Members newsletter November-December 2025
In this edition |
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Wompoo Fruit Dove – credit: Tony Wellington |
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Another year whizzes by. Of the many responses to the draft Destination Management Plan (DMP), a council staffer told me that the greatest cohort of submissions hailed from NPA members. I cannot verify such a claim, but I thank everyone who bothered to either make a submission or complete a survey. We now wait to find out what the staff will present to councillors by way of a final DMP. Thanks in part to NPA efforts, most notably those of Michael Gloster, Maritime Safety Queensland has quietly dumped their plan to allow free-for-all mooring in the Noosa River north of Lake Cooroibah. Had the concept gone ahead, the river system would have seen an explosion of unregulated houseboats, STA vessels, and liveaboard craft at Boreen Point and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Queensland Government have stated that they intend to establish a Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority that will include the Noosa River. While the state’s objective is decidedly opaque, NPA is working with the Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) and other groups to pressure the state to ensure the local Waterways Authority will incorporate an environmental focus. NPA has long stood with the Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa Council and local environment groups in opposing any reduction of the inter-urban break: the green belt that shields the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane’s northward sprawl. The inter-urban break not only delineates the Coast from Brisbane and the City of Moreton Bay, but it also protects the Ramsar-listed Pumicestone Passage. The latest battle over this critical land comes in the form of a proposal for a massive outdoor exhibition & music festival venue. The development will cover 150 hectares. The development application has been called in by the state’s Planning Minister, Jarrod Bleijie, thus confiscating the assessment process from local government. Submissions on the proposal close on December 8th – in just a couple of days’ time. I urge NPA members to make a submission, even just a paragraph or two. You can read more on SCEC’s website here: https://www.scec.org.au/n/ Meanwhile, I wish all NPA members a safe and happy Christmas season. See you in 2026. Kind regards Tony Wellington |
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Friday Environment Forum |
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Friday Environment Forum concluded for 2025 after another successful year which saw audience numbers increase from previous years. The Friday Forum team continues to facilitate community education about the natural environment and in particular the flora and fauna that make Noosa so special.
Recent speakers have included Carrol Popple who impressed the audience with her beautiful photographs taken whilst birding in Brazil, Paul Donatiu discussed Citizen Science platforms and how they can help to record and perhaps save threatened plant species. Borneo, Bears and Books was Dr Sarah Pye’s topic. Sarah delivered a forum for children last year and did not disappoint with her talk for adults. Finally, a large audience enjoyed our final topic Amazing Mating Behaviour of our Local Fauna delivered with humour and authority by our own Tony Wellington.
Remember, Friday Environment Forum will resume for 2026 on February 13 with the topic being India: Birds and Birding with Ken Cross.
Friday Environment Forum continues on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month through till the end of November. Entry is $5 Tap and Go. You can learn more about the next topic by visiting www.noosaparks.org.au or subscribe to the Friday Environment Forum Newsletter. |
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Bird Observers’ Group |
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With the 2025 birding program coming to an end, our final speaker, Carol Popple, gave the audience an insight into birding travel in Brazil. She spoke about her three-week birding tour in Brazil visiting the Amazon, the Pantanal and Atlantic Forest. Brazil has a spectacular birds list of over 1800 species and is home to a diverse range of fascinating mammals. The trip included such highlights as the Hyacinth Macaw (the world’s largest Parrot), following Jaguars as they hunt along the rivers of the Pantanal and the dizzying heights of birdwatching from Canopy Towers high above the Amazon Rainforest. Carol shared many of her photos including a few of Steve’s and some of the stories behind the images.
The November outing to a ‘Land for Wildlife’ property at Tinbeerwah did go ahead in spite of heavy rain over night, and initially did look promising with 15 observers gathering in anticipation. The weather unfortunately had the final say, so after morning tea, and bird call we returned home with a wish to return some time in the future.
Wallace Park Interpretive Birding surveys are also now complete for this year. The surveys will recommence in February, 2026 and continue twice monthly before each Friday Forum. The Southern Boobook has been heard calling in the area but our group failed to see it in the hollows. The Tawny Frogmouth pair have successfully hatched two chicks from their meager nest in spite of storms and wind. Bob Carey, our tawny finding expert, was able to find them where others failed on the last day.
Finally, congratulations to Angela Farnsworth who won both the Bird Portrait category and the grand prize for BirdLife Australia Photographer of the Year in this year’s competition. Congratulations also to Spencer Hitchen who won the Youth Category award. To view the 2025 Winners Gallery, including Runners-up and Highly Commended entries go to https://www. |
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Noosa National Park – Visitor Information Centre |
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Volunteer Opportunities for the New Year – Join Us to Make a Difference Do you have some spare time and want to give back to the community? Are you interested in raising funds to support the local environment? We offer fantastic volunteer roles where you will work alongside others who share your passion for protecting the environment and making a real difference locally. Information Centre – Noosa National Park We are looking for committed volunteers to staff the Information Centre at the entrance to Noosa National Park. There are opportunities available for both Leaders and Helpers.
As a volunteer, you will help run the centre, provide information and assistance to visitors, and sell drinks, snacks, and souvenir items using a straightforward Point of Sale system. Full training is provided for all roles, ensuring that you are equipped and comfortable in your position.
Shifts and Benefits
Shifts: Volunteers can choose from three shifts each day—8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:30 PM. Each shift lasts for four hours.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, we would love to hear from you.
Dave Vickery Project Officer |
Email:
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All proceeds from the Noosa National Park Visitor Information Centre support the Land Fund, aiding future land acquisitions for koala supported habitat, national parks and conservation parks. |
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Environment Centre |
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The Environment Centre, Wallace Park Estate Noosaville, supports a range of member groups, including the Friday Environment Forum, Birding Group, and Botany Group. In addition, we hire out the centre to help offset the costs of maintaining the building.
The Centre is open to members of the public on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. During these open days, visitors can learn about the history and aims of the NPA. Volunteers on duty during these times also assist with cleaning the centre. The time commitment for this role can be as little as three hours every two months, or once a month if you have more time available. As an added benefit, volunteers in this role do not need to pay the attendance fee for the Friday Environment Forum. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact us:
Contact: Dave Vickery |
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NPA memberships are due for renewal on 1 January each year, and the formal invitation to renew in 2026 will be going out shortly. However, if you want to make it one less thing to do over that busy Christmas/New Year period why not renew your NPA membership today!
For anybody who joins NPA after 1 October 2025, membership extends through to 31 December 2026.
Many members take the opportunity to make a donation at renewal time, thereby boosting NPA’s ability to secure environmentally significant land and to extend the green corridor linking the Tewantin, Noosa and Cooloola National Parks. Donations of $2 and over still have tax deductibility status.
NPA has introduced a tertiary student membership concession. To date the take-up has been limited. Clearly to conserve the local environment long into the future we all need to do more to encourage the upcoming generation to join us in our work.
2026 Membership fees Family membership: $60 Individual membership: $35 Tertiary student membership: $5 for the first year of being a member, $25 in subsequent years while remaining a student.
Payment options Our preferred means of renewal is by bank deposit to: Noosa Parks Association Inc. BSB: 734 219 Account no.: 070372 Please make sure to include your full name! Payment by credit card is another option using the Membership link at https://noosaparks.org.au/
Mike Sackett NPA Membership Secretary |
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Botany Group |
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On Wednesday 8 October, long time Botany Group member Eri Maeda spoke about Japanese plants, using as her theme species of significance in Japanese culture. Beginning in January, she described and illustrated plants prominent in each month of the year, such as Cherry Season.
A small group met at the end of October in Pomona, setting off for a short walk around the base of Mt Cooroora. Of most interest were species not seen on the coast. Amongst those identified were Astrotricha umbrosa and Triplarina volcanica, a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family endemic to Queensland and only found in three mountainous areas.
At November’s meeting Louise Ryan spoke about her backyard – Mt Tinbeerwah. Of particular interest in her “Year of Observations” was the endemic Mt Tinbeerwah mint bush, Prostanthera spathulata. With the help of other group members, Louise has been able to pinpoint many more locations of this rare plant than had previously been recorded.
The year’s final walk on the last day of November attracted a bumper crowd of 21 to the Lake Weyba Bushland Reserve. We had a short walk along the revamped foreshore pathway from Charlotte drive to the new suspension bridge over Horsman Creek. Amongst the flowering species seen were a lone Crinum lily, Lobelia anceps, Goodenia paniculata and Trachymene incisa. Afterwards we gathered in the lakeside shade to celebrate another great botanical year with lots of food and Christmas cheer.
Thanks to all speakers and members for contributing to the enjoyment and success of the meetings and walks throughout 2025. Everyone’s input is greatly valued and appreciated, and it has been satisfying to welcome new members throughout the year.
Linda Price NPA Botany Group |
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Crinum Lily Credit: Robert Price |
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Botany Group lakeside |
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Curated and edited by: Darlene Gower Honorary Secretary |