At this week’s Council meeting, I brought forward a motion to support Tourism Noosa’s Plastic Free Noosa program in delivering a voluntary, industry-led transition away from single-use coffee cups across the Shire. I’m pleased to share that it passed by a narrow but significant majority (4:3), sparking strong media interest and community discussion. For me, it brought back memories of the early days when Queensland was preparing to phase out plastic bags. There was debate, hesitation, even pushback—but ultimately, leadership and collaboration made the change possible.
This motion is not just about coffee cups. It’s about tackling avoidable waste, backing local leadership, and stepping up to our responsibilities as a local government. Waste management is one of Council’s core roles, and across Queensland—including right here in Noosa—landfills are filling fast. We can’t afford to delay action. The environmental, financial, and social costs of inaction are growing. Whether it’s microplastics on our beaches or single-use packaging piling up in bins, the message from our community is clear: we need to do better.
This initiative builds on momentum that’s already happening. Plastic Free Noosa, funded through Council’s multi-year environment grant, is working closely with local businesses to reduce single-use plastics. Many cafés in Noosa are already leading the way—using compostable cups, offering mug libraries, encouraging customers to bring their own, and introducing reusable cup systems. These businesses are ahead of the curve, showing that change is not only possible, but practical.
A great example was the recent Noosa Eat & Drink Festival. It was a major public event that operated without a single-use coffee cup in sight—and it worked. With the right systems in place, events and venues can make smart, sustainable changes that don’t compromise experience or convenience.
That’s why I brought this motion to Council: to support what’s already working, scale it up across the shire, and empower more businesses to be part of the solution. This is not about bans or penalties. It’s about education, collaboration, and practical support. We want to recognise the early adopters and help others join them—on their terms, in their time.
I also wanted to build on the powerful energy we saw in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. After the storm, plastic pollution, debris, and microplastics covered our coastline—and our community showed up. Locals of all ages rolled up their sleeves and got to work. It was inspiring, and it reinforced something important: people care. That response led me to launch the Let’s Sift This Out campaign, focused on raising awareness of the plastic crisis and engaging young people in coastal protection. Now, I’m calling on our community again, with a follow-up initiative: Let’s Sip This Out. The goal is simple—reduce single-use coffee cups across the shire and tackle the plastic problem at its source.
And the timing couldn’t be better. With Plastic Free July just around the corner, we have a ready-made opportunity to boost awareness, share success stories, and help others take their next step. Whether it’s introducing incentives, trialling mug-share schemes, or simply normalising reusable habits, small changes can drive big impact—especially when they’re community-led.
This shift also aligns with Noosa’s Destination Management Plan. As a world-renowned destination, Noosa’s reputation is built not just on our natural beauty, but on our values. Visitors come here because we care for our environment—and increasingly, they expect us to lead on sustainability. Supporting our local operators to move away from single-use coffee cups is exactly the kind of action that shows we mean it. It also makes economic sense: reusable systems save money over time, reduce reliance on supply chains, and enhance brand reputation. Businesses that lead on sustainability are not only doing the right thing—they’re gaining a competitive edge with modern consumers who care.
This motion also reflects what we heard in Council’s recent Your Say Waste Plan consultation. Residents were loud and clear: they want less plastic, more responsibility, and stronger support for sustainable practices. This motion responds to that call with real, practical steps.
To be clear—this is a voluntary, industry-led transition. No bans. No heavy regulation. Just support for those who are already innovating, and help for those who are ready to start. It’s about enabling change—not enforcing it.
If we do this well, Noosa can be a model for others. A place known not only for our stunning coastline and National Parks—but for bold, grassroots solutions to global challenges. We don’t have to wait for higher levels of government to act. We can lead, locally, right now.
Because if we don’t act, we fall behind—not just on environmental leadership, but on the kind of community we want to be. Noosa is Different by Nature. Let’s keep it that way—not by standing still, but by stepping forward.
