speech to Parliament, I outlined why the Cooloola Great Walk project should not receive final approvals until the dissent and questions within our community and between Kabi Kabi have been resolved through respectful truth telling.
This is appropriate given the Department of Environment and Science (DES) are awaiting the lodgement of a detailed proposal for this project to assess.
Why is this important?
To ensure the return of Kabi to country is free of any negativity and provide a solid platform on the journey to Path to Treaty.
You can find links to speeches and questions under the Parliament tab at sandybolton.com, with all speeches also shared to facebook.com/SandyBoltonNoosa We will continue to update to Noosa360 which also has information on many local matters, and I encourage those new to our community to search for topics of interest.
Four years of advocacy to see improvements in the management of the Cooloola Recreation Area and surrounds, and we are finally at the pointy end.
The proposed management changes from DES’s recent briefing to the Teewah Cooloola Working Group (TCWG), are not able to be shared this week as hoped.
Instead, the TCWG will provide a response to DES prior to these going before the Minister.
This will allow us to consider the original submission from the TCWG as several items sought back then have since been implemented such as the increased police patrols and joint compliance efforts at peak periods, and operation Sandstorm.
As well, the installation of number plate recognition cameras at the beach entrance ensuring vehicles have correct permits, and use of the mother drone to rapidly respond to incident reports to obtain the necessary footage from a distance, even at night-time, to see those responsible held accountable.
The mandatory portable toilets have also been implemented in efforts to protect our environment, and while not popular with campers, restrictions on campfires will continue to protect visitors from accidentally receiving substantial burns while walking on sand covering hot coals, including children, and reduce the risk of bushfires.
However, these efforts do not address the realities we have experienced from a small cohort that continue to do the wrong thing through dangerous behaviours and trashing our home, nor the unsustainable volume being experienced.
For those following my efforts in Parliament over the years or reading our updates, especially during the Budget Estimates process, you would have heard me speak about the need for updated permit booking systems to manage day numbers, as done with campers, and integrated systems between Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Queensland Police (QPS) to better manage repeat offenders.
In addition, the importance of getting communications to all areas impacted, and we are awaiting updates from Noosa Council on an application for funding under the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.
Even though the presentation from DES was confidential, I can share what was a general update given separately.
Items covered included data that shows, thankfully, a drop off to the explosion of day permit numbers experienced since the Covid lockdowns ended with a reduction also in camper nights, and that compliances on portable toilets and camper etiquette were good (again, except for that cohort I referred to earlier) Interestingly, of the 93 per cent of permits were issued to Queenslanders, the majority are from within the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
With QPWS and QPS officers taking a zero tolerance approach to driving/parking on dunes, dangerous driving, illegal campfires and camping, dogs, unauthorised organised events and mandatory portable toilets, please ensure any visiting friends and family are aware of this, and that forgetting to buy a permit will result in an automatic $215 fine, courtesy of the Number Plate Recognition Cameras.
While there is still much to be frustrated about, I remind myself of what has and is being achieved.
In addition, the solid commitment of the very diverse TCWG members, continuing as they were prior to Covid, working collaboratively to ensure better outcomes.
With MPs and Mayors from both Noosa and Gympie, as well representatives from residents’ associations, environmental groups and First Nations people, I have no doubt that the response to DES will encapsulate the common grounds we share, which is meeting our communities’ expectations in creating greater experiences and protections for all, including our turtle hatchlings!
So where to now?
TCWG are preparing a response while we await verification from the government on what can be implemented immediately, and what will take longer, for which there will also be community consultation.
Timeframe?
A good question. We are all over the waiting, as this long haul should never have been, pandemics or other excuses aside.
As with so much that has been delayed through the disruptions of fires, Covid, floods, Native Title and other, I have put on my Christmas wish list that any of the longer timeframe implementations be piloted before the end of the year. Until then, we must each do what we can until there are appropriate solutions in place which includes continuing to report offenders to ensure that they are held accountable, and that policing resources match the need.
As always, don’t forget to check our Friday night FB posts which contain any new updates to Noosa 360 (sandybolton.com/noosa360) and for anyone wishing to add to advocacies on these matters above, please email the Environment Minister via environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au and cc my office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au
