September 13, 2023

Mick Hughes, left, is pleased to receive news from Rob Skelton of the $2million funding for Nambour PCYC. THE Police Citizens Youth Club at Nambour is in line for an upgrade thanks to a $2 million funding boost. The $2 million is part of $56 million in funding for infrastructure and program delivery at PCYCs throughout Queensland The announcement of the funding allocation, which was part of the state budget, comes at a time when the Palaszczuk government is under pressure from frustrated Queenslanders to act on youth crime. A media release from ALP Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton’s office said $50 million would go into construction of new PCYC facilities and upgrades at existing centres and $6 million towards the delivery of programs such as after dark basketball and boxing in high need areas. “Part of the investment is aimed at delivering programs that have been proven to work in helping at-risk young people turn away from involvement in the criminal justice system,” the statement said. Mr Skelton said he was delighted to be part of a government delivering important upgrades for the community. “Our local PCYC Sunshine Coast has been in need of a facelift for some time,

The school that was founded on reclaimed farming land in 1979 as the Suncoast Christian Academy has come a long way since its early days. Its first building was an old pineapple packing shed. Now Suncoast Christian College has a brand new, state-of-the-art campus. Teachers and students from the Woombye school descended into the brand new primary campus at the official first day of use on Monday (4th September). The new layout provides flexible environments. The new campus offers the most advanced facilities on the Sunshine Coast, replacing classrooms with flexible environments designed to support the school’s ‘teamteaching’ pedagogy and aligning with its move towards a more collaborative style of teaching. The classrooms offer a range of functional design features, such as bleachers, breakout rooms, curtain and acoustic treatments throughout to facilitate a wide variety of learning modes and allowing teachers to modify and tailor lessons to the abilities and needs of students across varying group sizes. Teachers and teacher’s assistants will work together over two levels with students in groups of five up to 75, in years 1 through 6. With an approach focused on stage rather than age, the new layout will provide flexible and collaborative environments where

by Janine Hill The Nambour Place Plan has been described as a good starting point by the president of the local chamber of commerce. Nambour Chamber of Commerce President Mark Bray said the draft concept plans released by the Sunshine Coast Council last month were a step towards a better future for Nambour. The plans for Currie Street, Mill Street, Bury Street, Ann Street and Howard Street involve tree planting, wider footpaths, increased seating, and the installation of some art and water features. The plans show Bury Street between Mill Street and Currie Street one-way and a shared zone for vehicles and pedestrians, a raised signalised crossing will be on Currie Street north of Mill Street, and the three crossing points at the Low and Ann Street junction rolled into one. Mr Bray said Nambour was a town split by a busy four-lane road and creating a cohesive centre was a challenge. “I think there’s a bit of confusion at the moment about where the town centre is. There’s probably a bit of activity around Coles but there’s a number of businesses down Currie, Low, Howard and Ann Streets,” he said. He acknowledged it was difficult for the council to

by Janine Hill FEEDBACK is flowing in to the Sunshine Coast Council on its draft concept plans for revitalising Nambour’s heart. Division 10 Cr David Law said 250 survey responses had been received in the fortnight since the Nambour Place Plan had been released for comment. Cr Law said feedback could be provided online or at the last of five pop-up information sessions which will be held at Nambour Plaza on Thursday 14 September from 9.30am-12.30pm. “I’ve been to two out of three pop-ups so far and the interest from the community has been great. I’ve had some great conversations,” he said. “I guess the overall theme coming through is that people are very positive about the concepts, are very positive that work is being planned and developed for Nambour, and they are positive about the pathway connections for people getting around town and more easily across Currie Street, in particular. “They are the same things that I’m hearing and from some of the conversations with other staff and what they are seeing on the surveys. Overall, the feedback is positive.” Cr Law said improvements to the Howard, Currie and Mill Street crossings would improve connectivity between the east and