Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton aims to distribute as much of her office operating budget back into the community as possible. In previous years, Sandy has funded programs to assist our young Noosans access sports, major initiatives such as the all abilities mat at Noosa Main Beach via our ‘Seeds for Change’ program, as well provided emergency accommodations and the ‘Be: Noosa Connect- SCUH Transport Pilot’ which has resulted in transport for vulnerable residents, ineligible for other subsidies, to hospital treatments.
This year, Sandy provided Quick Start Grants to help offset rising costs for local organisations.
“Thank you to all of our amazing community organisations who applied, with more applications this year than we have ever had. You and your volunteers are vital to our community, providing essential services, supports and activities that we are deeply grateful for,” Sandy said.
State Members of Parliament have a set amount of funds allocated to operate their Electorate Offices for the purchase of equipment, mail outs, community event hosting, ‘day to day’ expenses, or for advertising on billboards, newspapers and radio. Sandy believes where possible these funds should be used to benefit residents rather than the office bearer, with Sandy and her staff being extremely frugal to ensure there is direct monetary aid available each year.
“We also recently outlaid nearly $10,000 for an assessment of key wildlife road-kill hotspots throughout our electorate and shire. The results have been provided to the road managing authorities (Noosa Council and Transport and Main Roads) in efforts to see further mitigation measures put in place to reduce the dangers to road users and our wildlife,” Sandy said.
Thirty-one small organisations from beach to bush who deliver support or services to our electorate were successful in their applications, covering environmental efforts and new equipment all the way through to the provision of information to new residents, supporting art festivals in our country villages and new trauma informed recovery initiatives.
Tall Trees Festival spokesperson Curt Tebbutt said the festival deeply appreciated the support for the annual art show which is “one of the major economic events in Cooran, attracting over 2000 visitors to the township, doubling the town’s population. The local businesses benefit greatly from this event with money spent locally on supplies, food, refreshments and entertainment. In addition, local artists and creative practitioners benefit economically as they are able to showcase and sell their original artworks,” he said.
Janelle Parsons & Naomi Todd of Rise & Thrive use the funds to help “break the cycle of harmful intergenerational behaviours through targeted trauma programs for adolescents and adults”.
Assistance was also provided to the following organisations – Tewantin Noosa Red Cross, Noosa Volunteer Coastguard Association QF5, Cooroy Pomona Lions Club, Katie Rose Cottage Hospice, Kin Kin Community Group, Marcus Beach Bushcare Association, Mens Shed Pomona, Noosa & District Landcare, Noosa Branch Little Athletics, Noosa Community Gardens, Noosa District Rugby Union Club, Noosa Community FM, Noosa Masters Swimming Club, Noosa Tigers AFL Club, Noosa World Surfing Reserve, Patches of Cooroy, Peregian Beach Community Association, Peregian Tennis Club, Pomona and District Chamber of Commerce, Urban Wildlife Gardens, PTSD Dogs, Save Noosa Hinterland, SevGen Indigenous Corporation, Slow Food Noosa, Tewantin St Vincent de Paul Society, Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, Tewantin Noosa Pony Club, Wildlife Noosa and Zonta Club of Noosa.
For more information visit SandyBolton.com/Noosa360
