With the State Budget released, for the Noosa electorate specifically, we had joy, as well a disappointment in the non-allocation for the expansion of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub at Sunshine Beach State High School. All items including those already announced or in process we have posted to Noosa 360 (www.SandyBolton.com/Noosa360), along with a copy of my speech which contains Noosa specifics and for broader Queensland which we shall be querying during the Budget Estimates Hearings. This includes why with a $12b surplus, more is not being put into our housing crisis, youth crime and for our small to medium businesses who continue to experience ongoing hardships from lack of staff, increased rentals, inflations and interest rates.
On the Unitywater front, a reminder for our businesses that the new pricing structure for wastewater has now come into effect, and as part of a staged approach, the first bill includes 50% of the increases. Should any of our small businesses in the Tier 1 category be impacted adversely, please email us on noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au so we can raise this with the Minister for Small Business to further efforts to see impacts mitigated as even though matters relating to Unitywater do not come under the jurisdiction of State Government, we can advocate for other forms of relief for our small operators. Regarding Burgess Creek, Noosa Council and Unity Water are working together on this as readings degrade as released water moves past contributors such as households and roads, and we look forward to the findings with further information posted to Noosa 360, simply search ‘Unitywater’.
It was an absolute pleasure to catch up with so many residents and businesses on our Eastern Beaches Road Trip, aka ‘Moby’ from Sunshine to Peregian Beach, with Sunrise and Marcus in between! We welcomed ‘newbies’ Peter and Dan of ‘O-Ren’, as well as ultimately failing to resist in some retail therapy! To finish the day, we updated Peregian Family & Friends members on State matters, as well as those outside our realm however of interest including Burgess Creek and flight paths. With representatives from Bonza and Sunshine Coast Airport also giving updates, it was a very informative evening. Thank you to everyone who made this ‘moby’ so special.
The Sunshine Beach Surf Club Awards was spectacular in ‘Coachella’ style, as was the fabulous Ross Bartlett who has just received an AM for his lifelong dedication to surf lifesaving. Congratulations to all members of our surf lifesaving clubs on the work you do to keep us safe.
With so much time between columns and much to share, please stay ’in the loop’ via Noosa 360 with updates on a range of important issues we are working on, and subscribe to our e-newsletter at www.SandyBolton.com/Newsletters which ensures you also advised of any Noosa MP specific polls or surveys. In addition, follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook to receive information as soon as available including the Friday ‘Wrap’ with news and grant information! Always, if you have any questions or require assistance regarding state-related matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 5319 3100 or email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.