MAY
REMOVE NETS, SAYS NOOSA
Almost 70 per cent of Noosa respondents to a shark net survey wanted the nets removed during whale migration season and more than 80 per cent wanted more research and education on the issue.
In response to community concerns regarding whale entanglements in shark nets, Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton opened a survey on 12 March to gauge the views of Noosa State Electorate residents regarding the use of shark nets at Noosa Main Beach.
LARITA TAKES ON THE UNIVERSE
“Meet Larita Usa Monroe, the radiant ThaiAussie crowned as Miss Universe Thailand Roi Et 2024 – at just 17, she’s not just ruling the waves in Noosa, Queensland, but also hearts worldwide.”
Thus gushed Instagram and TikTok posts in May as the popular Noosa longboarder triumphed in the first stage of her campaign to become the first Thai Miss Universe since 1988, and only the third in the quest’s history.
ROSE’S RECOVERY
Scary and debilitating migraines led to a brain tumour discovery for former Noosa and Gympie Today journalist Rose Astley, and in May she urged anyone with similar symptoms to ’trust your gut’.
JUNE
TRIUMPHANT RETURN FOR FESTIVAL
The Noosa Eat & Drink Festival relished in its return after a four year hiatus, with multi-award winning chef and restaurateur George Calombaris saying it provided reassurance of the hospitality resurgence.
GREAT WALK DITCHED
After many months of failing to address the elephant in the wilderness, the State Government finally abandoned the controversial Cooloola Great Walk ecotourism project.
SAD FAREWELL TO OUR AIDO
A memorial paddle-out was held on Friday 14 June at Tea Tree Bay for Adrian “Aido” Spelt, who rocked the town with The Sandflys. On his last day, Aido was smiley and energetic, playing a well-received set at a busking carnival by the river. Then he packed his gear into the car and drove home, where later in the day he suffered a fatal heart attack. Debbie Spelt tearfully said, “He always said he’d be happy to go out surfing or singing, and he almost did.”
JULY
VISITORS SPEND BIG BUCKS
International visitors spent a record $113.3 million in Noosa in the year ending March 2024, surpassing the record-breaking figures from pre-Covid 2020.
ABANDON THE PLAN
Hands off our park, was the message delivered loud and clear at a rally held on the foreshore tennis court on Friday 5 July attended by about 300 people who brought signs and banners and an aim to put forward their concerns about Noosa Council’s draft Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan.
NO ANCHORING ZONE
A ‘no anchoring zone’ imposed on the Noosa River 60m from the southern shoreline together with a trial allowing compliant and seaworthy vessels under 5m to anchor in the zone to access shops, services or engage in recreational activities led river users to voice their concerns.
AUGUST
CAR PARK – PARK RETURNS
Noosa Heads car parking was back on the agenda at Noosa Council’s meeting with the People’s Park at Main Beach set to return this Christmas, holiday car parking to continue at Noosa Heads Lions Park, a parking management plan underway and a Movement and Place study proposed for 2025-26.
400 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN CRACKDOWN
More than 400 people were arrested on 1359 charges through a multilevel crime crackdown across the Wide Bay Burnett district in August.
SERGEANT MAL RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS
After spending 27 years in Cooroy and just 27 days in their new police station; Officer in Charge (OIC) Sergeant Mal Scott said it was an emotional farewell before heading into retirement.
