The 2025-26 State Budget brought some positives, however, also disappointments in the lack of definition and vision as to how we will move to a truly sustainable state, where households are not reliant on rebates, subsidies and government handouts to afford the basics of everyday living, including a home.
With Australia deemed as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, serious reform including to our taxation systems must be a priority, as well policies that are founded on population growth which from all accounts is adding to the duress. As outlined last week, the positives for Noosa included nearly half a billion in confirmed funds for the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project, construction timelines for the Pomona pedestrian crossing and the new Noosa River boating infrastructure, detailed design for the next stages of the Tewantin Bypass with a construction commencement date for 2028/29 that makes no sense.
Hence, we have scheduled a meeting with Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Noosa Council to understand why as well to get some clarity on the rationale for a change in the QTRIP format, which led to an inability to identify where the committed $30m towards construction is.
The shortfalls for Noosa included the lack of fairer funding models for our palliative care hospices including our Katie Rose Cottage who we fought for accreditation funding to access government contracts, and most recently unsuccessfully for 50 per cent 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 more economical and preferred than a hospital bed, and for the federal government to accommodate their current requests.
In addition, a lack of construction funding for the Advanced Manufacturing Hub for Sunshine Beach State High School, Noosa Tigers and Dolphins, as well Noosa Council projects which I trust is somewhere in the upcoming sports facilities grants and have already submitted questions to the Sports Minister.
Of concern was funding for a Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority incorporating Noosa and given this has never been raised from anyone in our community, last parliament I submitted a Question on Notice (QON) for the rationale. In addition, a letter to Dan (Purdie) our police minister as to why listed as Number 1 in the ‘Sunshine Coast Budget Highlights’ document is a Safe Night Precinct for Hastings Street, which from our understanding was not applied for, nor is supported by stakeholders including Noosa Council, Hastings St Association (HSA) or our police. We have requested the $450,000 allocated instead be transferred to what has continually been sought, and that is for overtime for extra police during key identified times in the Noosa electorate where alcohol fuelled violence is an issue, instead of as has been occurring, ‘specials’ paid for by Noosa Council and HSA.
With Budget Papers that require a major overhaul, as they are ‘clear as mud’, we are currently preparing for the Estimate Hearings which attempt to dig through that ‘mud’ to get clarity.
In a recent response to our QON, the Premier confirmed work has commenced on reforms for the estimates process, however, the only change so far is that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will act as Chairs, which as I said with no disrespect to either, is not what was sought, which was for independent chairs, and not as previously, government Members of Parliament (MPs).
There is also no avenue for MPs to lodge official QONs to the various committee portfolios, nor extension of time allocations for crossbench questions during the hearings. Given there are many outstanding questions on a wide range of budget items, we have done as previously, and sent to the various committees, even though not ‘allowed’. These include on local items such as the Noosa Hospital and alternate schooling which incorporates flexi and special needs, as well broader Queensland matters such as tax relief, policing, youth justice and co-responder teams, community and government housing, support for businesses, families and our environment, and much more.
We look forward to updating once the hearings have been completed and our questions answered! For the Budget 2025/26 update and links, head to sandybolton.com/budget-2025-26-summary
Now to some local updates, with more information on all via Noosa 360 at SandyBolton.com/Noosa360
Teewah Airfield
With concerns raised this month and a petition launched regarding the transition of this airfield to National Park last year, we have followed up again with the relevant recreation clubs as well the new government, who provided reassurance in December 2024 regarding the steering committee that was established to work with the clubs and Noosa Council directly regarding future options.
Given conflicting views on the importance of this site for fire and disaster management, we have scheduled a meeting to get clarity as government had previously responded that this site is not an official staging or evacuation site due to its access issues, lack of reticulated water and being surrounded by volatile heath vegetation with potential for entrapment. We have also sent a request to the Minister for Environment that any concerns raised including on consultation be investigated and that results from the 2023 survey be provided, and to ensure a satisfactory outcome for our community and first responder users.
Doonella Street Housing Project
In response to my question in parliament, the Minister for Housing confirmed that the government is progressing this project, which includes 32 new social and affordable units, with a projected forecast completion date by mid-2027. With the government announcing downsizing incentives, we have called out to solo residents in family-sized government tenancies to get in contact with the Department of Housing to discuss their situation to access these incentives, thereby freeing up needed homes, by calling 5352 7333.
In addition, requested of government that once this process has been completed, for any excess units or homes be transferred to community housing management so that they can be accessed by our worker families, as well any current government tenants who will be impacted by the recently announced eligibility checks that commenced 1 July.
We have reiterated again the crucial need to review eligibility income thresholds, which have not changed since 2006, with the government responding that they are testing methodologies and consulting stakeholders before finalising changes. We do not want any in our community impacted by outdated criteria, hence the importance of transferring management of government owned homes to community housing providers to offset the impacts from eligibility checks done under outdated and out of touch thresholds.
Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project
The dam upgrade has progressed from completion of the coffer dam to the major construction phase. During this time, there will be an increase in traffic around Lake Macdonald and information, including efforts to minimise construction and heavy haulage impacts, expected truck volumes, monitoring of speeds and compliance, as well how to report non-compliance and road repairs, is available on Noosa 360 at sandybolton.com/?s=lake+macdonald
Seatbelts on School Buses
Regarding school bus route 5838 that travels the Bruce Highway, where a bus with seatbelts installed was replaced with a newer bus without, we requested a bus with them. In response, the Minister stated that the bus currently operating was compliant with current legislation and Australian Design Rules (ADR) but committed to monitoring the matter. This situation must be rectified as soon as possible to alleviate understandable community concerns, and we have also written to the Federal Minister for Transport outlining the situation and requesting that it be considered when the ADR are next reviewed.
Noosa MP Grants
We saw some more of our Noosa MP Grants in action this month with the launch of Plastic Free Noosa’s new project turning those pesky bottle tops polluting our beaches and waterways into awesome ‘Noosafied’ products like wax combs and pens. The Noosa Chorale was elevated to new heights, literally, with the purchase of new choir risers, which helped everyone shine at their recent ‘Armed Man’ concert. Funds also helped Walk with Wisdom prepare for their charity event where speakers demonstrated that wisdom comes from living, not just learning, with all proceeds going to our Noosa Coolum Salvos. More next month!
To finish, as I mentioned in my Budget in Reply speech, doing a budget at any level of government is difficult, and I always thank our state Treasurers, regardless of their ‘colour’ as despite what is delivered, it is never deemed ‘enough’. Again, we must ask why given we are such a wealthy country. The answer is in a multitude of policies, vested interests and yes, our own push to have access to the best of everything, whether medical, schools or ‘things’. This feeds into the government’s economic growth rationale that to get these, we need a certain volume of taxpayers, hence population. Interestingly I happened upon a ‘Barefoot Alliance’ meeting regarding koalas, hosted by Australian of the Year Claire Smith in the CWA rooms at Tewantin, where she connected the demise of what Australia is known for including koalas, with our own push for economic growth which is needed via immigration to provide more taxpayers. Importantly, she stressed that we need to end the narrative that speaking against immigration is being racist, as it is not. These discussions are important as they are about our sustainability Australia wide and given in Noosa we have raised for decades the importance of sustainable capacity, it is good to see that this is being recognised in other realms for what it is, and not as previously portrayed as being ‘anti’ everything! Something for all of us to ponder over our cuppas is when is ‘enough, enough’? and whether ‘more is actually better’. Ultimately what is sought by the majority is what parties will deliver to obtain votes and government, and the question is, are you for ‘more’?
As always, call my office on 53193100 if any questions, or email us noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au
