The Independent Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP shared both the good and not so good news in her budget reply speech in Queensland Parliament this week.
Sandy stated in her opening, even though inflation is down from post COVID-19 highs and there is some interest rate relief, at grass roots, the reality is not-for-profits have been overburdened.
She said volunteers are delivering everything from food to accommodation through to counselling and haircuts at ever increasing rates to struggling families.
“The modest continuation of the $200 ‘Play On!’ vouchers, $100 ‘Back to School Boost’ for primary school students not high school students, and a CPI increase to the power rebate is all we can find so far, and this is nowhere near enough to address what is being experienced, including home insecurity,” she said.
“The reference to one million new homes by 2044 and 53,500 new social homes misses the very real issue of our existing lowincome working families who are not eligible for government housing and can only access up to $500,000 from the banks to purchase one. Hence, we need genuine affordable housing for them. An extra $225 million for 1600 extra police and $150 million for new and replacement equipment such as body cams and tactical vests is very welcomed, however staffing gaps left by the various forms of leave, including long service leave and leave for those suffering PTSD, need to be addressed.”
The Noosa MP confirmed there are funds in the budget required for the upgrade of Lake Macdonald Dam, with the expenditure over the forward accounts now at nearly half a billion, to ensure safety into the future. In addition, there was nearly $1 million dollars to address pedestrian crossing needs in Pomona, with construction scheduled for 2026-27, which is welcome.
Within the Sunshine Coast budget snapshot, there is a mention of commencement of the Tewantin Bypass even though it already commenced with
Stage one completed in 2022. The $8.5 million that Sandy achieved last year from the former government to fast track the detailed design of the remaining stages is in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP), along with the concerning news of construction not beginning until 2028/29, however there was no mention of the $30 million LNP’s election promise towards that construction.
Ms Bolton said, “There needs to be clarity on this to avoid the commitment being seen as carrot dangling, and I have requested a meeting with Noosa Council and Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to understand why it will take three years for construction to begin.”
“The construction of new boating infrastructure in Noosa made it onto QTRIP without dollar amounts, though government has reiterated their $2.5 million commitment.”
$15 million has been allocated over three years for the ‘Keeping Our Waterways Safe’ (formerly known as the ‘War on Wrecks’ program) which Sandy reiterated is not enough, especially with the roll out of new regulations in the Noosa pilot, that will eventually be rolled out into other waterways and could lead to more vessels that require removal. $36 million has been provided for the new Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA).
“This is confusing as it has never been raised as something Noosa sought, so without any specifics we are running blind. The state government must provide details including why this authority is needed, what it will do and why Noosa was included, and after that, undertake intensive community consultations, as this has not occurred to date,” Ms Bolton said.
The Independent MP has also asked a Question on Notice in Parliament to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads regarding the SCWA, with the answer due 26 June 2025. The Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade stage one has increased to $285 million yet nowhere is any mention for the rail shuttle needed from Gympie to connect with the Nambour timetable.
Sandy said we need both the infrastructure and services to accommodate current and future demand.
For sports, Sandy said grants are allocated for Noosa Little Athletics, Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club, and Tewantin Noosa Tennis Club, with Cooroy Sports Complex receiving a lighting upgrade of $500,000 and even though outside the Noosa electorate, appreciated as many Noosa residents play there.
“Noosa Council received $1 million for the all-abilities toilet facility for Gympie Terrace, however nowhere found are funds for a new Noosa Tigers change room, Noosa Dolphins redevelopment or for Councils Aquatic Centre and multi-purpose facility,” Ms Bolton said.
On the decommissioned Tewantin TAFE, Sandy is seeking for the funds from the transfer of the site to be reinvested into the drafted Noosa Learning Hub, which given Noosa has neither TAFE, nor University campuses since their closure, is essential.
“With a waitlist in our own community for alternate schooling which includes for our all-abilities students, may there be funds available for when we come to the Minister for Education with a proposal to address this. A big disappointment was a lack of construction funding for the Advanced Manufacturing Centre facility at Sunshine Beach State High School. This is vitally important, as we have students missing out on essential certification for their careers, as well this booming industry missing out on staff,” Ms Bolton said.
“In addition, there is no indication of fairer funding models for our palliative care hospices. We have fought for our Katie Rose Cottage Hospice over the years, most recently for government to fund 50% of nursing costs instead of the current 25 per cent. With the palliative care strategy coming to an end this year, may the state government see the importance of our community models and increase this funding which is vastly more economical than a hospital bed,” Ms Bolton said.
Sandy has welcomed the increase in funding for QPWS, however raised that with half a billion dollars to boost tourism through Destination 2045, the impacts of this may swamp any benefits of this increase.
A link to Sandy’s full budget reply speech is available on Noosa 360 at www.SandyBolton.com/Noosa360, with her concluding that delivering a budget is one of the toughest jobs of government.
“The Queensland Treasurer and all involved has our thanks as, regardless of what it contains and who hands it down, it will never be enough until we change how we operate, which currently is unsustainable. Otherwise, we would not have to keep seeking rebates and vouchers for living essentials. Yes, there are good announcements that are appreciated; however, the ones missing in action are concerning,” Ms Bolton said.
