By Jolene Ogle
Noosa MP Glen Elmes has responded to the suggested electoral boundary changes saying he is “saddened” by the Queensland Redistribution Commission’s proposal.
Mr Elmes said he has proudly represented the electorate of Noosa for more than 10 years and is disappointed to potentially lose several communities as part of this major redistribution, the first of its kind in decades.
The proposed boundary changes would see Eumundi, Doonan, Verrierdale, Weyba Downs, Peregian Springs and parts of Peregian moved to a new Sunshine Coast electoral district called Ninderry.
“I have looked after these wonderful neighbourhoods for a long time and have many friends and associations with residents who work very hard to look after community and environmental groups, sporting groups, service clubs, business and school groups to grow and prosper,” he said.
“It has been an honour to serve all of those that I will potentially lose, however the Coast is a small place and I will be visiting from time to time. Eumundi primary was the very first school to welcome me as State Member and from the day of my first visit I have been touched by their spirit and dedication for excellence.
“Recently I have worked closely with Coolum High School on their master plan and am pleased that while the school may no longer be in my electorate we have made significant gains for their future. I have also watched in awe the phenomenal growth and success of St Andrew’s Anglican College, a community that continues to go from strength to strength.”
Mr Elmes said if the draft proposal comes to pass, the Noosa Electorate will become home to the communities of Cooran and Kin Kin and he looks forward to working with the communities.
But the biggest shock for Mr Elmes was the allocation of Rainbow Beach into the seat of Noosa, which will split the region from Tin Can Bay and the rest of the Gympie Regional Council area.
“While I understand the commission may have imagined travel between Noosa and Rainbow Beach to be simple, travel between the two is actually very difficult, be it via the Beach at low tide or the unsealed road of Cooloola Way,” he said.
“The alternate U-shaped journey through Gympie would take at least an hour and a half to Noosa with light traffic.”
Mr Elmes isn’t the only one surprised by the changes to the boundary north of Noosa, with local media saying Rainbow Beach will become the “West Berlin of Queensland when it becomes an isolated outpost of Noosa”.
“Since the release of the draft proposal I have been speaking with State Member for Gympie Tony Perrett and members of the Rainbow Beach community. Regardless of where the Redistribution Commission finally decides that Rainbow Beach will be placed, both Tony Perrett and I will be honoured to represent this community in the Parliament if chosen,” Mr Elmes said.
The draft boundary changes are now open for public consultation and residents can view the proposed redistribution at boundaries.ecq.qld.gov.au and comments can be made at boundaries.ecq.qld.gov.au/have-your-say/make-a-submission/submission.
Submissions can also be emailed to the commission’s office at boundaries@ecq.qld.gov.au or post submissions to Queensland Redistribution Commission, GPO Box 1393, Brisbane, QLD 4001.
