Members Newsletter
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In this edition |
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Community engagement
Activity group updates |
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It wasn’t Winston Churchill, as is often assumed, but rather Victor Hugo who wrote: “You have enemies? Why, it is the story of every man who has done a good deed or created a new idea.” Thus it is for NPA. In the age of social media and other bully pulpits, NPA’s detractors will inevitably revert to untruths in their effort to tarnish NPA’s reputation. They make ridiculous claims such as NPA wanting to prevent people from using the Noosa River, that NPA leaders are corrupt, that NPA controls Noosa Council, and that projects initiated by NPA are failures. I acknowledge that it is often frustrating for NPA members to witness fabrications about NPA being broadcast, but it would be a waste of time arguing with those who are so deeply resentful of our organisation. The truth of NPA’s history and actions are all around us: the national parks, wins for biodiversity and the low-key urban development that altogether makes Noosa so attractive. The history of NPA is well documented, and I will continue to use my role to speak positively about that history whenever opportunity allows. An Unholy Alliance: TNC and Airbnb Members may have heard that Airbnb, the most significant provider of Short-Term Accommodation (STA) properties in Noosa, is now sponsoring The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) oyster reef program in the Noosa River. Given the issues Noosa faces with STAs, this deal may come as a surprise. According to Noosa Council, the shire has 3,120 registered STA properties, and there are likely to be more that haven’t registered. Non-hosted STAs – where entire houses or apartments are let – contribute to the housing shortage in our shire, including lack of long-term rental properties for key workers. They also have negative consequences for resident amenity, traffic congestion, community cohesion and resident wellbeing. Council professes to be aiming to reduce STAs, yet it turns out they were instrumental in teaming Airbnb with TNC. So how did it happen? Noosa Council advocated for companies invested in Noosa to pour some of their profits back into the shire. I am informed that Airbnb met with Noosa Council and asked which environmental projects they should support. Council nominated the oyster reef project and suggested Airbnb contact TNC. It seems that Airbnb already had a global relationship with TNC through support for international conservation projects. And so it came to pass that Airbnb can bolster their corporate image locally by crowing about supporting environmental projects. This is thanks to a deal made with TNC to help fund oyster reef monitoring and maintenance. I remain gobsmacked that our Council thought it would be a good idea for Airbnb to greenwash its local image by funding the oyster reef project (which NPA helped to instigate). No doubt this absurd outcome was inspired by the magical thinking contained in the council’s Destination Management Plan: that tourism can be “regenerative” and thus “restore natural, cultural and social systems”. But a high proliferation of STAs is arguably degenerative for our community. Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority You may have heard that the State Government has tabled legislation to establish a Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA) that “will oversee waterways from Noosa to Pumicestone Passage”. The new level of bureaucracy will come into effect on 1st July. Of course, NPA has concerns about the impacts of a new authority that may potentially treat all the SEQ waterways in a similar fashion and which may struggle to deal with complex, multi-dimensional issues. However, the SCWA was an election promise by the Crisafulli Government, and the legislation was drafted with negligible consultation. Being a fait accompli, NPA is choosing to work with the new authority in the hope of influencing the best possible outcomes. To that end we have made a succinct submission on the bill and by the time you read this we will have fronted the public hearing on the matter. SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy The Queensland Government are developing a new South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2026-2036. NPA has reviewed the Discussion Paper, attended an online briefing by the state, liaised with other stakeholders and made a submission. In brief, that submission notes the significance of the Yurol Ringtail Conservation Project, recommends that targets for koala habitat restoration be established, notes problems associated with koala offsets and clearing exemptions, and calls for better funding of koala initiatives. The submission is on our website. A Possible Win For Wildlife Thanks to lobbying, following years of advocacy, wildlife-killing rat poisons may no longer be available on supermarket shelves. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has recommended the removal of the most dangerous rat poisons, Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides, from retail outlets. The regulator’s original proposal didn’t include removal of these poisons, which have been shown to kill pets, raptors and other wildlife, but the authority acceded to public pressure. More than 10,000 submissions were generated by BirdLife Australia alone. Bunnings have become the first Australian retailer to promise to remove these products from their shelves following the regulator’s new position. The APVMA’s recommendation must now be signed off by Julie Collins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Assistant Minister Anthony Chisolm. You may wish to write to the Ministers calling on them to support the authority’s recommendation. (Just google the ministers and fill in the contact forms.) AGM I look forward to seeing some of you at the NPA AGM on Saturday April 18th at 2pm in the Environment Centre. My committee members and I will be happy to answer questions after the formal part of the meeting.
Vale Stephanie Haslam
Sadly, Stephanie Haslam has passed away. Stephanie was involved in various local conservation organisations, including NPA for a time, and most recently NICA and Urban Wildlife Gardens. Stephanie is the author of numerous books on native plants. NPA sends its condolences to Tony and the rest of the family.
Best wishes Tony Wellington President |
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We have availability for new volunteers at the Noosa National Park Information Hut. This is a great way to spend a few hours each week to assist the association in generating income for NPA’s Land Fund, which played a vital role in the Yurol Ringtail Conservation Project. Volunteering at the Info Hut is a great way to meet like minded members, chat with visitors and sell refreshments, snacks, or books in a beautiful setting. You won’t be alone, we have a team of two for all shifts (4 hours) and if you can volunteer once a fortnight or more, please get in touch with Dave, our Noosa National Park Volunteer Co-ordinator. Email: nnp@noosaparks.org.au Please leave your name and contact number for a call back. |
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Accessible by 4WD only, Double Island Point sits within the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, at the southern end of Wide Bay.
In 1991, the lighthouse was fully automated. The lighthouse-keepers’ cottages were left empty and, although they were not vandalised like many others, exposure to the elements meant they badly needed attention. After much lobbying, the Queensland Government awarded NPA a lease of the Double Island Point Conservation Park. Our first task was to organise restoration of the lighthouse-keepers’ cottages. NPA then implemented a vegetation management plan that remains current today – it endeavours to remove weeds and revegetate the area with endemic species.
Applications are now open for a caretaking/work week at Double Island Point for the period 27 June 2026 to 26 June 2027.
Members are invited to apply for a one-week stay (7 nights, Saturday–Saturday) in a heritage-listed lighthouse-keeper’s cottage during the above-mentioned period, for up to 4 adults and 3 children.
The cost for the cottages is $725 for 3 or 4 adults, or $550 should there be only 2 adults staying for the 7 nights.
Applications close on 8 May 2026.
Before you apply – important information. As an NPA member accepting a week as part of the Double Island Point Project, you agree to stay for the week (Saturday–Saturday) and are obligated to act as caretakers during your stay and carry out vegetation rehabilitation and/or cottage maintenance/cleaning work as assigned by NPA. You will also take responsibility for any guests you may have staying with you.
Please do not apply if you cannot stay for the 7-night period or cannot undertake physical work and vegetation tasks.
You will be assisting NPA in its commitment to the state government to:
This is a very popular project among our members, and each year there are not enough weeks for the number of members applying. Should you be unsuccessful this year, you will be given priority next year.
Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, so, if you are offered a week, before accepting please ensure that you are willing and able to fulfil the work commitment, and that you have the week free to participate. Please read the ‘DIP Guidelines’ documented attached.
How to apply Please complete the application form attached to this Newsletter (read the “application information”) and email it to dip@noosaparks.org.au by the due date.
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Darlene Gower, Double Island Point Project Officer |
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Friday Environment Forum |
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Large audiences have enjoyed Friday Environment Forum’s four talks so far this year. Our new audio equipment which replaced older items at the beginning of the year, has made a huge difference to the sound quality and audibility in all sections of the room.
Ken Cross enthralled the audience with his images and information about Amazing Wildlife of India, a Bird Observers’ talk, whilst Professor Kathy Townsend attracted a large audience to hear about Project Manta. John Lauritz’s presentation titled Coconut- The World’s Wonder Plant encouraged much audience discussion about these plants and their myriads of uses. Dr Romane Cristescu of UniSC presented her latest research on koalas, where drones have become highly efficient in locating koalas, enabling more accurate information on koala numbers, genetics and health. Romane inspired the audience with her passion for the importance of funding efficient and targeted research, believing that effectively dealing with chlamydia is essential for saving the koala from extinction.
During the upcoming school holidays, Friday Environment Forum has partnered with Noosa Community Gardens and Slow Food Noosa to present a very “hands on” forum called Slow Food Kids. Children and parents will walk to the Community Gardens to learn about food growing and preparation led by Josh Smallwood, Head Chef of Noosa Cartel. Adults will also enjoy this very practical forum on April 10 with a 9.30am start.
Join us at NPA’s Environment Centre for Friday Environment Forum every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 10.30am till 12pm. Entry is $5 Tap and Go.
Upcoming Forums: April 10: Slow Food Kids – make food, take time, create meaning. 9.30am start. RSVP- children’s names and ages to fridayforum@noosaparks.org.au by 8 April. April 24: A Day in the Life of an Avian Vet with Dr Adrian Gallagher (Bird Observers’ Talk) May 8: Save Money with Smarter Home Energy with Colin Lambie, Zero Emissions Noosa May 22: Health Consequences of Adverse Worldwide Environmental Changes with Dr Kevin Alford |
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Romane Cristescu with Maya. Detection Dogs for Conservation are used for finding koala scat which gives researchers essential information on the health and genetics of koalas. Photo by Marie Colibri |
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Bird Observers’ Group |
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We have kicked off our birding year with two Interpretive Birding walks at Wallace Park with a third being cancelled due to heavy rain. The start of Autumn has seen a mixed bag of weather with a lot of rain amongst periods of sunshine. We had our first group outing to a private property in Kin Kin where again we experienced rain, but we persevered and finally the sunshine returned with the highlight seeing the White-eared Monarch as well as the Spectacled & Black-faced Monarch.
Our next Bird Observers’ guest speaker will be Adrian Gallagher, one of Australia’s most well-known avian vets and a pioneer in bird-only veterinary care, who will be presenting a talk ‘A day in the life of a Avian Vet’ on Friday 24th April, 2026. The next group outing will be on Sunday 17th May, 2026 to another private ‘Land for Wildlife’ property in Cooroibah. Angela Farnsworth |
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Botany Group |
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I would like to start this Newsletter with a few thoughts about Pam Sweeney, whose untimely passing has left an enormous gap in the lives of her children, siblings and other members of her large family as well as among those she with whom she was associated in the numerous organizations with which she was a member. At her funeral, people spoke of Pam’s generosity of spirit and I am sure many of us know of how she unselfishly helped others who were ill or disabled, including some in our group. She also gave generously of her time in volunteering to help the environment through NICA and the Urban Wildlife Gardens.
Pam was always keen to learn, not just about plants or birds but about her family’s history. As part of that learning experience Pam loved to roam, around Australia and across Europe. The Botany Group was the beneficiary of some of her travels and love for nature when she gave talks about her Outback experiences and botanical observations. We will miss Pam’s cheerful, friendly nature.
The Botany Group’s first meeting for 2026, on 11th February got us off to a very good start with quite a number of attendees and there were numerous plant specimens provided to help those of us who are taxonomically challenged. Of particular interest was Leptospermum amboinense, a species of tea tree from North Queensland and Indonesia. Its leaves are longer and the white flowers larger than the usual Leptospermum species around here.
Our speaker at the February meeting was Sam Mitchell, the main driver behind the National Register of Big Trees, and, in some instances, they are really big trees. Sam explained about the register and also went into detail on how one could measure and provide the data for the three parameters used to determine whether a given tree qualified as the biggest – trunk diameter or girth at breast height (1.3m), height of the tree, and spread of the crown. He then gave a demonstration using a rather large tuckeroo just in front of the Environment Centre. Undoubtedly, there will now be a search by some of us for the largest of some species not present in the register, including many from more inland and outback areas.
The February Botany Walk was undertaken in a section of the Tewantin National Park off Golf Course Road. The Wet and Dry Sclerophyll Forest provided some interesting species as well as many more common trees, shrubs and forbs. The massive, scrambling northern morinda vine (Gyrochthodes umbellata) with its distinctive, spaceship shaped fruit was one of the lesser seen species, as was the grey walnut tree (Beilschmedia elliptica).
Our March Botany Group meeting had an interesting selection of plant species brought in including Acacia complinata and Alyxia magnifolia with its stiff, sharp leaves and red fruit. John Birbeck introduced us to a new and what appears to be a fascinating book entitled Eucalyptus by Steve Hopper. It isn’t so much a treatise on the 800 odd species of Eucalyptus and related species but a learned discourse on the evolution, cultural significance, ecology and use of the species over thousands of years. Paul Ryan also gave a short presentation on the ‘Great Green Wall of Africa’, the attempt by 11 Sahelian countries to slow or stop the advance of the Sahara Desert. Unfortunately, the 8,000km effort at revegetation, launched in 2007 with some $30 billion committed, has only achieved limited success (perhaps 33 percent). But that achievement has improved the lives of tens of thousands of local people.
Our speaker for the March meeting was Bernice Rosier from Noosa and District Landcare Hinterhub. Bernice’s passion for native plants and gardening follows her hands-on experience with native plants, horticulture and nursery management over 40 years. Her talk was highly instructive on how to most effectively plant, grow and maintain native plants in one’s garden or property. There were many useful tips, such as ‘don’t plant a seedlings in a round hole as the roots may just go round and round’; or ‘ensure the hole is well-watered before planting to encourage root growth’. Bernice’s energy and knowledge must surely have encouraged several to head home and plant more natives.
Finally, the Botany Group will undertake the spreading of mulch to spruce up the garden beds around the Environment Centre on the morning of Saturday 11th April. All volunteers are requested to contact Robert Price at 0437146564.
Paul Ryan NPA Botany Group |
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Left: Northern Morinda Vine (Gyrochthodes umbellata) Right: Alyxia Magnifolia |
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Greening Noosa has already hosted two successful weeding days in Noosa National Park this year—but with all the recent rain, the weeds are flourishing! Last month, around ten volunteers gathered at the park’s main entrance to tackle some of the usual culprits, including corky passion vine, asparagus fern, and ochna (also known as the Mickey Mouse plant). We’d love for you to join us at our next session, held on the third Wednesday of each month from 8–10am. Parking is available if you’re unable to find a spot nearby. You can contact me via email curry.clarke@gmail.com or phone 0412 897470. Amanda Curry Coordinator |
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Curated and edited by: Darlene Gower Honorary Secretary Copyright © 2025 Noosa Parks Association, All rights reserved. |