So, what does the abolition of the upper house in Queensland more than a century ago – against the will of the majority of voters – have to do with our community, you and my letter to Santa?
It is about your democratic rights.
When we became the only unicameral (one chamber) state in Australia, we lost the essential ‘checks and balances’ imperative to hold governments to account. This change gave the executive greater, what has been termed ‘dictatorial’ powers, enabling legislation to be fast-tracked with limited or no scrutiny. While this has brought some efficiencies, it has come at the cost of transparency, accountability, and the voices of Queenslanders. With successive governments not prepared to reform our committee system which acts as a ‘defacto’ Upper House, the first question is, how else can these shortfalls be addressed?
A 2020 report by the Institute of Public Affairs highlighted serious deficiencies in our political system, with recommendations made to restore an Upper House in Queensland. They are not alone in their analysis, and any Google search would reveal the efforts over many years to remedy what has been described as the ‘Queensland Malaise’.
Yes, that Red Chamber (the former Upper House) sits basically unused next door to the Green Chamber, however, would require filling with representatives at a cost to taxpayers. That leads to a second question. Would that cost ultimately lead to better decisions, bipartisan agreements and an end to the billions of taxpayer dollars wasted in political ‘flipflopping’? Importantly, would there be greater trust in our governance, and that any powers wielded would be with the interests of everyday Queenslanders foremost, not political aspirations or party policies funded by vested interests? The loss of trust and confidence in leaders, institutions and decision making has led to, as raised recently in an Australasian Study of Parliament Group forum, movements including sovereign citizens. These will continue to grow as trust is shaped not only by outcomes, but also the process by which those outcomes are derived.
Regardless of how hard working the opposition of the day is in holding the government to account, ultimately the system itself as it stands constrains their ability to do so as intended. The current state government recognised this while in opposition in 2009 and committed to the reintroduction of an Upper House. This never eventuated, with the rationale being that the committee system would address the shortfalls, which it obviously hasn’t. The third and final question; with political parties of any colour when in power unlikely to change a system that is designed for their benefit, what is the answer? Even well-intentioned governments can slip into habits that prioritise political expedience over the voices of the communities they serve, hence why I have continued to call for an independent review of our committee system, standing orders and parliamentary rules, or now in lieu of that, an inquiry into options such as the return of an Upper House in Queensland, the Hare Clark system of representation or other that meets your expectation. This to strengthen the voices of Queenslanders, remove the ‘shadow’ on our democracy and deliver much better outcomes. For governments there is nothing to lose, and for Queenslanders, everything to gain in becoming the very best democracy we can be which would be a wonderful Christmas gift!
Now to some updates.
Storm Disaster Assistance
For residents in the Noosa Shire impacted by last week’s ‘supercell’ in a declared suburb, you can now access a range of grants. For more details on assistance and eligibility, visit www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies. We have requested a review of the Essential Services Hardship Assistance criteria, as it currently applies only to properties without services for more than five days and many residents were without power for less and still experienced significant hardship. These outages have highlighted gaps in our household preparedness and broader systems, including telecommunications, and we raised these with our Local Disaster Management Group, as well with ministers. With wild weather predicted through to February, please have your emergency plan in place by visiting www.getready.qld.gov.au/, keep updated by following Noosa Council or our Facebook pages, and make sure to thank all of our first responders including our wonderful SES who do an incredible job and just celebrated their 50th anniversary!
E-bike, E-scooters and E-Motorbikes
Following a QPS audit showing most devices were non-compliant, Sunshine Beach, Noosa District and Coolum State High Schools will ban e-bikes and e-scooters from school property as of term 1 2026. We understand this difficult decision comes after extensive work by schools, QPS and TMR to address unsafe behaviour, and repeated requests for parental support. We continue advocating for stronger enforcement while awaiting outcomes from the Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility safety, noting the ban may not affect behaviour outside school hours. We have also written again to schools, State Government and Noosa Council to consider an e-tag program if suitable, like those successfully trialled in NSW, to support students doing the right thing. More information is available via, www.sandybolton.com/electric-bikes-and-scooters-update-november-2025/
Aircraft flight activity
Following the delivery of a new runway in 2020, Airservices Australia undertook a Post Implementation Review to assess effectiveness and any environmental or community impacts. The review produced recommendations to reduce aircraft noise across the Sunshine Coast including Noosa and improve the information available to residents about flight activity. They have advised that community engagement will occur on the proposed actions to implement these recommendations, including potential changes to short and long flight paths, which may affect areas such as Marcus Beach, Castaways Beach, Lake Cooroibah and Tinbeerwah. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback before 11 January 2026 with information available via www.sandybolton.com/sc-flight-paths-update-november-2025/
Kin Kin Road Widening
With Stage 1 of this project completed, designs continue to progress on Stage 2 and 3, with the Department of Transport and Main Roads advising that these stages require referral under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) due to potential impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance. This may affect the construction timeline, which is expected to commence in late 2027. More information is available via www.sandybolton.com/kin-kin-road-widening-capital-works-update-october-2025/
Wildlife Warning Signs
As part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildlife strikes in Noosa, we asked TMR whether they would install signage in identified strike zones that warns drivers and provide wildlife rescue contact details. They advised that temporary signs, such as Variable Message Signs currently used at targeted locations, are considered more effective than permanent signs at affecting driver behaviour and noted that the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) does not currently allow signage with rescue contact information. This is disappointing, and we have asked TMR to consider incorporating a Queensland supplement to the MUTCD to allow contact details to be displayed. For more information, visit www.sandybolton.com/wildlife-warning-signs-2025/
Noosa Connect 2025
Hitting your ‘snail’ mailboxes this week is our annual Connect, providing a wrap-up of the year and a host of updates, all important to ensure you are kept in the ‘loop’!To view the digital version, visit www.sandybolton.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CONNECT-2025-digital-Sandy-Bolton.pdf and if you did not receive, please let our office know 53193100.
Noosa MP Community Survey
This annual is now live, so please invest just 15 minutes to make a difference! Your feedback assists in how we vote in Parliament, and what we take to government. Part One is essential, the ‘For or Against’ relating to government policy including on tourism, environment, health, housing, and more. The survey is included in the Annual Connect, as well shared through our newsletter, community networks and social media, and provided to new residents via our welcome letter. Please help spread the word, as every voice is vital. The survey is available via www.sandybolton.com/your-say-annual-survey/.
Christmas Day Lunch – It’s on again! With the Noosa Salvos, Making Lives Matter and our crew of fab elves, we will be sharing cheer with anyone solo over a complimentary lunch and my special punch. Seats are limited, so please RSVP with your name, phone number and details of any children by 19 December to noosa.corps@salvationarmy.org.au, and if you would like to volunteer either on Christmas Eve for prep or on the day, to the same address. Gratitude to fellow organisers, including Chef Tony, Matt and Jude, our fab volunteers and sponsors, and all who make this special day possible.
With columns, social media and newsletters never ‘enough’ to share all that we are working on, please visit our website (www.sandybolton.com), where you can search by topic at the Noosa 360 tab. Whilst there, subscribe to our newsletter which ensures you receive any state related Noosa polls or surveys. As always, contact our office for assistance on state related matters via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au or 53193100, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Linked In to get updates as they come to hand!
In the hectic lead-up to Christmas, remember to pause, breathe, and give gratitude for all that we have, and share who we are by looking out for our fellow Noosans.
With our office closing from the 19th December to 5th January to give my staff a well earnt break, remember calls and emails to noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au will be responded to as quickly as possible on our return and keep our key contacts list handy for emergencies. To everyone, please have a wonderful festive season, and I look forward to seeing you at the many events or streetside for a special Santa hug!
