SEPTEMBER
UNITS FAST-TRACKED
The state government proposed approval of a 195 residential unit, commercial, retail complex at Noosa Junction and 40 residential units at Tewantin to address the supply and affordability of housing under the National Housing Accord and the State’s Homes for Queenslanders commitment to the task. The State activated the approval process that side-lined council on two proposed developments under the new State Facilitated Development (SFD) pathway.
JUNCTION BATTLE
A petition with more than 1000 signatures called for the community to support live music and the vibrant nightlife of Noosa Junction. The appeal hit back at another petition that compared the Junction to the Gold Coast, urging the council to stop the strip from ’becoming a seven-day nightlife hub’.
PROTECTING COUNTRY
On Thursday 19 September, Noosa Council signed a historic commitment to sustainable custodianship of the lands and waters of Noosa, in partnership with Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation (KKPAC). “Today is no ordinary day. It is emotional. It’s taken some time to get here,” Aunty Helena Gulash said.
NEW LIFE FOR ICONIC CAMPUS
In September it was announced that the former decommissioned Tewantin TAFE campus will be given a new lease of life with plans for a Sunshine Coast School of Design to be built on the campus. Renowned architects NRA Collaborative were selected as the preferred proponent.
OCTOBER
RESTRICTIONS RELAXED
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) relaxed anchor restrictions on the Noosa River in response to community engagement with a six-month trial to allow vessels between 5m and 7.5m to anchor on or near the southern shore of the Noosa River for up to two hours a day.
UNIT SHOWDOWN
On Monday 7 October, LNP candidate Clare Stewart announced the LNP would “put the brakes on Labor’s approval of a 195-unit, six storey development, which was foisted on the community, in spite of strong local objection and a lack of community and council consultation” but Labor said LNP voted for the SFD laws. Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said she welcomed the LNP commitment to ensure any development was compliant with Noosa’s planning scheme which followed her calls on the State Facilitated Development (SFD) applications.
SURF CLUB’S NEW CHAPTER
Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club members took an important step towards deciding the future of the club at a meeting held on Sunday 27 October. After 18 months of consultation with Surf Club members, the Noosa Council and key stakeholders, members voted to fund the next step in the design and approval process required to replace the existing building. The Club currently boasts over 1500 members, including lifesavers, nippers, and volunteers, all working together to keep Noosa’s iconic beaches safe.
NOOSA VOTES FOR SANDY
Noosa retained its independence this State Election, returning Sandy Bolton to the seat of Noosa as the only independent MP in Parliament. “We did it. How proud I am of our beautiful community,” Sandy said.
NOVEMBER
DRAFT RESHAPED
Noosa Council redrafted its Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan after widespread criticism of its initial draft plan. In response to feedback, the new draft retains the tennis court and car park previously earmarked for removal, and maintains the area’s character in place of an overly modern design.
SCHOOL ENDS FOREVER
About 200 Sunshine Beach State High School Year 12 students attended their final school assembly on Thursday 14 November before busing it to Main Beach and bursting into the sea in what has become a joyous tradition for final year students across Noosa.
NEW ERA FOR HALSE LODGE
Creative director Chloe Tozer spent her youth hanging out at Halse Lodge, and in 2024 alongside her family she helped bring the iconic Noosa Heads landmark back to its prime. Originally built in the 1880s, the heritage listed guest house reopened its doors on Saturday 30 November, honouring the past and welcoming a new era in 2024.
NEW BILL AMENDS SFDs
The Queensland Government passed legislation on 28 November to amend the Planning Act 2016 to allow the Minister to revise or revoke a State Facilitated Development (SFD) application, a move supported by both Noosa Council and Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.
RSL SUB BRANCH AND CLUB REUNITE
A long running dispute between the Tewantin Noosa RSL Sub Branch and the Tewantin Noosa RSL club ended at a special general meeting in November where a new board was elected and reinstated all cancelled and suspended subbranch memberships, in full, with voting rights.
BEER KEG SAVES LIVES
An empty Heads of Noosa beer keg aided the rescue of a father and his young son caught in a dangerous rip on the Sunshine Coast. “Our kegs have been used for a lot of things over the years – barstools, makeshift weights, but never a floatation device,” Lance Masterton said, co-founder and head brewer.
DECEMBER
QUARRY CASE DELIVERS OUTCOME
Almost three years after it began, Noosa Council’s legal case against Kin Kin quarry operator Cordwell Resources delivered a mixed outcome. In the Planning and Environment Court, his Honour Judge Long SC ruled in favour of council only in issuing an enforcement order stipulating that all fully laden truck loads, except those for large rock boulders, leaving the quarry site be covered, and dismissed all other contentions.
ZONTA WALK AGAINST VIOLENCE
The majority of Noosa police call outs – about 76 per cent – are to domestic violence matters, Noosa senior constable Mark Jones said on Sunday 1 December at the Zonta Club of Noosa annual march against gender-based violence. Family and domestic violence support services: 1800 Respect, National Helpline: 1800 737 732 , Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811, Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491 , Mensline: 1300 789 978, Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 131 114.
DAD FINED OVER E-BIKES
Noosa police fined a dad for allegedly allowing his teens to use an unregistered motor vehicle under Operation Zappo Stoppie. Noosa Heads Senior Constables Danny Baker and Tom Ayling urged others in the community to understand the rules and regulations.
SUNSHINE BEACH MAN CHARGED WITH RAPE
In December, a man was charged with sexual offences that allegedly occurred at a home massage business in Sunshine Beach in November 2024. A 34-year-old Sunshine Beach man was charged with one count of rape and two counts of sexual assaults. Police appealed to anyone with further information relating to the matter or victims of similar incidents at the massage business to come forward.
CHRISTMAS CONVOY SPREADS JOY
Hundreds gathered at Peregian Beach to see Santa who joined council and the emergency services as they kicked off the 2024 Connecting Noosa Christmas Convoy.
