Independent Member for Noosa, and the only independent in Queensland Parliament for a third term, Sandy Bolton was straight back into her office Monday morning after the election, brimming with excitement for the four years ahead.
“With much to do including keeping our new Government to the election promises made to Noosa, as well those they omitted, taking time to celebrate being re-elected was not an option,” Sandy said.
Our MP has already prepared correspondence in advance of each new Minister being announced as part of updating them on various issues she has been advocating on for the Noosa Electorate, as well broader Queensland.
In addition, requesting surety and timelines on LNP election promises made to Noosa during the campaign.
“During the campaign announcements from the LNP, there were no ‘caveats’, only that, should they be elected to government, they would deliver, and I have sought from the new Premier that their promises are more than words. Good governance is about credibility and being true to your word, and I look forward to confirmation of this,” Ms Bolton said.
LNP commitments include those listed below but are not limited to:
– That our Noosa planning scheme will be adhered to in any State Facilitated Development application.
– $30 million for Beckmans Road and we have requested additional as this will not complete the remaining stages estimated at over $100 million.
– $2.5 million to Noosa Council for onshore boating infrastructure.
– A Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority, which we have requested community consultation on.
– A Safe Night Precinct for Hastings Street, and we have sought confirmation of an application for.
– $1 million for the pedestrian crossing at Factory Street, Pomona.
– $1 million to Noosa Council for the Gympie Terrace all abilities toilet block.
– $25,000 to Pirates Rugby League Club for solar panels.
– $10,000 to Noosa Touch Association to increase security systems and cameras.
– $15,000 to Noosa Little Athletics for much needed new equipment. $44,000 to Noosa Tennis Club to upgrade lighting.
– $100,000 to a Burgess Creek catchment management plan.
– $500,000 for a Cooroy intersections business case (outside the Noosa Electorate, as within Nicklin).
In addition, she has also requested further details including on the LNP’s commitment for a Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA), given that this has not been raised as a recommendation from the two years that the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee operated, and has asked for assurances that appropriate investigations with key stakeholders and community consultation be undertaken before any implementations.
Ms Bolton added, “With the LNP committing to establish a Safe Night Precincts (SNPs) on Hastings St and Noosa Junction, we have asked for confirmation that an application has actually been submitted as from our inquiries it has not. As well that following our efforts for the review on police allocations modelling, which is underway, that as a result we will see an increase in police allocations to Noosa.”
In addition to what has been committed to from the incoming government, Sandy has included items they have not committed to that are important to Noosa, including the need for an Independent Environmental Protection Agency to address issues such as the inappropriate heavy haulage throughout our hinterland villages, upgrades for their sporting clubs, as well to the 60 recommendations from the Youth Justice Inquiry that they have remained silent on since April when they were released.
“This is deeply concerning given the focus on creating greater safety in our communities. As I have said before, election slogans will not address the multiple contributors to crime, and every single one of those recommendations must be actioned. With already half progressing, the new government must progress the others, and quickly, including to lower the threshold of the criteria for repeat offenders,” Ms Bolton said.
Sandy will keep the community updated on responses and asks that residents respond to her annual MP Community survey opening 1 December 2024 as there are a number of important issues for feedback to inform her ongoing advocacy. To ensure you are alerted when the survey opens, subscribe to the Noosa MP newsletter via SandyBolton.com/Newsletters.
Updates on many local matters Sandy is working on are available on Noosa 360 at SandyBolton.com/Noosa360.
