Eastern Beaches News Inform know grow Volume 1. Issue 1
September 2020
INSIDE..
Fire anniversary remembered, p4 Drop in session: Noosa Councillors Amelia Lorentson, Frank Wilkie and Brian Stockwell met with locals at Raw Energy on August 28.
Rufous St set to start A trio of Noosa Councillors waited patiently for local residents to say hello or raise their concerns at a Community Chat event on August 28 at Peregian Beach. While the numbers were not overwhelming, a few interesting ideas were raised, including a suggestion that buses be fitted with surf board holders to allow people to access the beaches via public transport rather than battling for a car park. For Peregian residents,
the biggest news is that the Council is about to start the tender process for the construction of Stage 3 of the Peregian Beach Community House. This stage will see a new, larger community centre built at the southern end of the existing site and the expansion of the Peregian Digital Hub via a refurbishment of the existing Peregian Beach Community House. Construction of the $5.2m project is expected to start later this year.
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
Boardwalk fix on the way, p10
Sign on time for Nippers, p19
From the Ed’s desk: Welcome to the first edition of Eastern Beaches News, a new monthly news and lifestyle magazine for residents living from Peregian Beach in the south to Sunrise Beach in the north. The thinking behind this magazine is simple. It’s about local people having a chance, once a month, to read stories that directly affect their suburbs. To read about people who live where they live, and to support local businesses who rely on residents to help them to live and work close to home. The concept has been tried and tested locally. Our first magazine, Peregian Springs News, celebrates its fifth year of publishing this month. Like Peregian Springs News, Eastern Beaches News will be delivered as an A5 gloss magazine, directly into the letterboxes of residents who do not have No Junk Mail signs.
Eastern Beaches News
Copies will also be available at Pizzami and the Peregian Beach Newsagency, with more bulk drop sites to come as we continue to develop our presence. As to why now and why here? Having spent nearly 15 years living in this beautiful part of the world, including working in Noosa, living at Peregian Beach and Peregian Springs, and now raising my two Sunshine Coast born daughters locally, I’m passionate about seeing our communities continue to grow and prosper for the future. As a community journalist with more than two decades experience in the media, it was heartwrenching to see COVID-19 revenue challenges fast track the closure of multiple community papers across the Coast and I firmly believe there is still a need for hyper local news sources to champion causes with governments and to celebrate our talented locals. I hope you enjoy the read. Geoff
Inform know grow
Eastern Beaches News thanks our readers and asks you to please show support for the businesses whose advertising dollars allow us the space to share your stories. ADVERTISING DEADLINES FOR NEXT TWO EDITIONS: Edition Booking & Copy deadline Distributed from date October: September 28 Friday, October 9 November: October 26 Friday, November 6 Phone: Geoff Crockett on 0413 988 333 or Email: peregianspringsnews@gmail.com. Copies are delivered to letterboxes in Peregian Beach, Marcus Beach, Castaways, and Sunrise Beach and bulk dropped at key locations including Pizzami and Peregian Beach News regularly during the month.
For Advertising cost and dimensions: www.peregianspringsnews.com.au/advertising Eastern Beaches News is independently produced and published by Your Community Media Pty Ltd atf G.E. Investment Trust, trading as Eastern Beaches News (ABN 80382001417). Those making advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to the publication undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 CTH as amended from time to time or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to this, these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, costs, claims and/or judgments.
2
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Local News
Bridge on track for mid-September Concrete trucks will be flowing steadily to the Orealla Crescent Bridge over the coming weeks as the final touches are put on the new structure ready for completion in mid-September. Weather permitting, the concrete deck slab should be poured by Friday, September 4, with the contractor spending the seven to 10 days after that on the shoulder work and curb and channelling. Telstra cabling will be the final step in the process before the project is marked as complete. No exact date has been confirmed yet for David Low Way to re-open, see www.noosa.qld.gov.au for updates on the $3.8 mllion project to widen and strengthen the bridge.
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
3
Local News
Bushfire anniversary remembered Fire and fire safety measures are top of the agenda this month as we hit the first anniversary of the Peregian Bush Fires of September 2019. The fires, raged for two days after starting in Bushland behind Koel Circuit in Peregian Springs on the afternoon of September 9 and moving towards Peregian Beach. They caused residents to be evacuated to Noosa and Coolum, destroyed one home in Peregian Beach, badly damaged another, and burnt acres of bushland. Firefighters came from all over Queensland to help fight the fires and helicopter water bombers ran not stop whenever the weather allowed. In the time since, considerable work has been done via Noosa Council and State Government to ensure fire trails in the National Park have been cleared in preparation for this year’s fire season. One thing that has become clear after last year’s fires is that it is important for all residents to have in place their own bushfire plan. A handy checklist of how to protect your home and be prepared is available at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au. As the local community remembers the challenges of 2019’s bushfires there are a number of local events planned to give thanks to the emergency services personnel who helped, to find out about volunteering and to talk about fire planning for the future. Details follow. September 5 - Noon to 3pm - A family fun day is planned at Peregian Park with a jumping castle, face painting, popcorn & snow cones, a 4
sausage sizzle and bake stall. Information will be available for signing up as volunteer fire fighters and lifesaving. It is organised by Peregian Family & Friends. Funds raised from the bake stall will go towards a new shed for Verrierdale Rural Fire Brigades new truck. September 5 - 5 to 9pm - A fundraising dinner to be held at Peregian Surf Club with guest speakers including Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart, chef Matt Golinski and Noosa Fire Station Officer Rob Frey. Auctions, raffles, live music, and preview of the Peregian Bushfires exhibition will be part of the night, which also includes a three course meal. Tickets $179 per person. See trybooking.com/BKZEZ September 12 - 9-11am - Peregian Beach Community House will host a free morning tea and a photographic exhibition, State of Emergency, by Barbara Tomikova. There will also be guest speakers, entertainment, facepainting and disaster preparedness information available on the morning.
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
5
State Election - October 31, 2020
State Election candidates for Noosa so far: Left to right - Mark Denham (Labor), James Blevin (LNP), Rhonda Prescott (Greens), Sandy Bolton (Independent).
Four candidates lined up for Noosa WITH the 2020 State Election looming large on the calendar for October 31 time is running out for people to put their hands up to represent the seat of Noosa for the next four years. As at August 31, four people have put their names forward or our votes Labor candidate Mark Denham, LNP candidate James Blevin, Greens’ candidate Rhonda Prescott and incumbent member and Independent candidate Sandy Bolton. Mark has served Noosa as a paramedic for more than 30 years and lobbied for the delivery of Tewantin Ambulance Station for his community. He lives in Cooroibah where he and his wife raised four children who attended Tewantin State School and Sunshine Beach High. Best contact: mark.denham@queenslandlabor.org James is a local resident, accountant, husband and conservationist. He went to school and university on the Sunshine Coast. He works as a Senior Audit Manager helping businesses with corporate governance, strategy, risk and financial matters. Email noosa@lnpq.org.au Rhonda moved to Noosa nearly 25 6
years ago. While her first job was in a shearing shed in New Zealand where she grew up, she moved to Australia in the 1980s and pursued accountancy as a profession - a job she still has now. She lists protection of the natural environment as her paramount value. Email noosa@qld.greens.org.au Sandy won the seat of Noosa in 2017 from five-term former LNP member Glen Elmes. She has lived in the Noosa area for more than 25 years and raised her three children here. Her background is in managerial and consultancy roles in the tourism, agriculture, sporting, community, training and social services sectors and is a former Noosa Councillor. The simplest email contact is noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au Under current legislation the Queensland Government moves to caretaker mode on October 5. The Electoral Commission of Qld has developed a statement of intent in relation to how it intends to manage the challenges of COVID-19 and said there will be a range of options available including early voting, postal voting, election day voting and telephone voting for eligible voters.
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
7
POLICE NEWS with Snr Const Maria O’Brien
Charges laid over Pavonia St thefts We are lucky to have Coolum Police officer Senior Constable Maria O’Brien sending us a summary of police matters relating to our area each month and an update on policing matters. For the month of August 2020, there have been a total of 16 reportable occurrences for the Eastern Beaches. This is not the number of jobs Police have attended, this is only the number of reportable occurrences. • 37% of these occurrences are for property related offences, including burglary, steal from vehicle, lost property etc; • 19% relate to Domestic Violence incidents; • 19% are traffic related offences,
8
including drink driving; • 12.5% are reportable traffic crashes; • and the remaining 12.5% is for obstructing Police. Police would like to remind residents to keep their vehicles and dwellings locked and secured to reduce the amount of property related offences. Many property related offences are committed by opportunistic offenders, who will be deterred if properties are kept locked and secured. Many Peregian Beach residents have been enquiring into a spate of burglary/ stealing offences that occurred in Pavonia Street in July 2020. Police can advise that the offender/s have been charged in relation to these matters.
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
9
Local Briefs BOARDWALK UPDATE
While final timing is yet to be confirmed it would appear the fence should be down and work begun soon to fix the boardwalk to the lifesaving tower at Peregian Beach. Councillor Frank Wilkie said designs for the boardwalk had been completed and were about to go out to tender with construction expected to start before the end of this calendar year.
INFRASTRUCTURE FEES
As the last lots of land hit the market in neighbouring Peregian Springs, Eastern Beaches News checked in to see that the $250k plus infrastructure funding for Peregian Beach promised under clause 59 of the original development approval via had been delivered. A Noosa Council spokesperson confirmed five payments had been made between 2007 and 2014. The spokesperson confirmed the first and last payments, made directly to Noosa Council had been spent on car parking and public amenities at Peregian Beach - He was unable to confirm exactly how the 2010, 2011 and 2013 payments collected by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (during amalgamation) were spent.
FLIGHTPATH PLAN REVIEW
Flight Path Forum is working to secure a shorter review process from Air Services Australia in the wake of the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman’s report 10
released last month that recommended a post-implementation review process for the Sunshine Coast flight path designs. Friends of Marcus Beach are requesting anyone with concerns to email Air Services Australia and the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman to ask that Flight Path Forum and Friends of Marcus Beach be involved in designing any terms of reference for a flight path review. For more see www.fixthejetpath.com, www.flightpathforum.org.au or facebook.com/FlightPathForum
THE CAKE MAKER’S WISH
Good news for local book lovers, Annie’s Books on Peregian is back on the events’ trail, with COVID plans in place. Annie’s will host the author of The Cake Maker’s Wish, Josephine Moon, in conversation with Mary Lou Stephens from 6pm on Thursday, September 10. It is a free event, hosted on the footpath. The new book follows the journey of single mum who moves from Tasmania to the English Cotswolds with her young son to work on a project aimed at bringing the dwindling community back to life. To find out more phone 5448 2053 or email anniesbooks@bigpond.com
WIZE KIDS WIZARD QUEST
Educator and author Andrew Holt will be hosting a Wize Kids Wizards Quest event for children aged 6 to 12 years old over two afternoons, October 1 and 2 at Peregian Beach Community House. Attendees will receive signed copies of Andrew’s two published children’s rhyming books, and enjoy a range of child focused wellbeing sessions including the making of a leadership staff. Tickets are $188. Call Andrew on 0427 509 206 or email aholty@gmail.com.
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
11
Noosa update: State Member Sandy Bolton
Stay in touch for bushfire advice Congratulations and welcome to our new ‘Eastern Beaches News’, a fantastic initiative to connect and keep updated on issues important to you in a truly special part of the Noosa Electorate! For those of you who experienced the bushfires last season, you will have memories imprinted. Some are ones we do not want to revisit, however others including moments that we shared together at evacuation centers, and the support from each other, we do. Be assured that we are #fireready, with improvements to our firebreaks, extra equipment and a new truck, as well as cool burns and lessons learnt. Indications are that we will not experience the same conditions as last year, however we cannot be complacent and need to assist our teams by being prepared. If you have bushfire concerns regarding an area near your home, please contact our office for further advice or general information is available at www.getready.qld.gov.au/ bushfire-resources. For many of us, including in our office, we have now been in what has been classified as ‘disaster’ mode coming up to 10 months between our fires and COVID-19. As I work alongside our Noosa electorate families and businesses experiencing hardship and difficulties, always remember that sharing what you are experiencing is the first step to accessing that assistance you need. If you have any concerns or need information, please don’t hesitate to contact our office, or keep updated via 12
‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook. Having recently had restrictions on the activities of MP’s lifted, I am once again enjoying being out and about in the community including addressing gatherings, although sadly no hugs or handshakes yet! With the one-year anniversary of the fires coming up, make sure to come along and say ‘hi’ as we gather at Peregian Beach Community House on Saturday 12 September between 9am and 11am to give thanks again to our incredible frontliners and community. Alternatively, I will see you ‘streetside’ during my next foray on Saturday 5th September, or at many of our community events. If we have not met as yet, just call myself and my team on 5319 3100, drop into my office at Noosa Civic or email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au. We also have a monthly newsletter you can subscribe to at www.sandybolton.com, where you can also see the work I undertake on your behalf in Parliament, or visit Noosa 360 which gives progress updates on some of our endeavours. Warmest regards and don’t forget to keep to the ‘1.5’ ‘virtual high 5’ and the hand washing! We are getting there. Sandy
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
13
Wide Bay update - Federal Member Llew O’Brien
Good news for Wallum Woodland Newspapers, no matter their size, play a critical role in documenting a region’s history and communicating local news, and I’m pleased to see the Peregian, Marcus, Castaways, Sunshine and Sunrise Beach communities now have their own dedicated newspaper to fill this important role. Eastern Beaches News is a new voice for advocacy in our region, and an important connection to current affairs, so I welcome this new business and look forward to reading more local news and views. Like the hardworking journalists who produce our local news, I am deeply committed to ensuring Wide Bay is represented fairly in Canberra, particularly when it comes to funding for critical infrastructure and safety projects like the Bruce Highway. I’m also working hard to ensure our region receives every assistance available to revitalise its economy in the wake of last summer’s bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has devastated many local businesses in the broader Noosa region, particularly in the tourism sector. To date, Noosa has received more than $1.5 million in direct funding for bushfire assistance, with further grants to be announced.
As well ensuring the recovery of local jobs and the economy, we’re committed to protecting precious native flora and fauna in eastern beaches communities. Noosa Integrated Catchment Association has done a great job to rehabilitate the Wallum Woodland, with assistance from a $13,000 grant through the Australian Government’s Communities Environment Program, which is helping to create a wildlife linkage between the Girraween section of Noosa National Park, Sunshine Creek and the Sunshine Beach foreshore. Should you require assistance with any matter administered by the Federal Government, or if you would like to make representations or submissions on a policy issue, please do not hesitate to contact my office on (07) 4121 2936. My website www.llewobrien.com.au and my Facebook page www.facebook.com/llewobrienLNP/ are also great ways to stay in touch.
COVID concerns put Rotary’s annual bookfest back to 2021 For Sunshine Coast booklovers the annual Rotary Noosa Daybreak Noosa Bookfest has been an institution for the past 16 years. Normally held in May, it was postponed until October, and last week the decision was made to put it off again 14
until 2021 amid concerns over crowds and COVID. Club president Peter MacDonald said it was heart breaking for the team members and volunteers who had put thousands of hours into sorting and packing books. If you’d like to find out more phone 1300 791 226.
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
15
Chappy’s Corner with Mark Horsfall
Stay positive in your approach to life Last week I gave a group of students a challenging team building activity. They had a negative approach toward it and had a number of failed attempts. We had a discussion and I suggested they change their mentality and consider being more positive. They made the adjustment and the group dynamic changed considerably and within 10 minutes, they had completed the task successfully. We should never underestimate the difference a positive mindset can make. What mind set do you have each day? What mindset do you have when approaching your challenges? What mindset do you have towards your future and goals? Strangely enough most of us, if we’re honest, entertain far too much negative thinking (about ourselves, goals, challenges etc.) which hinders our potential for success and affects our emotional wellbeing. My mentor used to say, “tell the negative committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up”. How can we develop a positive mindset? One of my favorite strategies is to start each day with a positive affirmation, e.g.: “It’s going to be a good day”. This can really set the tone and your attitude for the day ahead. Make sure your self-talk is positive and encouraging. Too often our self-talk is negative and focused on our inability. It requires practice and skill to be consciously aware of your self-talk. Having motivating and internal conversations 16
in your mind helps maintain a positive attitude and outlook. Focus on statements like ‘I can’ and ‘I will’ that are repeated in our mind to influence how we feel and act. Contest your negative thinking and focus on looking for what is good, even if it’s small. Replace negative thoughts as they enter your mind with a positive alternative. This will help build belief, hope and improve your self-esteem and general wellbeing. Be aware of what negative influences (friends, social media…) surround you, they could be influencing your negative self-talk, attitude and mindset. Alternatively if you surround yourself with positive people, their attitude will undoubtedly influence yours. Due to the strange and uncertain times we are in it is more essential than ever to stay positive. Just like the students, our mentality and attitude affects our success and achievements. Let’s choose to be positive! Till next time, happy thinking! Mark Horsfall - Chaplain Coolum State High School
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
PUZZLES
For the answers see page 18 Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
17
Local Heart LOCAL CHURCH CONTACTS Noosa Anglican Church- 5449 8009 & www.anglicanchurchnoosa.org. Sunshine Beach (Bicentennial Drv) or Peregian Springs (in St Andrew’s , 40 Peregian Springs Dve) C3 Church Noosa, Noosaville State School Hall, 75 Beckmans Rd, Noosaville. See www.c3noosa.org Salvation Army, Meeting Rooms 127, Greenoaks Drive Coolum. Call Warren or Denise 0400 797 480 / 0418 214 723. Wave Church, The Cavern Theatre. Sunshine Beach State High. Ph: 5353 5152. Weekly events for youth, children and adults. wavechurch.com.au GOVERNMENT CONTACTS Peregian Springs– Local Noosa Council – 5329 6500 or mail@noosa.qld.gov.au State (Noosa) - Sandy Bolton (Independent) Tel - 5319 3100. Federal (Wide Bay) Llew O’Brien (LNP) Tel– 4121 2936 LOCAL SURF CLUB CONTACTS SUNSHINE BEACH SURF CLUB NIPPERS Phone the club on 5447 5491 or see their website www.sunshinebeachslsc.com.au/ nippers/ PEREGIAN BEACH SURF CLUB NIPPERS Phone 5448 0900 and follow activities at www.facebook.com/peregiannippers
COMMUNITY GROUP CONTACTS PEREGIAN BEACH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC www.pbcai.org or www.facebook.com/ peregianbeachcommunityassociation or phone Barry Cotterell on 5448 2208 or secretary Mary Crawford on 0439 750 145. PEREGIAN FAMILY & FRIENDS COMMUNITY GROUP. www.peregianfriends.com, or www.facebook.com/ peregianfamilyandfriends. Phone 0400 053 444. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NHW2 North Peregian, Marcus Beach, Noosa Di & Doug Shun Wah on 5471 3195 or email d.shunwah@bigpond.com PEREGIAN BEACH COMMUNITY HOUSE Office hours Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9am to 2pm. Email pbcommunityhouse@gmail.com or phone 5471 2311 and leave a message. VEGGIE VILLAGE Located at 50 Rufous St. Best contact is via email at info@veggievillage.org.au or see their website www.veggievillage.org.au—next working bee—September 20. * If you’d like to add your notes here, email peregianspringsnews@gmail.com
MULTI PUZZLE ANSWERS September 2020 WALKING DICTIONARY 18
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020
Local Connect
SIGN UP IS NOW ON FOR NIPPERS WITH Spring upon us it’s that time of year again for water loving youngsters keen to learn more about life saving and have some fun along the way to join the local Nippers. The new season starts from September 20 so there’s still a chance to enrol. Local clubs in the Eastern Beaches News footprint include Sunshine Beach Surf Club and Peregian Beach Surf Club. Peregian Beach SLSC is also seeking volunteers to help this year as it continues to grow its Nippers base with the support of Noosa Heads SLSC. In terms of volunteering - there are lots of roles, whether it is as as Age Manager, Parent Liaison, Uniform Coordinator or sizzling sausages at the regular fundraising barbecue at Peregian Markets. For more on Peregian Beach Nippers, email nippers@noosasurfclub.com.au. Toregister your interest in Nippers Membership go to https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ NippersMembership For Sunshine Beach Nippers, phone the club on 5447 5491 or email lifesaving@sunshinebeachslsc.com.au
Buy this space for $40 ex gst a month Email peregianspringsnews@gmail.com
Eastern Beaches News , September 2020
19
20
Eastern Beaches News, September 2020