Sandy Bolton MP

1 day ago

COVID-19 DAILY UPDATE – 3/4/2020
We made it to Friday with yes, some hiccups, but also good outcomes. ‘Fingers crossed’, you will not need to hear from me over the weekend which I am sure is very welcomed news?🤔 😊

COVID-19 RENTAL GRANT - Funding is now available for anyone who have lost their job due to the impacts of COVID-19, do not have access to other financial assistance, and have exhausted all other options. This residential rental grant is a one-off payment of up to 4 weeks rent (maximum of $2000) and is paid directly to your lessor. For more information please go to: www.qld.gov.au/housing/renting/rent-assistance/bond-loan/covid19-rental-grant OR call Residential Tenancy Authority or 1800 497 161.

HOME CONFINEMENT RULES - there are some new exceptions below (yes, I am hearing you, however the changes reflect the needs identified and not covered previously) on home confinement, movement and gathering.
• to obtain essential goods and services
• receive medical treatment or health care services
• exercise, either alone or with one other person or those who reside in the same household
• do work or volunteering that is essential and cannot be done from home
• to visit another person’s house, as long as there are no more than 2 people who are not ordinarily members of that household
• to visit a terminally ill relative or attend a funeral
• to assist, care for or support immediate family members or close friends
• to attend Court or comply with a Court order
• to attend a childcare facility, school, university, or other educational institution to receive instruction that is not possible to receive at home.
• to assist with an investigation by police or other law enforcement authority
• all shared custody arrangements of children under 18 years of age, whether informal or court-ordered, can continue as normal. You are allowed to leave the house to take children from one parent’s home to the other parent’s home
• to avoid illness, injury or the risk of harm
• to comply with directions of a government agency
If you do need to leave your home for one of these permitted reasons, you may do so with members of your household, or with one person who is not a member of your household.

ASSISTANCE FOR OUR ALLABILITIES - If you require assistance to go out, you can be accompanied by more than one person who is not a member of your household, for example a person with a disability may be accompanied by more than one carer.

ESSENTIAL GOODS AND SERVICES - You are able to leave the house to obtain essential goods and services needed for the necessities of life and ‘operation of our society’ (Guys, I realise you have queried this, however that is the wording in the directive). Examples include: to obtain food, social services, healthcare and childcare, employment services, domestic and family violence and child protection services, mental health services, services provided to victims, and legal services related to these, as well as donating blood. www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/gatherings

BORDER RESTRICTIONS - New restrictions began at midnight (Friday 12.01 am Friday 3 April 2020) which will only allow Queensland residents and those considered an ‘exempt person’ to cross the border. Exempt people will still need to apply for a border pass if coming in from interstate or overseas. Updated border restrictions are available here: www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/border-closing

ELECTRICITY $200 REBATE - A $200 rebate will be paid automatically through Qld household electricity bills to offset the cost of water and electricity bills. Payments are due to rollout over the next few months. For more information: www.treasury.qld.gov.au/programs-and-policies/covid19-package/

NOOSA NATIONAL PARK - There has been much confusion over the closure of the Noosa National Park Coastal Walking Track, however, at this stage, it is open to the public except for what has been identified as high risk areas of the Boiling Pot Lookout and Dolphin Point. The day use area at the Noosa National Park is closed, however the car park remains open. Laguna Lookout remains closed. For more info, please see the amended map at Tourism Noosa, or follow this link: parks.des.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/17795.html

BUSINESSES - A reminder to all that the Noosa Business Hotline is open to assist with accessing grants and services, and at the Business Roundtable today, we concentrated on the ‘gaps’ that we have been advocating for, including the predominant concerns of the commercial tenant/landlord negotiations and aspects for both to reduce/negate rent including land tax. And as reported previously, the ‘fine print’ in the mortgage deferrals, and criteria for business assistance based on payroll. On the good news front, Noosa should be ready with its own online portal, to connect local produce demand with supply, and to alleviate the ‘disconnect’ currently occurring including with our fresh seafood. By next Wednesday the team should be ready to go ‘live’, and we will need everyone’s support to share the ‘buy local’ message to support our businesses. Thank you to Kirk and team – a great effort in just one week!!

EASTER PROVISIONS – There have been many enquiries regarding access to Noosa during the holiday break. The directive from Government to all Queenslanders is very simple, now, or at holiday time. Everyone is to stay at home, in their own communities. That directive does not have an exemption for having a ‘break’ or holiday. We are in lock down, and as I said last night, I will do whatever is needed to keep our community safe from another outbreak.

For a Friday night sign off, an important message. In amongst what is a confusing, frustrating and traumatic time across our community, Queensland and Australia , there is so much hope, and light. It is vital to concentrate on what we have, versus what we don’t. What we can do, instead of what we can’t. Take a moment to grab that sunrise or sunset, the ‘zooming’ with friends and family far away. Share a smile and ‘good morning’ with that stranger 1.5 metres away whilst lining up at the supermarket, or as you pass each other on the street. More and more I am seeing the body language of ‘avoidance’ as we go about our essentials. The averting of eye contact, and a rushed, head down ‘hunch’. Please, please don’t? 🙏 For so many, who are now needing alternative forms of ‘contact’ more than ever, these simple kindnesses will not put anyone at risk, and will make such a difference to what a reality for many of is our much-loved residents. Intense loneliness.

Thank you again to our frontliners, volunteers, staff in our Departments and at Noosa Council. To our Governments who regardless of some ‘glitches’ during this time, are doing a ‘thumbs up’ job. Yes, some gaps are to be still addressed, however what I have seen in such a short time, it is appreciated. To all ‘Noosans’ who have risen to the challenge, and work for the ‘greater good’ – you are gold. 👏👏And to my EO’s Lisa and Sharon, who are dealing with the emotions, anger and questioning over the restrictions, decisions and ensuing implications to constituents. Bless you both! 🙏💕

As I started. Fingers crossed that I will not need to do any updates over the weekend. However rest easy, and be assured that I am watching over you and our wonderful home, working with our frontliners, and will let you know of anything that is vital for you to know. And I am here online or a FB message away if you have a concern, or just a chat.

Sandy 🙏 ... See MoreSee Less

Sandy Bolton MP

1 day ago

ERGON-ENERGEX COMMUNITY GRANTS EXTENDED - The deadline for applications to the 2020 Ergon-Energy Community Fund has been extended to 5:00pm Monday 6 April 2020. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for not-for-profit community groups and organisations across the state. For more information, and to apply, visit your applicable energy provider website at energex.com.au/communityfund or ergon.com.au/communityfund. ... See MoreSee Less

Sandy Bolton MP

2 days ago

COVID – 19 DAILY UPDATE APRIL 2, 2020
Evening everyone 🙏 More supports, advice and yes, I know how hard this is, more restrictions announced again today.

NATIONAL PARKS – after the recent closure of camping areas, tomorrow will see the closure of our National Parks. This is sadly due to people still travelling from other areas to visit and people continuing to congregate in groups. The closures include Noosa National Park, Laguna Lookout, Cooloola Recreation Area, Teewah Beach, and Double Island Point, and I have attached a map. Yes hard, however we do have other areas to enjoy for our exercise, and I ask everyone to work to make sure these are not closed down due to the behaviour of some. The message? Focus on what we have, and report anyone putting remaining areas at risk of closure to our police.

NORTH SHORE / NOOSA NATIONAL PARK access – QPS are working with QPWS and Noosa Council to install a large message board at the entry to Hastings Street and Moorindil Street to alert people to the closures.
BEACHES – QPS met with Noosa Surf Lifesaving today. Our lifeguards will be making announcements over the PA daily that the beach is for exercise only – no sunbaking or ‘lounging’. Signage is now up across Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Woods and Noosa River. If crowds begin to swell and ignore lifeguards, QPS will attend and direct people away with beach closures a last resort if directives are not abided by.

FREEE CHILDCARE FOR WORKERS - The Australian Government has announced free childcare for working parents, helping to keep around 13,000 childcare centres open and Australians in work. Links will be posted once available.

JOBS HUB - A Jobs Hub has been established to help people out of work because of COVID to transition to other jobs, particularly in sectors facing increased demand. Visit www.dese.gov.au/

PRIVATE HOSPITALS - Queensland Health will now partner with private hospitals to increase the capacity of the health system during the COVID-19 emergency. The Australian Government will provide a viability guarantee for all private hospitals in return for making their facilities fully available to state health systems during the emergency and recovery, as well avoid any stand downs of staff.

BACKPACKERS
A concerted effort between QPS, local businesses and the LDMG has been undertaken to ensure that backpackers whom are caught here and prevented from heading to their next destination due to the ‘lock down’ are receiving the relevant information they need . Many hostels have reduced occupancy so are better able to comply with physical distancing and other rules.

HOMELESSNESS – New measures are currently being setup to further support anyone experiencing homelessness in our community. As well extra funding for those already providing services, and I have spoken to these providers to call me if they have a shortage of rooms .If you are aware of someone at risk, or has been instructed to self-isolate due to symptoms or exposure to a positive case, please contact our office.

2020 FLU VACCINATIONS
National advice is for Australian’s to vaccinate against seasonal influenza in April to reduce the risk of a double up of flu and COVID-19 as both diseases affect the respiratory system.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS – As reported, I have written to the Premier regarding your frustrations on what was experienced during the lead up to, during, as well the ongoing issues, and have sought a review of our processes, with recommendations to ensure this will not happen again.

A REMINDER THAT HOLIDAYING IN ANY REGION IN QLD IS NOT PERMITTED - Holiday accommodation owners, operators and organisations(and residents in every region) have been advised that for Queenslanders to comply with the Health Directive to ‘stay at home’, holiday bookings for a day, week or otherwise during this ‘lock down’ is not following the directives. We do not want to see anyone fined, so please, if unsure about what an ‘exception’ is to this directive, which includes accommodating Noosa workers or residents displaced, please contact Tourism Noosa, 13HEALTH, or our police.

GENERAL REMINDERS – Over the last week, we have posted many ‘rules’ regarding our lockdown, however if you need to revisit so I do not have to repeat, please head to the links below, which have every piece of information you may need.

LAST WORD - From the content in my inboxes, conversations on the phone, Facebook comments and posts, I understand your angst, anger and frustration. However, the Federal Government, who are determining the path we must follow to get quickly to the other side of this pandemic, are outlining this path in the best interests of all of us, even though it may not feel like it.
The answer to our frustrations is not to argue over the finer ‘detail’, which is creating further divides, and utilising resources that we do not have. By working together on what the desired end result is, will get us there that much quicker. And that ‘end result’ I am sure everyone would agree, is to get back to our lives, as we knew it, and the freedoms we enjoyed but may not have appreciated? To have our businesses back operating, our staff back at their jobs, our families back in our arms. The simple message to achieve this? Stay home, wash hands frequently, follow the 1.5 when you need to go out under the essential exemptions, and follow the directives. I for one have never been very good at ‘following’ orders, however when it is for the betterment for others, I most definitely do not have a problem. And just like we experienced during our fires, I have no hesitation in doing whatever is needed to keep you as safe as possible, and get you, your loved ones and our collective wellbeing, which includes our economy, back to where you want it to be.

Until tomorrow night, as always, stay strong, call me if you need anything, and check out the links below if any concerns. #wecan #wewill #together👍🙏
Sandy

General information www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus · Public Health Direction www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-p... ... See MoreSee Less

Sandy Bolton MP

3 days ago

MP NEWSLETTER MARCH 2020 – How our world, and lives have changed since last month. What has not changed is how incredible our community is, rising to the COVID-19 challenge, and how very proud I am to be your MP at this time.👍So much to convey on multiple fronts, including PRE-COVID shares of welcoming our long awaited MSQ officer, ‘high fiving’ with our year six students at St Thomas More, and launching the YELLOWt initiative. We are all looking forward to when we can come together like this again. 🙏: eepurl.com/gfXGoT ... See MoreSee Less