SPEECHES
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 @ 𝐍𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 📰 We share some of the challenges with Queensland’s unicameral system and whether it’s time to reconsider an Upper House 🏛️ before heading into updates on disaster assistance following last Monday’s severe storms ⛈️, the ban on e-bikes and e-scooters in our state high schools 🚲❌, and more! 👍 Grab a cuppa and a shady spot to stay informed 😀 Noosa Today ![]()
👉https://issuu.com/starnewsgroup/docs/2025-12-05_nty_663/9
𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 - 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐓? 🤔 No, not a lonely, one hump camel! 🐪Rather our QLD state parliament, which had its Upper House ‘axed’ over 100 years ago against the wishes of Queenslanders. So, why was it important? To reduce what has and is, occurring – deficits in accountability, democracy and regional representation, as well unrestrained executive power that can silence your voice being heard! 🤫 So is a reintroduction of an Upper House the answer, or something else? 🤨 See my speech below 👇
𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒!👨🚒 We joined our Noosa Unit - Queensland State Emergency Service team and other frontliners to celebrate 50 years of selfless dedication by staff, volunteers and their employers and families🥳 Their unwavering commitment keeps our communities safe, prepared and resilient through storms, floods and fire ⛈️ and they help us weather (pun intended 😂) whatever comes our way by having our ‘backs’ 👍Deepest gratitude to all, it was a brilliant night with lots of history and love shared including by fellow speakers, with the celebratory flag signed before it heads across QLD 🙏 PS And yes, I am determined to steal Willy, as you can tell by the expression on my face! 😀🤩![]()
👉 Join up with our fab teams at www.qfes.qld.gov.au/volunteer ![]()
Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteer Association, Cooroy Pomona Lions Club, Frank Wilkie Noosa Mayor, Cr Amelia Lorentson- Noosa Council, Noosa Council
📩🌟𝐍𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖! 👍Keep an eye on your ‘snail mail’ letterbox this week as Santa’s elves will be delivering an early gift, our annual ‘wrap’, which has a host of updates, vital contacts and a link to the 2026 Noosa MP Community Survey which is a must-do! 👍 No excuses – stay informed and have your voice heard! 🙏🥰 P.S. - our monthly newsletter is tucked inside too! 😍![]()
👉For the digital version: www.sandybolton.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CONNECT-2025-digital-Sandy-Bolton.pdf![]()
👉 For the Noosa MP Community Survey: www.sandybolton.com/your-say-annual-survey/
🗣️ 𝐍𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐌𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍! ✅Your voices shape how we vote on Noosa’s behalf and what we take to State Government. If there’s a time to speak up, it’s now! 💬✨![]()
Questions are in two parts:![]()
📌 Part 1 is the ‘must-do’ asking whether you are ‘for or against’ on matters such as energy ⚡, shark nets 🦈, tourism 🌿, and more!![]()
📌 Part 2 is optional to prioritise what is most important to you.![]()
All up, a great investment of just 15 minutes⏱️so please submit before 1pm on 16 January 2026! 🏛️![]()
👉 Have your say at www.sandybolton.com/your-say-annual-survey![]()
👉 For updates on state issues already underway, visit www.sandybolton.com/noosa360 and use the search bar to find what you’re after! 🔎![]()
👉Results will be published toward the end of January 2026 at www.sandybolton.com/your-say-annual-survey
𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐃! 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒👮for 6 months whilst permanent housing is secured for them, to ensure our police, paramedics and fire fighters are close by where they are needed.👍 Noosa Police Inspector John Mahony is here with me seeking our assistance to find any options including holiday homes that are empty for much of the year, whether Noosaville, Pomona, Cooroy, Tewantin and surrounding areas such as Peregian Breeze and Springs, Doonan, Eumundi and Verrierdale.![]()
👉If you have ANY possible option, please contact Inspector John Mahony on email Mahony.JohnT@police.qld.gov.au. ![]()
👉Also, for anyone with a longer term property who can assist our key worker families, please see our previous post about head leasing with one of our community housing providers, via www.facebook.com/share/p/1CufjBqNAR/
𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃💸 Residents in the Noosa LGA who were impacted by Monday’s severe storm and live in the declared suburbs can now access a range of grants to help them get back on their feet 💛⛈️.![]()
The activated suburbs include Boreen Point, Como, Cooran, Cooroibah, Cootharaba, Doonan, Kin Kin, Lake Macdonald, Noosa North Shore, Peregian Beach, Pinbarren, Ridgewood, Ringtail Creek and Tinbeerwah, as well as targeted addresses in parts of Black Mountain, Cooroy, Cooroy Mountain, Federal, Noosa Heads, Pomona and Sunrise Beach 📍.![]()
Applications can be made at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 ☎️. Both provide details on eligibility and available assistance, and staff on the hotline can talk you through the support options.![]()
𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: ![]()
📌 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 – $180 per person (up to $900 for a family of five or more) to help with immediate essentials like food, clothing and medicine.![]()
📌 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 – $150 per person (up to $750 for a family of five or more) for those who have been without essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.![]()
📌 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Income-tested support for uninsured residents, with up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace essential household items such as bed linen and whitegoods. 🛏️![]()
📌𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers to repair or replace disaster-damaged homes and return them to a safe, habitable condition. 🏡![]()
📌 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 – Income-tested grants of up to $5,000 per household to help uninsured residents safely reconnect essential services like electricity, gas, water or sewerage. 🔌💧![]()
👨👩👧👦Noosa Council is setting up Recovery Hubs, where Council and community recovery staff will be on hand to assist with information, grant applications, and support, at the following locations: ![]()
📍 Tuesday, 2 December – Pomona Memorial Hall, 12pm–3pm![]()
📍 Wednesday, 3 December – Peregian Beach Community House, 1pm–4pm![]()
📍Thursday, 4 December – Apollonian Hotel, Boreen Point, 9.30am-11.30am![]()
Thank you to everyone for your patience and incredible resilience 💛 as Noosa Council and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority worked through the Disaster Assistance process. With areas without power, as well some properties without water, for days ⚡🚰, we stayed in contact with the Minister for Disaster Recovery’s office to push for updates on Council’s application. So, it was very welcome news to see this much-needed support approved overnight, and I have tested the online application portal with the top tip being to have your medicare and drivers license, as well bank account details handy to fill it out 🙏✨.
www.qld.gov.au
Find information about what to do in a natural disaster or emergency including preparation, our crisis and support hotlines, and recovery after a disaster.
𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘'𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐋𝐘 ‘𝐖𝐑𝐀𝐏' – 𝟐𝟖 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓![]()
Apologies as a bit of an ‘overshare’ tonight as I got to have a ‘tub’ and am in love with the ceiling fan, hence the pics!🥰 For fellow Noosans still without, the major repairs at Cootharaba, Kin Kin and Boreen Point are nearly completed, with hopefully most remaining households back on tonight, and the balance tomorrow 🤞👏👏 Gratitude to all fab frontliners including the SES and vollies, Energex along with sparkies who have been working around the clock, and to awesome peeps who have provided kindness and support, providing everything from showers to ‘gennies’ for those having a tough week. To Simon, Aaron, Pete and Brett, a special hug, and now to the cleanup, including my fridge which smells very gross! 🙄![]()
PS. As of writing the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is continuing to assess areas in our shire for a Disaster Declaration, which would unlock emergency payments for eligible impacted residents. With all three levels of government involved, it’s difficult to know exactly when a decision will be made, however keep an eye on the Noosa Council FB page as they will post up as soon as notified, and we will also post up👍![]()
❤️𝗥𝗜𝗣 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗡 ‘𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗬’ 𝗧𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗥 – Our community is heartbroken by the loss of 17-year-old Solly after a tragic incident on Claude Batten Drive. A much-loved Noosa Christian College student, his loss has been felt across Noosa, with the paddle-out a moving reflection of the love and grief shared by so many. Our thoughts are with his family and all who are grieving a life taken far too soon.![]()
⚠️ GET READY NOOSA – UPDATE YOUR PLAN – After our storms, and more predicted over the weekend and the next 2 months, check what worked, what didn’t, and update your disaster plan and supplies so you’re ready for the next one. ![]()
👉 www.getready.qld.gov.au/![]()
📞𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦 – We have compiled a list of helpful contacts to assist before, during and after a disaster or severe weather event. ![]()
👉 www.sandybolton.com/disaster-emergency-relief-contacts/![]()
⚡𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗫 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 – Keep this one in your favourites to track outages. Also, if your property is incorrectly listed as having power, it is important to contact Energex immediately on 13 62 62 to have your connection issues remedied. ![]()
👉 www.energex.com.au/outages/outage-finder ![]()
📃ELECTRICITY DEFECT REPORTS – As part of the restoration process, crews do door-to-door checks and for the safety of occupants may disconnect individual properties that have been electrically damaged, as occurred with us. If that is the case, they will leave an Electricity Defect Report, as they cannot reconnect until the electrical damage is inspected and repaired by your licensed electrical contractor aka 'sparkie'![]()
👉 www.energex.com.au/outages/storms-and-disasters/getting-reconnected-after-severe-weather ![]()
🎁 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔’𝗦 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗬 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 – On 1–2 December, Lorraine and the Classy Helpers will hold their annual ‘Christmas Supermarket’ at The J, providing our families with toys, food and essential supplies. Donations, especially toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste and Christmas cakes, can be dropped to the front desk at The J. Volunteers are also welcome anytime between 7am–6pm to help set up and assist families.![]()
👉 www.facebook.com/p/Santas-Classy-Helpers-100068413883394/ ![]()
🎉 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧 – A huge congratulations to business owners Claire Harris and Ronny Kovalcik for being recognised as Small Employer of the Year at the 2025 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards. These two Noosan’s commitment to supporting veteran employment truly shines.![]()
👉 humanquotient.com.au/human-quotient-group-named-small-employer-of-the-year-at-the-2025-prime-mini...![]()
🚲 𝗘-𝗠𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 – Police are asking parents to help keep our community safe by making sure children understand the rules and risks around e-bikes and e-scooters, including how to tell the difference between a legal device and an illegal high-powered one, and if illegal, DO NOT USE!. With Christmas approaching, they’re also urging families to research carefully before buying e-bikes to ensure any new device is fully compliant with Queensland law.![]()
👉 streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/initiatives/pmd-rules![]()
🎄 𝗡𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗢𝗬 – Noosa Council has released the full schedule and route maps for this year’s Christmas Convoy (which sadly I cannot enjoy due to being in Parliament!) bringing festive cheer to communities right across the shire. Families can check when the convoy will pass their neighbourhood and plan a spot along the route.![]()
🗺️ Maps and details: www.noosa.qld.gov.au/connecting-noosa-christmas-convoy ![]()
🎶 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗡𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 – A free community Carols event will take place on Friday 12 December, 6:00–8:00pm, with the stage set against the backdrop of Noosa Main Beach. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and enjoy Christmas songs as the sun goes down, as we will be doing!![]()
👉https://hastingsstnoosa.com.au/blog/sunset-carols-on-noosa-main-beach![]()
🔋 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗔 – Noosa Shire Council has received a Queensland Government grant to roll out the Battery Safe – Noosa Project, which will see five smart safety drums installed for small problem batteries (including those found in vapes) and two battery safety bins for larger or mixed-chemistry batteries at Waste Transfer Stations.![]()
👉www.qld.gov.au/environment/circular-economy-waste-reduction/funding-grants/local-government-battery-collection-program![]()
🧑💻 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗖𝗬𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 – The Cyber Wardens program has been expanded to include small and family-run tourism businesses, providing free online training to help improve cyber-security and protect against scams and data breaches.![]()
👉 www.cyberwardens.com.au/gov/qld-gov/![]()
🛡️ 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 – 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 – This Queensland Government program is now accepting applications for projects that improve community safety and reduce crime. Funding is available for initiatives such as CCTV, lighting, security infrastructure and community-led safety programs. In Round 2 small and family businesses can apply. Applications close Friday 30 January 2026. ![]()
👉 www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/support-services/financial/grants/secure-communities![]()
🧠 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗦 & 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦 – QRIDA has a dedicated hub of wellbeing and mental-health support specifically for primary producers, rural communities and small-business owners experiencing stress, financial pressure or the impacts of disaster. ![]()
👉 www.qrida.qld.gov.au/mental-health-resources![]()
💼 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 – The Queensland Government’s Business Growth Fund is now open, offering support for small and medium businesses to purchase specialised equipment to help them grow. Applications close at 5pm on 30 January 2026.![]()
👉 www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/support-services/financial/grants/growth-fund![]()
🎭 𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 – Applications are now open for the Queensland Government’s Cultural Tourism Fund, supporting arts events and festivals that help attract visitors and grow cultural tourism. Grants are available across two streams for new programming and market development. Applications close 23 February 2026 (AEST).![]()
👉 www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding-opportunities/funding/cultural-tourism-fund![]()
𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘 𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐏 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑: (www.sandybolton.com/newsletters) ![]()
📌Subscribe to ensure you are kept ‘in the loop’ when Noosa MP surveys are held.![]()
📌Paper copies available from our office or posted via ‘snail mail’ by calling our office on 53193100.![]()
📌Latest newsletter: www.sandybolton.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Newsletter-September-2025-5.pdf![]()
𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒:![]()
📌QLD Government: www.grants.services.qld.gov.au![]()
📌Federal Government: www.grants.gov.au![]()
📌Noosa Council: www.noosa.qld.gov.au/community/grants/council-grants![]()
📌Regional Development Australia: www.rdasunshinecoast.org.au/grants-and-funding![]()
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To finish. This week I was reminded again of how much we take for granted, especially our water! 🛁✨ It’s the simple things that bring the greatest of joy, and how a radio, battery candle or lantern, and any form of keeping something cold becomes gold! To anyone who remains without power tomorrow, if you are desperate come to mine as I now have WATER 🤩 so you can wash clothes and have a shower 🩷![]()
Usually I sign off with ‘enjoy the weekend’, however tonight it is ‘have you tweaked your storm prep’ as yes, more are expected! 🙄 ![]()
Big hugs Noosa, fill those water bottles 👍![]()
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𝑺𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮 🙏![]()
𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙉𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙖 ![]()
𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘢. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦
