A massive ‘Happy New Year’ to all and I trust you have had some lovely time with friends or family over the Christmas break. Gratitude to so many including Making Lives Matter and Noosa Chef Tony Crossin, who co-hosted a community lunch with me on Christmas Day which was magic. Thank you to all who volunteered and shared this day including furry friends, and to the Salvation Army who donated not only the venue, but lots of goodies!
We did have challenges, including managing the volume of visitors. Following four years of advocacy regarding sustainable visitor numbers to Cooloola, we are expecting proposed changes to be released mid-February for community feedback, so keep your eyes out for that. We will also update on what will be implemented to mitigate appalling behaviour experienced on New Year’s Eve after my meeting with Noosa Council and newly appointed Senior Sergeant Anthony Cowan this week.
Youth crime has been headlined in many areas of Queensland, with changes to be debated in Parliament shortly. Queenslanders deserve to feel safe in their homes, at work and on our streets, and the biggest question for MPs to consider, is whether proposed changes will be ‘enough’. The devil is in the detail, and we look forward to the Bill being introduced to see what is proposed.
Having participated in public hearings relating to youth recidivism in areas such as Mt Isa, Townsville and the Gold Coast in 2021, I have posted a summary, including findings from those hearings, at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360
There is much each of us can do to create greater safety in our community and deter those who are looking for ‘easy pickings’. Firstly, lock up your car and house, even when home, and keep valuables out of sight. Stay alert for any suspicious behaviours, and report to police, whether during station opening hours or not, as there are always police on duty. For emergencies dial 000, if non-urgent report via Police link website or call 131 444. Neighbourhood Watch groups provide a vital link between police and community, and if there is not one in your area you can join, consider whether it’s time to start one.
For Noosa Electorate residents, a reminder to complete the annual Noosa MP survey. With resident feedback vitally important, we have extended the deadline to 30th January. You can find the online survey at www.sandybolton.com under the ‘Connect’ tab and please call our office on 5319 3100 for assistance or to obtain a printed version if needed.
With so much time between columns and so much to share, please stay ’in the loop’ via Noosa 360 with updates on a range of important issues including crime, Cooloola, Noosa River, State controlled roads and more. In addition, follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook to receive updates as soon as available, especially our regular Friday night update with the news from the week, and by subscribing to our e-newsletter. Always, if you have any questions or require assistance regarding state related matters, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 5319 3100 or email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Until next month, consider how you can be the change you wish to see in your community as it does take a village.