New anchoring rules coming to Noosa River

Boaties are being reminded that new anchoring restrictions for vessels over fivemetres will take effect on the Noosa River from 31 May, as part of Stage 5 of theNoosa River Management Plan.Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) confirmed the changes follow extensivecommunity consultation and are aimed at improving safety and protecting the river’sfragile ecosystem. Under the new…

Cooroy’s main street bursting with a new business buzz

Cooroy’s Maple Street and surrounding lanes are experiencing a surge ofcommercial activity as new businesses move in, old favourites move on, and majorrefurbishments reshape the town’s commercial heart. What was once a quiet, steadyvillage hub is now abuzz with transformation, bringing a wave of fresh energy andoptimism to the town.The most notable changes centre around…

Electric scooter concerns prompt urgent action

Calls for urgent reforms to address the rising dangers of reckless electric bike andscooter use have been reignited in Queensland Parliament, with Noosa MP SandyBolton delivering a passionate adjournment speech in April and now welcoming theannouncement of a formal Parliamentary Inquiry.“Just recently we had another young Queenslander critically hurt. How many injuriesor deaths will it…

Noosa shelter closure marks milestone in animal welfare

After 32 years of dedicated service to animals and the community, RSPCAQueensland will relinquish its lease of the Noosa Council facility on 31 May 2025,marking the end of an era for animal welfare on the Sunshine Coast.Since its establishment in 1993, the Noosa RSPCA facility has transformed the livesof more than 33,000 animals. These numbers,…

Tewantin celebrates 150 years of communications

Tewantin celebrates 150 years of communicationsAs part of the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival 2025, the TewantinHeritage and Historical Society Inc. is planning to recognise and celebrate the 150thanniversary of the completion of the Gympie to Tewantin electric telegraph line andtelegraph office.On a track cut through some very dense bush in early 1875, the 30+mile-longtelegraph…

Unite to clean up and support women in crisis

Residents across Noosa Shire and the wider Sunshine Coast are being urged totake part in a new campaign that delivers a double impact: cleaning up localenvironments while raising critical funds for women experiencing domestic andfamily violence.The Ubuntu Clean Up, running throughout May, is a joint initiative by Clean UpAustralia and the Ubuntu Foundation. For every…

Spike in snake bites for Queenslanders

Snake bites have seen a sharp spike across the state in recent months, with analarming increase in reported incidents in both regional and metropolitan areas. Datafrom the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) highlights a growing number ofcases, including multiple incidents requiring hospitalisation. Paramedics haveresponded to bites affecting people of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly,…

Easter chocolate prices hold steady amid cocoa crisis

Nervous chocolate lovers can breathe a sigh of relief as there will still be affordablechocolate eggs this Easter, despite cocoa prices reaching a 50-year high. The costof cocoa surged to nearly US$12,000 per metric tonne (1,000 kilograms) in early2025 due to poor harvests in West Africa, where 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa isgrown.…