Outdoors

Tewantin National Park

TEWANTIN Nation Park has so much to offer. I have visited it twice now and just love the tracks I’ve discovered. I started my journey from Gladys and Harry Spring Conservation Park along McKinnon drive, walking to Tinbeerwah Lookout. Although I think it could been signed better I didn’t have any trouble getting to the Lookout. Round trip 15km - approximately four hours including half an hour at the lookout. As you enter the conservation track it is very straight and really doesn’t look that appealing, but trust me that changes. You soon get to a beautiful rainforest of palm trees with a lovely little creek running through it, and fallen trees with moss on them. I went just after rain so it was running nicely. This area is also a bird watching spot so plenty of birds, but unfortunately they are always too quick for me to get a photo. As you start heading up and it gets a little rocky but not too steep, and just as you’re thinking 'how much further?' you will get to Tinbeerwah road where you will follow the road to the lookout. There are Toilets and a Picnic Table at the entrance to the Lookout. You can drive to the lookout and it is a great one for the littlies. I would even say its wheel chair friendly to the first little lookout. Follow the cobble stone path to the lookout where you get a 360 degree view of our beautiful Hinterland and Noosa and beyond. I love the view of the river from up here, winding down to the ocean. There is plenty of room to sit and rest before you head back. I recommend you take something to snack on and at least two litres of water. Tinbeerwah is a popular spot for star gazing, sun rises and sun sets. It is also very popular for abseiling and Rock climbing. If you are interested Climbing Guides Australia are the best. Lisa and Mason will be more than happy to show you the ropes. Go to their website for more information www.climbingguidesaustralia.com.au I have and it was awesome. On your return you will see the trail forks. I returned on the easy trail that loops around, once again not signed very well but you’ll get back to McKinnon drive where you will see a trail to the right. A lovely walk through the flora and fauna, plenty of birds and I even saw a wallaby. Once you have reached the end of that trail you will turn right and then left back to the conservation trail. You will notice there are many little tracks darting off which I haven’t explored, but I honestly don’t think you would get lost. I just used Google Maps for my GPS position. This walk is suitable for everyone, with a reasonable fitness as for kids from around age eight. I am looking forward to returning and exploring more. Remember your sunscreen, hat and water. Happy Hiking - Andrea

NEW PARK FOR JUNIOR ADVENTURERS

AUSTRALIA’S largest high wire park, built specifically for junior adventurers, has opened on the Sunshine Coast.

Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said the Palaszczuk Government had backed TreeTop Challenge Junior Adventure Park with $500,000 from the Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

“TreeTop Challenge Junior Adventure Park is a great addition to the Sunshine Coast’s growing line up visitor attractions,” Mr Skelton said.

“With more than 50 adventures to keep pint-sized explorers and their families engaged and entertained, they will want to return to TreeTop Challenge Junior again and again.

Spread over 1.2 hectares of rainforest, TreeTop Challenge Junior Adventure Park has five courses featuring rope bridges, flying foxes, swings and jumps.

Open from 9am to 5pm daily, TreeTop challenge operates on land leased from the Big Pineapple.

JUNE 10-17: NEW MOON 1ST QTR

Plant annual above ground leafy plants with seed outside the fruit Annual lupins, cabbage, calendula, grain crops, lettuce, pansy, radicchio, spinach(English), spring onions, viola

JUNE 18 -24: NEW MOON 2ND QTR

Annuals with above ground yield which are vines and produce seeds inside the fruit Annual lupins, calendula, grain crops, dwarf peas, pansy, spring onions, viola

JUNE 1 & 25-30: FULL MOON 3RD QTR

Biennials, perennials, bulb and root crops. Planted in one season to winter over and produce the following year. Asparagus, daylily, deciduous trees shrubs and vines, fig, herbaceous perennials, kiwi fruit, pecan, pistachio, potato, radish, rhubarb, turnip

Permaculture Noosa Club Night Tuesday May 4, 6.30pm Cooroy Memorial Hall Permaculture Noosa Fundraising BBQ Saturday May 15, 7 - 11am Pomona Park Permaculture Noosa Club Day Sunday May 16, 9am Cooroy Community Permaculture Gardens 26 Emerald St Cooroy www.permaculturenoosa.com.au

JUNE 2-9 FULL MOON 4TH QTR

No planting but a good time to cultivate, pull weeds and destroy pests. No planting, general garden maintenance

JOBS TO DO FOR JUNE

• Compost – mulch potato and other prepared beds to retain moisture • Fertilize – apply fertilizer tea to cabbage, celery, leek, lettuce, silverbeet, and ½ strength fortnightly to spinach • Pests – treat bindii in lawns • Harvest – crops for storage in 3rd quarter

© 2021 – 2031 Susan Anderson

NEW GARDEN BEDS FOR COMMUNITY GARDENS

With the change of seasons, it is always glorious to watch the changes that take place in the gardens. At Cooroy Community Permaculture Gardens (CCPG) things are changing with help from wonderful volunteers. New garden beds have been placed at the front of the land, filled with lots of organic food growing goodness! Thanks go to all the familiar and new faces tending to the gardens and especially Cooroy local, Jason Thompson from ‘Sustainability Property Group’ (experts in off-grid design). Jason approached CCPG recently after attending a club day at the gardens and has been instrumental in some great changes since. www.permaculturenoosa.com.au

Wilma

Hi Molly, my name is Wilma and I need your yelp with something. It’s not my fault I keep digging, my humans are getting angry with me. What do I do? Please Yelp me… Yeah, thanks for that Wilma, and that is a great question and something that you know really needs to be addressed. Look, some dogs like to dig, and I don’t know why the humans seem to get all upset about it. All they need to do is give you somewhere to dig, make you a little sandpit and show you that’s where you’re allowed to go – otherwise you’re just going to go dig holes everywhere else and they’re gonna go and trip over in the dark and break their ankles and cry like cry-babies - so yeah that’s my suggestion just find somewhere that you’re allowed to dig and dig there. Hope that helps and thanks for writing in!

Don’t forget to send your questions to “Attention Molly” woof@heelsitandstay.com.au

Off-Grid Power – Affordable

Independence By Phil Brunsden, Keystones Electrical

THERE’S a lot of talk in the media at the moment about climate change and the urgency of society transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy technologies.

With the Federal Government in particular seeming hesitant to sever their ties with big fossil fuel producers, the bulk of the heavy lifting with regard to taking up clean energy technology has been left to small businesses and households.

With the huge uptake of rooftop solar across Australia, the energy networks are also being forced to deal with dated electricity infrastructure and huge volumes of power being exported into the grid from commercial and residential solar systems.

As reported by ABC News on March 25 2021, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) have proposed charging consumers for exporting power to the grid.

The AEMC said the increasing number of households with solar panels were causing “traffic jams” in some areas of the grid.

It said tariffs would give network operators the option of encouraging people to export energy back into the grid at times it could handle it, while discouraging it at a time when the grid was overwhelmed with supply.

In the proposal, it said solar panel owners would lose some cash on existing returns but doing nothing would result in blackouts and intermittent blocking of energy exports — ultimately leaving customers worse off.

The AEMC said the scheme would also raise money for network upgrades, instead of going to all consumers. It also said doing nothing was not an option.

With all of this in mind, Dan Walters & Phil Brunsden of Keystones Energy Solutions in Eumundi, put their minds to developing affordable and self-sustainable clean energy systems for small businesses and households.

Dan explains that he’s been working in the off-grid space for over 15 years and believes that there has never been a time where taking control of your own energy use and production made more sense.

By being independent from the grid or greatly reducing your grid demand, issues such as blackouts and paying for export become redundant.

Phil points out that solar and batteries are no longer a new technology. People often tell us that they’re waiting for the price of batteries to come down. From what we’re seeing you can expect a return on investment within 5 years based on energy savings alone. This along with the reliable and constant supply and independence form the grid should encourage more people to make the leap.

NEW BOARDWALK HONOURS HISTORY

Bask in nature’s beauty while exploring Bli Bli’s significant Australian South Sea Islander history, with Sunshine Coast Council’s $475,000 Bli Bli boardwalk.

Set along the old cane rail track in the stunning Maroochy River wetlands, the elevated boardwalk links to the culturally and spiritually significant land leased by the Descendants of the Australian South Sea Islanders Inc (DASSI).

DASSI President Michael Fewquandie said Australian South Sea Islanders came to the area more than 150-years-ago.

Mr Fewquandie said many people were unaware of the Sunshine Coast’s South Sea Islander history and hoped the new boardwalk and future projects would increase awareness.

“The boardwalk will provide an opportunity to learn more about the great contributions this community has made to the Sunshine Coast and for people to experience the precious wetlands.”

The boardwalk is accessible from Whistler Street, Bli Bli via the existing footpath between Whistler Street and the Bli Bli Village shops on David Low Way.

Prepare for Bushfire season

By Inspector Kent Mayne, Area Commander Fire and Rescue Service Gympie/Noosa Command

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has put together some points for preparing yourself and your property for the upcoming bushfire season.

PREPARE YOURSELF AND PROPERTY Residents are responsible for ensuring their properties are prepared. We know that a well-prepared property is easier to protect in a bushfire. Residents should prepare by completing their own Bushfire Survival Plan and removing or reducing hazards on their properties. Actions you can take include permitted burns, mowing your lawn regularly, trimming overhanging branches and getting rid of flammable materials from your property. Some parts of the state have welcomed much-needed rain over recent months, but this has not been widespread or enough to remove the risk of bushfires. We’re encouraging people not to be complacent and continue to prepare their properties for next bushfire season. Preparation makes all the difference when it comes to bushfires. If we all do a little, we will achieve a lot. QFES prepares and gets ready for every bushfire season, and we need residents to be doing the same.

BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL PLAN Make sure you’ve got a Bushfire Survival Plan in place. Consider if you will stay or leave early, when you will go, where you will go and what you will take. You can visit www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au to put a plan together. It only takes a few minutes, and it could make all the difference once the season arrives. Make sure your family understands the plan, you may not all be together when a bushfire breaks out.

PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY An unprepared property is not only at risk itself but may also present an increased danger for neighbours. Have you scanned your yard for clutter and removed flammable materials? This will significantly reduce the risk of a bushfire starting or spreading on your property. You are responsible for mitigating risks on your property, but the Rural Fire Service is happy to provide advice and support if required. Structures • Clear leaves, twigs, bark and other debris from the roof and gutters. • Install fine steel wire mesh screens on all windows, doors, vents and weep holes. • Point LPG cylinder relief valves away from the house. • Conduct maintenance checks on pumps, generators and water systems. • Seal all gaps in external roof and wall cladding. Access • Display a prominent house or lot number, in case it is required in an emergency. • Ensure there is access to your property for fire trucks - 4 metres wide by 4 metres high, with a turn-around area. That helps our crews. Vegetation • Reduce vegetation along the access path. • Mow your grass regularly. • Remove excess ground fuels and flammable material like long dry grass, dead leaves and branches. • Trim low-lying branches around your home to keep them two metres from the ground. Personal • Check that you have appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment. • Relocate flammable items away from your home, including woodpiles, paper, boxes, crates, hanging baskets and garden furniture. • Check the first aid kit is fully stocked – and get one if you don’t have one. • Make sure you have appropriate insurance for your home and vehicles. • Find out if there is a nearby

Neighbourhood Safer Place. • Review and update your household

Bushfire Survival Plan. • Ensure you are familiar with bushfire community warnings and know what actions you will take in an emergency. For more information visit www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.

DAILY SPECIALS 12-8PM DINE-IN • TAKEAWAY • BAR 7 DAYS A WEEK

Online Ordering Available Drive-thru Pick-Up

MONDAY

PARMA OR SCHNITZEL W/CHIPS & GARDEN SALAD TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY & SATURDAY SUNDAY

WEEKLY SPECIALS AT OUR BOTTLE SHOP & DRIVE-THRU 38 Maple Street, Cooroy - PH: 5472 1900 HEEL-SIT & STAY DOG OBEDIENCE

SETTING YOUR PUPPY & DOG UP FOR SUCCESS

The first 16 weeks of a puppy’s life are key to its development. You are vital to its success. Set you and your puppy up for a successful and happy relationship through our: • Puppy Seminars • Puppy Pre-school classes • Teenage Puppy classes You will learn: • To understand your puppy • The importance of correct socialisation • How to tackle unwanted behaviours • Basic obedience and training strategies. Our Basic and Advanced classes are a chance to develop your obedience and training skills further, learn agility, tricks and scent work and have even more fun with your dog. We also cater for differing needs with Private Instruction, Specialised Workshops and classes. Our training is interactive, relaxed, and fun. For Bookings go to: www.heelsitandstay.com.au ‘Class Bookings’

Contact Belinda at woof@heelsitandstay.com.au to discuss your personal training needs.

Woof, I’m Belinda the head trainer of Heel Sit and Stay! Dog Obedience, located in Cooroy. I undertook my training through Craig Murray who is an Internationally Certified Specialist Dog Trainer. I started Heel, Sit & Stay in 2013. Thousands of dogs and twice as many owners have attended training with me. Some owners have graduated through Puppy Pre-school to Advanced classes and are now training their second puppy family. In addition to regular training, I recently introduced a Community Engagement program to help some of our more senior clients who face specific challenges training their dogs. There have been some great results from this program where owners are now enjoying the companionship well-behaved dogs can bring. I love what I do, and I feel very thankful to have found such a satisfying and interesting passion to share with other dog owners.

Top 3 Tips for Successful Dog Training • Consistency, consistency, consistency • Communication • Patience

Belinda Head Trainer and Owner HEEL-SIT & STAY! DOG OBEDIENCE