COMMUNITY

Summer Reading Club

Sunshine Coast Council Libraries’ annual Summer Reading Club is back and waiting for children and teens to join the free interactive program.

Each child receives a Cabinet of Curiosities challenge card to help undertake three explorations, unlocking prizes along the way. Challenges could include building a reading fort or reading aloud while sticking out your tongue.

The program aims to keep holiday boredom at bay by encouraging children to continue to read over the break – whether a book, graphic novel, magazine or audio book.

Register for the Summer Reading Club at: library. sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, your local library or with Mobi 1 or 2. Pick up a copy of your Cabinet of Curiosities challenge card from your library and complete three explorations to be in the running for prizes. Entries close at 5pm on 31 January with winners announced on 2 February.

Car-free holidays

The global phenomenon of converting parking spots into more sociable and family-friendly activation sites is set to be trialled at the Main Beach carpark next to the Surf Lifesaving Club with a Pop-up People’s Park this holiday season.

Dubbed the Main Beach People’s Park the concept will create a fun, relaxed gathering place for beachgoers. Acting Infrastructure Services Director Shaun Walsh said the partial closure of the carpark has the full support of local businesses and Hastings Street Assn is supporting the two-week trial by providing buskers.

“We are returning the carpark to the people from 23 December to 7 January 2024. There will be a drop-off and pick-up drive-through lane and disability bays available but the remainder of the carpark will be transformed into a setting of picnic tables, chairs, marquees and live music," said Shaun. “We are looking to create a place where people can socialise, relax and enjoy a picnic while visiting the beach.”

The partial closure of the carpark is coupled with council’s free Go Noosa holiday buses. From 9 December to 21 January there are five free Translink services running across the shire. The Translink Services include the 626, 627, 628, 629 and 632 only. The electric shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 7am-7pm and half-hourly until 10pm linking Noosa Heads, Noosa Junction, Weyba Rd and Noosa Pde. Returning is the additional free temporary route 064 servicing Peregian Beach to Noosa Heads which runs north hourly from 7.30am-5.30pm. Visit: translink.com. au or noosa.qld.gov.au or phone 13 12 30.

Dark skies

The push for a Dark Sky Reserve is gathering momentum in our region with Sunshine Coast Council’s (SCC) proposal for almost 900km2 in the Mary River Catchment and adjoining national parks to reduce light pollution. SCC’s Environment Portfolio Cr Peter Cox said pursuing an official designation would ensure dark sky quality is monitored and protected into the future.

“This Dark Sky Reserve would be one of only two in Australia. The protected area would complement council’s work to reduce light pollution in coastal areas for nesting turtles and other wildlife and encourage the community to be dark-sky-friendly which also helps keep down energy bills and carbon emissions. We’ll be using $4m in funding secured through the Commonwealth’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to upgrade street lighting in the region to be more energy efficient and reduce light pollution.”

How can you help minimise light pollution? Turn off lights, only use lighting when needed and reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting. Switch to environmentally friendly warm-coloured light bulbs, shield lights and direct lights downwards.

Ecco Agm

Members of the Eumundi Combined Community Organisation (ECCO) met on 30 November for their Annual General Meeting (AGM) to review the 2022/23 year and discuss future plans.

Chairman Dr David Campin provided a report acknowledging the retirement of Paul Curtis from the Eumundi and District Community

Association (EDCA) and Terry Lawrence from the Eumundi and District Historical Association (EHA). Kate Gyngell replaces Paul as the nominated representative of EDCA. The incoming chair is Louise Formosa representing the Eumundi Chamber of Commerce.

One of this year's highlights was the production and distribution of a town map by Experience Eumundi, visit: experienceeumundi.com.au/ welcome-to-eumundi. More than $46k in community contributions and sponsorships were distributed during the ECCO board year. ECCO provides a community taxi service for pensioners and has donated to the Eumundi School of Music, EHA’s Christmas Extravaganza, events at the night markets, Soccer Roots Academy and Eumundi State School (ESS) wellbeing programs funded through the ESS P&C.

The board approved community contributions and a sponsorship program for 2023/24 which will be launched early in the new year.

A number of motions were passed including investigating in consultation with council whether there could be a variation to the lease of the market carpark.

The aim is to permit carparking on non-market days within a designated area for use by the general public. If possible ECCO would provide a co-contribution towards any additional operating expenses necessary to facilitate this request. If approved it could alleviate parking pressure on busy days and throughout the construction phase of the Eumundi streetscape project.

Permanent police services

Recent changes in policing arrangements had left Kenilworth and Imbil without a consistent and dedicated police presence. The changes had the community concerned that the necessary policing requirements for maintaining law and order were no longer available.

When asked if the changes had affected the local policing in Eumundi, Officer in Charge of Eumundi Police Station Sergeant Ryan Hanlon said, “At all times police assign the closest police vehicle for all emergencies regardless of the area. Kenilworth is no different. While any officer is on leave the neighbouring areas will respond and be on call for emergencies as community safety is always our priority.

In a recent update it has been reported that Senior Constable Michael Grigalius commenced on 27 November and will reside in Kenilworth to provide a local police presence and response.