MP NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2020 - We are fast approaching the holiday season, though we are not quite there… yet! 😊 Please join me below from Parliament for a summary of home ‘happenings’ and the first weeks of the 57th Parliament. With limited space in the newsletter, the Budget update has been posted separately 😊 🙏 #57thparliament #mpnews #noosacommunity
www.sandybolton.com/newsletter-november-2020-edition-32/
Newsletter November 2020 – Edition #32 - Sandy Bolton MP
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The rapid changes in this year have not abated this month, with border opening announcements, welcoming of new and returning MP’s, the official opening of the 57th Parliament, and an abundance of hi...QLD BUDGET 2020 - 2021 UPDATE
Evening everyone from Parliament! It has been a big week so far, as between Bills, Budget, deadlines for Questions on Notice to Committee, and trawling through Service Delivery Statements in preparation for Estimates next week? Normally we have a break between Budget and Estimates to give time to scrutinize, however not this year which continues its ‘challenging’ theme.
From first appearances, this budget has no surprises, and continues from the Unite and Recover Strategy and COVID 19 Fiscal and Economic review delivered in September this year.
The focus on ‘Queensland made’ and job creation through shovel ready projects across the State remains prominent. Increased or new funding in several arenas includes wellness professionals in our schools, the palliative care strategy and suicide prevention initiatives. Extra frontliners for Queensland’s emergency sectors includes firefighters and police, and given the ongoing management of COVID 19, essential. Free TAFE and free apprenticeships now include those up to 25 years of age which will assist both our youngsters and business who are seeking apprentices in multiple industries within Noosa.
Government will now have a 25% target in procurement from our small to medium business, embedding non price related considerations of social and environmental outcomes. Assistance in many forms includes the extremely popular Small Business Adaption Grants and retention of other initiatives such as payroll tax refund and payment waivers.
Noosa specifics are listed below, and again no surprises as most commitments have already been announced including Stage 1 of Beckmans, Six Mile Bridge #7, the Cooloola Great Walk and Noosa Parade. Stages 2 and 3 of Beckmans was not expected to be in the mix given the progress of designs, however trust that TMR and Council will escalate efforts to have those ready for the next Budget in June, unbelievably only 7 months away.
Additionally, other projects in our ‘list’ including upgrades to sports facilities and the Regen Hub have a way to go before funding consideration, though the smaller projects should have designs and costings ready for grants in the first part of 2021.
The urgent priority as outlined to the TMR Minister last week, is to accommodate a resolution to the impacts to our hinterland communities of the inappropriate volume of heavy haulage that is impacting residents, businesses and infrastructure. With designs and costings not expected until the New Year, and community consultation required, funding consideration of this cannot be undertaken until then.
Overall, at a glance as stated at the beginning, no surprises. With the next Budget literally only half a year away, we need to get cracking to get our projects to the ‘shovel ready’ stage so they can be in the ‘mix’. Here are some of what has/is being spent in our electorate in the 2020 – 2021 Budget period.
Transport and Main Roads
● $1.12 million of $4.46 million to construct active transport facilities at Noosa Parade, Munna Point Bridge to Garth Prowd Bridge.
● $998,000 of $9.81 million to construct a roundabout at Beckmans Road and Cooroy - Noosa Road.
● $103,000 of $838,000 for the Beckmans Road business case.
● $199,000 of $965,000 to improve channelisation at the Cooroy - Noosa Road and Sivyers Road intersection.
● $500,000 of $18 million to replace the Six Mile Bridge #7
● $45,000 of $180,000 to design and construct a shared path at Hilton Terrace, Ivory Palms Resort to Gympie Terrace.
● $15,000 of $120,000 for an active transport options analysis study, Noosa Heads to Peregian.
● $8,000 of $60,000 for an active transport options analysis study, Noosa Heads to Tewantin.
● $10,000 of $195,000 to install a pedestrian refuge at St Teresa’s Catholic College, Sea Eagle Drive.
Education
● $0.50 million of $0.50 million - Refurbish administration building at Noosa District State High School (Pomona Campus).
● $0.05 million of $0.05 million - Adventure Playground Upgrade at Pomona State School.
● $0.25 million of $0.25 million - Rectification to Outdoor Learning area adjacent Oval at Sunshine Beach State School.
● $0.41 million allocated across 8 schools for maintenance
● $0.15 million allocated across 8 schools for minor works
Tourism, Innovation and Sport
● Grant funding $10,000 as part of $100,000 over 2 years to Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment Pty Ltd towards an innovative idea: Helitak Black Hawk Fire Tank
● Grant funding $25,000 as part of $75,000 over 3 years provided to Noosa Shire Council towards the Ecosystem Organisation
● Grant funding $50,000 as part of $75,000 over 4 years to The Powerhouse Hub Ltd towards the Enhanced business development support for regional female-headed startups
● $1.5 million to enhance the existing Cooloola Great Walk with eco-accommodation and guided walks, delivered collaboratively by Kabi Kabi people and preferred proponent CABN.
● $279,00 to upgrade 4 courts for continued expansion of Noosa District Netball
Local Government
● 23 local Government projects funded through the COVID Works for Queensland and the 2020-21 Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package.
For highlights for the Sunshine Coast, and the full Budget papers, head to budgetmap.treasury.qld.gov.au/#/rap
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Budget Map is an interactive map of initiatives, programs and capital expenditure that form part of the Queensland State Budget.COOLOOLA RECREATION AREA UPDATE – The easing of restrictions at the Cooloola Recreation Area came into effect as of today, and visitors no longer require a Restricted Access Area Authority to enter the area. However, a friendly reminder that the pre-existing permitting arrangements still apply, and all visitors are required to obtain a current vehicle access permit before arriving. To keep up to date with the latest information please visit parks.des.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/
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Track and facility closure notices, track and facility upgrade notices and up-to-date camping information for parks and forests around Queensland.FRASER ISLAND FIRE UPDATE – Current status ‘PREPARE TO LEAVE: Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village as at 3.30pm Tue 1 Dec’. Any person at Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village should follow the directions of QLD Fire & Emergency Service or QLD Parks & Wildlife Service Officers. It is important to know that while Kingfisher is on “Prepare to Leave”, other areas of Fraser Island are on “Stay Informed” which could change rapidly. As at 3.30pm part of the fire is travelling from Boon Boon Creek south towards the Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village. As at 10am this morning, another fire was located approx 4kms west of Happy Valley and another approx 3kms south of Cathedrals. You need to be ready to follow your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, or intend to leave, you should be ready to leave the area because the situation could get worse quickly. Extensive water bombing has been effective in slowing the spread of the fire, however conditions remain unpredictable and can change rapidly. Fire crews are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property. Alerts are available at both www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au and also newsroom.psba.qld.gov.au/
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Select your Local Government area below to see if there is a current fire ban or restriction, incident or to locate your Neighbourhood Safer Places.UPDATE 30 NOVEMBER 2020 and FIRE BAN ALERT – PLEASE SHARE.
A ‘quick as possible’ one tonight as between digging through fiscal statements, preparing QONS for Estimates and multiple reply speeches, I have a writer’s ‘hunch’(the physical type!) that is almost comical? My apologies in advance if I cannot get back to Facebook tags or messages this week, however Lisa or Zac will be checking while I am buried!
TOTAL FIRE BAN – QLD Fire & Emergency Services has imposed a local fire ban for North Coast region as of 11.55pm tonight. This includes Gympie, Noosa and Sunshine Coast Regions. All open fires are prohibited (subject to exemptions) and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas are cancelled. Fires lit for the purpose of cooking or providing warmth are allowed, however must be used within a proper constructed vessel (such as barbecue, pizza oven, fire pit) where the fire can’t escape of cause embers to drift. The use of power tools is permitted however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start. This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur. The ban is expected to remain in place until 11.55pm 7 December. Further information on fire bans and possible exemptions can be found at www.rualfire.qld.gov.au
COVID UPDATES – Tonight at 1am, private gatherings are increasing to 100 in parks and other outdoor locations, no social distancing is required for photos, and borders are opening to Greater Sydney and Victoria. The Chief Health Officer (CHO) has been granted an extra week to consider the South Australian border situation. The hope is still to allow unrestricted travel in time for Christmas, and the CHO has said SA is doing quite well, however she needs another week to make sure it is safe to allow this change. A reminder to all as we again welcome visitors from Sydney and VIC, now is not the time for complacency. Even though it is so hard, please do not shake hands and remember to use your distancing where possible and washing of those hands! For all COVID information please visit www.covid19.qld.gov.au
NATURAL DISASTER GUIDES – We have already seen damaging storms recently, and as we have now entered La Nina, we need to be prepared for further storms including cyclones, as well higher than normal rainfall. The Department of Agriculture have specially-tailored natural disaster guides to help primary producers protect their property, business, livestock and crops. To view the guides, visit www.business.qld.gov.au ,search for ‘natural disasters’ and ‘preparing animals for natural disasters’. For more information about how to prepare your property or business, visit getready.qld.gov.au For information on animal welfare during a disaster contact www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au, the RSPCA, local council, or your veterinarian. Noosa Council have also just released an excellent guide to dealing with disasters locally at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/2611/noosa-council-emergency-action-guide
FRASER ISLAND – As of this afternoon, a bushfire is burning in several locations. Part of the fire is located approx 3kms northeast of Kingfisher Bay Resort and is currently travelling in a southerly direction towards Cornwall’s Break track. Another part is located approx 4kms to the west-north-west of Happy Valley, also travelling in a southerly direction. On the eastern side of the island, the fire is located approx 3kms south of Cathedrals and headed towards Eli Creek. Weather conditions continue to exacerbate fire and smoke conditions. QFES and QPWS in conjunction with the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation are working to limit the spread of the fire and minimise environmental and cultural impacts. Waterbombing aircraft have been actively supporting fire-ground actions and this will continue. Travel to the Island remains restricted. Residents, campers, and visitors already on the island should limit their movements and avoid travelling on the inland tracks with many currently closed. National Park alerts are available at www.parks.des.qld.gov.au Fire updates are available at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
GUARDIANSHIP REFORMS – Substantial reforms to strengthen QLD’s guardianship system have taken effect today. The changes include improved enduring power of attorney and advance health directive forms, and new guidelines for the Assessment of Capacity. The emphasis has been to make forms simple and more user-friendly, with new explanatory guides to assist when completing forms. To read about this and more please visit www.qld.gov.au/guardianship-reform
TOY ALERT – As we start buying presents for our children and grandies, we need to be aware that some toys can cause harm, and the Office of Fair Trading has declared some toys as ‘unsafe’. You can find more about this at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading
When choosing toys for young children, please remember these simple rules:
• Toys with small parts are a choking hazard, a good rule of thumb is the smaller the child the bigger the toy.
• Beware of button batteries, not just in toys but a range of products. We have had one tragedy in our community from a button battery, and we all need to be vigilant! Our love and compassion go out to that family, and others who have lost loved ones as we approach the Christmas Season.
• Avoid small high-powered magnets – these are banned from sale in Australia as they post serious health risks if swallowed. This includes magnetic balls commonly supplied as a toy, game or puzzle. If in doubt, always ask the seller to verify the product supplied is not subject to the permanent ban.
• Please consider these carefully if online shopping, especially when coming from other countries. Buying locally ensures that products meet Australian Safety Standards, those from overseas may not.
If you suspect your child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 for fast, expert advice.
To finish. Even though we had a rough final night with our young visitors, overall our teams reported that the vast majority were respectful of our home during their celebrations. Many would clean up each night, and the main concerns centred around the behaviours of ‘toolies’ and on the last night sadly some of our own youngsters. Thankyou to all our teams who did a sterling job in the most difficult of conditions, and for keeping everyone safe.
Everyone please don't forget to share with your neighbours and networks regarding the total fire ban, as well the importance of being #fireready
Sandy 🙏
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Select your Local Government area below to see if there is a current fire ban or restriction, incident or to locate your Neighbourhood Safer Places.