Connecting an arts vibe

By Sonia Isaacs

A top-drawer calendar of events is set to make Maleny and the Blackall Ranges a key destination for tourists in 2023, as local organisations consider ways to engage with the influx of newcomers to the region.

The packed year of high-quality events include Queensland Music Trail’s Meadowlark event on August 5 to The Rangebow Festival’s return on August 10-13, to the Curated Plate running from late July, Knitfest (July 1-3), the Garden Show in October, the Wood Expo April 29 to May 1, as well as the 100th anniversary of the Maleny Show on June 2 and 3.

A key plant to the energised year ahead is the Queensland Music Festival’s (QMF) inaugural QMT event at Maleny Showgrounds on August 5.

While details are yet to be released, the one-day festival, Meadowlark, is set to attract thousands of people with a worldclass lineup of artists performing over two stages, along with a curated artisan alley, picnic areas, and food trucks just to name a few of the enticing elements.

Local arts coordinator Steve McLeish said he was hopeful of tapping into the event and is exploring local support for what he calls ‘Arts Alive Maleny’ (AAM).

Steve’s aim is that it operates as a viable vehicle to promote the arts community of the Hinterland. Putting forward a date of Friday August 4, 2023, Mr McLeish shared his event vision with GC&M News, which would (as the event name suggests) see the main street of Maleny come alive with music, performances, and art-related activities.

“QMF is expecting thousands of visitors to come to Maleny for the festival, and people will be encouraged to camp for the weekend at the showgrounds from the 4th - 6th August. This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the diversity and caliber of our arts community,” explained Mr McLeish.

Keen to offer an exciting creative collaboration, areas of visual interest would include a twilight arts market throughout the centre of town, including vacant land next to Peace of Green, street theatre and buskers, lanterns and sculptures, projections, and lighting throughout the town to include 3D imaging on buildings, and a plan to illuminate all the trees along Maple Street.

Mr McLeish said he also envisaged having all art-related shops, cafes, and licensed venues in the centre of town to open their doors while the event is running.

“We are planning for performances, playing at The Long Sunset forums or workshops in all venues and cafes throughout the town to include writers, music, comedy, theatre, visual art, workshops, and even film. Basically, we want to showcase as many art forms as possible,” Mr McLeish said.

‘Arts Alive Maleny’ would also include performances at Maleny Lane to run into the evening and plans to secure headline acts for a ticketed event in the Maleny

Community Centre.

Hoping to engage local cafes and food vendors, Mr McLeish said there would be a possibility that food vendors could also link to the Curated Plate events happening during the same time across the Sunshine Coast.

If you’d like to get involved or to find out more on Steve’s vision, email him on steve.mcleish@gmail.com.

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Raids nab four and $500k in drug seizures

FOUR people have been charged with over 25 drug and firearm offences by the Sunshine Coast Drug and Serious Crime Task Force (DSCTF) after the conclusion of Operation Tango Gray. The operation was launched to target the supply of methylamphetamine, cannabis, and firearms into the Sunshine Coast area.

The seven-month operation involved executing search warrants at three properties and two vehicles across South East Queensland, leading to the seizure of almost $500,000 worth of illicit substances, including 43 kilograms of cannabis and 290 grams of methylamphetamine.

Two firearms, a sawn-off shotgun and a concealable firearm, were also found and seized.

According to Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield, officers worked tirelessly throughout the protracted operation, which disrupted supply and distribution networks for these dangerous drugs that cause harm to families.

The estimated street value of the seized cannabis and meth is $380,000 and $100,000, respectively.

A 24-year-old woman and 20-year-old man from Heathwood and Mountain Creek have also been arrested on drug trafficking charges, while a 20-year-old Tewantin man has been charged with four counts of drug trafficking. The arrested individuals have been remanded in custody.

By Sonia Isaacs

THE SUNSHINE COAST Council has ruled out relaxing rules that advocates say would alleviate housing stress and homelessness in the region.

The region’s rental vacancy rate remains at a disturbingly low 0.7 per cent, while a report out this week showed 220,000 households would not have affordable housing in 20 years.

Last week the Maleny Housing Working Group (MHWG) said more needed to be done beyond the council’s recent initiative to waive permit fees for those having to live temporarily in tents, cars or caravans. The group proposed extending timeframes for temporary homes permitted on an established property.

But a council spokesperson rejected the option, citing safety concerns.

“While it is important we support people who need to access a temporary home, council also has obligations to protect and manage health and safety, the environment, and reduce impacts on nearby properties and public spaces,” the spokesperson said.

“Importantly, the current approval process enables officers to connect people to help and services when additional support is needed.”

The spokesperson said the council remained engaged with community groups and other levels of government and was open to initiatives that helped alleviate housing pressures.

Council, in conjunction with the state government, said it was continuing to plan for and facilitate the development of major urban communities at Palmview, Caloundra South and Beerwah East with these emerging communities set to accommodate a significant proportion of the additional dwellings required for the region’s expanding population to 2041 and beyond.

Jackson Hills, Manager Policy & Strategic Engagement at Q Shelter acknowledged local councils were making some moves, but said there were more levers to pull. “Last month, Sunshine Coast Council waived permit fees for those having to temporarily live in tents, cars, or caravans, due to extenuating circumstances. This is a necessary measure under the circumstances, but it’s also one council may have to consider extending, as the Sunshine Coast rental vacancy rate remains at around 0.7 per cent and may do for some time yet,” Mr Hills said.

Mr Hills said Q Shelter was encouraged to see a number of local councils looking and affordable housing supply in their communities.

“Some councils have relaxed development application fees and charges, and also infrastructure charges - eg Moreton Bay Regional Counciland others have discounted rates for community housing providers. Wherever these costs can be reduced it allows affordable housing developments to flourish, especially in an already high-cost construction environment,” he said

Q Shelter executive director Fiona Caniglia, said the organisation was calling for acceleration in the provision of buildto-rent housing, a housing model that is underpinned by institutional investment

“Build-to-rent helps move towards greater stability for renters because institutional investment creates longterm tenure,” she said. “Individual owners of investment properties leave many tenants vulnerable to market changes and individual choices about that property.”