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I 3 February 2026
Tiny turtles, big dune danger
The world of Romeo and Juliet comes alive in Cooroy this Valentine’s Day when Little Seed Theatre Company hosts The Capulet Ball at Crackerjack Cooroy on Saturday 14 February. The theatrical launch event is sponsored by the Cooroy Rag and celebrates the upcoming season of Shakespeare at the Lake.
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Calling Australia home: new Page 12 citizens, new stories
Design school dream ends at former Tewantin TAFE BY SARAH JANE SCOTT PLANS to transform the former Tewantin TAFE campus into a creative hub featuring a School of Design have been abandoned, with the longvacant site now proposed for independent seniors’ living after years of vandalism and deterioration. Independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton confirmed a new assessment by NRA Collaborative found the former Tewantin TAFE buildings are no longer
suitable for refurbishment, ending hopes of a creative reuse of the site. The campus closed in 2014, triggering community backlash and years of advocacy to keep the site in public use. In 2021, the state government launched an Expression of Interest process, later selecting NRA Collaborative as the preferred proponent. By late 2024, plans were unveiled for a creative precinct featuring a school of design, theatre and creative spaces. However, after the site was
formally transferred to NRA Collaborative in April 2025, further assessments revealed extensive damage. While disappointed, Sandy said the outcome was not a surprise. “This is a result and reminder of the impacts of poor government decisions, processes that take far too long, and unacceptable behaviour of those who over the past decade have vandalised the site,” she said. “Our community will never forget the day it closed, nor the frustrating journey to try
to save it, and the millions of taxpayer dollars invested in developing the site in 2004. This, along with many other TAFE facilities that closed under similar circumstances, is the ultimate example of a broken system. Neither my anger nor my determination to see those systems fixed has abated.” Following her election in 2017, Sandy advocated for the site to be retained for community use. In 2020, the land was offered to Noosa Council, which declined due to
the expected timeframes and high restoration costs. Sandy said she recently met with NRA Collaborative representative Andrew St Baker onsite, where the alternative proposal of independent seniors’ living was outlined. While “heartbroken”, she said it was time to move forward, noting the proposal could allow longterm residents to downsize and remain in the community. She said she will continue to keep the community informed as the proposal progresses.
Celebrating 25 Years of Noosa Country Style & Proudly Serving the Hinterland for 36 Years Our longevity is built on relationships, local expertise, and a deep love for this region. As we honour these milestones, we look forward to continuing to showcase the homes and lifestyle that make the Noosa Hinterland truly special.
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Discover what 36 years of local experience can do for your property. 07 5447 7000, 30 MAPLE STREET, COOROY 07 5449 1186, 777 EUMUNDI NOOSA ROAD, DOONAN HINTERNOOSA.COM.AU
Cooroy Rag, 3 February 2026 - Page 1