Welcome to 2025 fellow Noosans, and to my first column of the year which at the start is a mix of updates from over the holiday period and at the end, a resolution from my week in Bali with my grandchildren, as hopping out of our beautiful bubble here at home provides insights on many fronts!
Cooloola Recreation Area Visitation/ Operation Sandstorm
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) once again conducted Operation Sandstorm, which has been operating since 2019, across Noosa North Shore, Teewah beach, and Cooloola Coast during the break to target unacceptable behaviour. This resulted in over 400 Traffic Infringement Notices and 14 DUIs from over 850 Random Breath Tests. During my first meetings with the new Minister for Environment and Minister for Police regarding our ongoing advocacies, I reiterated the importance of the implementation of automatic sharing of essential enforcement information between agencies, so that permit restrictions can be placed on offenders in our national parks, as well recommendations regarding decreasing the volume of day trippers during peak periods.
Short term accommodation (STA) Boats
Following reports on social media of several houseboats moored at Woods Bay being used for STAs on the river, we contacted Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), a Federal Government organisation who regulate commercial boating activities and registrations, to investigate. In response we were informed that they conducted an on-water joint patrol, with regulatory actions issued against those non-compliant and a commitment to increase monitoring. Information on AMSA and their regulations can be found at www.amsa.gov.au
MSQ continue to work towards stages 5 & 6 of their Noosa River management plan, with information on these at www.msq.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-stories/changes-for-boating-on-noosa-river
Lake Macdonald Dam Project
Preliminary site establishment works are nearing completion, and works will soon enter the main construction phase starting with a temporary cofferdam. We have written to the new Minister for Water to update that whilst it is vitally important that the dam wall is upgraded to improve safety and enable greater resilience, efforts must be made to minimise the resulting heavy haulage impacts. We are currently awaiting the finalisation of the Traffic Management Plan for the main project construction and will update the community once this has been received.
Olympic 100 Day Review
Our submission to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s 100-day review of Olympic infrastructure and planning, raised the importance of ensuring that infrastructure is appropriate and beneficial for all of Queensland, both metropolitan and regional. For Noosa, this includes transport infrastructure and services, such as improved bus and train links to the rest of the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and SEQ, appropriate upgrades to local sports facilities as well new facilities for the training and preparation of Olympic athletes. Our submission also included a copy of the united Crossbench Statement on Olympics Funding, as while it is welcomed that the released terms of reference for this review incorporate aspects of the statement, there remain elements, such as the capping of the Games budget that remain to be actioned.
Noosa MP Community Survey
With our annual Community Survey now closed, thanks to all who participated and added their voice as this year’s was a little longer than usual with many important issues. These surveys are important tools in helping to define Noosa’s ‘position’ to take forward in advocacy and to Parliament, and we are currently in the process of collating the results and will release these in the coming weeks. Every voice and view matters, so please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter via www.sandybolton.com/newsletters to be alerted when new surveys open, such as the one coming up on fluoridation below!
Fluoridation
With renewed interest on a statewide basis following the Australian Dental Association’s call for the decision regarding fluoridation of our water to be controlled by state government again instead of local governments, as with other health matters. Due to local debate and interest, our office will conduct a dedicated survey in coming weeks. Given that we have had minimal contact from residents on this, it is important that we receive feedback from as many as possible.
Pomona Pedestrian Crossing
Since the election we have met with the new Minister for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to discuss priority projects, including the importance of fast-tracking the pedestrian crossing on Factory Street Pomona to ensure safety in an area that continues to see excessive amounts of heavy haulage. This was followed by the tabling of a parliamentary petition, lodged by Nick Cooke and endorsed by our office, which reinforced our advocacy, with the Minister reiterating they will stand by their election commitment of $950,000 to construct pedestrian infrastructure on Factory Street, and are in the process of developing the scope of works and a timeline. This is a great outcome for our community, and we thank the Minister for standing by this important commitment, as well those who added to our advocacy.
We will continue to provide updates of the progress of this and other priorities as they come in, including Tewantin Bypass and onshore boating infrastructure, as well the SFDs which State are working with Council on.
Now to the resolutions which I hope as a community all will endeavour to adopt!
Having raised previously our increasing waste – whether the volume we keep digging very expensive holes for and growing every decade per person regardless of our recycling, or of resources such as water that every decade per person we use more of, I saw whilst in Bali just how far we have moved away from being mindful, sustainable and rational. Forgive me for an ‘over share’, however when you are in a country where you cannot drink or brush your teeth with tap water, eat fresh produce washed in that water, nor flush toilet paper in the cistern, I saw a total change in behaviours in all nine of us including the youngest!! That tiny roll of toilet paper which normally would not survive a day here at home, was carefully rationed as the container to put it into was tiny as well. And the bottled water that was used for everything, meant it was used sparingly. No running taps whilst scrubbing, and showers equivalent to our ‘ship showers’ we use at home when on tank water which is enough to get wet, turn off while lathering, then rinse off briskly!
It was heartbreaking to see the Balinese battle rubbish created from our western society and visitations, which is worse than I have ever seen in previous visits. Plastics of all kinds float in the ocean, litter the beaches and is piled on the roadsides, in the bush and anywhere they can jam. Even though they, and we, are valiantly trying to recycle where possible, even in art installations on the beaches, the reality is the volume created in the first place is overwhelming.
Statistics show that in Australia we produce about half a tonne of household waste for every person man, woman or child per year. That figure has not really changed in ten years, even with our repurposing/recycling efforts. Ultimately, we are just not doing enough to reduce our waste.
So how can we help in our own community and others? By supporting a circular economy, waste as little food as possible by introducing end of week soups for those left over vegies, repurposing everything we can whether cardboard and paper for mulch or wrapping Christmas presents, and refusing to purchase products contained or wrapped in plastic. Instead take your own bottles, paper or wax wraps, which I know is not easy, however there are many tips on how to reduce our rubbish available as well how to travel with the least impact on countries who are reliant on tourism yet are struggling to deal with our excesses.
So please, make your New Year’s resolution one that makes a difference to all, as leaving it to governments to deal with our behaviours is disempowering. Whether that be our waste, violence in our homes, setting boundaries for our children and grandchildren on everything from manners and respect to internet access and e-bike and e-motorbike usage. It really is up to us!
Before I go, a huge thank you to all who made the Noosa Community Christmas lunch so special! A big hug to Oz and his son Huey who provided fabulous music, as well Cherry who even egged me into a tune! We live in the most caring, loving and connected community, with the luncheon just one example of how awesome residents are!
Also, our gratitude to our frontliners and outreach teams between Christmas and New Years as we had non-residents in need including for accommodation, which is a discussion for another column. However a reminder again about giving vouchers or cash directly to those presenting under hardship as we have multiple organisations including the Salvos and Making Lives Matter who provide everything from accommodation and food, to fuel and supports, as well financial and personal counselling to assist in breaking cycles where possible. This ensures all are getting the correct and full support in ways that cannot be misused such as for addictions including gambling which unfortunately we continue to see occur. For a list of these contacts visit www.sandybolton.com/keycontacts
Until next time where there will be much to cover as we are back in Parliament, and my Committee has loads of public hearings for inquiries commencing 28 January. You can view the work of all Committees and subscribe for updates on any of interest via www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees
Have a wonderful month and as always if you need assistance on any state government matter, please call us on 53193100, email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au or visit us at www.sandybolton.com.
