March 6, 2024

Cr David Law has worked hard to push the Nambour Special Entertainment Precinct and Nambour Place Plan. DIVISION 10 councillor David Law keeps a tall jar full of ribbons on his desk. The ribbons were tied on a construction fence at the Nambour Aquatic Centre when work was about to begin on a new carpark soon after he was elected to council in 2020. To try and gauge public support for saving large fig trees that were to be removed for the carpark, the new councillor tied a ribbon to the fence on a Friday afternoon and invited others to do the same. “When I met with the council staff on the Monday morning, the fence was a sea of ribbons and colours and it was remarkable,” he told a Nambour Chamber of Commerce meet the candidates event. “The plans were re-drawn and six of the eight trees were saved and we still got all the new parking spaces. He has kept the ribbons as a reminder of “what community consultation looks like, feels like, and that is what the result is when you do it well and you truly engage with your community.” Cr Law said he made two […]

The Vogue in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It later became a Dimmeys store until 2019. Currie Street’s The Vogue Theatre is poised for a grand revival, transforming from its original cinema glory into a bustling music and entertainment hub.  Closed in the 1980s and later becoming a Dimmeys store until 2019, the iconic venue is about to embark on a new chapter that blends nostalgia with modern innovation. Owner  Trent Laing and renovator Dean Carlile, have meticulously restored The Vogue back to its 1950s splendor, complete with chandeliers and vintage fittings.  Yet, cutting-edge audio technology ensures a modern experience for audiences. The transition from movie theatre to a vibrant entertainment venue marks a significant shift, aiming to inject life back into Nambour’s evening CBD offerings. The Vogue’s historical significance is undeniable. Originally built in 1947 on a different site it became known as ‘The Tin Shed’. The current building was inaugurated in 1958, heralding a new era for Nambour entertainment. With a capacity to host over a thousand patrons, it was the town’s cultural focal point. Scheduled to reopen on Saturday, March 9 with a blues night, Mr Lang wants The Vogue to become one of the premier

Nicklin MP and Museum Patron Rob Skelton, Clive Plater and Rosanna Natoli, who officated at the launch.  by Lindel Greggery History buffs and cane train enthusiasts flocked to the Nambour Museum on Saturday February 24 to celebrate the launch of the second edition of Locomotives of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill, by Clive Plater OAM. Originally written in 2013 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the sugar mill’s closure, the updated book contains interesting new facts, including the history of the Maroochy River lift span tramway bridge that was destroyed by flood in 2022. Mr Plater said his love of locos was spurred by his father, Edgar Plater, who worked at the Moreton Sugar Mill for 51 years as an Engine Driver, Traffic Officer, Tramway and Bridge Supervisor, and Assistant Chief Cane Inspector. “Dad kept meticulous diaries relating to the tramlines and bridges from 1960 until 1981, and these helped me enormously with my research and were still being used for reference by mill staff 20 years after he retired,” Mr Plater said. The expanded edition of Locomotives of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill contains updates on the location and condition of the locos purchased by the mill between

An artist’s impression of the steampunk-inspired design of the Nambour Tram. Due to progress on the much-anticipated tram construction, the Nambour Rummagers Market is relocating to the heart of Nambour CBD. The market is moving from the tram terminal near Coles, to the Sunshine Coast Council/Nambour Library Forecourt on the corner of Currie and Bury Street from March 24. Following markets will be held on the third Sunday of every month from 9-12pm. “With the Tram Bogies due for build completion by mid this year and on the tracks in the Terminal by July, the Terminal will become somewhat of a build-site,” said Nambour Tram Co Director Greg Rogerson. “We hope to have open days, with a viewing deck, open to the public, so they can watch the tram being built from the ground up and with Rhonda (Billett) looking to grow the Nambour Rummagers Market for the community and Tram Co., we decided that expanding the Rummagers Markets into Currie Street was a good all round idea for the Tram Terminal and the Nambour Community.” Tram and market momentum “Im excited to expand on the Rummagers market foundations, we have worked hard on getting momentum for the market over

The 2024 local government election is Saturday March 16 and the Gazette has compiled everything you need to know about the Sunshine Coast Council hinterland & mayoral races. Hinterland residents in the Gazette readership area will vote for a new mayor and for division 5 and 10 councillors next Saturday, March 16, with all polling booths open from 8am to 6pm. In the meantime, Gazette journalist Janine Hill has been on the hustings and filing stories for our Election Guide. In addition you can watch all the mayoral and divsions 5 and 10 candidates in action at recent Meet the Candidates events below. We have also pitched your questions to the candidates. Each was given a  list of over 20 readers’ questions and asked to answer any six they wanted to, and to nominate one for print. Their answers for print are included after their profile stories this week.  The Sunshine Coast will be voting for a new mayor, after Mark Jamieson announced his retirement late last year. In divisions 5 and 10, incumbents Cr Winston Johnston and Cr David Law are running again.  • 2024 Sunshine Coast Council election mayoral candidates are Cr Jason O’Pray, Ashley Robinson OAM, Rosanna Natoli,