12 minute read
Your Say
Clare Stewart Noosa Mayor
Short stay laws, bridge work, and Kin Kin Hall on track
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WELL 2022 has all at Council being full steam ahead.
Noosa’s new short stay local law comes into effect on 1 February 2022.
The new law is aimed at managing the impact of short-stay properties on residential amenities.
It will help protect guests by introducing minimum safety standards, which property owners will need to meet, and importantly it will help to ensure short-stay property owners are being good neighbours and dealing with issues as they arise.
Significantly Council has established a 24-hour complaints hotline, and will trial the use of a security firm to monitor problem properties.
Regarding good news, the Tablelands Road Bridge B replacement project at Cooran is now complete.
The Tablelands Road Bridge provides vital access for residents, boutique accommodation, users of the Noosa Trail Network, and visitors to the James M McKane Memorial Lookout.
The new single lane bridge, which is wider, safer and stronger than the old one, opened to the community in January, following a 13-week construction period. It has a 100-year design life and meets all current bridge standards.
Work has now started on the Wahpunga Lane Bridge replacement project at Kin Kin.
Demolition of the old bridge has now finished, with construction of the new bridge starting.
The bridge is expected to take four months to complete, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Both the Tablelands Road and Wahpunga Lane Bridges will remain single lane, based on detailed cost-benefit analysis of existing traffic volumes, growth factors, existing line of sight, heavy vehicle and accident history.
These two bridges deliver a $4 million investment into the Hinterland community and are part of a comprehensive bridge refurbishment and replacement program jointly funded by the Australian Government and Council as part of the Bridge Renewal Program.
In more good news, cleaning and disinfecting work at the Kin Kin Recreational Hall has finished.
It means the public health order imposed on the building can be lifted and the site prepared for building remediation work.
Work is expected to continue for approximately four months, depending on weather and construction conditions.
Once work is complete the hall can be reopened to the community.
Until next month, stay safe, Clare • Vintage cars, trucks, tractors, farm equipment • Operating stationary engines • Trades & crafts of days gone by • History & ancestory of our community • Variety of food & drinks on sale
Sat 13th March | 9am-2.30pm
Johnson Park, Mary River Road, Cooroy Adults $5.00 & Children Under 15 FREE
combinedcoastalcarclub.com.au
Positive Behaviour for Learning: A Community Approach
NDSHS students are focused on displaying the following behaviours by being active citizens in our community.
You can support our students by:
Acknowledging when they have a willingness to be involved Highlighting when they are prepared in the community Recognising when they display initiative in the community We are Responsible, Respectful & Active Learners
P: (07) 5480 8111 E: pomona.office@noosadistrictshs.eq.edu.au P: (07) 5472 2222 E: office@noosadistrictshs.eq.edu.au
Pomona Kindergarten
Our Government Approved Kindergarten program is delivered by a university qualified Early Childhood Teacher. Discounts/ free days apply for Health Care card holders. Enrol now for 2022. We offer: • High quality care for children 6 weeks to 5 Years • Exciting outdoor adventure playground • Nutritious meals prepared on site daily • Experienced and dedicated Educators
Llew O’Brien
Federal Member for Wide Bay
Healthcare in the spotlight
IT is hard to believe that we are already into February and it’s been a difficult start to the year for many families and businesses in Noosa as we continue to manage the impact of Covid-19.
Last week, Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie and I visited Cooroy Medical Practice and Cooroy’s LiveLife Pharmacy, where we listened to staff and gained an understanding of local medical issues.
Dr Gillespie and I will continue to work together to ensure people in the Noosa region can access quality, affordable medical care and advice.
In January, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was in Noosa and together we announced a $1.5 million expansion to the muchloved Katie Rose Cottage Hospice in Doonan.
The funding will be used to increase the number of bedrooms from three to five, enabling more than 20 additional people to be accommodated every year.
A second lounge room, an administrative area and storage room will also be added, and I commend the staff and volunteers at Katie Rose Cottage who provide high-quality compassionate palliative care.
There was also some good news for everyone at Sunshine Butterflies disability support service at Cooroibah, which is receiving a $135,000 boost through the Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund to construct a new café, an accessible playground and a stage roof. Sunshine Butterflies has grown to become not just one of the region’s largest employers, but a an incredibly important community resource, and I congratulate them on their success.
Volunteers help give Noosa its vibrancy, creativeness and warmth, and the Coalition Government’s Volunteer Grants Program is supporting their work with $2,530 for the Cooroy Golf Club for maintenance equipment and a first-aid kit; $5,000 for Noosa Arts and Crafts for a new laptop, software, and an ergonomic chair; and $4,998 for PTSD Dogs Australia to provide training for their team.
Thank you to the staff and volunteers of all these organisations, and to everyone who contributes towards making Noosa such a wonderful place to live and visit.
How to look Natural
& Eat well with Dentures
John Taylor - Your Denture Expert
Welcome
DR PETER STOBBS
Look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions?
1. Are you putting up with old ill-fitting dentures? 2. Do others notice you have dentures? 3. Does your face look older, or appear sunken in? 4. Are your lips disappearing?
You can look natural with dentures:
Denture treatment can go a long way in restoring a natural look, as well as improving your ability to chew properly. Well-made and accurately fitting dentures will boost your selfconfidence by restoring your facial muscles. This will help you speak better and improve your chewing of most foods. Current techniques produce truly natural looking dentures.
Annual check-up:
As dentures depend on the health of the gums that support them, it is important to have your mouth assessed regularly to ensure that your dentures still work properly and effectively. For those with sensitive gums, or when a substantial amount of gum has receded, there are techniques and options that can enhance comfort and help maximise the remaining gum.
If you are about to lose teeth:
Or, if your existing denture is more than 5 years old, phone for an appointment. You may consult John Taylor without referral.
You are Unique:
When you visit John Taylor for your free denture assessment, he will clearly explain the conditions that exist in your mouth and outline the best technique or approach for maximising the experience by taking your individual characteristics into account. Your concerns will be listened to and your questions answered.
Options:
John Taylor is your denture expert and will recommend a solution that best meets your needs. A reline, precision denture or an implant supported denture may be the answer. John has been providing trusted advice and quality precision fitting dentures in the Noosa area for over 40 years.
Call now for a free consultation. Same day repairs.
Proudly servicing Cooroy and the Hinterland community for over 36 years.
STARTING IN FEBRUARY
Maple Street Surgery is excited to announce that Dr Peter Stobbs will be joining our team on the 7th February 2022. Dr Stobbs is held in exceptionally high regard by his many local patients in the Noosa area and he will be a big asset to the Cooroy community.
Rob Skelton
Member for Nicklin
Good news on road resurfacing
THE Palaszczuk GovernAs we head into 2022, I would like to thank all my constituents for their patience and hard work as we collectively deal with the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
Residents along the Eumundi- Kenilworth Rd can look forward to a smoother ride home thanks to the Palaszczuk Labor Government investing $2.9 Million for resurfacing and rehabilitation works.
The works will improve the quality of a 2.7 kilometre stretch of the road, and will be carried out in two stages, beginning in late January 2022 with Stage Two beginning in early May 2022, weather and construction conditions permitting.
This builds on the $5.7 Million that we’ve invested in the road since 2019 as part of the state’s sixth record road and transport plan that is coming in at $27.5 billion over the next four years.
Round 6 of the popular Fairplay Vouchers are now open for applications.
The program supports eligible Queensland parents and carers with a $150 voucher towards the cost of sports registration for kids aged between 5-17.
You can apply if your child is: a Queensland resident aged from 5 to 17 years (inclusive) at the time of application; and the holder, or whose parent, carer or guardian is the holder of a valid Department of Human Services Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card with the child’s name on it.
Contact my office for more information. A NEW Year brings with it a new focus, especially with COVID-19 now firmly living among us. The Queensland government is no longer focusing on where a person has come from, but rather upon restrictions within QLD to minimise risk.
This requires an adjustment in how we think and behave. This especially includes that there will no longer being contact tracing or listing of exposure sites because as we have seen, all places have become exposure sites due to the swift spread of COVID-19.
The reality is the risk is in every space, and our role is to minimise catching and sharing COVID-19 as best we can.
The Christmas break that wasn’t a ‘break’, demonstrated that regardless of efforts to predict, prepare for and prevent impacts from government decisions outside of our control, there are always unwelcome challenges.
This included our testers dropping from heatstroke (that led to closures of testing sites), or youngsters rampaging over three nights, terrorising locals and visitors alike. Daily we sought solutions and extra resources, and I am thankful to many including state departments, testing site managers and Noosa Council staff who answered my calls over the break, even on Christmas Day!!
Although in letters and speeches months prior, I had raised many concerns about possible impacts over the holiday period due to new rules
Sandy Bolton
Noosa State Member for Noosa
and the influx of visitors, as well the need for RATs, the reality brought forward new questions including who is actually making these determinations. I certainly look forward to Parliament restarting!
Having recently contracted COVID ourselves, despite being double vaxxed (and no, no booster as not eligible yet!) and being ‘pandemic pedantic’ in our hand washing, masks, distancing and contact with others, Shoey and I have a couple of tips. First and foremost, regardless of vaccination status, you can catch and spread, though those vaccinated reportedly have lesser symptoms and a lower viral load when positive. So please, to minimise risk when visiting our vulnerable loved ones, even if you have no symptoms, do a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), when they become more available As well, add to your ‘kit’ a small can of sanitising spray or wipes to use on surfaces when out and about!
Secondly, be prepared! Even though the majority with whom I have spoken, contract only a mild dose, this was not our experience and after some very rough symptoms, it was 14 days before we had a negative result. Having experienced, as others, the impossible task in accessing RATs, food and other necessities whilst isolating, we were able to use our experience and those of all who contacted me, for further recommendations to the Premier and CHO including that National Cabinet discuss a ‘care package’. Consisting of RATs, paracetamol and other basics needed for self-care whilst isolating, such a package would assist enormously in reducing risk of further transmission in the community. For those without family or friends to assist when in isolation, please call the Care Army on 1800 173 349. Information on how to be ‘COVID ready’ is also available via a search for COVID ready on the www.qld.gov.au website.
Also my latest advocacy to the Premier included the need for financial support for businesses impacted through a variety of avenues and for communications from governments to be simplified in order to require less need for ‘interpretation’ of the many changes to public health directions.
With swiftly changing restrictions and rules, adding to the confusion and the commentary and ‘blame game’ being played, remember we were advised at the very start that this virus is ‘novel’ meaning ‘new’. With no template to operate from, governments globally have had to adjust according to new information, data and variants. All can learn much from this pandemic and the respective responses so far, and this is what must now be the focus as we continue on this journey with a very unwanted ‘passenger’.
Until next time, Happy New Year! Don’t forget your resolutions, be ‘COVID Ready’, and remember the importance of expressing gratitude for where we live, and with whom we live!
Sandy
OPENING HOURS
MONDAY – CLOSED TUESDAY – 7.30 - 12pm 2 - 6pm WED – 7.30 - 12pm THURS – 7.30 - 12pm 2 - 6pm FRIDAY – 7.30 - 12pm SAT – 7.30 - 11am
Smiling Spines
Holistic Chiropractic Care Dr Chris Mathieson (Chiropractor) 4a Emerald St, Cooroy (opposite IGA) PH: 5625 7161
For appointments please call or book online via our website
