O’Brien backs Nambour’s resilience

Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien has praised Nambour’s strengths and called for continued cooperation across all levels of government to address rising community safety and homelessness concerns.

Speaking at the Nambour Chamber of Commerce Coffee Catchup on August 7, Mr O’Brien acknowledged the challenges facing the town, particularly around “law and order and people not feeling safe,” but stressed that the community’s natural advantages, social capital and leadership gave him nothing but confidence in its future.

Citing Australian social researcher Hugh Mackay, Mr O’Brien said Nambour’s strong social fabric set it apart. “There’s something unique about these places because the communities rally, there’s a social capital. They always get through things because they actually work together. And I think even the way that the Chamber works is very much like that,” he said.

He credited local leadership as the third pillar of the town’s resilience. “I just want to pay tribute to those who are providing leadership to the community.

“If you look what Marty’s doing with the police beat and the (Every Day Foundation) supermarket and Currie Street, all of this stuff ultimately is the community. And that’s the only way we can get things done.”

Turning to current concerns, Mr O’Brien said there was “no silver bullet” to address safety, break-ins and the perception that the area was being “inundated with people coming from elsewhere.”

“I think there is a need for immediate action and I’ll be working with Marty and others on a particular meeting … to ensure that each of the three tiers of government are doing their bit working with the community,” he said.

Mr O’Brien closed by reaffirming his optimism. “When it comes to the longer term vision for Nambour, for the hinterland, I’m one who just remains absolutely optimistic. I really do. And the more we can work together, the better.”