Working Together for a Stronger Noosaville
It’s hard to believe another month has already flown by. While July brought its share of opportunities, it also reminded us of the challenges many small businesses continue to face.
The disruption caused by the Doonella Bridge traffic changes highlighted just how vulnerable local businesses can be when access to our precinct is affected. Many businesses experienced reduced customer numbers and significant frustration as traffic congestion impacted both locals and visitors.
What has been encouraging, however, is the way our business community responded.
The Noosaville Business Association worked alongside local traders, fellow business associations and individual business owners to ensure the concerns of our members were heard. By presenting a united voice and engaging constructively with Council, we were able to advocate for practical changes that balanced the needs of motorists, residents and businesses alike.
We are pleased to see that the recent changes to the traffic management arrangements have already resulted
in noticeable improvements. While there is still more work to do, this demonstrates the value of collaboration and open communication between Council and the business community.
Over the coming months, the Association will continue working closely with Council and neighbouring business associations to monitor how these changes affect local businesses and to ensure business impacts remain at the centre of future decision-making.
On a more positive note, July also saw the successful launch of our Noosaville Activation Plan workshops. The enthusiasm, creativity and collaboration shown by everyone who attended reinforced what we already know—Noosaville is home to an incredibly passionate and innovative business community. The ideas generated will help shape an exciting roadmap for the future of our precinct, with initiatives designed to increase visitation, support local businesses and create an even more vibrant destination for both locals and visitors.
As always, thank you to our members, volunteers and supporters. Your willingness to engage, contribute ideas and stand together is what makes our Association strong. Together, we will continue to advocate, collaborate and create opportunities that help our business community thrive.
Noosaville Activation Workshop – Strong Ideas, Shared Vision
The Noosaville Business Association recently took the first major step in developing the Noosaville Activation Plan, bringing together local business owners and stakeholders to help shape the future of our precinct. The workshop formed part of the Association's commitment to developing a coordinated 12-month activation plan designed to increase visitation, support local businesses and strengthen Noosaville's long-term economic resilience.
The response from the business community was extremely encouraging, with 90 invitations issued, 35 registrations and 25 passionate local business representatives attending. While the numbers tell one story, the level of engagement told another. The afternoon was energetic, collaborative and filled with practical ideas that demonstrated just how much our business community cares about the future of Noosaville.
What we heard
Several key themes consistently emerged throughout the workshop:
Creating a stronger identity and brand for Noosaville.
Activating the Noosa River through regular events and experiences.
Developing a year-round calendar of events rather than one-off activities.
Supporting local businesses through coordinated marketing and promotions.
Creating a shared digital platform to promote events, special offers and "What's On".
Encouraging greater collaboration between businesses.
Focusing on experiences that appeal to both locals and visitors.
A recurring message throughout the afternoon was: "When the locals have fun, the visitors will come."
Ideas generated
Participants contributed an impressive range of activation ideas, including:
Live music and regular entertainment
Twilight and Christmas markets
Outdoor movie nights
Street festivals
Progressive lunches and food trails
Food and wine festivals
Art trails and sculpture installations
River-focused events and experiences
Local promotions and resident offers
Better lighting and improved connections between precincts
Collaborative marketing campaigns and business packages
Many attendees also highlighted opportunities to better promote weddings, arts and culture, while improving the visitor experience through enhanced public spaces and coordinated events.
Meeting our objectives
The workshop successfully achieved the objectives set out at the beginning of the project by:
Bringing local businesses together to co-design the Activation Plan.
Identifying the precinct's strengths, challenges and opportunities.
Generating practical, business-led activation ideas.
Building collaboration and a shared vision across the business community.
Creating a strong foundation for a coordinated 12-month activation program. These outcomes directly support the project's goal of increasing visitation, encouraging local spending and strengthening business resilience through coordinated events, marketing and partnerships.
What's next?
The ideas generated during the workshop will now be reviewed and prioritised before being incorporated into the Noosaville Activation Plan. Working alongside Sunshine Coast Music & Events, the plan will identify achievable short, medium and long-term initiatives that showcase Noosaville as a vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike. Proposed concepts already being explored include twilight markets, precinct activations, arts initiatives, river events and collaborative business promotions.
The enthusiasm and creativity displayed throughout the workshop reinforced one important message: Noosaville has enormous potential, and by working together we can create a more vibrant, connected and prosperous business community
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to sharing the completed Activation Plan and inviting even more businesses to become involved as the initiatives come to life. A huge thank you to Dr John Cronin and Lea from Sunshine Coast Music and Events for facilitating the Activation Plan workshop. Thank you also to Noosa Council for sponsoring this event.
New Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Laws Are Coming to Real Estate:
What Noosaville Businesses and Residents Need to Know
Written by Alanna Shapland Ray White Commercial
Significant regulatory shifts are arriving in the property sector that will impact local buyers, sellers, and agency operations alike. Starting July 1, 2026, new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws will formally apply to the real estate industry.
These changes are designed to ensure that real estate transactions aren't used to hide illegal funds, adding a new layer of compliance to our local property market.
What’s Changing?
There are three core components that every property consumer and professional needs to be aware of from 1 July:
Mandatory Identity Verification: Real estate agents must verify your identity before listing or finalizing a property sale.
Source of Funds: Clients may be asked to disclose or verify the source of the funds being used in the transaction.
Universal Application: The legislation firmly applies to both buyers and sellers.
Why is My Agent Asking for ID?
It is no longer just standard agency practice; it is now a strict legal obligation. Agents are legally required to verify exactly who you are before they can list or sell your property.
Does This Apply to Auctions and Private Sales?
Yes. There are no loopholes based on the method of sale. Identity verification applies universally to:
Auctions
Off-the-plan sales
Private treaty transactions
Your agent will collect these details seamlessly as part of their standard client onboarding process.
What Will You Need to Provide?
Fortunately, the process is straightforward and designed not to disrupt legitimate market activity. The compliance check only takes a few minutes, and most people will only need to supply:
A current Australian driver’s licence, or
A current passport
Your real estate agent will guide you step-by-step through any additional documentation if required.
Is My Information Protected?
With increased data collection comes the valid question of security. Consumers can rest assured that personal information is heavily safeguarded:
By law, your personal information can only be used for identity verification purposes. Agencies are strictly bound by privacy obligations under both the Privacy Act and AML/CTF legislation.
Got Questions?
As we transition into this new regulatory framework, staying informed ensures our local property market remains efficient, secure, and vibrant. If you are preparing to step into the market soon, reach out to your local real estate professional to understand exactly what these changes mean for your next property transaction.
New Month, New Members:
Welcome to the Community
The Noosaville Business Association is excited to welcome two outstanding new members to our growing network this month.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Amanda Jayne Flowers
amandajayneflowers.com.au
Wine Press #1
winepress1.com.au
Sunshine Butterflies
sunshinebutterflies.com.au
The Mediterranean
mediterraneannoosa.com.au
SevGen – Deadly Espresso
d-time.com.au
We’re proud to have these excellent local businesses join our community. Show them your support by following and liking their social pages, and help spread the word. After all, when we support local, we all win.
Welcome aboard!
Stronger Together
The Noosaville Business Association (NBA) unites local businesses to create a stronger, more connected, and more influential community. By joining, you’re not just signing up for networking - you’re investing in the growth and future of your business and our region.
Noosa Twilight: Immerse yourself in a world of Art, Music and Creativity in
Noosaville
Noosaville Business Association in conjunction with Sunshine Coast Music and Events and Gateway To Art Noosa are proud to bring you the very first Noosa Twilight markets at Gateway West Makers Precinct
in the Noosaville Industrial Estate.
The precinct is set to come alive after dark with a new creative experience celebrating Noosa artists, makers, musicians and performers.
Introducing Noosa Twilight - a fresh, immersive evening where industrial spaces transform into a vibrant playground of creativity, connection and culture.
On Saturday 8 August, from 4pm to 8pm, Gateway Drive, Noosaville will light up with artisan stalls, open studios, live art demonstrations, street food, food trucks, a licensed bar, and free live music under the stars.
Visitors are invited to explore the unexpected, discover local talent and uncover the many hidden artistic outlets, galleries, studios and makers that call the precinct home.
From behind-the-scenes creative spaces to handcrafted works and emerging artists, Noosa Twilight offers a rare opportunity to experience the artistic heartbeat of Noosaville’s industrial landscape.
With a raw industrial backdrop, creative edge and relaxed Noosa energy, Noosa Twilight brings together the region’s artists, makers, performers and food creators for an unforgettable night of discovery and connection.
Whether you’re chasing inspiration, looking for beautiful bespoke art, glassware or sculpture, or simply want to soak up great music and good vibes, Noosa Twilight is your invitation to wander, explore and dance into the evening.
Noosa Twilight
Saturday 8 August, 4pm – 8pm
Gateway Drive, Noosaville QLD 4566
Want to be involved?
Artists, makers, performers, stallholders and creative contributors are invited to register their interest by contacting: bookings@scmusicandevents.com.au
Noosa Twilight - where creativity comes alive after dark.
ON-LINE FUNDRAISING AUCTION
Explore the Collection & Bid from Anywhere
Join us on-line for the Noosa Open Studios Fundraiser Auction. Bid online live from anywhere in Australia alongside fellow collectors and art enthusiasts, and be part of a wonderful fundraising event.
10% of all auction proceeds will be donated to the McGrath Foundation, supporting its invaluable work within our community.
Simply register online to browse the collection, place bids and follow the auction from your computer, tablet or mobile device.
Important Dates
Exhibition at Studio One Noosa: Tuesday 14 July – Thursday 30 July 2026
10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville - Gallery open times are Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.
Auction Luncheon & Auction Close: Friday 31 July 2026. Auction closes at 3:00pm during the luncheon event.
Auction Conditions
All artworks may be viewed at Studio One Noosa from 14–30 July 2026, and again at the luncheon on 31 July 2026 before the auction closes.
All artworks are offered subject to an undisclosed reserve price. Should the reserve not be achieved, the artwork will be passed in.
Successful bidders will be emailed an invoice immediately following the close of the auction. Payment is required promptly to secure the purchase.
Purchased artworks are to be collected from Studio One Noosa following the event. Freight and shipping arrangements are the responsibility of the purchaser.
Gift vouchers and non-art auction items will be emailed or made available for collection by the successful bidders following payment.
THE SILENT THREAT
Why SMBs can no longer afford to hide in the cybersecurity shadows.
For years, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) operated under a comforting illusion: “We’re too small to be noticed.”
But a 2026 global study by Bitdefender, polling 1,200 IT and security professionals, has shattered that assumption. The modern threat landscape isn’t just growing—it’s changing shape entirely, leaving unprepared businesses directly in the crosshairs.
1. The AI Arms Race
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a tool for writing emails; cybercriminals are using it to automate vulnerabilities and build flawless phishing scams.
70.1% of IT professionals report a sharp spike in AI-powered phishing attacks.
52.6% believe AI is currently benefiting the attackers more than the defenders.
Meanwhile, companies are battling "Shadow AI"—
where employees paste sensitive company data into unapproved public AI chatbots to help with daily tasks. Nearly half (47.4%) of businesses admit they have absolutely no visibility into this massive data leak.
2. The Culture of Silence & The "Optimism Gap"
When breaches do happen, they are increasingly kept in the dark. A staggering 55.2% of security pros admit they have been told to keep a breach quiet, choosing brand reputation over mandatory disclosure laws.
Article by Mathew Hoffman, Cloud Computer Company
Compounding the issue is a stark internal disconnect: senior business executives consistently rate their company's security posture 8% higher than the boots-on-the-ground IT staff who actually manage the infrastructure.
3. Hiding in Plain Sight
The nature of attacks has evolved past traditional viruses. Today, 84% of major cyberattacks use "Living off the Land" (LOTL) techniques—a method where hackers use legitimate tools already built into your operating system (like administrative scripts) to execute malicious commands. Because these tools are trusted by the system, standard antivirus software misses them completely. Alarmingly, only 20.5% of IT pros recognize this as a top threat.
4. Overwhelmed by Complexity
Defences are becoming as complicated as the attacks. 40% of IT pros say their advanced endpoint security tools are so complex that they either require too much manual effort or cannot be fully implemented. Furthermore, 62% find keeping up with changing compliance regulations entirely overwhelming.
The SMB Action Plan
To survive this evolving landscape without hiring a massive in-house security team, experts recommend four critical steps:
Close the 24/7 Window: 48% of businesses lack after-hours security monitoring. Cybercriminals don't work 9-to-5.
Audit AI Usage: Establish a clear policy on which AI tools employees can use to prevent sensitive data leakage.
Simplify the Tech Stack: Avoid overly complex "fighter jet" systems you don't have the staff to manage. Opt for integrated, managed solutions.
Bridge the Communication Gap: Ensure executive leadership relies on hard data from tech teams rather than optimistic assumptions.
Partnering for Protection: How Cloud Computer Company
Can Help
You don't need to build an expensive, in-house security department to survive this new landscape. As a certified Google Cloud Partner and elite Bitdefender Partner, Cloud Computer Company bridges the gap for small and medium businesses. They take the complexity off your plate by handling the heavy lifting—from running deep security health checks on your Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 tenant to deploying advanced, enterprisegrade protection that stops "Living off the Land" and AI threats in their tracks. By providing the crucial 24/7 watch that nearly half of businesses lack, they ensure your digital doors stay locked long after your team goes home for the day.
Footnote:
Data and insights sourced from the Bitdefender Cybersecurity Assessment 2026 report.
Advertise in the NBA Monthly Newsletter
Looking to reach a local audience and promote your business? Our newsletter is emailed to over 400 subscribers and shared across 1.7K members on our socials, giving you great exposure within the Noosaville business community.
NBA Members receive 50% off advertising rates.
Special Offer: Join as a member and receive a FREE Quarter Page Advert in our next newsletter!
NBA Competition:
Event: Smokin’ Jazz at Sunset with Big Kitty on 29 August
Prize: 2 tickets to Big Kitty Swing Band at Land & Sea
How to win: What is the name of the Swing Band at Land & Sea on 29 August?
Email answer in subject line to: info@noosajazzclub.com
A swing band with an explosion of smokin’ jazz and sultry rhythm ‘n’ blues who have been tearing the roof off Brisbane’s jump joints since 2004. The perfect backdrop for this red hot event is the Land & Sea Brewery in Noosaville. It will be busy, noisy and fun. This combination of smokin’ hot jazz, beers & wines and a tasty bar menu on offer means that you will really want to be there!
Proudly sponsored by:
TICKETS
The Noosaville Business Association is proud to partner once again with the Noosa Jazz Club to bring Noosa’s most beloved jazz events to life. Set against the stunning backdrop of Noosa’s Foreshore, and hinterland, the Noosa Jazz Festival 2026 promises 10 days of live jazz, intimate dining experiences, and unforgettable community moments.
Noosaville Events
Friday 28 August
Jazz on the Terrace
Lunch at 250 Grammi on the Terrace to celebrate the sight, the sound and the taste of being by the river will have the right combination for an entertaining lunch experience.
The live jazz from the Costal Jazz Trio will create a smooth jazz sound that includes favourites and classics that are just right for a long, leisurely lunch.
Saturday 29 August
Smokin’ Jazz at Sunset with Big Kitty
A swing band with an explosion of smokin’ jazz and sultry rhythm ‘n’ blues who have been tearing the roof off Brisbane’s jump joints since 2004 – always loved, always books up quickly – don’t miss it.
The perfect backdrop for this red hot event is the Land & Sea Brewery in Noosaville. It will be busy, noisy and fun. This combination of smokin’ hot jazz, beers & wines and a tasty bar menu on offer means that you need to book early!
Tuesday 1 September
Riverboat Bounce & Trad Jazz Maniacs
Noosa Ferries & Noosa Boathouse, Noosaville Boarding from 4:15pm for a 1.5-hour sunset cruise (Ferries 1 & 2), followed by a 3-course dinner at the Boathouse River Room (6:00–9:00pm). Featuring: Brett Iggulden (trumpet), Paul Williams (reeds), Peter McCormick (banjo), Ian Smith (bass), Paul Hendon (reeds), Steven Grant (trumpet), Dave Burrows (guitar), Chris Ludowyk (trombone), Richard Stevens (sousaphone), and more.
Friday 4 September Lunch by the Water
Lucio’s Marina, Noosa Marina, Tewantin 12:00 noon – 3:00pm Curated Italian menu with matching wines and live jazz. Featuring the Noosa Jazz Ensemble and Friends: Rod Andrew (drums), Chris Ludowyk (trombone), Paul Williams (reeds), Steve Grant (piano), Ian Smith (brass/bass), Dave Burrows (guitar), June Garber (vocals).
Sunday 6 September
Lion’s Park Community Concert
A Father’ Day Free community Jazz Concert
Everyone is invited to get together to have a picnic and listen to some entertaining jazz. Bring your chairs and picnic blankets and spread out with family and friends beside the river on Gympie Terrace next to the Yacht Club.
Book your ticket now and get ready for 10 days of swing, soul, and sunshine. The Noosa Jazz Festival 2026 is set to be one of the most vibrant and welcoming editions yet.
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Contact Us
Nicky Turner
President
Laguna Pest Control Owner
✉ president@noosavilleba.org
Mel Round
Secretary
Dusk till Dawn Sleep Centre Director
✉ secretary@noosavilleba.org
Stephanie Clunies-Ross
Treasurer
Back 2 Business Consulting
Services Pty Ltd
Business Owner
✉ accounts@noosavilleba.org
Alanna Shapland
Committee Member
RWC Noosa & Sunshine Coast
Commercial Property Consultant
Jasmin Holmes
Committee Member
Cleantech Network
CEO
Mathew Hoffman
Vice-President
Cloud Computer Company Director
Hamish McGrath
Committee Member
Ablebuild Constructions Director
Cheryl Lacey
Committee Member
Pertot & Co. Mortgage Brokers