Australian politics news and info
A council worker has died in a workplace incident involving a semitrailer in Central Queensland. Queensland Police Service (QPS) confirmed the 36-year-old man died near Mulachys Road in the Arcadia Valley at about 1:45pm Monday afternoon. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating, with a spokesperson saying the man was unloading machinery at the time … Read more
Sunshine Coast Council CEO Emma Thomas. In 2023 there are more women in leadership roles than ever before and at Sunshine Coast Council, Emma Thomas has made it to the very top. On International Women’s Day, the CEO reflected on being a woman in the workforce and the many changes she’s experienced over her career. … Read more
Security companies across Queensland are being inundated with requests from fearful residents for home security systems. Key points: Security companies say demand for home security systems has been high Many attribute the spike to the high-profile crimes that have rocked the state over the past year There are calls for Queensland’s privacy laws to be overhauled as … Read more
Noosa Council will seek State Government approval to again provide paid parking in Noosa Heads Lions Park. Council has honoured a commitment to return Noosa Heads Lions Park to the community on long weekends and school holidays once COVID restrictions had eased. The decision at Thursday’s Ordinary Meeting could also see this greenspace eventually no … Read more
The ZEN team. Supplied. By Zero Emissions Noosa Zero Emissions Noosa is proud to announce they are leading the charge in the implementation of community batteries in the shire, and they want you to be part of it! Noosa and Hinterland residents are invited to come along to interactive sessions about community batteries being held … Read more
Artist impression of the southern entry to the park. One of the most consistent surf breaks on the Sunshine Coast is fringed by a grassy beachfront and popular parkland, which is a delight for locals and visitors alike. Backed by a shopping and entertainment strip and fronting the sparkling foam of Coolum Beach are Lions … Read more
A bidding war is underway for the rights to build the proposed Brisbane Live 2032 Brisbane Olympics Arena as Redlands City Council reveals plans for its proposed Birkdale community precinct. Key points: A consortium led by Live Nation Entertainment is in a bidding battle against ASM-Global to build the Brisbane Live stadium The Birkdale Community Precinct draft … Read more
The SS Noosa Council was listing and leaking again this week as it grappled with a different ‘Short Stay’ problem… the surprising announcement of the departure of CEO Scott Waters. (see our coverage here) Mayor Stewart & departing CEO Scott Waters Just 14-months since Noosa ratepayers provided his ticket back to Queensland from Darwin, … Read more
Housing advocates in Queensland are calling for a cap on rental increases as growing numbers of tenants are forced out of homes in a market with almost no restrictions on price hikes. Key points: After big increases in rental prices, Queensland is being urged to consider a limit for landlords The ACT has laws to … Read more
Rules that govern how public servants handle potentially explicit photographs taken by traffic cameras could be reviewed after a top civil liberties advocate warned the “sexual privacy rights” of female drivers in Queensland could be at risk. Key points: A civil liberties advocate wants Queensland to ensure female drivers’ privacy is protected when photographed by traffic … Read more
Brisbane has been named as one of the greatest places in the world by Time Magazine. Key points: Brisbane is named as one of the “World’s Greatest Places of 2023′ in a Time Magazine list Cr Shrinner says Brisbane’s inclusion in the list will boost tourism for the city Several of the city’s attractions were cited as reasons … Read more
With legal woes “behind him”, the owner of one of the region’s biggest tourism drawcards has revealed redevelopment plans are back in full swing and its future success is ripe for the picking. After the recent settlement over the site between co-owners CMC Property and Rankin Investments, the future is looking bright for the Big … Read more
Council’s STA local laws are working well in Noosa. Margie Maccoll A 12 month review of Noosa Council’s Short Stay Letting Local Law has determined the law is working well and requires no changes but improvements were needed for application processing, compliance and enforcement. The results of the review were delivered this week to council’s … Read more
Noosa’s refreshed brand A refreshed council brand that is more accessible for the visually impaired and articulates the aspirations of Noosa has been endorsed by councillors. At Monday’s General Committee meeting, councillors agreed that after 30 years and to complement the soon to be released Corporate Plan, it was opportune to undergo a brand refresh … Read more
The artist behind a controversial light installation on the northern Gold Coast says her work has been used as a scapegoat amid complaints of car hoons and years of community criticism. Key points: Gold Coast City Council is considering the disposal of two public art sculptures following community criticism An artist has called for council to reconsider, saying … Read more
It was 33 years ago that Noosa Council adopted the Boronia flower as part of its brand logo. But 1990 is a long time ago, and council has used $60,000 of Corporate Plan funds to come up with a more reflective image of today’s post-amalgamation Noosa. Designed by a client at council’s own Peregian Digital … Read more
Another hinterland short-term accommodation (STA) applicant has been successful, with Noosa Council approving the application at 132 Solar Road, Cooroy Mountain. The two-storey property on 4.5 hectares is approved for eight guests, to be let when the owners are not themselves using it, is a ‘consistent use’ under the rural zoning. The council currently has … Read more
A legal challenge launched by Cattle Producers Australia Limited (CPA) against the newly-formed peak industry group Cattle Australia has been resolved in mediation. Key points: CPA lodged the complaint in late 2022 but says it is now working with Cattle Australia to get “on the same page” CPA chair Ernie Camp says the groups realised … Read more
Crystal Thompson is trying to make her motel room feel like a home for her three children. The pregnant mother was one of 15 people evacuated on Friday when rising floodwaters engulfed the tiny outback Queensland town of Urandangi. “I don’t think, honestly, anyone was expecting to get this amount of water anywhere … even … Read more
Some of the biggest minerals mines in north-west Queensland have suspended production for weeks, some for months, after widespread floods entered sites and caused damage to infrastructure. Key points: Mines across the region have recorded hundreds of millimetres of rainfall It will be about four months before a major copper mine will re-open Some mines … Read more