Rebuilding Trust & Integrity

As I shared in a Parliamentary speech, Pope Francis made positive changes in many realms through equity, compassion and collaboration, and our leaders must follow his example. As we saw in the federal election, with a continuing trend of decreasing support for the major parties, Australians are frustrated by an inability of governments to manage their responsibilities respectfully and factually. To say I have been deeply disappointed by the toxicity between both sides of the Chamber since the 2024 state election is an understatement. How can we ask for better behaviours in our youth and communities when we cannot demonstrate this in our Parliament?

L-R: New Coast Guard Vessel; Peregian Family & Friends Forum; HEIC visit to QIMR Berghofer

Queensland Shark Management Program 2025-2029

Given the work within our community for safe alternatives to shark nets, the government’s announcement to increase nets, including for Peregian Beach, is deeply concerning. This contradicts recommendations from the just-released independent review of the current program, which included reducing environmental impacts and trialling net removals during the winter whale migration. Even though the plan commits to creating a new framework to trial and evaluate alternative technologies to reduce reliance on nets, questions abound given the review was on existing trials. We have written to the minister for the rationale around the increase, as well Peregian’s inclusion and will provide an update when a response is received. We ask everyone to share their views regarding the newly announced plans with the minister via primaryindustries@ministerial.qld.gov.au and cc our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

$1.4m New Vessel for Coast Guard

Our newest addition to the QF5 fleet was gently lowered by crane into the Noosa River. Funded by state government, the ‘John Milland’ now joins Bendigo Rescue and Rotary Rescue, which were delivered earlier this year. Our efforts since 2018 to see a fairer model for our bluewater frontliners have seen several good changes, from the establishment of Marine Rescue QLD to the delivery of this new one!  More information via www.sandybolton.com/marine-rescue-queensland-noosa-coast-guard-qf5-update-august-2024.

Reckless Electric Bike, Scooter and Illegal E-Motorbike Usage

With submissions to the Parliamentary Inquiry, mentioned last newsletter, now open, this is your chance to share your experiences and recommendations to inform solutions. In the meantime, while the inquiry is underway, we will continue efforts on the recommendations from our first responders, local community groups and residents and to see consistent age limits applied. In addition, increased policing, including at our schools, and support for the pilot of e-tags. For further information and to lodge your submission, visit www.bit.ly/SubmissionsEbikeInquiry. Please send a copy to our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Noosa River Management – Next Stages

Given that stages five and six of the Noosa River Management Plan are commencing this month and October, respectively, concerns have been raised that these will lead to further upstream being used as a ‘dumping ground’. We have been assured by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) that they will deliver the agreed-upon outcomes for our whole river system on the 28-day rule and will advise of additional stages later in the year. Further information regarding the current stages is available at Noosa 360 via www.bit.ly/NRMPupdate.

L-R: Just some beautiful moments during the Pomona Mobile Office

Northern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy

With this not covering our northern hinterland rail line towns, we included in our advocacy, along with public transport options needed for our country Noosa residents, increased connections to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, improved rail frequency on the northern end of the Sunshine Coast line and a rail shuttle between Gympie North and Nambour. The Minister for Transport and Main Roads has confirmed that the Strategy’s focus area has now been broadened to the north and west to accommodate the needs of all of our electorate, and I thank him for this. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/NSCPTSUpdate.

L-R: Tewantin Netball Club; Pomona Tennis Club; Noosa Integrated Catchment Association

Noosa National Park Improvements

The $1.1 million coastal walk upgrades have recently been completed, including track resurfacing in some areas, construction of new rock retaining walls, enhanced accessibility, upgraded beach access points at Tea Tree Bay and Alexandria Bay, and interpretive signage. With residents raising issues regarding damage from over visitation and the need for more rangers and patrols, there has been some positive progress with the minister confirming that Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) are increasing patrols, boosting the number of rangers in our parks, and promoting the Tanglewood Track for runners, amongst other improvements to reduce the impacts. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/NNPupdate.

FROM THE CHAMBER

Adult Crime, Adult Time

Amongst some minor debates, legislation was passed to include twenty additional offences to the ‘Adult Time, Adult Crime’ tranche, regardless that years of evidence has shown youth detention does not work. With over 90% reoffending, longer detentions that further criminalise, and a refusal to make public the advice from the Youth Justice Expert Legal Panel, as I said in my speech, meant we are running ‘blind’. Waiting until the next heinous crime makes no sense, and I raised again mandatory rehabilitation in a secure setting needs to take place for those on the Serious Repeat Offender Index who are committing the majority of these crimes, before their next offence. To see MPs on both sides support a policy that evidence says will ultimately make our communities less safe was a sad day, and I will continue to call for public release of advice, data, and an update of the 2024 Youth Justice Inquiry recommendations so decisions can be guided by facts, not to suit a narrative or an election slogan.

Queensland Parliamentary Committee and Estimates Reform

With progress on this nearly achieved under the previous government, I asked our new Premier, via a Question on Notice, to commit to a timeframe for commissioning an independent review of the committee system. Referring to the Budget estimates, the Premier confirmed that work has commenced on a reform process, however, there was no mention of the failings of the broader committee system. Given that the Committee of the Legislative Assembly under the former government was set to decide on a full review, we will continue to push for this, given it is one of the most important ‘tools’ to build transparency and integrity, while developing bipartisanship.

Parliament Events

It is always wonderful, as well chaotic, to get to the volume of before and after-hours events, and this month was no different! From a very chilly QENDO breakfast on the Deck, to the Toowoomba & Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) Evening where I ran into old ‘neighbours’ from over three decades ago, to meeting with some furry buds at the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Surf Life Saving Queensland drop ins and, hugs with the Palliative Care Queensland and our Southern Queensland Rural Health teams, all I can say is gratitude to every single one of you, and the work that you do!

L-R: TSBE Evening; QENDO Breakfast; Southern Queensland Rural Health

HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT & INNOVATION COMMITTEE (HEIC)

Regional Inquiries

Our committee travelled to North Queensland to conduct public hearings on the Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill and the Container Refund Scheme, fitting in site visits to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Community Pharmacies and the Wangetti Trail that, along with meetings with departmental staff, provided a host of valuable insights. Fitting in a ten-kilometre walk at 5am before the start of each day was wonderful and gave some insights into how other communities deal with congestion and sharing of space respectfully including between walkers and riders!

L-R: Our HEIC investigating crocodiles; Royal Flying Doctors; On the Wangetti Trail

QIMR Berghofer and Herston Biofabrication Institute

What we learnt at these cutting-edge medical research hubs was phenomenal. At QIMR Berghofer, Prof James Hudson showed us the Cardiac Bioengineering lab where they are pioneering new heart therapies, and Prof Rajiv Khanna educated us on Q-Gen Cell Therapeutics where they are tackling cancer and infectious and autoimmune diseases. At the Herston Biofabrication Institute, Adj Prof Jackie Hanson’s team shared breakthroughs in 3D scanning, modelling, and printing of bone, tissue and medical devices. This was an insightful and inspiring tour of world-leading research that is shaping the future of healthcare in Queensland. Thank you to all who took our many, many questions that understandably abounded!

ON THE HOMEFRONT

Noosa MP Quick Start Grant Recipients

It was wonderful to start seeing the outcomes from the latest round of our Noosa MP Quick Start Grants, including brand-new netballs at the Tewantin Netball Club, a Multi Engine Machine plus Sweeper to keep the Tewantin Tennis Club’s courts operational, a printer for Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, and the Noosa Masters Swimming Club for their incredible endurance program which through assistance with lane hire we trust will lead to retaining their fantastic state record!

St Thomas More Q&A

This annual I always love, as it is fast, furious and super fun as Year Sixers put me in the ‘hotseat’ on their many questions about being an MP and issues important to them in our community. These youngsters always inspire me and I hope that I have inspired them to effect the change they wish to see, and even in the future become independent Noosa MPs and Councillors!

L-R: NWSR Awards Night; With St Thomas More Yr 6’ers; Noosa Netball Season Opener

Peregian Family & Friends Community Forum

We joined Deputy Mayors Brian from Noosa and Maria from the Sunshine Coast, as well Police Sergeant Joel and TMR Safety rep David, for a vibrant community forum on public transport, roads and e-bikes/motorbikes. With a packed house, there were excellent questions, including around the readiness of services and infrastructure to handle the increase in population to our south and the upcoming 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Thank you to the hosts and all in attendance!

Pomona ‘Roadie’

Between our mobile office, catching up with our fabulous businesses and residents where the ‘sharing’ was two-ways on everything from the pedestrian crossing, public transport, ‘adult time, adult crime’ and the ongoing housing crisis, to having a hit at the Pomona Tennis Club (thank you to fab members who got our car de-bogged!) and immersing in our past with the beautiful Jim Grant, who was the first person to walk across Six Mile Bridge #7 in 1934, this ‘roadie’ was awesome!

L-R: Noosa Arts & Crafts ARTASTICA; Noosa Rugby Union Ladies Day; Parkyn’s Hut Volunteer Breakfast

Events around town

There was so many this month, where do I start? The Noosa World Surfing Reserve (NWSF) Community Awards showcased awesome Noosans who work to retain what makes our home so special. The Noosa Dolphins Ladies Day 2025 celebrated amazing women who are the heart of the club, the Parkyn’s Hut annual breakfast presented incredible volunteers with well-deserved awards, and everyone showed awesome team spirit through outstanding outfits and chants at the Noosa Netball March Past Parade. Very cool was the Tewantin Heritage & Historical Society celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Gympie to Tewantin telegraph line, and the Noosa Arts & Crafts Association’s ARTASTICA exhibition got all of our creative juices going. And there was even more, how lucky we are to live in this incredible community!

Noosa Business Roundtable

Due to Alfred ‘interrupting’ our first meeting for 2025, it was good to finally gather with our ‘Noosa Biz’ group reps, council staff and councillors, government agencies and other entities on issues, advocacies, initiatives and everything related to our economy. We were introduced to our new Queensland Government Business Concierge Joe and updated from Telstra rep Matt regarding available connectivity across the Noosa electorate and, yes, I did raise our ongoing ‘black spot’ and internet issues, including Boreen Point and Teewah, though we did not get the news we wanted to hear! Thank you to Noosa Council, as always, for hosting and all who attended for the updates and bringing forward what is needed, including CCTV and lighting upgrades to improve safety.

L-R: With our Youth Parliamentarian Jarrah; Children’s Hospital Foundation; With Noosa Masters

And finally…

How I love our incredible history and all who are happy to share their stories, such as Jim Grant, who was the first to cross the original Six Mile Creek Bridge #7 in 1934, built on his grandfather’s farmland. Now, after celebrating his 99th birthday, we gathered with him at our hard-fought-for new two-lane bridge some ninety years on which happily he was the first to drive over upon completion!

We learnt so much about Jim’s adventures back in the 1930s. How he got to school by horse with his family providing activities for the community on their property, including the first ever golf course in Noosa. As he gazed around, he recanted that the enormous trees surrounding the bridge did not exist then as it was all grazing land. We are so looking forward to seeing Jim at his 100th birthday party and digging into his photo albums to find more treasured memories to share with you, how precious is that!

Until next month, keep fingers crossed for lots of sunshine!

𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮🙏

𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙉𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙖

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘢. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦