Happy New Year!
I HOPE you all had a lovely and safe Christmas. The Sunshine Coast is still bustling with holidaymakers enjoying our pristine beaches and parks. Including Coolum’s reinvigorated Lions and Norrie Job Park with a new shelter, barbeques, furniture, pathways, fitness equipment and pedestrian bridge. I am proud to have partnered with Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez and Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien to secure the combined funding for this valuable community asset.
Scrub Road lighting update
I met with TMR officials on site on Christmas Eve to discuss how the new safety lights at the pedestrian crossing are impacting residents. I once again appealed to them that something needs to be done. Potential improvements and possible solutions are on the table for discussion.
Got a new phone for Christmas?
Don’t throw out the old one! DV Safe Phone is a program that collects old phones to help victims escaping domestic and family violence. My office continues to be a collection point for these donations. DV Safe Phone’s Christmas appeal received $23,500 to support this important program.
Calling all not-for-profit community groups!
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program, and Round 122 will open mid-January and close on February 28, 2025. Recipients can receive up to $35,000 in funding towards a range of items, including equipment, community events, facility improvements and marketing. For more information visit: www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/community-grants.
St Andrews Anglican College Principal Mr Chris Ivey retires
Thank you to Mr Ivey for eighteen incredible years of remarkable service. Chris has overseen the growth of one of Ninderry’s largest private schools and is to be commended for his dedication and achievements. I look forward to working closely with incoming Principal Ms Karen Gorrie and heralding in a new era for the school.
Parliament News
The LNP Crisafulli Government have just launched the largest rapid response policing unit in QPS history – an integrated State Flying Squad. This will mean a squad of 58 specialist officers will be deployed to high-risk areas in a timely manner without other officers being taken offline.