Politics

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Great news from the Prime Minister this month that parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents can now travel back home to Australia and international travel is set to resume in November. Australia’s reopening reinforces the importance of sticking to the National Plan. The Plan is our pathway back to a normal way of life and to job security.

STRONGER COMMUNITIES

The Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Grants have re-opened and are available to local not-for-profit community and sporting groups. Grants from $2500 to $20,000 are available for small capital projects (e.g. purchase of equipment, upgrades to facilities, etc) that improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities on the Sunshine Coast. Expressions of interest are now open for all eligible organisations, so please head to my website for more information and eligibility criteria at www.tedobrien.com.au. An extremely brief column this month to make room for the fabulous ‘Shop, Eat, Buy Local’ campaign!! For a reminder how to access the very broad range of state issues that come across our desk and to keep updated on all things Noosa just visit www.sandybolton.com/noosa360/ and use the search bar to look for a topic and recent posts that include Heavy Haulage, Housing Action Group and COVID-19 FAQ updates.

While you are there, subscribe to our monthly newsletter which covers what is happening at home and in Parliament, as well join us on Facebook for daily updates. As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au or 5319 3100 if you require assistance or have any questions.

Warmest regards and don’t forget to look out for my video interview with Dr Ian Norton regarding some of the less common COVID-19 questions via my Facebook page and Noosa 360. Sandy

ROB SKELTON

Member for Nicklin

It’s Time to Get Vaccinated.

With restrictions due to start easing from Nov 19 in line with Queensland’s COVID Vaccination Plan to Unite Families, it is extremely important every eligible Queenslander over the age of 12 receives their vaccinations as soon as possible.

People who are fully vaccinated are 86% less likely to catch COVID and pass it on. If you are fully vaccinated your chance of dying from COVID-19 falls by 90%.

Key features of the plan include greater freedoms for those who are fully vaccinated including being able to cross the border from interstate hotspots in time for Christmas.

This will be achieved in cautious and measured stages once 70% and 80% of eligible Queenslanders are double-dosed. Don’t become a statistic, protect yourself, protect your family and protect your community. Find your nearest walk-in vaccine clinic at bit.ly/VaccineHubs.

CLARE STEWART Noosa Mayor

Well as we head into storm and fire season now is the time to make sure you have prepared a household emergency plan, packed an emergency kit and checked insurance policies to make sure you have sufficient coverage. Please visit www.getready.qld. gov.au for further advice. Council’s new Fire Management Officer is on board as we prepare to bolster our fire mitigation across 178 Council bushland reserves and our local disaster management group is watching the long-range forecasts. We will make sure systems are in place to ensure we are ready for any severe weather summer brings. Please visit www.noosa.qld.gov.au to register for disaster notification alerts.

Construction company SGQ Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to replace the Tablelands Bridge B in Cooran and the Wahpunga Lane Bridge in Kin Kin. Each of the timber single-lane bridges will be replaced with a wider concrete, single-lane bridge in line with current standards to improve access and safety. The Hinterland Bridge replacement project is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and the Noosa Council as part of the Bridges Renewal Program with the Australian Government contributing $2m of funding to this project.

Finally, Council heads to court on the 12 November 2021 for the initial hearing in the case against the Kin Kin Quarry operator, Cordwell Resources. We will seek interim enforcement orders to have all quarry truck movements cease during school bus hours. The hearing is expected to take half a day. Until next month, stay safe, Clare.

LLEW O’BRIEN Federal Member for Wide Bay

Australia’s first dedicated outdoor pickleball venue is coming soon to Noosa, and it’s sure to be a big hit for local players and the economy with a $248,900 Australian Government investment contributing towards the $497,800 project through Round 5 of the Building Better Regions Fund.

This project isn’t just a win for fans of the sport - think combining tennis, badminton, and table tennis into one dynamic game - the venue will host multi-day tournaments for hundreds of players, providing a real boost to Noosa tourism and hospitality sectors generating an estimated economic benefit of more than $2.2 million.

Noosa Council will also receive $50,000 towards its Noosa Shire Industry and Employment Activation Plan, a strategy to create high-value jobs, support existing businesses and attract new businesses and entrepreneurs to Noosa, diversifying the local economy.

With investments such as the Peregian Digital Hub, Noosa is already known as a centre of tech-innovation, and this roadmap will provide a clear path to build on that reputation, creating new job opportunities for future growth.

As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, year 12 students will also have one eye on the future – and I have produced a School Leavers’ Guide for 2021 to help them plan for life after school.

The guide has been delivered to local high schools and it can be downloaded from my website www.llewobrien.com.au/ one-stop-shop.

Finally, a reminder that if you’re thinking about Christmas shopping – don’t forget to shop and buy in local businesses, where every dollar you spend maintains local jobs.

LLEW O’BRIEN MP

Federal Member for Wide Bay Working for Noosa's Hinterland

319 Kent Street, Maryborough QLD 4650 PO Box 283 Maryborough QLD 4650 07 4121 2936 Tollfree 1300 301 968

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Llew.Obrien.MP@aph.gov.au www.llewobrien.com.au facebook.com/llewobrienLNP