Conducted annually at the end of each year, the survey is a snapshot from residents on a range of State Government issues and service provisions.

Under the health services category, over 60% of the community highlighted Noosa Hospital Emergency Department as a priority, followed by Mental Health Services and Ambulance Wait Times. Updates on the progress of these are available at Noosa 360.

When considering COVID-19 related issues, 50% raised the importance of having consistent rules and directives between States, with over 30% identifying business and worker supports were important. There have been ongoing efforts in this including the raft of impacts that have been taken to the Premier, Ministers and CHO during the past year, and that continue including the majority opposition to segregation from services and businesses according to vaccination status.

Affordable Housing continues to be a major issue and contributor to staff shortages. 50% surveyed felt that the priority was for Rent to Buy Schemes and Crisis Accommodation, and examples from across the globe will be presented at the next Housing Action Group meeting.

Cooroy Noosa Road polled as the highest priority for road maintenance, closely followed by wildlife crossings, signage, and fencing. Given that the condition of Kin Kin Pomona Road continues to be of great concern, even though the survey percentage was less, over Christmas this has been highlighted as requiring a higher classification.

For Transport, 50% of respondents believe rail connectivity from Cooroy to Nambour and Brisbane is the priority, which over the last 2 years has been hindered by the regional efforts on fast rail versus the duplication. With housing in Gympie and increased needs to connect to the Sunshine Coast, we hope that our advocacy is supported by efforts from the north.  Hinterland Public Transport was highlighted by 50% and bike paths from Cooroy to Noosa by 30%.

A strong majority of nearly 70% identified pollution as the main priority for Noosa River Management with abandoned vessels and speed also being highly prioritised. With the Noosa River Advisory Group working on all three, their recommendations are starting to be submitted.

Within the National Park Maintenance & Infrastructure category, fire mitigation and disaster/fire management for state land was the main priority.

For businesses, key priorities being employment solutions, job-support programs, and developing a Noosa made/grown industry and branding. Increased Covid-19 support; and innovation and start-ups also identified.

For the second year in a row, domestic violence prevention measures and youth crime were prominent in the Crime and Policing category and reflected the ongoing increases in both which are increasingly being attributed to the impacts of Covid.

With an announcement of the successful tenderer for the decommissioned TAFE site at Tewantin, it was not surprising that priorities within Education & Training included courses, an integrated learning hub and special needs facility or school. Of good news is that the draft feasibility study for a Learning Hub has just been completed and will soon be released.

More than 70% of respondents believe that further elimination of plastic packaging was required under the topic of Climate Change.  Nearly 60% also felt that a transition to renewable energies was important.

The survey asked for respondents to nominate whether for, against or undecided on a range of issues, with some increases and some ‘no surprises’:

  • Nearly 90% were against political parties using electoral roll information (eg text, email, mail)
  • Over 80% were in favour of establishing Queensland’s first chlamydia-free koala population and also establishing a public sex offenders register
  • 75% were for the reduction in the number of vehicle access permits issues during peak times for the Cooloola Recreation Area/Teewah Beach
  • Approximately 65% were favourable towards further capping of election donations and materials; trialling non-lethal shark control measures; and for Noosa North Shore & Noosa National Park to become a marine park
  • Over 60% were against restriction of access to businesses, services and facilities based on vaccination status
  • The majority were also in favour of decriminalisation of cannabis; permanent speed reduction to 6 knots on Noosa River; adhering to environmental protections even during crises of affordable housing; and a requirement to provide proof of identification prior to opening a social media account

For the full summary of survey results (click here).

Many of the comments made in the survey have been addressed throughout the year and information is available on ‘Noosa 360’ (www.sandybolton.com.au/Noosa360). Given that we do not respond to individual comments within the survey, to check these please search for updates in Noosa 360 via topic. In addition, we post updates to the Noosa Independent MP Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SandyBoltonNoosa) and our monthly newsletter updates. If you didn’t already sign up to our newsletter in the survey, please consider doing so via our online confidential sign-up system (www.sandybolton.com/newsletters) to get the latest news straight into your email inbox!

Thank you to all that took the time to complete this survey as they are extremely valuable in identifying your greatest local concerns, as well your thoughts on issues across Queensland. With a welcomed 86% increase in respondents from last year, there were 566 survey respondents from the Noosa State Electorate which represents a statistically valid sample size with a 95% confidence level and 4% margin for error. However, increased involvement from everyone is needed in improving our community and its services. Your voice does make a difference!