Hinterland leaders spruik for region at Community Cabinet

Nambour Groups Chair Rhonda Billett with Premier David Crisafulli and Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt.

The hinterland community made its presence felt at the first Community Cabinet meeting of 2026, with strong representation from Nambour and surrounding areas when Premier David Crisafulli and his Ministers met with Sunshine Coast residents in Caloundra on Sunday March 8.

Nambour Groups Chair Rhonda Billett said she was pleased for the opportunity to connect directly with state government representatives.

“When I got the invitation through, I was very excited because I thought this is going to be a great chance for us to be able to connect with the state government further and get some further positive outcomes for Nambour,” she said.

The hinterland delegation included Woombye Community and Business Association President Milo Frawley, Tram Co’s Greg Rogerson and Peter Clark, Big Pineapple owner Peter Kennedy, David Edgar from Screen Hub Nambour, and other community members and locals.

“The Hinterland was very strongly represented today. It was great to see so many hinterland faces at the event, having their say on their community,” Ms Billett said.

The Community Cabinet session gave local residents, business owners, community leaders and stakeholders the opportunity to raise priorities directly with Cabinet members. 

Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt said he was pleased to be able to pass  invitations to local chambers, community groups, not-for-profits and residents. 

"This opportunity gave people from our region the chance to sit down directly with Ministers and share what’s important to them.

"It was great to see so many people from Nambour and across the Nicklin region.

"From business and education to arts, health and the not-for-profit sector, there was strong local representation and plenty of constructive ideas about the future of our community. It was a really productive afternoon.”

 Premier Crisafulli said the Sunshine Coast was chosen as the first stop for the year as part of delivering “the fresh start we promised.”

Ms Billett, who has been actively working with all levels of government on various projects including events, new developments and streetscape improvements for Nambour, saw the meeting as crucial for advancing regional priorities.   

“It is all happening behind the scenes pretty quickly with our private sector stepping up for Nambour and assisting with the heavy lifting and I am finding some government levels playing budget catch up for this part of the Sunshine Coast.

“But we will get there and I remain very optimistic for the Hinterland region, despite these few government budget hurdles.”

The Government highlighted recent measures including a permanent police beat in Nambour CBD, expanded POLAIR funding, and planning for the Caloundra Congestion Busting Traffic Plan.