Archived News Items

28 February
• Friends of Noosa issue an update to all members. Click here to read it.

25 February
• Friends of Noosa run half-page ads in local and state newspapers, reminding the Premier of her guarantee to Noosa about the Iconic Places legislation. Click here to see the ad.

12 December
• Noosa provided a stunning turnout for a postal vote with nearly 70% participating in the amalgamation plebiscite. A resounding 96% said NO.   Click here for more.

18 November, 9.00am
• Vote No; Vote Now Rally at the Noosa AFL grounds on Weyba Road, next to the Farmers Market. Get the latest amalgamation updates from Bob Ansett and Bob Abbott, hear about the upcoming plebiscite and enjoy the entertainment and family activities.

12 November
• A successful meeting was held in Brisbane with representatives of 23 communities which are going to have plebiscites.  As set out in the presentation made by Bob Ansett, we have substantial evidence that the Local Government Reform Commission did not act independently of the State Government.  We challenge the Bligh Government to produce documents proving us wrong.  It was agreed that if the Government will not produce those documents, a Royal Commission is needed. Media release

01 November
• Analysis by the Noosa Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association (NSRRA) shows that if the Sunshine Coast Regional Council votes to make Noosa ratepayers adopt the Maroochy system, increases in general rates for units could be as high as 128%. Details are provided in an NSRRA media release. Earlier analysis by NSRRA showed that 55% of Noosa houses would have an increase in general rates of 31%. These large increases do not allow for the costs of amalgamation nor the loss of revenue flowing from State Government takeover of water assets.

30 October
• Was the entire consultation process a sham?
Based on QLD parliament documents obtained by Friends of Noosa, The Australian reveals that the amalgamation legislation may have been written months before the “independent commission” provided its report (on which the legislation was supposed to be based). The date and time on the “draft-in-confidence” cover is even several hours before the deadline for citizen input. Newspaper Article.

25 October
• Announcement in Noosa’s local papers outlining progress & strategies. PDF copy
• Noosa River rates an A, Maroochy gets a C – that says it all about protection of the environment.

24 October
• Launch of a letter & email campaign to federal ALP candidates in marginal QLD electorates. Details.

20 October
• U.N.’s newest biosphere reserve threatened.

31 October
∙ The Friendliest Morning Tea. Featured speakers are Helen Brierty & Annette Fear from Spirit House Restaurant & Cooking School, and Bob Ansett the voice of Friends of Noosa and successful marketing legend. RSVP by 24 October. Details.

30 September
∙ When the Federal election is called, we will need to raise the profile of the undemocratic amalgamations, especially in the key marginal seats. The best description of the situation is at http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/state_qld.htm, where Antony Green comments on the importance of amalgamations in some of the marginals. If you have friends or relatives in those marginals, get them writing to the Labor candidates now. Kevin, save us!

24 September
∙ The Australian Electoral Commission is expected to decide this week whether plebiscite votes on Queensland council amalgamations are counted on 27 October or 3 November. 87 councils intend to hold polls, which will be postal. Details will be available at the end of the week. Bligh is saying that turnouts will be low. We must prove her wrong, so encourage all your contacts to vote.

22 September
∙ Anna Bligh responds to approaches through Labor Party channels, saying she is not interested in a meeting with the Friends of Noosa and will not change her mind on amalgamation of Noosa. We know our cause is just, so redouble those emails and letters to Bligh and Rudd.

21 September
∙ UNESCO approves Noosa as a Biosphere Reserve, stating, “to use in a sustainable way the rich natural and cultural resources of the site, Noosa communities endeavour to manage urban growth in a sustainable manner”. Write to Premier Bligh, Minister Pitt and Kevin Rudd telling them that UNESCO values Noosa very highly and asking what are they doing to keep Noosa sustainable?
∙ Newspoll in The Australian shows Labor only 4% ahead in Queensland, stating, “Coalition has clawed back support in the key state of Queensland... a shift possibly caused by the controversial amalgamation of local councils”. Kevin, get on the phone to Anna. Friends of Noosa, keep those emails and letters rolling with this new information. See our new suggested email to Kevin Rudd and email to Anna Bligh.

13 September
∙ Anna Bligh, the new QLD premier announces that she will not reverse the amalgamation legislation, despite admitting that it was not done well.

06 September
∙ Beattie and Fraser introduce more undemocratic legislation. The Urban Land Development Authority Bill empowers our domineering state government to override council planning schemes. The bill is under the guise of providing affordable housing, but the biggest beneficiaries will be the large development companies.

04 September
∙ The Friends of Noosa and many other communities reluctantly declare symbolic war on the Beattie Labor Government, Kevin Rudd and the ALP. But this campaign can be ended at a stroke. All we need is for Kevin Rudd to persuade Beattie that voluntary amalgamations are the way to go – in line with the Federal ALP's platform. Save us Kevin, and the loud voice of the Noosa community will say, “Thank you!”

31 August
∙ Friends of Noosa launch their “Save Noosa – Dump Labor” campaign on Noosa’s main beach.

30 August
∙ Commonwealth Senate Inquiry into Plebiscites comes to Noosa. Friends of Noosa (and many others) will be asking the Senators to protect democracy from Beattie. Protestors (dignified) are welcome outside the Ivory Palms Resort from 9.00am to 5.30pm.
Details from karla.hobson@elders.com.au or 0404 010 699.

20 August
∙ Beattie is caught out by a Courier-Mail poll in which four out of five respondents said that forced council mergers had made them less likely to vote for the Labor Party in the coming Federal election. The Courier Mail took its poll in four key Federal seats affected by the council changes. In the must-win seat of Petrie, almost 70% of Redcliffe respondents said they had been turned off Labor.
∙ A Federal Senate committee will hold an inquiry into a bill to protect councillors from being sacked or fined for holding referenda. Public hearings will be held in the next couple of weeks. To ensure they come to Noosa and hear your views, put in a submission by this Friday, 24 August. Submissions can be short and to the point about democracy in the context of no forced amalgamations. See www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fapa_ctte/democratic_plebiscites_07/index.htm and http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/wit_sub/bro_one.htm for details.
∙ In The Australian, John Howard says “If there is a strong expression of opinion in local government areas that choose to go ahead with the ballots, the Queensland Government may be forced to reconsider those amalgamations.”

19 August
∙ Beattie trumpets that the AC Nielsen poll he commissioned shows 73% support for amalgamations. But the question was “Are you in favour of stronger councils?” and many of the people polled are not involved in amalgamations. Talk about push polling – another example of him treating the community with contempt.
∙ Beattie backflips, announcing that he will not sack or fine councillors who run ballots and will not mount a High Court challenge to the Federal legislation. He insists, however, that amalgamations will proceed regardless of referenda results.

17 August
∙ Friends of Noosa and Noosa Council agree on a united front to continue the fight against amalgamation.
∙ Friends of Noosa invited the PM, John Howard, to Noosa.

16 August
∙ The Prime Minister announces Commonwealth legislation which will trump Beattie’s undemocratic law. The Australian Electoral Commission will conduct local referendums on behalf of councils and protect councillors against Beattie’s threat of fines or instant dismissal.
∙ Kevin Rudd announces his support for the PM’s legislation.
∙ Beattie huffs and puffs about High Court challenges.

10 August
∙ Friends of Noosa organises a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile and the Federal member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss to ask for help from the Feds.

09 August
∙ Friends of Noosa applies to the Supreme Court of Queensland seeking injunction.

02 August
∙ Peter Wade, Friends of Noosa, runs a two-page ad in The Courier Mail against the forced amalgamation.