Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team A busy Sunshine Coast supermarket is set to be revitalised after its sister store was acknowledged with a major award White’s IGA Bli Bli is poised to undergo some changes as the grocery chain continues to enhance its offerings around the region The improvements will follow the expansion of White’s IGA Mooloolah and a state accolade for White’s IGA Forest Glen White’s Grocers co-founder and co-owner Roz White outlined the business’ next steps “We will turn our attention to our Bli Bli store,” she said Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email “I am already cooking up some ideas to freshen up the store and bring some exciting new elements to this beautiful mothership store.” Roz and Michael White purchased IGA Bli Bli in 2004 and demolished and rebuilt it as White’s IGA Bli Bli 2013 it is arguably the most well-known of their six stores and offers a range of locally sourced products It was adjudged the Medium Store of the Year at the IGA Queensland and Northern NSW Awards of Excellence Metcash Queensland and Northern NSW general manager Roy Leisk said the supermarket “showcases what IGA represents” “(It is) a local store focusing on point-of-difference local and value proprietary lines,” he said “This store boasts a large gourmet section range and great service with shoppers from across the Sunshine Coast befitting of the region and a tribute to the past “Michael and I are super proud of our team and their dedication to serve our community with compassion “This award is a reflection of their hard work to strive for retail excellence every day.” The store features design elements that pay tribute to the region and the past As customers enter the market-style layout they see a ‘street’ sign aptly named Gibbins Boulevard as a mark of recognition of the local Gibbins family and other farming families of the area The in-store gift and homeware shop is named Grace and Grace in honour of the Whites’ grandmothers and is home to Mrs White’s own family dining table There’s even a nearby popcorn and confectionary stand White’s IGA Forest Glen also claimed the Medium Bakery Department of the Year Award the Medium Dairy and Freezer Department of the Year Award the Medium Delicatessen Department of the Year Award and the Rising Star Award White’s IGA Forest Glen will progress to the National Awards of Excellence in July where they will be up against their state category winners across Australia White’s IGA Baringa won an award for Large Bakery Department of the Year “White’s IGA Baringa is the go-to destination for local shoppers when it comes to all things bakery,” Mr Leisk said “Shoppers will find everything from sweet cakes fresh baked biscuits to artisan breads and savoury lines “The department is continually evolving to meet the needs of the rapidly changing and expanding population.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE GAZETTE DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX Construction in Progress at Bli Bli Cenotaph Concrete has been poured and work is well underway on a new Cenotaph being built at Bli Bli’s Avenue of Honour in Parklakes Drive.  The significant regional monument is slated for completion in April which will see the site host its first local commemorative service.  The 3.4 metre Cenotaph will be located at the end of the Avenue of Honour on Parklakes Drive providing the community with a focal point for commemorating those who have served their country in war conflicts and peacekeeping operations.  RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District President Ian Hall OAM said it was exciting to see works on the Cenotaph progressing well with local RSL Sub Branches now preparing for it to be at the heart of this year’s local Anzac Day commemorations “We’re very grateful for the support we’ve received from government as well as the local community towards establishing a memorial within the community’s Avenue of Honour,” Mr Hall said.  “This monument will be a meaningful and timely reminder for the community placing an emphasis on the importance of commemorating veterans who have served past and present.”    RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District received funding last year for the Cenotaph including $109,680 from the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program and an additional $59,000 in Divisional Capital Works Funding from the Sunshine Coast Council.  The three-month construction project also includes installing new signage along the fig-tree lined Avenue of Honour and the addition of QR codes to the Avenue’s Remembrance Rocks so visitors can scan them to learn about Australia’s military history.  who has been engaged to design and build the Cenotaph Editorial: editor@sunshinevalleygazette.com.au | 0409 424 487 Advertising: tanya@sunshinevalleygazette.com.au | 0400 069 711 Display Ads   Ad Rates   Ad Specs   Privacy   Terms & Conditions Crafted by renowned local artist Owen Cavanagh this vibrant piece of art now adorns a new structure on Sunshine Coast Council-owned land in Bli Bli The surf mural is visible from the Sunshine Motorway when heading north shortly after the Maroochy River bridge near the Amateur Radio Station and old toll booth location Sunshine Coast Council Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez said recreating the mural would ensure its legacy continued to inspire and captivate residents and visitors “The surf mural has long been a symbol of our coastal lifestyle and surf culture and I’m thrilled it has been given new life and can be enjoyed once again,” Cr Suarez said “The original mural had been located on a cane shed wall that had reached the end of its life “The new artwork beautifully captures the essence of our beaches and celebrates the vibrant surf culture that is an integral part of our identity here on the Sunshine Coast “The spirit of the ‘Old Cane Shed Surf Mural’ lives on in its new home and is a must-see for anyone traveling through the area.” officially named ‘Yaroomba’ (meaning ‘surf on the beach’ in the Kabi Kabi language) was inspired by his love of our beautiful Sunshine Coast and those perfect surf days “I'm super stoked to see the wave mural back in all its glory including solar lighting,” Mr Cavanagh said “I find it hard to believe 24 years on and it has a new home and lives on for all to enjoy “The mural reminds us to look after our precious ocean and wildlife something that I am personally very passionate about “A special thank you to Sunshine Coast Council and all our wonderful local community for their support for basically a quarter of a century.” Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager People and Communications Kylie Ezzy said the surf mural was an important part of the Coast’s history “To see the new mural on full display for both locals and visitors to enjoy is incredible,” Ms Ezzy said “The Airport is delighted to have collaborated with Council to ensure the artist's mural continues to inspire in its new “The Airport is also arranging for the 'Old Cane Shed Surf Mural' to be fittingly retired to Canefields Distillery on a local cane farm.” Sunshine Coast Council acknowledges the Sunshine Coast Country home of the Kabi Kabi peoples and the Jinibara peoples We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past and acknowledge the important role First Nations people continue to play within the Sunshine Coast community Our Sunshine Coast is a free community website proudly produced by Sunshine Coast Council Website Feedback OnlyPlease leave your website feedback comments below kindly provide the steps you took so we can replicate the issue For general council inquiries, please see Council Contact page You can use CTR+V to paste a screenshot from your clipboard directly into the textarea above Otherwise you can upload a file from your computer below This is how we can all help to manage them and protect our environment a thorny invader is dug from the ground and loaded into the back of a truck for destruction The drooping tree pear (Opuntia monacantha) can quickly take over natural areas and become a costly infestation in agriculture A restricted species under the Biosecurity Act 2014, it is identified for eradication from our region under the new Sunshine Coast Biosecurity Plan 2024 Residents can now explore the new biosecurity plan to understand our target invasive plant and animal species and to find out about how they can be managed Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston said biosecurity was in everyone’s hands “When everyone takes action on biosecurity it benefits the whole region,” Cr Johnston said communities and economy are interconnected and these can all be impacted by invasive plants and animals “For example, feral deer trample habitat and ringbark trees Cr Johnston said the plan identified reasonable and practical measures to manage 81 priority invasive species “We aim to prevent invasive species from infiltrating our region eradicate those that we’ve found in low numbers contain those found in some areas of our region and manage those that are widespread to reduce their impact.” Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the new plan also identified invasive plants not listed under the Biosecurity Act 2014 that damage environmental areas and are impacting our communities These locally significant invasive species include blue and coastal morning glory “Our biosecurity plan has been informed by feedback from the Invasive Weeds Taskforce the local agricultural sector and community groups,” Cr Suarez said “We need our landholders and communities to be equipped with the knowledge and ability to manage invasive species that impact our region “We made these priorities more understandable and practical so it’s easier for landholders and residents to manage invasive plants and animals on their property.” Invasive animals such as foxes and wild dogs pose a threat to pets and livestock while rabbits can be devastating to our agricultural sector Invasive plants out-compete native species reducing the food available to wildlife with impacts across ecosystems while others are toxic to humans and animals threaten agricultural activities or can choke dams and waterways Council carries out ongoing invasive plant and animal management throughout the region while running programs to help landholders manage invasive plants on private properties Council endorsed the Sunshine Coast Biosecurity Plan 2024 It also endorsed a supporting implementation plan which outlines a range of ongoing and new Council actions The plan identifies several new invasive plants detected in our region that we aim to eradicate: Experience Sunshine Coast Living and community Environment Business Development Council Pay and apply © Sunshine Coast Regional Council 2008–2025 Hordes of Sunshine Coast residents will head to the polling booths on federal election day and many will be able to grab a snag while they’re there An estimated 110,000 people will cast their votes at more than 60 locations in the electorates of Fairfax and Fisher on May 3 A selection of venues will have sausage sizzles allowing locals to tuck in and support community groups Scroll down to see the full list of fundraiser locations Website Democracy Sausage has a map and details for more than 750 fundraising events at locations around the country with ‘principal sausage technologist’ Keith Moss saying plans were well underway for the big day “We’ve been working with our event partners at the Australian Electoral Commission to load up the 2025 polling places and are happy to say they’re ready to serve up,” he said we snagged information about over 2000 election day fundraisers and we’re looking forward to putting even more on the map in 2025.” There will be more than 30 election day voting locations in Fairfax which covers an area from Coolum Beach to Maroochydore and west to Mapleton There will also be more than 30 election day voting places in Fisher which stretches from Alexandra Headland to Caloundra and west to Conondale Masterfoods has taken the democracy sausage to the next level producing a limited edition rebrand of their iconic tomato sauce It’s been labelled ‘Democracy Sauce’ Find out more, including polling locations for the Noosa region (in the Wide Bay electorate), and mobile and postal voting details via the Australian Electoral Commission website. Organisers of fundraisers at election day voting places can email news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au for their event to be added to this article. March 10) Sunshine Coast Council issued an emergency warning to residents for a flood watch and act - monitor conditions for minor and flash flooding on the coast Falls of over 400mm recorded across the Coast This intense rainfall has led to widespread flash flooding as well as localised rapid creek and river level rises in our hinterland areas More moderate to locally heavy rainfall is forecast to continue today with further river and creek level rises expected into Tuesday Nambour is experiencing flooding throughout the town with Bli Bli Road however heavy-to-locally-intense rainfall is forecast which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding We are already seeing this throughout the Nambour The SES has received 77 requests in the past 24 hours More than 150,000 people have taken on board advice and used Council’s Disaster Hub Sunshine Coast to access up-to-date information on road closures and weather warnings We encourage our community to continue to do so There are around 100 roads closures reported across our region but we expect more throughout the day Driving during these conditions is extremely dangerous Don’t be afraid to pull over somewhere safe and wait until the storm passes Be aware there are roads that are potentially flooded that may not yet be sign-posted For a current list of roads closures visit Disaster Hub Sunshine Coast. There have been a number of power outages in our region impacting properties at Nambour For power outage information, visit Energex.com.au The place of refuge at Caloundra has now been closed The requirement for Nambour Place of Refuge will be assessed at the end of the day and we are helping those who have critical hygiene-related issues Council will provide an on-demand residential collection service for critical hygiene-related needs for those who missed last week’s service This will be for extreme circumstances and evaluated on a case-by-case basis Residents are encouraged to visit the ‘Report a missed bin’ page on Council’s website and complete the ‘Empty my bin form’ to communicate the urgency or hazardous nature of their request with the exception of Nambour due to flooding and will be free for residential properties directly impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred for disposal of storm-damaged household general waste and green waste Please stay indoors and wait until the potential for flash flooding has passed Keep up to date at Disaster Hub Sunshine Coast Customer service counters in Caloundra and Maroochydore are open while Nambour is closed until further notice Council is experiencing a high volume of calls Please be patient as we work to assist everyone as quickly as possible Kenilworth libraries and the Mobile Library are closed today (Monday 10 March) due to flooding Reservations ready for pickup will be available once we reopen Customers should keep library items at home until it is safe to return them For up-to-date information on current school closures please check the Emergency education facility closures If you require urgent SES assistance please contact SES at 132 500 or log a request for the SES app: https://132500.qld.gov.au/ses-webapp/ The final stage of an $8 million residential estate has been completed with almost half the lots already under contract Cube Developments has announced the completion of stage two of the Park Rise Estate at Bli Bli which includes 12 lots of about 700sqm each The completion of stage two follows on from the initial launch of 35 lots in the estate in 2021 Cube senior development manager Daniel Ryan said the project was proving popular due to the scarcity of available land and its location it’s about fostering a sense of community and providing lifestyle spaces where families can thrive,” Mr Ryan said which centres around Camelot Court off Camp Flat Road is within walking distance of Good Samaritan Catholic College and sporting fields and has easterly views over farmlands and towards Mount Coolum Cube sales consultant Sheldon Busch said the estate appealed to a variety of buyers “Local owner-occupiers are looking to realise capital gain from the Bli Bli area and move into a newer home and we’ve also had families wanting to build their home on larger lots for the kids to play and have a yard plus a pool,” he said “Premium 700sqm lots are hard to come by for families looking to create a lifestyle for themselves in established areas lots in Aura and Harmony are significantly smaller and are selling for similar pricing We have the best of both – larger lots in an established community which is a rarity in today’s property market “Forty per cent of the lots in the first release are under contract and we have a number of other interested buyers speaking with their preferred builders about construction and achieving their dream build.” Mr Busch said the completed homes in stage one of Park Rise showed potential buyers what was possible “When prospective buyers drive into Camelot Court they can see first-hand the quality and style of the homes built in the earlier stages,” he said “This gives them the confidence that their new home is surrounded by other established quality houses selling for premium prices.” For sales inquiries phone Mr Busch on 0418 743 848 The rejection of a controversial proposal to develop a housing estate on nearly 65 hectares of rural land is now the subject of a court appeal The applicants behind the proposed third stage of the Parklakes development at Bli Bli have lodged an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court in Brisbane seeking to overturn the Sunshine Coast Council’s decision on November 21 to refuse the application Related story: Council votes to refuse next stage of housing estate Brisbane-based Steele Project Strategy and Advisory acting on behalf of applicants Focus Estates Pty Ltd and One Man Bli Bli Pty Ltd The appeal asks that “the respondent’s decision to refuse the development application be set aside and replaced with a decision to approve the development application subject to lawful conditions” highlight concerns primarily around flooding a lack of open spaces and agricultural buffers and a planned local centre precinct being “oversized” Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au “The development is proposed in a flood and inundation area and the development does not satisfy the criteria to allow urban development to occur in the flood and inundation area,” the documents state But the appellants argue that the proposed development will not result in “unacceptable flooding impacts or give rise to coastal hazard risks” The documents state that a report called the Bli Bli Northern Village Flood Impact Assessment Single Lake Design was prepared by SLR Consulting Australia in January 2024 which was then reviewed by Water Engineering Plus Pty Ltd at the request of the council A letter from Water Engineering Plus in April 2024 stated that although there were points that required clarification it was unlikely to give rise to grounds for refusal the flood modelling assessment undertaken for the site is considered to be at an appropriate level of detail and of a scope that is generally considered appropriate for the nature of the proposed development,” it said Related story: Third stage of housing estate recommended for refusal The appeal also argues that the proposed development would deliver upgrades to road and pedestrian networks and not result in unacceptable impact on water quality “The proposed development complies with other assessment benchmarks relied on by the respondent in the decision notice or can be conditioned to achieve compliance,” the documents state Michael White and the White Commercial Property Group are also co-respondents to the appeal via a notice of election submitted on December 23 Sunshine Coast councillors have voted to refuse a proposal to develop the third stage of a housing estate based largely around concerns about flooding Councillors voted 10 to one for refusing the proposed third stage of the Parklakes development on 51 hectares of rural land at Bli Bli Division 3’s Terry Landsberg was the only councillor to support approval of the proposal A report prepared by a council officer ahead of Thursday’s meeting recommended the application be refused The report noted that the applicants had provided a range of matters to support the application but that “significant reasons warrant refusal of the application” said she maintained her long-held opposition to development on floodplains “The three main reasons I’m willing to move the officer’s recommendation are the lack of detail to clearly understand the expected outcomes of the development and the expected impacts,” she said “The second reason is inappropriate development on a floodplain and associated loss of flood storage And the third reason is local community feedback.” Cr Landsberg said the council needed to do more to provide housing for residents “I won’t be supporting the officer’s recommendation,” he said about the huge amount of growth we see down there and always ask ‘when is north of the Maroochy River “I can understand the councillors’ position on not building on flood areas but I’m disappointed that we haven’t done more in this area to try to work harder in relation to this application and especially around resilient homes that could be accommodated “We are never going to meet our targets of affordable housing and social housing and housing to support our critical workforce unless we start getting innovative and looking at ways we can work towards an outcome that actually delivers houses.” Mayor Rosanna Natoli also outlined her stance on the matter “Development in a floodplain is problematic at best,” she said “Am I disappointed that this process has taken this long to get to this Am I disappointed that this is a missed opportunity for housing You’ve heard that expressed by a number of councillors and also the officers.” Cr Joe Natoli questioned how the council could come up with two different decisions after approving the Twin Waters West development last year while Cr Christian Dickson asked whether a smaller proposed development on parts of the land that aren’t flood-prone had been considered during pre-lodgement meetings with the applicants Natoli and Tim Burns had declarable conflicts of interest in the matter but were each allowed to vote after other councillors unanimously voted to allow them to stay The applicants have been approached for comment Plans for the next stage of a housing estate that would include more than 500 homes could be in trouble with the proposed project being recommended for refusal The agenda for Thursday’s Sunshine Coast Council meeting includes a determination on the proposed third stage of the Parklakes development on 51 hectares of rural land at Bli Bli The application for the development, which was first submitted to the council in 2022 seeks preliminary approval for a material change of use to vary the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 to allow for residential shopping centre and retirement facility uses and to vary the height of buildings and structures overlay from 8.5m to 12m A report prepared by a council officer ahead of Thursday’s meeting says the applicants Focus Estates Pty Ltd and One Man Bli Bli Pty Ltd have provided a range of matters to support the application “The development is proposed in a flood and inundation area and the development does not satisfy the criteria to allow urban development to occur in the flood and inundation area,” it says “The local flooding solution is reliant on offsite channel improvement works on private properties which do not form part of the application and would result in offsite impacts.” Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au The report says the applicants’ push for the proposal is based around the need for housing and housing diversity a new local centre and how its planned lake would provide social benefits for those within and nearby the estate But it states that other matters remain unresolved “such as building height but could be conditioned or amended should approval be contemplated the development raises a number of inconsistencies with the Planning Scheme,” the report says the matters that may warrant approval are not as compelling as those against of the development.” The report notes that the application was subject to public notification between May 15 and June 30 last year attracting 253 ‘properly made’ submissions 142 submissions were in support of the proposal The applicants declined to comment until after Thursday’s meeting Parts of the Sunshine Coast have been lashed by heavy rain overnight with roads closed and emergency services called to assist in several rescues A severe thunderstorm warning for intense rainfall for parts of the Sunshine Coast Somerset and Moreton Bay council areas was issued at 4.06am on Monday as the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred were felt across the region while Palmwoods and Maleny had 50mm and Nambour 35mm Sunshine Coast Council said the intense localised rainfall had caused minor to moderate flooding to occur in locations on the eastern side of the hinterland The Sunshine Coast Disaster Hub said 13 local roads were closed at 4.30am Short Street and Coronation Avenue in Nambour; Woombye Palmwoods Road Jubilee Drive and Old Palmwoods Road in Palmwoods; Neill Road (Mooloolah River Bridge) in Mooloolah Valley; Stevens Road That was updated to 34 local roads by 5.50am Paramedics responded to reports of patients stuck in a house in flood water on Perwillowen Road at 3.19am No patients required transport to hospital They also responded to reports of two vehicles being caught in floodwater on Carter Street Neither patient required transport to hospital Reports were received of a vehicle caught in floodwater on Dunning Street The incident was handled by swiftwater rescue as paramedics were unable to reach the area due to the floodwater Burnside State School and Burnside State High School will all be closed Monday Police posted to social media at 4.30am Monday to warn of dangers on the roads “Multiple roads are closed due to localised flooding in the Nambour area including Price and Florence streets Currie Street and Coronation Avenue and Bli Bli Road,” it said “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and drive to the conditions More than 70 homes were without power at 4.30am Sunshine Coast residents have been warned for several days about the potential for heavy rainfall, despite ex-TC Alfred being downgraded to a tropical low on Saturday morning a hazardous surf warning for Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast waters was cancelled on Sunday afternoon Hundreds – and potentially thousands – of Sunshine Coast homes are vulnerable to flooding as Tropical Cyclone Alfred barrels towards the state’s south-east Local authorities have warned against complacency as the Category 2 system tracks towards a crossing point between Maroochydore and Coolangatta Emergency refuge centres have been established more than 107,000 sandbags have been collected schools have been cancelled and public transport services have been suspended The system was expected to make landfall on Friday issued late Wednesday for Double Island Point to Grafton stated that the system packed 130kmh gusts of wind The most intense conditions should be felt near and to the south of the crossing point But Police District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said Sunshine Coast locals should still be on guard and added that police were door-knocking up to 1600 homes that are at risk of flooding if the storm surge reaches half a metre above the highest astronomical tide But the system is now expected to hit land later than expected and potentially on a lower tide “Although the current mapping shows it is going to track further south of the Sunshine Coast it (the cyclone) is very unpredictable,” he said “We strongly encourage people not to become complacent and to take the necessary precautions.” He said the community should “expect the unexpected” “We’ve seen the volatility of this cyclone,” he said “And regardless of where it makes landfall the Sunshine Coast is still expected to see a storm surge and rainfall.” Emergency refuge centres have opened at the Nambour Showgrounds and the Noosa Leisure Centre One will open at Caloundra Indoor Stadium and Landsborough Sportsground on Thursday morning Police were door-knocking at-risk properties at Golden Beach, Pelican Waters, Maroochydore “We are advising those residents of the risks so that they can make an informed decision (to evacuate or not) and prepare their property,” Supt Hawkins said “If you’re going to have water over your floorboards we encourage you to seek an alternative place of safety and “Abnormally high tides between 2m to 2.3m are forecast Storm surge and swell may cause flooding around coastal and low-lying areas “And we expect there could be 100mm of rain per day (Thursday to Saturday).” Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Johnathan How told Sunshine Coast News the Sunshine Coast could still be significantly affected “The tracking map does bring the crossing (point) closer to Brisbane but the Sunshine Coast is still within the warning zone,” he said “That means you will see gale-force winds on the Sunshine Coast and damaging winds on the southern part of the Sunshine Coast “There is potential for wind gusts of up to 120kmh on the coastal fringe from Wednesday night through Friday “The Sunshine Coast and hinterland are used to thunderstorms bringing these winds but those winds only last up to a minute These winds will be sustained for many hours loose items being airborne and power lines impacted “The heaviest rain will be south of the Sunshine Coast but there is potential for heavier falls there “There is also a flood watch current for Sunshine Coast rivers and creeks “And there will be huge waves and coastal erosion we’ll see a big storm surge so low-lying suburbs will start to get flooded on Friday morning.” “Once the cyclone gets closer to landfall we may see the warning zone shrink but the message is that you’re still in the warning zone so there is the potential for dangerous gales and we’ll still see dangerous coastal conditions with that storm surge,” he said “Any wobble the cyclone has can have a big impact.” Supt Hawkins said there were several ways that residents could prepare for the event “We ask people to inspect the conditions of their home “Boats and vessels remain a concern and we encourage owners to secure them or seek alternative moorings including medication and non-perishable goods an emergency kit with battery-operated radio spare batteries and a list of emergency contact numbers Sandbag locations are listed on council websites “For SES assistance you can call 132500 but if your situation is life threatening call 000.” “We’re also seeking residents to be considerate of others when purchasing essential items,” he said “Supply chains have not been affected however residents have been asked to purchase (only) necessary quantities.” Sunshine Coast and Noosa schools and early childhood services will be closed on Thursday and Friday Schools and services are providing updates directly to families The Department of Transport and Main Roads stated there will be no public transport services from Thursday until further notice Rail services were due to be suspended after the last service on Wednesday and no vessels are permitted on the water until further notice Sunshine Coast Airport stated late Wednesday that it was still operating and it would provide updates as the situation changes Airlines have issued information for customers flying to and from the airport Sunshine Coast Health’s critical services including emergency surgery and emergency departments The health service is working with clinicians to identify and contact vulnerable patients who may require additional assistance: support including transport High-risk patients include those requiring dialysis those on oxygen and pregnant mothers that are near term Council waste services will not operate on Thursday and Friday there will be no collection fees for people disposing green or general waste when Sunshine Coast Council tips reopen More flood maps are available on Sunshine Coast Disaster Hub and council websites For more information see getready.qld.gov.au, disaster.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and disaster.noosa.qld.gov.au Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your 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CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Police are investigating a wounding incident in Bli Bli early this morning Initial investigations indicate around 12.30am were walking along Willis Road when they were approached by two males in a red Holden ute an 18-year-old male sustained a wound to his arm A 17-year-old male and 19-year-old female were not physically The two male offenders then left the scene Emergency services located the victim a short time later on Willis Road He was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with dashcam vision or information that could assist investigators A cosmopolitan team with experience in some of Australia’s most prestigious restaurants is behind one of the Coast’s latest dining ventures Sopra Cucina opened last week in a riverside space overlooking the bridge at Bli Bli Founder and managing director Luca Ruiu is originally from Sardinia but has been immersed in Australia’s food scene since 2009 working in renowned establishments such as 400 Gradi in Melbourne and Lucio’s Marina in Noosa He is joined by head chef and co-owner Marco Liti whose culinary journey spans from Spain to Italy and Australia He worked in Melbourne for many years and was most recently at 250 Grammi in Noosa Luca’s partner and Sopra co-founder Susanna Mastronardi said the Sopra team was determined to introduce something new to the local dining scene “What drew us to Bli Bli and the Sunshine Coast is our desire to introduce an authentic Italian dining experience unlike anything available in the area,” she said “We are passionate about sharing our love for Italian cuisine with the local community and believe there is a unique opportunity to create something special here “We are eager to meet and collaborate with local producers and artists and we take great pride in what we have achieved “We are thrilled to bring a taste of our culture to the Sunny Coast and look forward to welcoming and serving our guests with warmth and enthusiasm.” “Sopra” means “above” in Italian and Susanna said the name symbolised their elevated perspective and concept it embodies our aspiration to offer a heavenly dining experience,” she said “Sopra Cucina is not just a restaurant – it’s a place where we aim to elevate Italian cuisine to new heights.” Susanna said the menu was a “celebration of modern fusion with a rustic twist” Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed “Picture freshly made pasta infused with nduja and ricotta decadent tiramisu and a host of other dishes that promise to surprise and delight featuring ingredients sourced both locally and imported from Italy,” she said “We pride ourselves on our commitment to quality offering a curated selection of fresh produce and an extensive wine list that complements our dishes perfectly.” The team was still finalising staffing plans but expects to be recruiting team members The restaurant is part of Bli Bli’s Riverside Centre complex and was formally home to the River View Rooftop restaurant Susanna said they had renovated the space to blend “modern elegance with rustic charm” tasteful decor inspired by Italian aesthetics and carefully curated seating arrangements were chosen to ensure a relaxed and inviting dining experience,” she said “We cannot thank enough all the people who helped along the way and made this possible Sopra Cucina is at 7/311 David Low Way and open from noon Thursday to Sunday for lunch and from 5pm Wednesday to Sunday for dinner Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram Redcape has added four Sunshine Coast pubs and 128 electronic gambling machines to its book via a deal for Maeva Hospitality The c$80 million purchase includes the Baringa Tavern All recently developed on blocks within shopping centres The deal also includes nine associated bottle shops Maeva was offered by Queensland hoteliers Scott Armstrong and Richard Deery MA Financial managed Redcape today upgraded its distribution guidance the fund will hold hospitality assets worth a total c$1.2 billion After a surprise shedding of assets in 2023 particularly in Queensland where it has spent over $200m since last year (story continues below) contains 2350 sqm over three floors within a five level building completed in 2019 top) has three function rooms and an indoor and outdoor sports bar HTL Property represented Mr Armstrong and Mr Deery Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Back to login A well-respected and long-standing principal who has served at multiple schools on the Sunshine Coast has announced his retirement of Good Samaritan Catholic College at Bli Bli will be retiring at the end of the year after serving for 36 years as a principal at schools across Queensland He said he felt privileged to have had such a distinguished career and made an impact on so many young learners “I started out as a teacher back in the mid-’80s and I suppose I always wanted to do a little bit more than just teaching,” he said “My inspiration to become a principal was just really wanting to be more involved in schools After four years as a classroom teacher in Brisbane Mr Myers started as a principal at St Mary’s Primary School From there he has served at St Mary’s Primary School Goondiwindi (1992-1993); St Mary’s Primary School Maryborough (1994-1997); St Vincent’s Primary School Clear Island Waters (1998-2005); St Dympna’s Primary School Aspley (2006- 2011); Southern Cross Catholic College Caloundra West (2016-2017) and foundation principal at Good Samaritan Catholic College I’ve experienced big schools in the middle of Brisbane – at one stage the second biggest Catholic school in the state – I’ve started a new school on the Sunshine Coast I’ve had a really fulfilling career,” Mr Myers said He has been the principal at Good Samaritan since it opened in 2019 and considers it one of the greatest achievements of his career from an empty paddock to today where we’ve got nearly 1200 kids in six years is really my proudest achievement,” Mr Myers said The school will have its first Year 12 cohort graduate later this year I said to people here and quite publicly that I wouldn’t retire until our first Year 12s finished,” Mr Myers said “We started with 52 Year 7s in 2019 and we enrolled almost all of those kids when there wasn’t a building on the site “Those parents took an absolute risk with the school I think if those parents hadn’t had that trust our school wouldn’t be growing the way it is now.” Mr Myers said the thing he’d miss the most in retirement was the daily interactions with students “The most important part of our role are those daily interactions with young people – talking to them making sure they are achieving to the best of their ability “We have so much compliance and administrative work nowadays I think sometimes people in leadership can become distracted by all of that and forget about the most important people: those young people in schools.” Mr Myers said the new principal at Bli Bli was likely to be announced later this year “The position is advertised through Brisbane Catholic Education nationally and it’ll be later this month or the beginning of next month (before interviews) That appointment will probably be made public early in Term 4 I’d imagine,” he said “We’re going to take some time to relax and travel – we’ll make sure we get over and visit our son in New York and spend some time with our daughter (in Sydney) I’ve still got a few bucket list items that I want to see,” he said He said he would also mentor other principals “I’ll end up doing something hopefully with giving some advice to young principals and some advice around some new schools into the future,” Mr Myers said Brisbane Catholic Education head of school progress and performance learning services Derek Maclean paid tribute to Mr Myers’ contribution to education “He is well regarded within the Brisbane Catholic Education community for his integrity and wisdom and will be well remembered for his contributions to the system and to the many school and college communities he has served,” Mr Maclean said “We are grateful for Greg’s commitment to the vocation of teaching and leadership in Catholic education in two Queensland dioceses across four decades and thank him for this dedication and service “I am sure you will join me in congratulating him on his enduring career and offer Greg and Helen our very best wishes and every blessing.” Kelsey Reid is a journalism intern with Sunshine Coast News Like stories about Sunshine Coast people doing great things Help us deliver more by registering for our FREE daily news feed All it requires is your email at the bottom of this article Police have confirmed a man has lost his life after a horrific crash on the Sunshine Coast Emergency services were called to Bli Bli about 7.15am yesterday to reports of a two-vehicle crash involving a car and a truck was transported to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for assessment but was not physically injured Bli Bli Road was closed for more than three hours following the crash Investigations by the Forensic Crash Unit are ongoing Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage is urged to contact police Sunshine Coast News chose not to publish photos of the crash or news of the fatality until family members were notified The crash coincided with the launch of Road Safety Week which runs from August 26-30 and is focusing on the theme of ‘One Team’ to highlight how all road users can work together with police to strengthen safety on the roads The Sunshine Coast district has now tragically lost eight people on the roads this year and for every life lost there is an additional 26 people who receive serious injury from road trauma Sunshine Coast District Officer Superintendent Craig Hawkins said every decision we make behind the wheel counts “Police will be conducting high visibility and covert traffic enforcement operations across the Sunshine Coast this week and will be engaging with the community to talk about how we can all strengthen our road safety,” Superintendent Hawkins said “I urge everyone to be aware of and understand the Fatal Five – speeding failing to wear seatbelts and driving while tired or distracted – all of which are major contributors to lives lost on our roads and avoidable “Sunshine Coast police are committed to reducing the trauma on our roads but we can’t do that without the help of those who are actually behind the steering wheel.” All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article A new path has been laid for a future trail connecting the hinterland to the coast The proposed Nambour to Coolum recreation trail will connect the hinterland to the coast and encourage even more people to head outdoors and enjoy our great environment Sunshine Coast Council representatives met with the newly formed Nambour to Coolum Trail Joint Working Group to discuss the project’s opportunities and challenges and determine how to proceed Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said it was an exciting project that would require a strong partnership between Council and the community “We look forward to working with our community so that we can bring this project to life,” Mayor Natoli said running and cycling opportunities for our region and provide a unique opportunity to access many different recreational “The path could comprise a network of up to 50km of trails with a core route between Nambour “The trail’s alignment has not yet been finalised and Council will continue to engage with our community making sure we respect the views of all private landholders as the alignment is further developed.” Draft alignment for the Nambour to Coolum trail Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez said Council was committed to working with our community to enhance our environment and quality of life “At the meeting with the Joint Working Group it became clear that this is a complex project that could take many years to be developed,” Cr Suarez said there are opportunities to deliver the trail in stages over the coming years using a hub and spoke model and we are now moving forward Division 10 Councillor David Law said the first stage would secure funding to undertake a detailed investigation and design of the trail “A detailed plan would then allow Council to apply for grants and funding from other levels of government for the trail’s construction,” Cr Law said “Some funding for this first stage could potentially come from the SEQ City Deal for the Blue Heart as well as other sources “We look forward to regular meetings with the group to continue this exciting project.” JWG Secretary Fiona Hughes said the Joint Working Group was excited at the positive response and engagement by Council “We really look forward to working with Council toward our aim to have the Nambour to Coolum Trail in place by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games” Cr Suarez and Cr Law attended the meeting along with Council officers and community members A Sunshine Coast MP has called for the state government to commit to replacing a busy local bridge after it pledged $700 million for a bridge duplication project at Bribie Island says the Bli Bli bridge is “no longer fit for purpose” and wants the government to commit to its replacement But local Labor MP Rob Skelton has fired back saying “Dan Purdie has decided to play politics with the Sunshine Coast” Premier Steven Miles this week announced his Labor government’s first 2024 election commitment would be a new bridge to Bribie Island the government said the new bridge would allow for four lanes of traffic along the entire length of Caboolture-Bribie Island Road The proposed concept design would provide two eastbound traffic lanes and a dedicated active transport path for bike riders Westbound traffic would use both lanes of the existing bridge A business case for the new Bribie Island bridge is yet to be concluded “Extensive community consultation has already shown that Bribie Island locals and visitors alike understand the need to plan for the future,” Mr Miles said I will build a new bridge for Bribie Island.” Related story: Plans revealed for new bridge to Bribie But deputy Opposition leader and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said Labor was attempting to match the LNP’s commitment to deliver the Bribie Island bridge Mr Bleijie said that after declaring in 2020 a new bridge “wasn’t the priority” and upgrades “weren’t required until after 2031” Labor now wanted Queenslanders to believe it was suddenly a priority “Labor is now so desperate they will say and do anything to win an election including backflipping on their past record for the Bribie bridge,” Mr Bleijie said Mr Purdie said the Bli Bli bridge on David Low Way was built in 1959 and now carried an estimated 15,000 vehicles a day “Bli Bli is one of the fastest-growing suburbs on the Coast and the bridge is no longer fit for purpose,” he said “Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has done extensive consultation identifying the need to replace it, but instead of fixing it the government has instead chosen the cheaper $1.6 million Band-Aid solution “Why won’t the Premier make the same investment (for the Bribie bridge) here on the Sunshine Coast and replace the Bli Bli bridge “This is just another example of the state Labor government taking the residents of the Sunshine Coast for granted failing to invest in the infrastructure needed to support our region’s growth.” Related story: Relief for motorists as bridge works completed Mr Skelton said Labor was committed to improving the Bli Bli bridge “While the Sunshine Coast LNP try and play politics I’m focused on getting things done for Nicklin – including delivering a plan for the Bli Bli bridge,” he said I was proud to secure funds from the Labor government to get the ball rolling to upgrade the Bli Bli bridge “Dan Purdie has decided to play politics with the Sunshine Coast He knows that his Sunshine Coast colleague and deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie has said that the LNP ‘absolutely commits to the Bribie Island Bridge project’ and it was their priority he should pick up the phone to Jarrod Bleijie and tell him what he thinks of the LNP’s own commitment.” TMR revealed last month that possibilities for upgrading the Bli Bli bridge and its approaches were being investigated by construction services company GHD The study would draw on community feedback provided for the Maroochydore-Noosa Road Route Strategy in 2022 and would aim to address priorities highlighted by residents The state government has allocated $1.6 million for the planning phase but said timeframes for detailed planning design and construction would depend on future funding commitments and state-wide priorities It’s that time of year again when festive celebrations are in full swing on the Sunshine Coast and we enjoy the colourful fireworks displays at various events across the region for the 53,000 dogs that also call the Sunshine Coast home Community Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said it was important for all dog owners to make sure their pets were safe and secure during a fireworks display “Fireworks can distress our dogs and at times it can cause them to escape from their homes and try to run from the loud noise,” Cr McKay said “To keep your dog safe during a fireworks event turn the TV up to mask the noise and stay with them to keep them calm consider having someone else be there to look after your dog or take them to another safe place for the night “If your dog does accidentally escape during fireworks make sure your microchip and registration details are up to date so you can be reunited when your dog is found.” Here is a list of some upcoming community events that will have a fireworks display If you live in these areas please keep these dates and times in mind Note: there may be other events that also include fireworks Please check your local publications for more information Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital ServicesThe Honourable Mark Bailey The Department of Transport and Main Roads has completed works to the Bli Bli Bridge ahead of schedule with the westbound lane of traffic now open to the public Works commenced in October 2023 to repair bridge components and stabilise components under the bridge ensuring the ongoing safety for all bridge users TMR is committed to continue actively engaging with the local community to seek their feedback on future upgrade planning for the Bli Bli Bridge in 2024 Quotes attributable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services Mark Bailey: "Bli Bli Bridge is an important road link for the community and industry as well as a significant landmark to this community and the department has a rigorous maintenance program which includes regular inspections of Bli Bli Bridge “I’m pleased to announce the bridge work has been completed ahead of schedule We extend our thanks to the community for their patience and understanding during these essential works "The Palaszczuk Government will be delivering almost $3.1 billion worth of road and transport infrastructure projects across the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas over the next four years.” Quotes attributable to Nicklin MP Rob Skelton: “I'm glad to see the swift and efficient completion of the Bli Bli Bridge works I want to express my gratitude to the local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding throughout the duration of these repairs “The Bli Bli Bridge is a crucial transportation link and these works will ensure the bridge continues to service the needs of the community well into the future "Ensuring the ongoing safety of all bridge users “The completion of these repairs underscores the commitment of the Palaszczuk Government to maintaining and upgrading our region’s vital infrastructure." Media contact – Minister Bailey office - 0466 620 176 Please use our complaints and compliments form Possibilities for upgrading the Bli Bli bridge and its approaches are under investigation by a construction services company on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads TMR has engaged GHD to conduct a thorough investigation into “enhancement possibilities” for the bridge and its approaches A TMR statement said the GHD study would draw on community feedback provided for the Maroochdyore-Noosa Road Route Strategy in 2022 These priorities include connectivity for people walking and riding bikes as well as safety and congestion in Bli Bli The statement said TMR and GHD would seek to identify a preferred upgrade option that optimised efficiency The Queensland government has allocated $1.6 million for the planning phase but the statement said timeframes for detailed planning The two-lane bridge over the Maroochy River on David Low Way was built in 1959 and is an important link for the fast-growing community at Bli Bli and beyond In recent years, the road has seen increased traffic volumes and congestion as a result of the population expansion Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said the planning for a future upgrade of the bridge marked a dedicated effort towards addressing the evolving needs of the community for a safer transport network “An upgraded bridge with improved active transport facilities will improve connectivity either side of the Maroochy River connecting Bli Bli with Pacific Paradise and beyond in the north and to Maroochydore in the south,” he said Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said it was essential to plan for the bridge’s future to service the community’s needs “This planning phase will take into account community feedback provided since 2022 safety and congestion as the top priorities,” he said “I’m keen to see the outcomes of the planning and will continue to work with the community for an improved Bli Bli bridge.” GHD’s website says it grew from a small engineering practice in Melbourne in 1928 into a global professional services company with more than 11,000 employees in 160 offices on five continents and communities sustainable for generations to come” that means JavaScript has been disabled on your browser Please enable JavaScript to make this website work and a small group of Friends decided to form a Country Music Club They called it Maroochy River.“The Concerts began at the Bli Bli Heritage Hall and even though the Club has recently moved their Sunday Concerts to the they still conduct their Thursday night practice sessions at the Bli Bli Hall,” said Club President of ten years Still active Members for most all of those years are Lynda Brinkley who has been a ten year (President and Secretary)Stephen Brinkley (Secretary and Sound man) and Allison McCann nee Brinkley( Drummer and Bass player).“Our ‘friendly Club’ is still doing very well and has a great support team with 7 lifetime members,” Mr Norwood said.“We are always happy to welcome new members and visitors to our club.” You can find out more about upcoming events at www.sites.google.com/view/mrcmc/home This is probably not the page you’re looking for providing value to customers and pursuing customer satisfaction are fundamental elements that form the core of any company and they can be considered timeless principles without adapting flexibly to external factors such as technological advancements and market changes achieving sustainable growth will be difficult So how should businesses expand while retaining balance between things that change and things that remain the same For this edition of Shimizu Premium Interview representatives from two seemingly unrelated industries – construction and commerce – sat down together for an engaging discussion Shimizu and Blibli share a common vision: to deeply understand customer needs and deliver value that exceeds expectations Both also leverage ecosystems to benefit society and its growth as a whole With exclusive interviews and in-depth coverage of the region's most pressing business issues "Prospects" is the go-to source for staying ahead of the curve in Indonesia's rapidly evolving business landscape Please check your email for your newsletter subscription Founded in 2011 as an e-commerce company under the Djarum Ecosystem Blibli initially focused solely on online shopping It has since expanded its operations to both online and offline channels embodying Blibli’s philosophy of being closer to customers Chief of Operations and Cofounder of Blibli explains: “Blibli is true to our core Our customers are always the number one priority Her words reflect the pride of the Djarum Ecosystem which has long understood the needs of Indonesian consumers as well as Blibli's sincere commitment to meeting customer needs what does true value mean in the construction industry it is not simply about constructing buildings according to blue prints and delivering them on time: It is about deeply understanding what its clients truly need presenting concrete solutions to their challenges and delivering value that exceeds expectations Shimizu calls this mindset “Beyond Construction” “To deliver value that exceeds client expectations Shimizu is actively seeking collaboration      and partnerships with various companies across many different industries we built the Smart Innovation Ecosystem NOVARE in Tokyo and it began operations in April last year," says Kohei Akiyama Chief Representative of Shimizu Corporation’s Jakarta office The NOVARE facility transmits 220 years of Shimizu’s history and nurtures the enterprising spirit that lies at the heart of the company’s DNA for the next generation Visitors can explore the history of Shimizu’s major works from the creations of its founder Kisuke Shimizu to present-day buildings as well as learn about the cutting-edge technologies it applies in contemporary construction projects there is a collaboration space where Shimizu and various partners can work together and exchange ideas to promote open innovation participating in ecosystems is not only essential but also critical for its business expansion and customer service improvement Blibli has focused on strengthening its ecosystem it has formed strategic partnerships with online travel agency T     iket.com premium supermarket chain Ranch Market and the furniture and home decor start-up Dekoruma to enhance both online and offline customer experience contributing to building a sustainable society is as important as delivering satisfaction to customers This noble mission to benefit many people and society drives them to improve the quality of their work and provide good products and services By earning a fair profit and giving it back to society a company and society will both grow together Blibli hosts the annual Langkah Membumi Festival as part of its sustainability efforts consumers and the Indonesian government to build a sustainable society "We look forward to welcoming many stakeholders again this year I hope that Shimizu Corporation will join us too," Widodo says with a smile reciprocating Akiyama’s invitation to visit NOVARE which has a significant environmental impact Shimizu Corporation also embraces the responsibility of reducing its environmental footprint and contributing to a sustainable society It fulfills this duty by continuing to adopt a variety of advanced technologies to protect the planet and create a tomorrow that future generations can be proud of “Our future plan is very straightforward We continue to work on every project with the ‘Master Builder Spirit’ [Japanese craftsmanship] and sincerity so we will carry it forward into the future,” explains Akiyama we will continue to seek the essential needs of our clients and society Our ultimate goal is creating a sustainable future together with our clients and society Our wish is to become an essential company for the people and the country of Indonesia Lisa explains: “Blibli is built on six pillars: waste management These pillars reflect our strong desire and commitment to grow alongside Indonesian society because our focus is to provide solutions and commit to sustainability." This final edition of the Shimizu Premium Interview series shines a light on a future where businesses can thrive through ecosystems customer-centric practices and a deep commitment to sustainability As Blibli and Shimizu continue to navigate their industries their journeys stand as a testament to the power of visionary leadership and the potentials of cross-sector collaboration in building a brighter For more information on Shimizu Corporation, visit www.shimz.co.jp. © 2016 - 2025 PT. Bina Media Tenggara Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback. Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click! Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you. roads and pathways expanding outdoor opportunities picturesque parks and projects to entice our community to be healthy and active outdoors are among the key inclusions for Division 9 in Sunshine Coast Council’s 2024–25 Budget Divisional Councillor Maria Suarez said a boost to parks roads and pathways would expand the outdoor opportunities across the division “Whether you’d like to take a leisurely walk or challenge yourself with a more rigorous activity like mountain biking there are some exciting projects planned for our local area,” Cr Suarez said Work will begin in September on the upgrade to Lions and Norrie Job Park with almost $1.6 million allocated to a new toilet block pathways and timber pedestrian bridge and landscaping you’ll soon be able to get your hearts thumping on a new pump track in the park with $150,000 going towards a concept design “And spending a day on the Maroochy River will become easier with plans underway for a new boat ramp at Mount Coolum Verrierdale will receive a Budget boost to help improve the visitor experience.” Cr Suarez said Council was also committing funds to Bli Bli “Investment in the growing suburb of Bli Bli continues with the upgrade of Camp Flat Road stormwater improvements in Petrie Creek and enhancements to Avocado Park “And while construction is still a while off planning begins on Bli Bli’s future Maroochy North Sport and Recreation Precinct.” Cr Suarez said Council was focussed on creating a more pleasant journey around the division “It will be safer to walk and ride through the suburbs with improvements to pathways along Wharf Road and pedestrian crossings at the junction of Ridgeview Drive and Havana Road West “Travel across the division will be smoother with the staged upgrade to North Arm Yandina Creek Road continuing at Yandina Creek and Lakewood Drive and Monak Road Cr Suarez said Council was planning to sustainably manage the region’s future waste around $9.2 million will be invested in the next financial year to continue the upgrade to the Nambour waste precinct at Bli Bli to sustainably manage our region’s future waste and take another step towards our goal to become a zero-net emissions organisation by 2041,” Cr Suarez said “This includes a new Resource Recovery Centre landfill improvements and planning for a new renewable energy facility for a cleaner Sunshine Coast Council’s 2024-25 Budget was adopted on June 20. For detailed information on all Division 9 projects, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/budget *Proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with Sunshine Coast Council +Proudly funded by the Australian Government in association with Sunshine Coast A Coolum eatery has been given a new look and a new name after being taken over by a successful Sunshine Coast hospitality group on the corner of Beach Road and Frank Street The venue has undergone an interior refresh to go along with its new identity as a casual Maeva Hospitality director Scott Armstrong said the opening of Rosa Italian was a milestone for the group, following the success of the Bli Bli Hotel which secured three major accolades at the 2024 Queensland Hotels Association Awards “Coolum has always been a place we’ve admired for its vibrant community and stunning coastal environment so to have a presence here feels like a perfect fit for our vision,” Mr Armstrong said “We want Rosa Italian to be a place where locals and visitors alike can come together enjoy fantastic food and make lasting memories.” hence the transition to the new theme and the new name to fit She said a thoughtfully curated menu was a cornerstone of the Rosa Italian experience perfect for sharing and enjoying with the people you love,” Mrs Armstrong said “Guests can look forward to a delicious variety of options from wood-fired pizzas to share plates like arancini with tomato and basil aioli or local prawns with garlic and hearty mains like pappardelle with wood-roasted lamb And of course we’ve put together a fantastic drinks menu.” Although some hospitality businesses are struggling, Mrs Armstrong said Maeva had found a “sweet spot” in the market by paying strong attention to the creation of attractive spaces for people to relax and socialise. Maeva picked up three licensed bottle shops at Coolum in the takeover of Frank, which she acknowledged was part of the attraction. Maeva Hospitality’s other venues include the Baringa Tavern, the Brightwater Hotel, the Bli Bli Hotel, the Parklands Tavern, the Lakehouse Sunshine Coast at Mountain Creek, and the Motel Caloundra. Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed at the bottom of this article. Sunshine Coast Council has urged the State Government to address cyclist safety concerns on a narrow bridge at Bli Bli Division 9 Councillor Steven Robinson said the state-controlled carriageway across the Maroochy River wasn’t wide enough to safely cater for cyclists and high volumes of traffic “The capacity of this bridge in Bli Bli as a multi-use transport link is a serious concern to council given the increase in people riding bikes on the Sunshine Coast and the community has raised these concerns with us,” Cr Robinson said “This 300m bridge has a 6m wide carriageway so it’s a dangerously tight squeeze for cyclists and motorists and particularly concerning given the high traffic volume on the bridge of approximately 10,000 vehicles per day “The adjacent 1.2m wide pedestrian bridge isn’t wide enough to allow safe travel for both bike riders and pedestrians “Council has previously appealed to the State Government to have this bridge upgraded for both vehicles and bicycles “We again wrote to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) in late December with concerns about bike rider safety “Council would welcome an opportunity to discuss the potential for providing a fully accessible off-road bridge to cater for both pedestrians and cyclists with safe connections to the pathway network on both sides of the bridge.” Sunshine Coast Bicycle Touring Club president Helen Gavigan said many cyclists opted to avoid travelling across the Bli Bli bridge due to the potential safety risks “We have around 240 riders within our club and tend to avoid that bridge wherever possible in our planned weekend rides because it is too narrow,” she said “Certainly the less experienced riders within our club aren’t confident riding on the bridge and most will dismount and walk their bikes across rather than run the gauntlet on the narrow carriageway “We would certainly support anything that would make the bridge safer for bike riders because in its current state Council has a goal to shift to public and active transport modes through the Sunshine Coast Sustainable Transport Strategy 2011-2031 and the Sunshine Coast Active Transport Plan 2011-2031 Both council and TMR have provided infrastructure for cyclists in and around Bli Bli over recent years to encourage an increase in active transport Research shows that more than 70,000 people are riding bikes on the Sunshine Coast each week and there has been an increase of more than 60% in bike rider numbers in urban areas over the past two years Providing safer routes for cyclists will help to encourage more cyclist activity on the Coast and assist with reducing traffic congestion More than 60 young children aged under-5 rushed to hospital to get X-rays after a button battery scare at their childcare centre have been given the all clear A broken toy which had an unknown amount of button batteries missing was discovered at Greenspace Childcare Centre at Bli Bli on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Wednesday Staff contacted emergency services straight away amid fears at least one of the children may have swallowed the deadly devices The offending toy is believed to not be from the facility and was bought to daycare by a child Paramedics assessed 64 children aged 2-5 and arranged with Queensland Health for them to be picked up by their parents and taken to hospital The children underwent X-rays and all tests have since come back negative for the dangerous battery, 9 News reported 'All children were assessed and no cases of ingestion have been reported,' a Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said The childcare centre bought in metal detectors to help look for the missing batteries Centre staff and parents have been praised for their quick action it would've been a daunting phone call for parents to receive about what's happened but the childcare centre was very transparent with them,' paramedic James Mayfield said Parents were also quick to praise the childcare centre on how staff handled the situation 'Button batteries are not to be messed with .. everything was amazing,' parent Tahnee Tuckerman said Three Australian children have died from digesting button batteries in the last decade Queensland toddler Brittney Conway was just three-years-old when she swallowed a button battery in 2020 Mr Mayfield told, 7 News  it was because of the seriousness of the batteries that the paramedics decided to take a 'no risk no chance' approach on Wednesday. The paramedic said the incident is a good reminder for parents and carers to assess any potential risks in their home, as the batteries can be in many items, including children's toys. Mr Mayfield said swallowing a button battery is a 'life-threatening emergency' and parents should seek medical assistance straight away.  The symptoms of when someone swallows a button battery include abdominal pain, chest pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... 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No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} On Wednesday 20th April 5 wetlands members joined the Whitecross Road environmental reserve bushcare group and visitors on a guided walk through the reserve We gathered at Bottlebrush Avenue park for the start of the walk Most of the group were able to see the fairy gerygones that were flitting around in the tree canopy These dainty birds are more often heard than seen At this end of the reserve there has been extensive weed removal and the planting of 2,800 assorted plants We walked the track that commences at Bottlebrush Avenue park area and finishes at the Perren family park area Along the way we were shown assorted indigenous food and medicinal plants that are endemic to this area We identified about 20 bird species and several butterflies The day was somewhat overcast which meant the walk was pleasant but the birds and butterflies were scarce This area is a hidden gem and provides an easy walk for most people The gully crossings with stairs may be a challenge for some We finished the outing with a pleasant light picnic lunch at Perren family park Thank you to Nadia and her team for sharing this area with us: This walk was hosted by Sunshine Coast Council's BushCare Sunshine Coast program. If you would like to care for your local bushland visit our BushCare website for more information 6.10pm: A stable patient with a significant leg injury has been transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a vehicle and motorcycle crash on the corner of junction Road and Dandaloo Drive at Cootharaba at 2.31pm 1.25pm: One stable patient has been transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital after a ride-on mower incident on Cradle Mountain Drive at Crohamhurst at 11.51am 1pm: One stable patient has been transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Peregian Springs Drive at Peregian Springs at 11.57am 12.05pm: Firefighters have extinguished a vehicle blaze on Nicklin Way at Wurtulla Smoke was reported billowing from a van at about 11am A Queensland Fire Department spokesperson said all occupants were out of the vehicle and safe by the time they arrived 9.30am: Emergency services were called to a three-vehicle accident on the Bruce Highway’s northbound lanes at Beerburrum about 8.30am A police spokeswoman said the right-hand northbound lane was blocked and police were directing traffic One person declined to be assessed by Queensland Ambulance and another with minor injuries declined transport to hospital The crash happened between the Steve Irwin Way and Pioneer Road 8.15am: The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will conduct a planned burn in the Great Sandy National Park- Cooloola Section today smoke may be seen in the nearby areas around Mount Bilewilam 8am: Paramedics assessed five patients on scene at a multi-vehicle incident which involved a rollover on Kawana Way and the Sunshine Motorway at Buderim at 6.33pm last night Only one patient was transported to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition 7pm: One stable patient with a leg injury was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital after a tractor tyre exploded at a Landsborough workplace at 4.41pm 3pm: Two men injured in a light plane crash at Coondoo A man in his 30s with leg and head injuries was flown by a Queensland Government rescue helicopter to the Princess Alexandra Hospital A Bundaberg-based LifeFlight helicopter was also tasked to the scene A critical care doctor from the rescue service worked with local Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics to treat a second patient for a suspected leg fracture was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for further treatment Emergency crews were deployed to the scene The two men were the only occupants of the single-engine two-seater plane A LifeFlight media statement said it was believed the pilot was on a training flight exercise when the aircraft careered off the runway and landed in trees upside down at the end of the strip 12.55pm: A stable patient was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a motorcycle crash on the corner of Musa Vale Road and Cooroy Belli Creek Road 12.25pm: Paramedics and a rescue helicopter have been deployed to reports of small aircraft crash near Stewart Road at Coondoo 7.20am: A stable female patient suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital after a house fire on Merlot Court 1.50pm: Paramedics transported a stable patient to Nambour Hospital following a single motorcycle crash on Western Avenue 11.30am: The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will conduct a planned burn around the Coochin Creek Campground in the Beerwah State Forest between today and tomorrow 7am: No patients were assessed after a vehicle went into a wall on the Bruce Highway at Eerwah Vale 11.50am: Paramedics have transported a stable patient to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a vehicle and pedestrian incident on Spoonbill Street at Peregian Beach at 9.48am 7.30am: Paramedics were called to a structure fire on Farrell Street 7.30am: Paramedics transported two patients to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with no reported injuries following a two-vehicle crash on Mooloolaba Road 7.30am: Paramedics transported a stable female patient with chest pain to Nambour Hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Homestead Avenue 7am: A one-hectare section of Isabel Jordan Bushland Reserve off Caloundra Road and Pathfinder Drive at Caloundra West which is to reduce the volume of forest fuels and to maintain fire-adapted ecosystems is part of Sunshine Coast Council’s Bushfire Management Program Monday, August 26, 9.20am: A serious crash, involving a truck and another vehicle, has occurred at Bli Bli. Read more here 6.30pm: Paramedics have transported a stable patient to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a vehicle and e-scooter crash on William Street at Moffat Beach at 4.38pm 11.40am: Paramedics have transported a stable patient to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a single motorcycle crash on Red Road at Beerburrum at 10.30am 9.30am: Paramedics transported a stable male patient in his 20s to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a single-truck crash on Reserve Street 9.30am: One stable patient was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a vehicle and motorcycle incident on David Low Way at Bli Bli at 5.02pm on Saturday 9.30am: One stable patient with arm and facial burns was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital after a backyard fire incident at a private address at Beerwah at 4.05pm on Saturday 9.30am: One stable patient with back pain was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a fall from a tree at a private address at Glass House Mountains at 12.53pm on Saturday 9.30am: A patient in a stable condition was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a motorcycle crash on Lurnea Crescent 9.30am: A stable male patient in his teens with facial injuries was transported to Nambour Hospital following an e-scooter incident on Gumnut Court 9.30am: A stable male patient in his 30s with facial injuries and neck pain was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a single-vehicle crash on the corner of Paulger Road and Eumundi Kenilworth Road near Kenilworth at 8.10pm on Friday 9.30am: No patients were reported at a fire in a park on Petrie Park Road 9.30am: One stable female patient in her 40s with a shoulder injury was transported to Nambour Hospital following an incident with a horse at a private property at Pomona at 5.59pm on Friday For older news see here Sunshine Coast News respects the privacy of those facing tragic and traumatic events, so we will rarely identify anyone facing those circumstances. However, we also understand that a news article may assist in informing the public, maintaining public safety and helping educate others. If you have a breaking news tip, on-the-spot photos or other story idea, please get in contact via email to: news@sunshinecoastnmews.com.au over a parcel of land with special significance near Bli Bli Council today agreed to enter into a new 30-year trustee lease and provide a letter of support to the Descendants of Australian South Sea Islanders Inc over a parcel of land located at David Low Way Division 9 Councillor Steve Robinson said Descendants of the Australian South Sea Islanders Inc (DASSI) on the Sunshine Coast have had an extensive history and strong physical and spiritual connection to the land along the Maroochy River in the Bli Bli area since the turn of the 20th century “These wetlands and waters were well navigated by Aboriginal people and South Sea Islanders and were places where they lived fished and sought respite and healing,” Cr Robinson said “DASSI has held a 20-year lease over the State of Queensland-owned 40,470 square metre Environmental Management and Conservation zoned land since 1997 “The area around Bli Bli land is steeped in the history of the DASSI and Aboriginal people and Council is delighted to enter into a 30-year trustee lease and provide a letter of support for DASSI to apply to the State Government to secure a 50-year lease over this land.” Cr Robinson said the extended lease for this land will be for the purposes of environmental management and conservation “The intention of this resolution is to provide DASSI with the maximum lease that can be provided by Council under the State Government’s Land Act,” he said “The final part of the resolution will enable Council to further support DASSI in the hope that the State Government will also consider options for providing long-term tenure to DASSI.” Picture: DASSI representatives pictured with Cr Robinson One of the Sunshine Coast’s oldest towns is set to get its first dog park after residents called on council to provide a space for their pooches to exercise after $140,000 was allocated in the 2024-25 council budget The enclosure will be located within Tea Tree Park 1 A council spokesperson said the facility would “encourage active and healthy lifestyles” They said it would “provide social and physical health for dogs and their owners” minimises the impact on the existing open spaces and takes advantage of the current infrastructure,” they said The design will start soon and the park could be open by the middle of next year Locals were desperate for a dog park in town The closest off-leash areas are about 20 minutes away at Nambour which led to a community consultation period that included print About 95 per cent of respondents said they supported the development of a dog park About 26 per cent said they would use it daily 46 per cent said they would use it two to three times per week and 22 per cent said they would use it weekly Yandina and District Community Association president Marie Reeve said the park would provide significant benefits “It’s a socialising opportunity for owners too,” she said “They can meet and chat while their dogs run and play.” She said the town was rapidly growing and needed a dog park “The inner part of Yandina is becoming more intensely developed,” she said “There are lots of units going in and some that are soon to be built “The people who live there haven’t got backyards for their dogs to exercise “And while most of the properties in the older part of town are about 700sqm at least they’re still not big enough for a lot of dogs to exercise “People have been calling for a dog park … and I think it will be good for the town.” including the likes of Valdora and Maroochy River Ms Reeve said most locals would be satisfied with the selected location “They do coffees and devonshire teas and light lunches there so I think they might get a spinoff from having a dog park in the vicinity,” she said Multiple sites were suggested as options for a dog exercise area including potential fenced parks at Wonga Park Tea Tree Park 2 and Stevens Street Reserve and unfenced parks at Christina Low Park and Koongalba Street Park Wonga Park and Tea Tree Park 1 ticked all the boxes including strategic direction; low impact on existing open space; low impact on environment; low impact on residents; car parking available on street; car parking opportunities; and flood resistant Tea Tree Park 1 ultimately selected because it was closer to the neighbourhood It will be an L-shaped park around the Valdora Earthmoving and Demolition yard Community consultation that led to the selected location also revealed that residents families and children who did not wish to interact with dogs said they needed to feel comfortable knowing dogs are contained in a separate area Respondents also wanted separate and adequate proximity to playgrounds They wanted to ensure the safety and wellbeing of parks users They said the dog exercise area should consider noise impacts to adjacent residents and other users and they said access to car parking is important There are 46 dog exercise areas across the region: 19 fenced The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap The company provides government organisations instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning monitoring and development projects in Australia Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au Almost 100 hectares have been set aside for future sport and recreation at Bli Bli was purchased by Sunshine Coast Council and will provide added opportunities to the existing network of council owned and managed sport and recreation spaces “It will also ensure public open space is distributed equitably throughout the Sunshine Coast local government area so everyone has access,” Cr Suarez said “Sport and recreation spaces are fundamental to our region’s future and this purchase demonstrates council’s commitment to proactively plan and deliver long-term projects which protect our region’s environment and liveability “This strategic acquisition takes a long-term view as to what our community will need in respect to providing sport and recreation facilities as the population grows “It will be a number of years before residents will see facilities coming out of the ground and there remains a great deal of planning and funding to be sought before this project officially commences “Open spaces also help council mitigate the impacts of climate change by contributing to managing flood waters in extreme weather events build on the important work already done in the area and will contribute to the environmental social and economic co-benefits the project seeks to achieve.” The Blue Heart is an area of more than 5000 hectares on a natural floodplain in the Maroochy River catchment and includes approximately 1400 hectares of public land In addition to the recently purchased Godfreys Avenue land it also includes Council's Coolum Creek Environment Reserve network the Queensland Government's Coolum Creek Conservation Park and Unitywater's Yandina Creek Wetland Cr Suarez said a key objective for the Blue Heart included protecting the Maroochy River floodplain as a flood storage area “It also seeks to provide opportunities for sport and recreation parks and sportsgrounds for the community to enjoy,” Cr Suarez said “This purchase aligns with the Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-2041 which aims to empower our community to live healthy and active lifestyles strategic planning and innovative projects that council will realise our vision for the Sunshine Coast: Australia’s most sustainable region – Healthy To find out more about Blue Heart, visit Council’s website: sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/blueheart The Bli Bli land was purchased in line with Council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan with a significant financial contribution made by developers by way of Infrastructure Charges to provide for major recreation parks and sportsgrounds Image: Almost 100 hectares of land at Bli Bli has been set aside for sport and recreation (stock photo/Getty Images)