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Footy is back! The Rococo Noosa Tigers kicked off their QAFL season with an eight-point win over Coorparoo last weekend. In front of a strong home crowd, the Tigers held on in a tense final quarter. For the full story, turn to Sport
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E-bike concerns By Steve Linnell The Independent Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton, has called for a balanced and targeted approach to new e-mobility laws introduced to State Parliament, warning that responsible riders must not be unfairly impacted. The Queensland Government’s Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026 seeks to implement sweeping reforms following a Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility safety, including stricter rules around riders, devices and enforcement. Among the proposed changes are a minimum rider age of 16, a requirement for riders to hold at least a learner driver’s licence, and stronger penalties targeting illegal high-powered e-bikes, amid growing concerns over injuries, fatalities and unsafe behaviour. Ms Bolton said the bill reflects years of advocacy from communities, first responders and stakeholders calling for action, particularly on dangerous riding and non-compliant devices. “While many of the 28 recommendations reflect what our community has been calling for since 2022, including stronger safety standards and action on illegal devices, some concerns have arisen,” she said.
Those concerns include whether the Queensland Police Service has sufficient resources to enforce the tougher laws, and the need to protect riders using compliant pedal-assisted ebikes. “It is important to consider the impacts on
those who rely on these devices as an alternative transport solution, including those facing medical, financial or other barriers to obtaining a learner’s licence, which the proposed laws would require all riders to have,” Ms Bolton said. She confirmed her office has written to the
Transport Minister raising these issues. The Noosa MP stressed that while action is needed, reforms must be carefully targeted. “Action must be targeted at unsafe behaviours and unlawful devices, backed by the resources needed to deliver safer outcomes for all,” she said. Ms Bolton also highlighted the broader role of e-mobility in reducing congestion and emissions, warning against measures that could undermine these benefits. “Legal e-mobility devices provide important benefits, including accessibility, sustainability and convenience, and have been part of modal shift efforts by governments over a decade,” she said. “Our focus must remain on improving safety for everyone who shares our roads, paths and public spaces, while ensuring that responsible users on legal devices, including those under 16 years, are not unnecessarily disadvantaged or penalised.” The proposed legislation has now been referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee, with public submissions open until 10 April. Ms Bolton encouraged Noosa residents to have their say as the laws are refined.