Cooroora Connect October 2020

Cooroora Connect An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House

The scarecrows come out to play It’s like the plot of a book written by the horror fiction writer Stephen King – about this time every year strange creatures appear suddenly in the fields and towns of the Mary Valley as the region celebrates the popular Scarecrow Festival, which will run until the end of October.

The picture-perfect landscape of the valley is made more colourful by about 50 entries in the official best scarecrow competition to be judged

by ABC radio personality Rod Blackmore, but many more characters will emerge, inspired by people’s imagination and whatever materials are at hand.

October 2020

State Govt grant assists Noosa Show Society The Noosa Country Show did not go ahead this year, causing the show society to take a financial hit. However, help is at hand via a $14,419 state government grant designed to assist smaller show societies throughout South-East Queensland.

Apparently, the collective noun for a group of scarecrows is ‘a fright’, so do yourself a favour and take a drive to the Mary Valley and be prepared for a pleasant fright courtesy of Mary Valley Artslink.

Queensland Local Government Minister, Sterling Hinchliffe, said the program targeted financial support for operating costs among show societies that own their grounds.

Left: Watch out for some strange characters appearing on the landscape as the Mary Valley celebrates its annual Scarecrow Festival in October.

The societies can use up to 50 per cent of the funding towards new infrastructure works.

Community spirit rises to meet COVID challenge Pomona and District Community House (PCH) management, staff and volunteers met the challenges of delivering services in a COVID-19 world that required reduced operating hours and limited personnel to conduct its business in the first half of the year, according to PCH coordinator, Heather Manders. The organisation had conformed and continues to conform with Queensland Government health restrictions, she

said, while maintaining the enthusiasm of volunteers eager to continue assisting community members during a time of obvious need.

Ms Manders was speaking ahead of the organisation’s Annual General Meeting, to be held at the Pomona Memorial Hall at 9.30am on Saturday 17 October.

Continued page 3

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New tourism marketing campaign ‘working well’ Tourism Noosa’s latest marketing campaign using the targeted theme Enter the Biosphere is generating a consumer recognition factor above industry benchmarks and eclipsing previous winter advertising campaign results, says CEO Melanie Anderson.

The local industry body had to rethink its marketing strategy in light of the travel and other restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic, dramatically cutting the interstate and international visitors to Noosa and forcing Tourism Noosa to compete aggressively with other Queensland regions for a largely drive market.

The Noosa Hinterland was created in miniature for the animated ‘Enter the Biosphere’ advertising campaign.

Anderson explained.

“The campaign began with a bold and adventurous look at the Noosa Observers have commented that Biosphere using animation, but it Noosa’s animated campaign stands out for not simply selling destination doesn’t begin and end with animation. The campaign is multiimages – largely the model adopted by others – but conveys the feeling of layered, using all the beautiful imagery we’re used to seeing from holiday relaxation.

Noosa.

“Utilising research from Tourism “Along the way, we are educating Australia, Tourism Research people about the Noosa Biosphere Australia and Tourism and Events and providing ‘living proof’ that what Queensland, highlighting what you see is true,” she said. travellers are seeking in a holiday during these times, we recognised While acknowledging the early the need to cut through and stand success of the new marketing out from the crowd and the current campaign, Ms Anderson said she flood of marketing activity,” Ms realised that tourism operators

FABRIC DONATIONS WANTED Boomerang Bags are running low on fabric and requesting all donations to be dropped off to Pomona Community House.

continued to face tough times.

“The Premier has announced that Queensland’s border restrictions will not be relaxed until there are no cases of community transmission of coronavirus in New South Wales and Victoria. She indicated this could see [travel] restrictions from Victoria up until Christmas time.

“As we continue to face the most challenging times for our industry, we should all reflect on how we can better support each other, and our industry as a whole, by working together and staying strong as a destination,” Ms Anderson concluded.

CORRECTIONS MENS SHED POMONA: The Cooroora Connect published information last month in an article reporting that Mens Shed Pomona had closed temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We acknowledge that that information was incorrect, caused by a misunderstanding, and apologise to members of the group for any confusion arising from publication.

***** DINGO CREEK WINERY: Last month’s Cooroora Connect included a story about labels on Dingo Creek Wine bottles and named the owners of the Traveston winery as Marg and Dave Gillespie. This is incorrect. The current owners are Doug and Michelle Tritton.

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Challenging year for providing support services to community From page 1 Despite the difficulties, she said PCH had striven to be welcoming and inclusive, determined to maintain services the community has come to expect of the organisation.

“We have been very fortunate during this time to be able to keep our doors open and support our clients with internet service, access to computers, photocopying, referral and information, Justice of Peace services, and Centrelink support,” she said.

to offer community support,” Ms Manders said.

“Requests for help included picking up prescriptions, shopping for vulnerable community members and dropping off frozen meals to families in need. PCH also partnered with our local schools to provide assistance with meals when needed.

“A special thank you goes to all our wonderful contributors and advertisers for their “In addition to free tax help, free legal continued support service, agency counselling and for Cooroora referrals to partnered organisations, Heather Manders Connect our local many other activities have resumed PCH Coordinator news magazine. which include the writers group, social games, music lessons, computer “The services we lessons, tai chi, knitting group, offer our clients are well-supported Boomerang Bags, an upcycling project, and are a valued asset to the carers support group, cuppa and community,” she said. conversation sessions and French Ms Manders especially acknowledged lessons.” the Department of Communities and “Meanwhile, our volunteer Noosa Council for ongoing funding receptionists share their skills assisting support. staff in administrative tasks.

“Finally, a big ‘thank you’ is due to our “We have had to adapt through the amazing community, local businesses, use of social media to engage and partners and networks that get behind inform our community of various our many activities and projects. resources on offer. This time was also The year 2019-2020 had been a beneficial for our community to successful period for making a express concerns and ask for help difference in an ever-changing through a Facebook group established climate,” Ms Manders concluded.

Change of plans likely for aged care campus Lutheran Services – providers of aged care facilities across Australia – has revealed it is considering alternative options for a proposed 52-bed dementia patient home and retirement farm on a 24ha site at Rose Gum Drive, off the Cooroy Connection Road at Black Mountain.

The changed plans included ‘a holistic residential care service that responds to local needs, potentially across a range of age groups’, said Lutheran

Services Corporate Communications manager, Ms Amanda Scanlan.

Ms Scanlan said the new planning was in the exploratory stages only and the group would be pleased to provide updates as new concepts took shape.

The original ‘farm environment’ proposal for land donated to Lutheran Services would have created 80 building jobs. No timetable for construction has been provided.

No takers for swim pool lease With warmer weather approaching, many are having visions of cooling off in a glistening swimming pool, but it looks like being a case of ‘dream on’ for those wanting to take a dip in the Pomona State School swimming pool this summer.

Pomona State School has received no responses to its invitation for expressions of interest to lease and run the pool after school hours until the end of April 2021. Tender submissions closed 26 August.

The school had wanted to open the pool to wider use from 19 September. The tender fee is $5000.

A lack of takers to manage non -school use of the pool replicates the situation last summer when it remained idle before and after school. Those keen for a dip had to travel to Noosa or Eumundi.

That’s not to say the local pool isn’t well used. Students from Pomona and surrounding schools learn to swim and recreate under supervision between 9am and 3pm.

Intending lessees must agree to comply with Department of Education and Training regulations relating to water safety, occupational health and safety mandatory requirements, and they must have commercial indemnity insurance.

If you are interested in leasing the Pomona pool for community use, contact the Pomona State School business manager, bsm@pomonass.eq.edu.au phone 5480 8222.

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Zero Emissions Noosa pushes for more take-up of solar power by small business Left to right: Noosa Council Economic Development Director Kim Rawlings, Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart, ZEN President Vivien Griffin and ZEN Coordinator Dalia Mikhail.

The financial benefits to Noosa businesses from implementing Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs) were front and centre of discussions when Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) met with Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart and Economic Development Director Kim Rawlings recently.

lower interest rates,” (ZEN) says in a statement on its website.

EUAs enable business to access no deposit, low interest and long-term repayment loans to access costsaving energy efficiency technology, including rooftop solar power. “The loan stays with the property and repayments are made through the local council, so there is great security for the lender, which enables

“Queensland businesses deserve the same opportunities as their interstate She said ZEN had been lobbying the colleagues, and this is one simple, no State Government, and already had cost initiative that could help them.” support from the Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP. “We hope that ZEN said the agreements were support from councils, including available already in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, but Noosa and the Local Government Association of Queensland, would there was a catch to making them speed up the reform process.” available in Queensland: effecting

“We know Noosa businesses are doing it tough, so anything that can help their bottom line must be pursued,” said ZEN president, Vivien Griffith. "Case studies prove [these arrangements] can be cash positive from the start.

the change here requires an amendment to the Local Government Act by the Queensland Government.

“There is no cost burden to the state government or local councils, who must choose to opt in to the scheme.

We strongly believe this must happen as a matter of urgency,” Ms Griffith said.

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Welcome mat goes out for visiting Morris Minor club The desire of Queenslanders to recreate within state borders during the COVID-19 restrictions has been to the benefit of the Hinterland once again as an impromptu parade of vintage Morris brand vehicles perambulated around the streets of Pomona on 12 September to the Saturday markets, where they went on display before an appreciative audience.

The presence of about 30 members of Brisbane Southside Morris Minor Club and a dozen of their immaculately maintained vehicles dating from 1948 to 1959 brought added colour to the weekly

markets and underpinned the importance of day visitation to contribute to a growing tourism economy.

A journey to Pomona was chosen after border closures forced the club to cancel rallies to Berri and Albury in NSW. “We came because it is a beautiful area to visit,” said club president, Alex Connors. The club draws members from afar, including Innisfail and Toowoomba. The club members in Pomona for the day cruised the markets, had morning tea in town and went to a screening of a silent movie at The Majestic Theatre in

Morris vehicle enthusiasts display their cars in Pomona during a recent rally visit to the town. the afternoon before travelling to Nambour for an overnight stay.

Alex said it was coincidental that he was president and also the supplier of hard to find parts for old Morris vehicles. The inspiration for his involvement with the club was due, in large

part, to his late wife, Val. There are about 60 members in the Brisbane Southside Morris Minor Club. It formed in 1985 when two couples who were keen Morris Minor enthusiasts decided a car club was needed on the south side of Brisbane.

Event tests Pomona as a motorcycle friendly hub A different breed of grey nomads is being attracted to Pomona, arriving not with caravans in tow, or in bells and whistles recreational vehicles, but astride meticulously restored motorcycles that will turn the Pomona Showgrounds into a hive of activity over the 2-5 October long weekend.

villages, most notably Boreen Point’s recently renovated Apollonian Hotel, which is fast becoming a favourite venue for a motorcyclists day out.

Indian motorcycle enthusiasts from as far afield as Rockhampton are expected to be in town, riding and showing vehicles from 1916 to 1950.

They had planned to hold their Pomona event at Easter, but cancelled.

cafes and restaurants.”

Pomona had been chosen by the group because of its proximity to varied attractions and challenging local roads suitable for motorcyclists.

Early Indian motorcycles manufactured in the USA and imported into Australia, were once a The staging of the rally by the common sight around the greater Historic Motor Cycle Club of Noosa region. Over time modern and Queensland (HMCCQ) Vintage “We normally hold two events a year, new motorcycle brands gained Indian Chapter will bring 50 riders at Easter and a rally tour ride around popularity. and 25 two-wheeled roadsters to October, but this year we decided to The HMCCQ Vintage Indian Chapter town and is being regarded as the take the rally to later in the year,” attendees have faithfully restored foretaste for holding similar events of explained a spokesperson, Ian their machines back to their former this type each year – attracting Rennie. glory in order to take part in the additional visitors and their dollars “We decided to stick with Pomona annual Easter event and tour. to strengthen our growing tourist because we wanted to support the economy.

Do you have a view about community during the COVID-19 motorcycle enthusiasts visiting our The Indian motorcycle enthusiasts pandemic. Normally we do a lot of local towns? Cr Karen Finzel would will spend an estimated $10,000 while self-catering, but we won’t do that like to hear from you, phone 5329 in Pomona and during their 6279, or email this year. Instead, we’ve told visitations to surrounding satellite participants to eat and drink at local karen.finzel@noosa.qld.gov.au.

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University drone technology being used to track Noosa’s koalas The last chilly mornings of the year may have given us an excuse to snuggle under the doona for a few more minutes before getting out of bed, but spare a thought for Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers who have been applying their innovative method for detecting koalas using drones and infrared imaging in a collaborative project to identify wildlife populations of the cuddly marsupial in bushfire-affected areas.

University research is tracking our Noosa Hinterland koala population following the bushfires.

“We know that the bushfires have had a terrible impact on wildlife, but in order to help protect those that survived, we first need to identify the populations of animals that are still in fire-affected areas,” Professor Hamilton said.

They created an algorithm that was designed to identify the heat signatures of koalas, which can be very difficult to spot from ground level. Their equipment detects the body warmth of the koalas against the ambient temperature to pinpoint Last year, Professor Hamilton cowhere the are located in the burntauthored a study with PhD student out forests.

Evangeline Corcoran and Dr Simon Denman from QUT, and John Associate Professor Grant Hamilton Hanger and Bree Wilson from of the QUT Ecology and Endeavour Veterinary Ecology which Environmental Science Faculty was published in Nature Journal joined with Noosa and District scientific reports, that detailed the Landcare to undertake the project, technique for locating koalas using using a combination of drone drones that could detect heat technology and artificial intelligence signatures. to create a ‘census’ of animals that “Last year, we were able to show that survived the bushfires. our system for detecting koalas was

more accurate than using expert observers,” Professor Hamilton said.

“Another advantage of using drones to spot animals from the air is that we can cover areas much quicker than people on foot can conduct a search, and we can cover areas that are too inaccessible for spotters on the ground.”

Noosa and District Landcare acting general manager, Rachel Lyons, said the main Noosa burn zones had been very intense – with full canopy fires – while flanking areas and back-burn sites varied in burn intensity.

“Koalas were unlikely to have survived the canopy fire areas and we have held concerns about the survival of koalas in the less intense sites,” she said.

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Consultation starts on future management of Tuchekoi National Park An assessment will be made of the Tuchekoi National Park involving the Kabi Kabi First Nation people to establish the area’s significance for natural, cultural and visitor values, the Queensland Department of Environment and Science has revealed.

The current planning process includes: 

identifying the key values of the park(s) and their condition  identifying the threats to those values  formulating strategies to maintain or improve the condition and the values of the park, and The values determined and  helping to prioritise prioritised, strategies will resources for park(s) be devised to conserve management across them.

Queensland.

The COVID-19 restrictions have meant that more of us are heading outdoors for exercise, rather than frequenting gyms. Use of the national park must be accompanied by strategies to protect the environment.

Preliminary discussions planning for a Tewantin with the Kabi Kabi had area ‘management focused on the Indigenous statement’. cultural significance of “The timing of this process Mount Cooroora. will be reviewed against “All planning for QPWSplanning priorities and managed lands is resources, and the timing A departmental The spokesperson said: undertaken in partnership required for consultation spokesperson revealed that “The planning instruments with First Nations people with the Kabi Kabi First the Queensland Parks and are used to guide and in this instance QPWS Nation.”

Wildlife Service (QPWS) development of fire, pest is partnering with [the] had begun initial and visitor strategies, while Kabi Kabi to deliver The latest developments consultation regarding the focus of management planning in Kabi Kabi First coincide with increased management planning for statements is to conserve visitation to Mount Nation Country. the wider Tewantin natural and manage key values, Cooroora and surrounding “Current planning conservation area including natural, cultural priorities in Kabi Kabi Tuchekoi National Park as encompassing Tewantin and social values.” more people seek local Country are the Noosa National Park, Harry recreational opportunities, National Park and the Preparation of Springs Conservation Park, management instruments Cooloola Recreation Area. and follow the release of Tuchekoi National Park, the Noosa Trails Once these priorities are was undertaken by Yurol State Forest and completed, the next set of Masterplan, which professional planners Ringtail State Forest. All establishes Pomona as the planning priorities will be employed by QPWS, the will be governed by a new spokesperson said. They principal ‘hub town’ for developed.” ‘management statement’ as included consultation with mountain biking and The spokesperson said the nature-based tourism in prescribed by the Nature key stakeholders, such as current significant impacts the hinterland.

Conservation Act 1992. local councils, of COVID-19 had delayed A full management plan environmental review focused specifically organisations, on Tuchekoi National Park representatives of is not due until 2023. recreational users and  Registered Physiotherapists tourism groups.  Registered Massage Therapist  Sports Injuries PARISH CHANGES MASS TIMES  PTSD Management Noosa Catholic Parish has changed mass times for its Mob: 0415 734 180  Women’s Health Hinterland churches at Pomona and Cooroy.  Cranial & TMJ Release Fax: 5485 1168 Mass times are now 10.30am on the second and fourth  Yoga Therapy / Acupuncture Sundays of the month at Pomona, alternating with  Chronic Injury / Pain Management Cooroy at the same time on the first and third Sundays  Post Graduate Specialisation in Manual Adjustment Therapy of the month.

BAREFOOT PHYSIO

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Beware dive-bombing magpies protecting nests Just a reminder to those jogging, walking or exercising in public spaces and to children riding bikes or playing that the magpie breeding season is under way. We are asked to remain tolerant of this protected native animal as the birds guard the area around their nests.

Notify the council of an aggressive magpie so that warning signs The take-home message is can be erected. that magpies are not out to cause injury – they merely during this time that their and they will attack protective swooping anything they consider to perceive people as a behaviour is in full force. be a threat, from a raven or potential threat to their The good news is that a a dog to a human. brood of eggs or hatchlings. single magpie will swoop The best way to avoid If we get too close for the for only about six weeks being swooped on is to bird’s liking, they tell us until their chicks are change your route. Magpies using aggressive body fledged and leave the nest, only swoop within 50 language – beak clapping, so magpie breeding season metres of their nests, so whooshing above the head is usually all over by stay away from known and screeching – and dive November. magpie nesting areas. Also, bombing.

It’s the males that defend magpies usually go back to Magpies usually breed their nests from the time the same spot every year. between August and the eggs are laid until the So, if there was a swooping October every year, and it’s young birds are fledged, danger zone on your route

last year, it is likely to be there again this year.

But if a detour’s not possible, here’s some tactics to avoid being swooped:  travel in groups, as

swooping birds usually only target individuals  carry an open umbrella

(or stick) above your head  wear sunglasses and a

broad-brimmed hat  if you ride a bike, walk it

through magpie territory or have a flag on the back of the bike that is higher than your head.

Above all, do not act aggressively. If you wave your arms about or shout, the magpies will regard you as a threat to the nest – and not just this year, but for up to five years to come.

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Permaculture Noosa plants seeds of hope with new shelter idea By the end of the year, hopefully, there will be more than just plants, fruits and vegetables sprouting from the ground at the Cooroy Community Permaculture Gardens as Permaculture Noosa pushes ahead with plans to erect a shelter on site that will assist members and the hinterland community as they promote the ethics of permaculture, sustainability and organic growing of food in the uncertain times COVID-19 brings.

economic and human cost has been huge. Food and water security, sustainability and climate change are now in the forefront of many more people’s thinking. It is a big wake-up call for us all,” Ms Guy said.

Permaculture Noosa’s proposed new shelter for the Cooroy Community Gardens.

Street, Cooroy.

To raise money for the The shelter will have solar shelter’s construction, panels, a kitchen, an office, Permaculture Noosa is conducting a raffle with a a pizza oven, a concrete “Our intention is to floor, roof with ceiling fans, first prize of $1000 cash.

Tickets are available at the continue to create a a rainwater tank and a beautiful green space storage area for tables and Permaculture Noosa Pomona Market sausage within our gardens for chairs. sizzle every first and third meaningful community Ms Guy said: “Once this connection and education community hub is built, it Saturday until November, as well as a space where we will be a space for all ages, or visit www.permaculturenoosa.c can hold all-weather from very young children om.au community events, who can enjoy how to grow The group’s Shelter Project workshops, have guest food and play in the Director and fundraising speakers, sell plants and gardens, to the elderly, who UNITING CHURCH WISDOM coordinator, Sandra Guy, swap produce.” can just come, sit and God doesn’t question your says the need to adhere to The proposed new shelter enjoy.” existence. essential restrictions and (pictured) is a solar passive maintain social distancing design and has been during the pandemic designed for Permaculture actually works against basic Noosa by Ecolibrium human needs for love, Designs, Eumundi and will support and connection. be located at the “The world as we knew it Community Permaculture has been shattered and the Gardens, 26 Emerald

Hello, this is Optus calling Boreen Point Optus has activated its 100th mobile black spot tower at Boreen Point, as it works towards a goal of eliminating 47 new mobile phone ‘black spot’ sites across Queensland.

Co-located on an existing tower along Lake Flat Road, Optus says the Boreen Point site will provide coverage to Boreen Point and Lake Cootharaba. More than 640 homes will now be able to get mobile reception for the first time.

In addition, Optus says more than 80 sq km surrounding the Boreen Point site will receive new Optus coverage, as well as 11km of road coverage along sections of Louis Bazzo Drive, Junction Road, McKinnon Drive and Cootharaba Road.

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‘Build dual train tracks’ to avoid long delays at Pomona level crossing

Noosa eligible for bushfire recovery community funds Noosa is among Queensland regions in line to share in $36.8 million for bushfire recovery projects, Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, has announced.

by Brian O’Connor

however, when QR kept the You won’t find a signalling Reserve Street boom gates lowered while a mechanism like it northbound freight train anywhere on the blocked the street while Queensland Rail (QR) network across the state – stationary on the Pomona the sign and red lights that passing loop, waiting for the 2pm scheduled tell Pomona motorists a train is passing through the passenger train heading to Brisbane to pass through.

Reserve Street level crossing and advising The delay lasted about 10 drivers to detour via the minutes, bringing traffic to Subway Avenue underpass. a standstill on Factory Street and backing vehicles Located at Pomona’s Memorial Avenue/Reserve up past the main Street roundabout, the sign roundabout in Reserve Street. is meant to avoid a

This sign is located at the intersection of Reserve Street and Memorial Avenue advising motorists to detour via railway subway whenever a train is passing through the Reserve Street level crossing.

QR says it attempts to avoid long delays at the Reserve Street level crossing, but that hasn’t stopped calls from some quarters for continuous dual tracks between Because of its location on the rail network two and a Pomona and Cooran, The illuminated sign can be half hours by train north of incorporating the existing a bit confusing for visitors – Brisbane, passing trains are passing loops, that would such as the interstate driver halted regularly at Pomona, allow two trains to pass each other at speed without who observed it flash red awaiting trains stopping. while travelling on approaching in the Memorial Avenue south opposite direction on the The proposal has merit past the vet’s. She came to single-lane track north and from a train scheduling an abrupt halt, believing south of town. Long freight perspective as a heavy the sign indicated she trains must occupy the full freight train can take up to should not proceed length of the passing loop, five minutes to accelerate through the roundabout. blocking the road and also back to its optimum speed the cross-town pedestrian after coming to a halt.

The sign was useless on path.

Thursday 4 September, situation whereby trucks and cars queue back from the level crossing, blocking the entrance to Railway Parade, which gives access to the IGA Supermarket car park.

It is doubtful whether a fire engine would have been able to exit the Pomona Fire Station in the event of an emergency.

Grant for school’s adventure playground Senior students at Pomona State School can’t wait until they are climbing over their new adventure playground equipment following state government confirmation of a $50,000 grant towards the cost.

The school community has spent many months raising a further $36,000. The playground will be built on a greenfield site within the school property, with construction required to be completed by 30 June 2021. The school is yet to call tenders.

The funding, which is jointly delivered by the Australian and Queensland Governments on a 50/50 basis, will support a range of projects in 13 local council areas that were most heavily impacted by last year’s bushfire season.

“This funding is to enable the next step in recovery, the longer-term projects that will build a better future for Noosa and Gympie following the disruption from the bushfires,” Mr O’Brien said.

Eligible councils and state agencies were invited to submit expressions of interest to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority by 7 September 2020.

The value of each EOI was capped at $5 million for projects such as new infrastructure or upgrades to existing infrastructure, initiatives supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, local recovery support for businesses, local industry recovery, and neighbourhood and community activities that focussed on building capacity, community strength and resilience.

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Safety on Pomona-Kin Kin Road ‘is a priority’ Increased activity at the Kin Kin Quarry is having an impact on the Kin Kin Range Road, and Noosa’s independent MP Sandy Bolton is determined to ensure its safety through greater funding and urgent works.

Ms Bolton explained that, while the quarry has truck movement restrictions in place through an agreement with Noosa Council, the agreement only refers to trucks leaving the quarry. A minimum five-minute gap between trucks loading and leaving is mandated – and not before 6am.

Drive, a vital link to developing the local economy.

“With the loss of international and interstate travellers, as well jobs in many areas, it is imperative that we have tourist offerings that are part of what makes Noosa unique in order to attract regional visitors through and beyond the impacts of COVID-19.

“Dangerous roads are not part of that, “ she said.

When speaking to the Department of Transport and Main Roads about the road’s condition, Ms Bolton said she had been very “But the agreement does clear that the solution no not cover trucks arriving at longer involved ‘patchthe quarry before that time jobs’. A larger solution was The Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP, inspects the poor to load up,” she said. required. condition of the Pomona-Kin Kin Road.

“Suddenly the volume of “The safety of our families truck traffic has gone up. and visitors, as well as the “We have to make sure the at a community meeting, I road surface can stand the will not have one on my “The road in parts is emotional and economic traffic burden, and that watch. disintegrating rapidly.” well-being of these drivers are doing the right “This is a priority issue for Ms Bolton said she had communities, depend on thing. me, now and in the next arranged for an inspector this,” she said. to visit the sites impacted, Ms Bolton added that “We have had no fatalities term of government,” Ms with remedial works to be driver behaviour also was – and, as I said to residents Bolton said. undertaken immediately. an issue, requiring greater VOULUNTEER “But that’s not enough. I police presence. had already applied for new “I have lived in the Noosa GARDENERS NEEDED sheeting for sections – but electorate for 30 years and I FOR the area [affected] has now know this road very well,” POMONA COMMUNINTY expanded. We must make Ms Bolton said. the road safe and HOUSE “It was once an open serviceable,” she said.

If you love to garden we have just the job for you! country road, which was an “There are lots of new enjoyable experience for homes in that area, as well motorists – but more traffic Just one or two days a week would as walkers, cyclists and and greater truck activity make a big difference horse riders. This is also means it’s now more part of the Noosa Country dangerous than before.

TAI CHI @ POMONA HALL Friday 8.30am Cost $2.00 per Class

If you can help us out please call Ph: 5485 2427

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QUEENSLAND MENTAL HEALTH WEEK: 10–18 October 2020

Opportunity for all to focus on mental health issues Queensland Mental Health Week is an important opportunity for all Queenslanders to come together and promote mental well-being at home, at work, and at play. Statistics tell us that 20 per cent of Australians live with some form of mental health issue.

By actively engaging our communities and encouraging people to share, speak up, learn and support each other, we can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

After all, mental illness can affect anyone. This year, the message is #TakeTime for Mental Health. When we take time to look after our mental health we are able to improve our resilience and better cope with the everyday stresses of life.

Many of the causes of stress are well-

known: major life changes such as moving house, divorce, changing jobs or the death of a loved one.

Health issues, financial concerns and circumstances that we feel we have no control over (particularly pertinent during the current pandemic) contribute to stress.

deeply; cuddle your cat or dog – or borrow someone else’s for a cuddle; watch a funny movie – have a good laugh!

Talk to someone who can help.

Please, if you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, talk to a counsellor or see your GP for assistance.

However, even some ‘happy’ events such as getting married and the birth of a baby Disciplines like yoga, tai chi, qigong and (perinatal depression) can be meditation all help us release stress. overwhelming.

Please see the FREE sessions that are We each have our own well-being available during Mental Health Week journey and finding out what works for below. you to release stress can be a great In this issue of the Cooroora Connect we motivator in staying well. Here are a few are talking with two people about their suggestions: Go for a walk (or run) in the personal journeys with mental health park (being in nature is known to reduce issues and sharing the poetry of another. our stress levels); read; listen to music; go We thank them for their willingness to swimming; dance; remember to breathe speak out.

TAKE TIME FOR YOU! During Mental Health week we invite you to try out some

FREE ACTIVITIES Calming & Relaxing QIGONG Sunday 11 October 9am - 10 am Lawson Shed TAI CHI Friday 16 October 8.30am - 9.30am Pomona Memorial Hall YOGA Thursday 15 October 1.30pm - 2.30pm Lawson Shed MEDITATION Monday 12 - Friday 16 Oct 8am - 8.30am

Community House Veranda

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

For Qigong, Yoga & Meditation

Phone: 5485 2427

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13

QUEENSLAND MENTAL HEALTH WEEK: 10–18 October 2020 partner, Jocelyn, and his family as being ‘just the most supportive people’.

He recognises that he has been extremely lucky.

Dan Truscott Dan Truscott is well-known in the township of Pomona for many things. He is a prolific mixed media/mixed technique artist, a wonderful piano player and a master of Tai Chi. Dan is also known for his charm, vitality and enthusiasm.

What many may not know is that Dan lives with Bipolar Disorder, a disorder in which people can have extreme moods of feeling really high when they are very active and euphoric, or time for him. they may feel incredibly The episodes continued low and depressed. and at the age of fifty-six, Uncompromisingly honest after many diagnoses, most and authentic, Dan shared of which he says he has his story. Describing now forgotten, Dan was himself as ‘a good bloke encouraged to join a from the country’, Dan says support organisation. he has never, even as a It was here that he was young man, been finally diagnosed with enamoured of city life or Bipolar Disorder and here city living. However, when that he discovered Tai Chi. he was in his late teens, “It became one of the three Dan headed to Melbourne support mechanisms in my to obtain a qualification in life, the others being visual teaching. arts and music,” Dan said.

During this time, Dan says that although he was extremely fit, he began to overdo his physical training, which led to lethargy and sleeplessness.

This, combined with some difficult relationship issues, was the precursors to his first experience of psychosis, which he says was an ‘extremely scary’

It is in these realms that Dan experiences the freedom to express himself as well as finding opportunities for learning and making new discoveries.

Learning to live with a mental illness has taken time and while there have been difficult and

SPECIAL MARKET OPPORTUNITY Pomona Country Markets in conjunction with the Great Up-cycling Challenge invites anyone who specialises in recycling, up-cycling, making something new from old or who is selling pre-loved items to show off and sell their goods at the special ‘Up-cycling Market Day’ on Saturday 14 November. Call Jason on 0499 146 857 to book a stall.

traumatic times, Dan says: “Having a mental illness, has been a wonderful way to learn my way round the physical and mental world at large.”

He says: “Obviously there would have been many, many times when I would have chosen, if I had a choice, not to have a mental illness. The fact is that where many people call it an illness, it’s me! I see myself as a very, very healthy, well-rounded person. I don’t see myself as a person struggling with a mental illness.”

When asked what he would say to someone who has recently become aware that they may have a mental This includes the process of illness or who may have concerns about their finding the right mental well-being, Dan medication, which he replied: “Seek help and describes as complex ‘both positive and negative never ever give up – no matter how dark things but essential.’ are.”

Dan acknowledges his

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14

QUEENSLAND MENTAL HEALTH WEEK: 10–18 October 2020 After emigrating to Australia, J met his future For many men, particularly partner, K and they have older men, sharing their now been married for 47 feelings, expressing years. Having already had a themselves and finding difficult upbringing, J, like outlets for suffering and many others, suffers Post trauma can be difficult.

Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after serving in the Feeling safe enough to Armed Forces, leading, K share feelings of says, to ‘some difficult hopelessness and vulnerability can be a rare times’ for them both. Many years later when J had a experience. Even after heart attack, his anxiety decades of marriage, or and depression once again relationship with a close escalated. partner, finding the right words to explain to For J it has been a journey someone else what is going of finding out what works on emotionally or for him personally. While psychologically can be medication and sessions challenging and frustrating. with a counsellor have played their part, and, he This is the story of one says, been very helpful, couple who have being with friends and experienced living with family, enjoying music, and mental health issues. now being a part of the Please note, the couple Men’s Shed have also do not wish to be named played an essential part in and the initials used do his self-care. not reflect actual names.

Partner support

For K it has been a twofold journey. Finding ways to support and assist J is one, but in addition, she has had to find ways to develop her own resilience and strength.

Some years ago K suffered the loss of her brother to suicide. After a marriage breakdown and problems with alcohol, she says her brother became reclusive and was never able to talk about his experiences. She wishes there had been a group like the Men’s Shed where he could have gone to find company and perhaps open up to others.

The couple are now passionate advocates for Men’s Sheds. K said: “Men talk shoulder to shoulder, not face to face.” The variety of activities available at the Men’s Shed, she says, provides that opportunity. K continues by saying that the priority

of the Men’s Shed movement is men’s mental health.

“There are several members who suffer from PTSD and other issues, also men who have lost partners and have little or no family support, and everyone needs a place ‘to chew the fat’.

“The convivial atmosphere of the Men’s Shed is perfect for that and an essential space in any community.”

Men’s Shed Pomona is open to all for a chat, a cuppa and you may even make new friends. It is open Wednesday and Saturday, 8am to 12pm, and the contact number is 0438 639 686.

Contact details are also on Facebook and the website www.mensshedpomona.co m.au Please see emergency contact numbers on this page.

Cooroy Pomona Lions Club

Bookshop All proceeds go to Community Projects

WEEKLY Friday & Saturday 9am to 1pm

“Books Galore” Great Bargains & Prices Located below Pomona Community House 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona

Contact Brian Ph: 0434 612149 Donations of books welcomed Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

15

A Dedication to Carers

by Sandy Klein I am a mother, a father, a daughter, or a son I am a brother, a sister or an uncle on the run I am an auntie, a cousin, young old, short, or tall For I am a carer, who sometimes feels so small.

I am the book I have never written The song I have yet to sing But I am not just a carer, I am so many things.

I am the long walk along the beach The movies I never see I am not the pity in the eyes of my friends, when they look at me.

For I am the carer who has a starring role I am the carer in the situation which is really beyond my control I love the person I care for, please do not get me wrong I love the person I care for but it’s not my only song.

So when you talk to me, do not look through me See me for who I AM For I am the one who has not turned and ran...

You see I am a carer, I have the starring role I am caring for this person, who I love with all my heart and soul And so I will keep on caring doing the best I can And so I will keep on caring perhaps it was God’s plan.

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It’s time for some solace at railway station gallery With so many changes occurring, from COVID-19 restrictions to ongoing climate disasters, we all need some solace. It is timely therefore that Pomona Railway Station Gallery should present its latest exhibition, SOLACE, from 3-28 October.

Expressive artist Debra Dougherty (pictured) and Tanglewood botanical artisan Erica Harvey have created a new display depicting an affinity with our local bushlands.

going bush – painting the tall gums and curvy birches.

Debra says: “I can breathe deep and slowly when I am painting among the trees.

Moments of spontaneity occur on the canvas; a lightness of feeling becomes a broad brush of colour, curved to the sky.”

Weather permitting, Debra will conduct an outside art demonstration on Saturday 10 October at 10.30 am.

Similarly, Erica Harvey’s 3D The restorative relationship botanical art connects us people have with the trees with the forest’s ground and the birds is reflected in through the use of organic Debra's latest 2D objects such as bark, bone, artworks. She has been air fern and logs found in

Debra Dougherty displays her unique talents in a new exhibition at the Pomona Railway Station Gallery the bush. Each piece is a micro garden in itself. The balance of burnt wood or barbed wire juxtaposed

with new life in ferns, moss and spidery leaves of plants reminds the viewer of life’s ongoing cycles.

NEW ART GALLERY ROOF Have you seen the new roof atop the Old Railway Gallery, Pomona?

SOLACE

Bones Plumbing and Roofing, contractors engaged by Noosa Council, replaced the roof over several days last month. The Noosa and District Landcare building next door is being repainted a blue colour, similar to that of the North Coast Law offices. Eventually, colourful sails will shade the nursery out back.

An exhibition by Artist Debra Dougherty and Tanglewood Artist Erica Harvey

POMONA COUNTRY MARKETS

The Gallery Walls are refreshed with all new works.

Every Saturday 7am - 12 noon

Come and Enjoy!

Locally grown fruit & Vegjes, jams, homemade breads coffee, handcrafted quality products, clothing, plants and a lot more.

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday & Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm

10 STATION ST, POMONA

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Stall Enquires Ph: 0499 146 857

PH: 5485 2950 Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

17

Buy a chair and support Noosa Open Studios Here is a chance to support local creative endeavour as well as Queensland’s largest open studios arts event. With COVID-19 social restrictions applying, the Noosa Open Studios Art Trail will go ahead from 9 to 18 October. It will provide locals and visitors to our beautiful region a rare chance to visit artists in their private studios. While there, visitors can learn about the artists’ creative processes, see their work and perhaps even make an art investment.

October at the beautiful Noosa Botanic Gardens, Cooroy, from noon, for viewing and auction at 2.30pm at the amphitheatre.

frames are made from Blue Gum grown at Cooran, dried and milled locally and lovingly made by the Cooroora Woodworkers at Cooroy.

Each deck chair is a piece of art. The auction in support of Noosa Open Studios will be the highlight of a BYO picnic with music supplied by Lee Hardisty, an acclaimed multiinstrumentalist who has been touring the world with music for the past 15 years.

“Australian made canvas has been sewn by ladies at The Sewing Project in Rene Street. Thirty very talented and generous artists from among the pool of 98 open studio artists have uniquely embellished each chair.”

Yanni said: “I am a firm believer that the arts are an under resourced tourism attraction and our shire is “I came upon the idea to promote rich in possibilities to promote our shire in a COVID-19 friendly As a prelude to the major activity, way,” said Yanni. “Tourism Noosa got ourselves further in this field.” local sculptor, ceramicist and mixed behind the project on the stipulation She thanked all who participated to media artist Yanni van Zijl has help bring about this year’s vision for that the subject of the auction be organised Deck Chairs on the Green – made locally. I could not be happier showcasing the region’s artists and a collection of 30 chairs that are up their creations. with the outcome. for sale/auction on Saturday 3 “These beautifully crafted deck chair www.noosaopenstudios.com.au

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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Community supports improved road safety What an incredible community we have. Whether it’s uniting to address impacts from the increase in trucks coming through our villages, or supporting each other through life’s challenges. No wonder everyone wants to relocate here!

well as enormous enthusiasm from all who attended.

As I have run out of room, please head to www.sandybolton.com, Noosa 360 or our current newsletter for updates on so much, or call 53193100 so we can post you our latest! And please, if for any reason you did not receive the Annual Connect, Community Survey and postal voting information, let my office know.

As we continue to work with TMR, council and our police to improve the heavy vehicle situation, a special thank you to every person who has sent information, photos and videos to support our efforts. As has been demonstrated with securing the $20m to replace Six Mile Bridge, evidence is vitally important, and we have seen in these last weeks the swift action when it is sent through.

With Sandy Bolton MP Member for Noosa

safety and well-being of our community is paramount, and For those who are not online and whatever can be done to improve either see my Facebook or Noosa 360 this current situation in the interim updates, here is a brief summary. is being done while working on the After a meeting with representatives longer-term solution, which will be from Noosa Council, Cordwells, our my focus and commitment to you. police and Kin Kin Community The well-being of residents, Group, updates included the work businesses and our future, which council is doing on compliance and incorporates the Noosa Country regulation with the Quarry Drive and Master Trails, relies on our Management Plan, which includes ‘country Noosa’ retaining its unique random checks on aspects of truck and laid-back style, with offerings movements. TMR have provided that reflect what we promote. extra ‘counters’ to assist, and have been doing compliance checks This was showcased by the regarding loads, registration and ‘Roadshow’ which I attended, and inductions, as well as patching tested, including fabulous local fare, damage while a broader investigation and a nap in a yurt! How I wished I is under way. could have stayed.

Our police have done ‘blitzes’ and will continue to do random ones while we get some more ‘permanent’ monitoring and they have issued infringement notices and fines.

TMR, council and police met again recently, and once I have the outcome of this, I will post up immediately. Be assured that the

A combined effort by Noosa Landcare, Noosa Council and Tourism Noosa teams, it was a full day outlining the social, environmental, and economic opportunities that our countryside provides. A long-held vision over many years is getting closer to reality, and I appreciated witnessing the many viewpoints and concerns as

P: 1300 881 665 E: ecq@ecq.qld.gov.au  

Check your Enrolment Enrol to vote for the first time

Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

PS. Thank you to those who provided a warm welcome to our Team Noosa volunteers at the markets, as we figure out how to campaign in a COVID-19 safe way with prepoll opening in just three weeks! The offers of support are truly appreciated, as well as humbling.

Every day in every way, I am so honoured to represent such incredible people and communities.

Until next time, remember the 1.5m rule while hugs are still being stored, and let’s keep Noosa independent!

28 JOBS IN BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION Twenty-eight construction jobs will be sustained during the $18 million reconstruction of the Six-Mile Creek Bridge on the Pomona-Kin Kin Road at Pinbarren, the state government has revealed.

The employment benefits of the bridgework is revealed in a progress report on the roll-out of new, accelerated funding for road and regional infrastructure projects to assist the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding boost includes more than $400 million for transport and road projects as part of the Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs, and tens of millions of dollars for 48 new regional council infrastructure projects under the Building our Regions (BoR) program.

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Pomona Uniting Church to be convenient early voting centre Pomona’s Uniting Church hall in Factory Street (next to the Orange Cafe) is one of approximately 200 early voting centres that Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) will operate from Monday 19 October to Friday 30 October, ahead of the general election on Saturday 31 October.

Additional polling centres will operate in hinterland towns on the actual day of the election.

ECQ advises that most early voting centres will

operate from 9am to 6pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 9am to 9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 9am to 5pm on Saturday 24 October.

Any elector can apply for a postal vote online, by calling 1300 881 665.

It is compulsory for adults over the age of 18 to vote in the poll to elect a new State Parliament for a fixed four-year term. www.ecq.qld.gov.au/ elections/electionevents/2020-state-generalelection

COORAN ROADWORKS Noosa Council has resealed some roads at Cooran as part of its hinterland roads upgrade plan. The streets are: Queen Street service road, Railway Road and Bridge Street.

ELECTION COMMITMENT:

LNP pledges funds for Noosa Landcare In the pipeline is a plan to redevelop the Noosa and District Landcare resource centre in Station Street, Pomona, as a Natural Resource Management Information Hub where rural landholders can access land management information, acquire plants and other equipment and buy local sustainable products on commission.

It is hoped the existing building can be lowered, disability access installed, signage improved and a refurbished plant nursery upgraded, shaded by colourful sails. This would provide enhanced land management practices, employment and local product awareness, according to Phil Moran, the Landcare general manager.

The concept has attracted the attention of the LNP during the current state election campaign, its spokesperson for Tourism and Environment, David Crisafulli, travelling to Pomona last month where he was joined by local LNP candidate James Blevin to announce a $100,000 contribution to the cost should an LNP government be elected on 31 October.

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Council, tourism group seek trails network funds After failing to obtain a $1.5m state government grant to kick-start the planned upgrade of the Noosa Trail Network, Noosa Council and Tourism Noosa are preparing a submission to the Commonwealth Government seeking a $9m injection into the plan that will make Pomona a hub town for nature-based tourism in the hinterland.

to form a trails stakeholder reference group by Christmas. “We want to run the stakeholder consultation at the same time as the track audit to get a better idea of what is happening on the ground,” Mr Milne said.

Simultaneously, a complementary Memorandum of Understanding is being negotiated with the Noosa Council’s Principal Queensland National Parks Environment Officer, Peter and Wildlife Service, which Milne, told 30 people at the is responsible for council and tourism group management of Tuchekoi joint ‘roadshow’ on Tuesday National Park.

15 September that the Head of Environment and Federal Member for Wide Tourism Sustainability at Bay, Llew O’Brien, had Tourism Noosa, Juanita been briefed about the Terry-Bloomfield, informed likely economic benefits those present that numbers that will flow should the of visitors travelling the grant application be Noosa Country Drive, successful. continued to grow.

Meanwhile, Noosa Council has formed an infrastructure services ‘project team’ following the launch of the Noosa Trails Masterplan and set aside $70,000 to meet the cost of auditing the 101km network. The audit will establish which works are required, in order of priority.

The council also proposes

POMONA WALKING GROUP

At Kin Kin State School, outdoor education pursuits are just as important as classroom learning.

More than 60,000 copies of the country drive map were being printed each year, she said. A ‘western loop’ travel option had been added to cover the Mary Valley.

The council’s Principal Strategic Planner, Michelle Tucker, explained the changes to the Noosa Plan that will allow nature-based tourism activities in the shire.

Public feedback at the meeting revolved around parking problems in Monday to Friday Pomona and a lack of 6.30am signage on the trail network, including where it Meeting Point passed through town.

Community House Similar roadshows were 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona held at Kin Kin and Cooroy.

Music plays an important part in the education of Kin Kin State School.

TRAFFIC COUNTERS Strips of black rubber the thickness of a garden hose have been placed across Reserve Street outside the Pomona Distilling Co. and on the Pomona-Kin Kin Road on the Cooran side of the Six-Mile Creek Bridge.

They have been put there by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to measure the volume of traffic passing over them.

The traffic counters are likely to be in place for the next two months.

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A small school with a big heart

by Narelle Shruh Kin Kin State School (KKSS) offers a personalised learning experience for students and their families that goes beyond the norms of integrated school curricula and works towards maximising and prioritising individual strengths and opportunities.

KKSS has long been regarded for its outstanding Kitchen Garden Program, with school and community members embracing the environmentally-centred and unique resource located within its grounds.

Principal, Louise Parry says: “We ensure that the Kitchen Garden is an area of comfort, rest and learning where students are able to connect with their self, others and the environment.

“Our improvement priority is writing, which is enriched through the Kitchen Garden experience as students can develop vocabulary, be exposed to a variety of real life opportunities to write and communicate and enliven

their imagination through the amazing adventures in our natural world.”

safe events have become integral parts of our everyday school life.”

Recently, the school's Arts Expo saw Specialist Music Teacher, Anna Oakley, share her knowledge and experience to develop an event that showcased the talents of each student.

A Learning at Home Program was developed with the option of paperbased and online learning modules. Semester 1 achievement summaries confirmed that students remained engaged through the COVID-19 restrictions.

Class teachers presented visual arts displays of students’ creative and imaginative pieces. The annual P&C Spring raffle was live-streamed on the school’s Facebook page and exceeded fundraising expectations.

“Our number one priority this year has been the health of our students, families and the community with the support of Education Queensland. We continue to ensure our families have up-to-the-minute information regarding the school’s management practices, while maintaining a calm and protected environment for students,” Louise said.

“Washing hands, regimented school cleaning practices, adult social distancing and COVID-19

More than 93 per cent of students achieved a ‘C’ or above assessment across english, maths and science subjects. Louise said: “These results are a tribute to the combined efforts of our teachers, parents and students”.

grades Prep-6. Garden teacher aide Gemma Guest, and teachers Michelle Hartshorn and Anthony Swales collaborated to develop an engaging afternoon of garden-based and -inspired activities.

Students enjoyed creating vertical bamboo gardens, miniature terrariums, nature weaving crowns, seed pod painting and clay nature prints.

The KKSS Playgroup operates at the school on The Kind Kids Festival was Thursdays from 9am to a significant highlight, with 10.30am in a reinvigorated a week-long celebration of play space, thanks to Natalia Broadhead and student and community early years teacher Michelle resilience. It included drumming workshops, well Hartshorn.

-being and team-building Louise said: “Our playgroup exercises and art make-and continues to grow, but we -take sessions led by a are keen to have more local visiting local artist to assist families enrol at the school, students learn how to especially in the P-2 grades, manage the COVID-19 to ensure the continued pandemic. healthy and vibrant growth A long-held school tradition, Arts in the Garden, was this year extended to include all

of the community”.

For information regarding KKSS contact Louise Parry on 07 5485 4168.

Government support for on-farm natural resource management Applications close on 9 October for farmers, fishers and foresters seeking federal government funding to adopt best practice resource management efforts. The Smart Farms Small Grants Fund totals $6.5 million, with individuals eligible for up to $100,000 each, according to the Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien.

Smart Farms Small Grants is a sustainable agriculture element of the National Landcare Program (NLP).

“The funding is aimed at one- to two-year projects that will promote the best practice in sustainable farming, in

a range of areas such as pest control, vegetation management, farm input efficiency, climate and market management, and the use of new technologies,” Mr O’Brien said. “In Wide Bay, we’re already seeing the benefit of this program with the Noosa and District Landcare Group’s Keeping It In Kin Kin project, which received $49,887 through Round 3 and is doing great work to reduce erosion and prevent sediment entering Lake Cootharaba.” For more information and to apply, visit the Community Grants Hub www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants.

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Pomona & District Community House 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona

The great up-cycling challenge to test our creative instincts

Ph: 5485 2427 Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm Referral & Information Internet & Computer Access Copying, Printing & Scanning Emailing & Faxing Laminating & Binding Venue & Room Hire Justice Of Peace Service An original piece created out of paper.

Centrelink / Medicare Access Point

Pomona Community House 1 Memorial Ave Pomona

9am to 4pm Mon - Frid    

Self Service Phone/Computer Printer/Scanning/Fax Identify documents

One-on-One Computer Lessons Tuesday - by appointment Donation $5 per visit Booking Essential Ph: 5485 2427

Pomona & District Community House acknowledges funding from Department of Communities Noosa Council

Pomona’s annual Great Up-cycling Challenge offers a unique, community-based, innovative, creative response to a community and environmental issue, while also enhancing community networks and building the capacity of our communities and the groups that work within them.

With the help of a generous RADF grant, there will be a series of workshops at the Lawson Shed, Pomona, during October and November that will encourage preservation of traditional art and craft techniques as well inspiring creativity and peaking the imagination to transform Now in its third year, The Great Up- something old into something new and useful.

Cycling Challenge is under way.

The workshop will explore how to This inventive, fun project highlights the benefits of re-using, use aluminium coffee capsules to make colourful modular jewels, re-cycling and up-cycling, by challenging individuals, businesses flowers and Christmas decorations. and organisations to actively respond to environmental issues through the harnessing of local passion and creative innovation.

The Great Up-Cycling Challenge Exhibition 2020 will run at the Pomona Railway Station Gallery from 31 October to 26 November.

All workshops have limited spaces and a COVID-19 social-distancing management plan in place.

Bookings are essential.

Please phone 54852427 to book a place.

See flyer, page 25.

JOIN IN THE UPCYLING CHALLENGE 24, 31 October and 7, 14 November. 1pm–4pm, $5 per Slow Clothing with Jane Milburn: workshop. See flyer on page 24.

16, 17, 18 October 8.30am - 4.30pm Zero-waste Workshop with $150.00 – see flyer.

Beatrice Prost: 15 November Weaving Workshop: Four 9.30am–3.30pm. Cost is $50. separate workshops with Liz Abel,

Workshops include:

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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Slow clothing concept explored at fabric recycling workshop In collaboration with Pomona and District Community House (PCH) and Pomona Railway Station Gallery, The Great Up-Cycling Challenge 2020 is offering a series of creative workshops leading up to the month-long upcycling exhibition at the gallery (31 October - 26 November).

fashion revolution. In a war on waste, her approach is to choose quality, natural fibres rather than synthetics and to mend and up-cycle clothes in order to extend their use.

She said: “When we mend our clothes, we mend the planet and ourselves.

“Statistics show that, around the world, one With the help of a Noosa garbage truck of clothes is Council RADF grant, slow dumped or burned every clothing guru Jane Milburn second. will be coming to Pomona “Use of plastic in clothes is to conduct a three-day creative workshop focusing escalating, with two-thirds now made from synthetic on refashioning pre-loved fibres derived from clothing to produce petroleum and shedding sustainable, ethical and micro plastic into our creative ways of dressing. ecosystem.”

Jane, founder of Textile Slow clothing actions Beat, an innovative include: thinking before enterprise that aims to buying, choosing natural reduce our clothing footprint, believes there is fibre, having fewer and a pressing need to rethink better quality clothes, taking care of them and our approach to textiles learning to make, revive, and fashion. adapt and salvage.

Her aim is to inspire a

Self proclaimed recycled clothing guru, Jane Milburn, will be coming to Pomona to conduct two workshops that explore the need to reduce waste by finding imaginative ways to re-use clothing.

“Up-cycling and mending to extend the life of existing natural-fibre

garments helps reduce the need to produce more,” Jane said.

WORKSHOP DETAILS Jane Milburn’s Slow the three days - includes a Clothing workshop will run light lunch and refreshat the PCH over three days: ments each day.

Date: Friday 16 October, Saturday 17 October and Sunday 18 October.

Time: 8.30am–4.30pm Cost: $150 per person for

For bookings: call PCH on 5485 2427.

You can see more about Jane on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/ TextileBeat.

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

24

Students’ taste of adventure supports our nature-based tourism credentials Tourism Noosa’s invocation for our visitors to ‘Enter the Biosphere’ – its latest marketing slogan for the shire – is already ingrained in the psyche of new generations of young men from a prestigious Catholic school whose teachings and inspiration stretch back to medieval times and the founding of a religious order by St Francis of Assisi.

the proper relationship between humanity and the natural world that has antecedents in scripture.

He is quoted as saying: “If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”

The Rector of Padua College, Peter Elmore, Padua College, a fixture of defines the modern the Brisbane suburb of scholastic interpretation of Kedron for the past 60 the Franciscan Compline as years, is the only school in being a college that offers a Australia under the care of ‘holistic education’ the Order of Friars Minor – encompassing pastoral the Franciscans – while its care, a comprehensive 24ha Amaroo Outdoor curriculum and a Education Centre near challenging developmental Boreen Point is an integral outdoor education part of the learning program. experience for 1300 boys from Grades 5 to 12. Padua “Padua is a community of affirmation and College has operated the acceptance, where students camp since 1994. are encouraged to strive to Often depicted as a their personal level of religious environmentalist, excellence to become an examination of St young men who make a Francis’ writings and difference in their world,” sayings reveals a man with the Rector explained. a deep belief concerning

Young Padua College students on camp in the Noosa Hinterland.

The school has its own outdoor education coordinator, Kieran Mayo, who oversees the annual camps that each class of boys at Padua attends at Amaroo.

While outdoor education provides opportunities to develop positive relationships with the environment, individuals and others through interaction with the natural world, the academic manifestations revolve around collaborative learning experiences through physical challenge. Noncognitive skills such as perseverance and resilience are developed through adventure learning and these skills have a knockon effect on academic outcomes.

Mr Elmore said student feedback about the camp experience had been ‘extremely positive’. “It [the camp] is a place of stillness and connection to nature.

Joy is a college value and St Francis tells us to find joy

Peter Elmore, Rector of Padua College, Kedron in the everyday.

“The camp allows students to go beyond the classroom to consider the broader aspects of life.”

For each Padua student, a short three-day camp at Amaroo, off Louis Bazzo Drive, involves early morning starts, rope climbing, ‘bouldering’, orienteering, mountain bike riding, zip-lines, water sports at nearby Lake Cootharaba, bushwalking through Yurol Forest and, for some, a visit to Noosa Beach for surf board riding.

“The camp is a place of spiritual and physical challenge,” Mr Elmore said.

For example, the Year 10 camp has a ‘wilderness journey’ theme encompassing cliff climbing at Mt Tinbeerwah, abseiling, navigation through trails and forestry, a canoe journey and an extended 15km hike across a variety of terrains.

The skills challenge increases as the boys develop confidence and wisdom with age, culminating in a Year 12 ‘Masters Challenge’ and reflective thinking to ‘define your destination’.

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Government ‘no’ to more trains and frequent shuttle services The aging three ICE-Class trains used predominantly to provide scheduled passenger rail services to all stations north of Nambour to Gympie North will be removed gradually from service, replaced by newer trains, but the changed arrangements won’t include more frequent services, Director-General of the Department of Transport and main Roads, Neil Scales, says in a written statement.

Mr Scales said it was a challenging task to provide frequent transport services to all parts of the state.

“This is particularly the case in low density and semi-rural regions.

In developing a timetable, planners focus on using current resources to maximise the benefit for the greatest number of passengers,” Mr Scales said.

He dismissed an idea to provide shuttle trains back and forth between Nambour and Gympie North stations.

“The proposal to stop trains at Nambour in order to provide increased service levels to Gympie faces a number of challenges through the operation of mixed traffic types on this mainly singletrack line, including commuter rail services, long distance travel trains

and intermodal freight trains,” he said. Meanwhile, Cr Joe Jurisevic has written a letter to the editor of the Courier-Mail newspaper proposing a very fast train (more than 250kph) network for Australia’s eastern seaboard as a generator of jobs post COVID-19.

“A very fast train service linking regional areas with major capital cities is well overdue,” Cr Jurisevic said. “A dedicated fast train would open up tourism opportunities, could provide greater connectivity to major regional centres with links to smaller ones, and reduce the reliance on road and air travel.”

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Noosa Council News Enthusiastic community support for environmental planting plans So strong was community support for two community tree-planting days involving restoration of commercial timber harvest sites in the Yurol and Ringtail State Forests that public participation had to be limited to 130 people on both occasions, Noosa Council’s Environmental Manager, Craig Doolan, revealed in his first annual report to the council following adoption of the Noosa Environmental Strategy and Implementation Plan.

properties through an expanded Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation Agreement Program.

“For the first time since deamalgamation, Noosa Council had a dedicated officer for these programs and was also able to effectively resource them,” Mr Doolan said.

“Forty-eight new properties signed up to the Land for Wildlife Program, representing an area of 575ha (348ha conservation/under rehabilitation).” The total number of properties in the Land for His report card used red, yellow and Wildlife Program in Noosa was now green flags to gauge progress 304, he said. against each of the agreed actions, A new incentive scheme valued at with planting of native species in $50,000 was implemented in 2019post-harvested areas around Pomona being assessed as ahead of 20. “This provided native plants (leading to more than 9000 plants schedule. in the ground in the first year), In his report, Mr Doolan said: loans of equipment and contractor “There has been weed control and support for conservation outcomes plantings over 80ha, facilitated by on participating properties,” Mr Noosa and District Landcare, Doolan said. mostly funded through an “The contractor support was only innovative partnership with The available to participants who Bodyshop Australia as part of the undertook to work with the global Bio-bridge Program.

“Well ahead of schedule, plantings contractor, therefore building their own skills in managing their were not planned to occur until 2023. This has resulted in more than property for environmental 25,000 plants already in the ground, outcomes.” supported by community planting The purchase of new lands for days in June 2019 and February conservation is prioritised using the 2020. These were so popular, we Conservation Land Policy needed to limit numbers to around Guideline.

130 participants at each.”

Mr Doolan said: “Approaches to the The Noosa Environment Strategy is council to purchase land, or land for the key strategic policy document sale brought to the attention of for Noosa Council related to our council officers, are assessed against environment and the way we live this guideline by the Environment within it.

Levy Working Group and reported to council [for] decision. One land Mr Doolan also reported parcel was purchased in the 2019-20 enthusiastic support from private year – a 51.5ha block on Louis Bazzo landholders wanting to achieve Drive, Boreen Point.” environmental outcomes on their

Survey findings to guide council’s budget re-tuning With the first quarter review of the 2020-21 Noosa Council Budget completed and a second quarter review set to start in November, councillors have sought community feedback that will provide guidance on where they should spend any additional income or, conversely, where cuts may be necessary to adjust to a volatile income stream.

An online survey, posing four questions, was made available via the Your Say Noosa website from Monday September 7 and closed recently. Responses will be assessed.

Mayor Clare Stewart explained that the annual budget sought to predict cashflow to the council and the cost of upcoming projects, but the monetary situation needed to be monitored to ensure spending was on track and didn’t get out of hand.

“With the continued uncertainty of COVID-19, the council’s 2020-21 budget was framed around a number of assumptions regarding income from many of the council facilities and holiday parks,” the Mayor said.

“It was very difficult to determine how much revenue we would receive, given the impacts of COVID-19. That’s why we committed to asking the community for its thoughts as part of our Budget review.

“The budget centred on supporting and assisting our community to recover from the pandemic and that has not changed,” she said.

“We are still navigating our way through COVID-19 and staff are working hard to continue to deliver the essential services while supporting the community through the pandemic and the recovery phase,” she said.

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Landmark conservation project on track Bike path funds

for Sunshine Coast rail towns

Noosa Parks Association President Michael Gloster (right) presents Noosa Council CEO Brett de Chastel (left) with a cheque for $125,000. It’s part of NPA’s $1.166m contribution to the $3.5m Yurol-Ringtail Conservation Project. Council, the State Government and Noosa Parks Association are jointly funding the investment needed to secure the land and see private harvesting licences phased out within the 2400 hectares of forest.

The Yurol-Ringtail Conservation Project is on track to become one of Noosa’s most significant environmental initiatives.

A collaboration between the Queensland Government, Noosa Council and Noosa Parks Association, and supported by HQPlantations, the conservation project aims to convert 2450ha of state forest into national park, which will create and conserve habitat for koalas and many other plants and animals.

Already 357ha has been placed into national park protection. It will take a number of years for the full transition to national park to occur.

Noosa and District Landcare and Queensland Koala Crusaders, with the help of volunteers, and funding from the Body Shop and Peppers Noosa Resort and Spa, have already planted 100ha of land with 24,000 trees. ”We can expect more timber harvesting during drier weather, particularly in Yurol State Forest near Pomona,” Mr Milne said.

For safety reasons, the council has closed the Noosa Trail Network where timber harvesting operations are under way.

‘‘Despite the warning signs, some visitors have ignored trail closures and entered timber harvesting areas while Noosa Council’s Principal Environment operations are under way,” Mr Milne Officer, Peter Milne, said the existing said. state forest plantation timber had to be “This is a significant safety issue. It’s harvested in order for natural reessential that visitors comply with all growth to occur. workplace signage and do not cross ”Some areas will need a helping hand with weed control and tree planting to bring them back to a natural condition,” he said.

barriers, for their own safety and the safety of forest workers.”

Visitors who ignored workplace safety signage faced significant fines or potential prosecution.

While Noosa Council continues to prevaricate on preparing plans for a Cooran-Pomona bicycle path that would be assessed for possible state government funding – the council favouring coastal communities bicycle path connectors instead – the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, has announced a $6.5 million grant for construction of a bicycle and walking trail linking Sunshine Coast hinterland towns from Beerburrum to Landsborough.

The money would be used to build the first stage from Glass House Mountains to Beerwah and to plan the remainder of the 20km project, Mr Bailey said. The minister said it would generate jobs and be an economic stimulus for the district.

Announcing the go-ahead for the Sunshine Coast hinterland towns trail, Mr Bailey said: “This is a project that will have benefits for local residents, school students and tourism operators by providing a safe, active transport route between hinterland communities and away from busy major roads.”

This is precisely the argument that the Cooran Earth Rights Group has made to Noosa Council, with the backing of Pomona interests, for a path linking both towns.

ADVENTUROUS KOALA A koala has made its way to the top of Mt Cooroora, where it has been delighting climbers, especially overseas visitors.

Does anyone have a name for this cute creature?

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Cooroora Connect Advertising/Editorial deadline for the next issue: 16 October 2020 heather@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au

Cooroora Connect Cooroora Connect is an initiative of the Pomona & District Community House Inc. The material published in Cooroora Connect may be reproduced only with appropriate authorisation and acknowledgment.

The views expressed in Cooroora Connect are not necessarily the views of the editor, publisher or Pomona & District Community House. Inc. Claims in advertisements are those of the advertisers and not the publisher.

Our aim is to produce and distribute Cooroora Connect in a timely manner to ensure we meet all deadlines. However, due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control, we take all care but no responsibility if circumstances arise.

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Quarrying times

PLOD’S PAGE

thanks!!

Home and Away

When a cop car pulls up in your driveway, we usually see surprise and trepidation on your faces. We aren’t there to drop off free groceries or winning lottery cheques and often bear grim news so the concern is understandable.

Conversely, when we recently stopped in a driveway at Pinbarren while performing static speed detection on Pomona Kin Kin Road, we received a very warm welcome from a number of locals, many of whom expressed concerns, primarily about heavy truck usage on the Kin Kin Road and around Pomona township.

Most allegations were that gravel truck and dog combos operating on Pomona Kin Kin Road regularly travelled over the centre lines on the range, appear to exceed the speed limits and travelling in convoys of two or three trucks, which can intimidate drivers.

The complaints have been steadily received at our level and it seems at local council, Main Roads, quarry management and the offices of members of State Parliament.

Pomona police have attended numerous multi-agency and community meetings over the past few months to think-tank some ways to address local concerns.

Suggested strategies are a reduction in the speed limit from the Kin Kin range to Kin Kin, police and TMR monitoring and speed management, liaison with quarry and haulage companies, improvements and the much-needed widening of PomonaKin Kin Road, where possible, to allow safer transit of the road.

Police enforcement has resulted in infringements being issued to drivers who parked their trucks and trailers across multiple parking bays in Pomona CBD. We’re regularly in touch with quarry and truck companies to advise and prevent traffic offences in the division. The

I previously spruiked about the low rates of reported crime and domestic violence in Pomona and generally during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Well that’s not so much now.

General frustration with societal changes, job losses, travel restrictions and other stresses related to the effect of the economic downturn explains some of it.

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We’re presently experiencing a sharp rise in breaches of DV orders and applications for protection orders long awaited multi-million dollar upgrade to the Six Mile Creek Bridge coast-wide, with urgent police responses to DV incidents occurring is now in the pipeline and, when finished, will also help avert disaster; most days. not just from trucks but all traffic, Police recently attended a domestic and is most welcome after years of incident in Pomona Division which lobbying by concerned locals and has resulted in an accused male support by state MP Sandy Bolton. attending court, charged with two Folks, we hear your concern and realise that the trucks primarily supply quarry material needed for road upgrades and will be with us a while yet due to several major highway projects. The Pomona-Kin Kin Road remains the designated heavy transport route and we will continue to work with all parties to lessen the risk and improve conditions. The next time you see me in your driveway, it’s white, no sugar

counts of grievous bodily harm.

We all get triggered by life. It’s another thing entirely to progress your frustrations to creating a situation of violence and fear with family and relatives.

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Proposed GemLife resort development ‘is a lifeline for the Cooroy Golf Club’ GemLife is a successful operator of Over 50s resorts and has lodged a development application with Noosa Council seeking approval for a retirement resort on land next to the Cooroy Golf Club with an overall area of 11.08ha. About 9.25ha of the GemLife development is proposed on vacant land and 1.83ha is on golf course land.

“The proposal also includes a full-size commercial kitchen and dining/ function areas at the new clubhouse, which will open the opportunity to host functions such as weddings The site of the proposed GemLife retirement village on Nandroya and corporate and Drive, Cooroy. community events.

Importantly, the golf they meet every week to course will continue to be owned and operated by the play golf . It includes a program on environmental Cooroy Golf Club. education, under “GemLife would not have the leadership of a As part of the development any involvement in the dedicated group of proposal, GemLife has operation and management volunteers.” committed to deliver of the Club,” Mr Dick said. numerous benefits to the Wayne Patston has been “However, GemLife’s Cooroy Golf Club, the Cooroy Golf Club contribution would including a new golf Manager for 16 years. He enhance the long-term clubhouse, pro shop, golf said: “All deliverables sustainability of the club. buggy storage for 40 carts, being committed to by a new sealed 100-space cark “The improvements to the GemLife have been workpark, a new entry road and golf course and the new shopped collaboratively clubhouse would also allow with the club over a course improvements. the further period of more than 12 GemLife has also enhancement of the All months. guaranteed 246 new golf Abilities golf program, memberships (one for “GemLife commissioned a which supports local every dwelling in the people with disabilities and golf course designer to reGemLife resort) for a design the course to ensure mental health challenges. period of 10 years. an 18-hole course is “The club has proudly maintained.”

Secretary of the Cooroy championed this program Golf Club, Andrew Dick, for the past eight years and Mr Patston said the Cooroy said: “The Cooroy Golf Golf Club was a not-forClub has been experiencing a decline in membership due to an ageing membership base.

“This is a unique opportunity for Noosa Council to assist in securing a sustainable economic future for the club with benefits that will ultimately flow on to members and the broader community.

profit organisation.

“The opportunity that this proposal provides for the club and wider community is unique, so of course we look forward to Council’s approval.

“It would be extremely unfortunate for the club to miss out on this unparalleled opportunity.”

Mr Dick said: “The Cooroy Golf Club Management Committee has invited Noosa councillors to view the proposal and the committee looks forward to them gaining an understanding of the advantages for the club and to the community.”

Architect's impression of the proposed new Cooroy Golf Club, clubhouse.

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Council agrees to lease Cooroy ‘technology tardis’ to start-up Noosa councillors have agreed a preliminary deal to lease to OneQode Assets Pty Ltd, a fledgling Brisbane-based technology company, its disused purpose-built Cooroy Data Centre adjacent to the Butter Factory Arts Centre.

tenant’s establishment costs. The rent-free period would allow OneQode to undertake substantial building and services upgrades at its cost to contemporise and bring the facility up to its specification, he said.

Hopefully, it will become a base for a high speed data transfer service leveraged off the Sunshine Coast’s new international fibreoptic cable connection.

“OneQode also seeks to install a 3-metre high wireless transmission mast (for backhaul connection and wireless internet transmission) on the roof of the Cooroy Butter Factory.

OneQode is the first Australian carrier to deploy equipment and commence operations from the new Sunshine Coast Cable Landing Station at Maroochydore, completed in September 2019 to provide the fastest international electronic data connection point from Queensland and eastern Australia to Asia.

Consultation with Butter Factory stakeholders is under way and, subject to satisfactory negotiation of a temporary licence, property staff are also supportive of entering into a licence for that purpose,” Mr Wallace told councillors.

The Cooroy facility was constructed by Noosa Council in 2008 using joint funding under the Federal Government’s Clever Networks initiative. It is a 97 sq m fully-enclosed Until now, all Queensland building that sits on council-owned land data traffic has been required to route through directly to the south of the Sydney data centres before Cooroy Butter Factory. The leaving Australian shores. bespoke building design includes fibre optic At its General Committee connections and meeting on 14 September, specialised electrical, Noosa Council’s property cooling and fire services. adviser, Dennis Wallace, On completion 12 years reported that the offer to ago, the facility was leased lease the Cooroy Data Centre at commercial rates to Mach Technology, for 10 years, with that agreement of $34,000 annually ending in October 2018 included an initial sixand Mach electing to month rental holiday to vacate the premises at that help offset the new time.

The investment is regarded as fundamental to attracting technologybased and data processing investment to the wider region.

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