Timeline of Noosa

1770

May 17: Captain Cook passed Noosa as he sailed northwards along the coast of Australia. He noted “a low bluff point, which was the south point of an open sandy bay” as well as a “northernmost point of land”. These points are what are today known as Noosa Heads. He did not detect the mouth of the Noosa River.

1802

July 27: Matthew Flinders sailed passed Noosa Headland, noting “the shore abreast, a breach with only sandy hills behind it, was distant six miles. Between the S. 63 W. and a low bluff head bearing S. 32 W., was a bight in the coast where the sand hills seemed to terminate;”

1823

November: John Finnegan and Richard Parsons reach the Noosa River, the first Europeans to do so. They interacted with First Nations people as they traversed the area between Bribie Island and the Noosa River and this is believed to be the first contact between the Kabi Kabi and non-Indigenous people in the area.

Finnegan and Parsons along with Thomas Pamphlett were shipwrecked on Moreton Island in April 1823. The three spent several months in various island and areas around Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River. The three were proceeding north and had reached the Maroochy River when Pamphlett decided to turn back. Finnegan and Parsons parted ways at the Noosa River, with Finnegan returning south and meeting back up with Pamphlett. Finnegan and Pamphlett were recovered by John Oxley at Bribie Island at the end of November. Parsons remained living amongst the First Nations people until he was recovered by John Oxley in September 1824.

1827

The next contact between non-Indigenous and the Kabi Kabi people in the Noosa area is believed to have been with John Graham, a convict who escaped the Moreton Bay penal settlement. He allegedly spent six years living with the Kabi Kabi people.

1829

Convict James Davis escaped from the Moreton Bay penal settlement and spent 14 years living with the Kabi Kabi, who gave him the name Durramboi.

1831

Convict David Bracefell (or Bracewell or Bracefield) made multiple escapes from the penal colony between 1828 and 1830 and spent six years from 1831 living with the Kabi Kabi, who gave him the name Wandi.

1836

The rescue of Eliza Fraser from a camp near Tin Can Bay following the wrecking of the Stirling Castle.

1842

April 19: The Bunya Proclamation was issued by Governor Gipps, preventing settlement by non-Indigenous persons or the granting of timber or cattle leases on land on which the Bunya Pine grew. This essentially created an Aboriginal reserve in the area between the Mooloolah and Maroochy Rivers.

May: An exploration party led by Andrew Petrie was dispatched to explore the coast northwards looking for suitable grazing land and timber stands beyond the bunya protectorate. The party landed and camped on the shores of Laguna Bay, interacting with the Kabi Kabi people. They also made contact with David Bracefell and James Davis and returned them to the settlement.

1847

Laguna Bay named by Assistant Surveyor of New South Wales James Charles Burnett who anchored there overnight while on his return journey from an exploration of the Boyne and Wide Bay (now Mary) Rivers.

1857

Leases granted to Daniel and Zachariah Skyring for Canando, Yandina, Whidlka Whidlka and Poorema stations, giving them control of a large portion of the land between the Maroochy River and Noosa River.

1859

June 6: Queensland separated from New South Wales and became an independent state.

1860

Massacre of Kabi Kabi people at Murdering Creek, near Lake Weyba, believed to have occurred (the date of the incident and number of fatalities has been unable to be conclusively determined by historians).

September 17: Repeal of the Bunya Proclamation by the enacting of the Unoccupied Crown Lands Occupation Act (1860), removing prior restrictions over the settlement of land and timber extraction.

1863

William Pettigrew, a Brisbane sawmiller, explored the area in search of timber. He travelled up the Noosa River, across Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharaba, and three miles up Kin Kin Creek. He reported only minimal stands of suitable timber.

1865

September: William Pettigrew voyaged up the coast in the Gneering and carefully mapped the Maroochy-Mooloolah district, the Noosa River and its lakes.

Mid-1860s

Shipments of timber were being carried from Noosa to other ports by this time.

1867

James Nash discovered gold in Gympie, sparking a gold rush in the area.

1868

A new road between Gympie and Caboolture, known as Brisbane Road, was established to provide better access to Gympie. The new road went via Caboolture, Glasshouse Mountains and Yandina (the previous route involved going through Woodford and over the Stanley range).

November: Cobb and Co. commenced a twice weekly coach service between Gympie and Brisbane over this road, using coaches specially adapted for the still rough conditions.

During a survey of the coast between Cape Moreton and the Great Sandy Strait, Lieut. Bedwell, commander of H.M. surveying schooner Pearl, determined that the existing chart of the area made by Matthew Flinders in 1802 was not accurate in the vicinity of Laguna Bay.

1869

Port Master of Queensland George Heath surveyed the estuary (Nusa Harbour) in the Tug Brisbane. On his chart he marked a series of shifting sand banks and several wooded islands in the vicinity of Hay’s Inlet. He also noted the mouth of Weba (Weyba) Creek.

March: Charles Russell, Abraham Luya, James McGhie, Frederick Goodchap and John Woodburn formed a partnership and applied for a timber license and lease over land near Lake Cootharaba.

The Cootharaba Sawmill commenced operations at Mill Point under ownership and management of McGhie, Luya & Co. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/22689

1870

Port Master of Queensland, George Heath, mapped ‘Nusa Harbour’, identifying it as a better outlet for timber than either the Mary River or Maroochy River.

The Cootharaba Sawmill commenced operations at Mill Point under ownership and management of McGhie, Luya & Co.

November: Work commenced on road between Gympie and Tewantin with Walter Hay appointed to cut the track.

1871

The town of Tewantin was proclaimed, and the first allotments were advertised for sale. (An earlier proclamation in 1870 had been premature).

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/6240

1872

Abraham Luya purchased 84 acres of land on Noosa North Shore (in the area where Wygani Drive is today) and constructed a timber depot and wharf. The business grew and a village known as Colloy developed around it.

July 11: 10,000 acres (4,000 hectare) at Noosa Heads was reserved for the purposes of an Aboriginal Mission by the Department of Lands at the request of the Queensland Aboriginal Missionary Society. It encompassed the area today known as Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach.

September: a weekly mail service was established from Gympie to Tewantin.

July 29: Five men were killed when a boiler exploded at the Cootharaba Sawmill. The explosion was one of several in Queensland that year that led to an inquest and tightening of regulations regarding steam boiler design and operation.

1874

The area’s first school opened at the Mill Point settlement.

November: A wharf and goods shed capable of storing 40 tons was completed at Tewantin.

November: The Gympie and Newsa Coaching Company commenced a transportation service between Gympie and Noosa.

December: the Half-way House, the Noosa district’s first hotel, was opened by William Casey at the halfway point between Noosa and Gympie on the new Noosa Road (in what is today Cooran). The Half-way House provided a place where coaching companies could change horses, reducing the time taken to make the journey from Noosa to Gympie.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/16430

1875

April: Robert Alexander Richardson opened Tewantin’s first hotel, the Tewantin Hotel.

May 6: The first telegraph message was sent from the new station at Tewantin.

A school and a police station also opened in Tewantin.

1876

January: A more detailed survey of the Noosa River and the bar was undertaken by Staff Commander E.P. Bedwell of the Admiralty Survey Office. Bedwell noted the constantly changing bar and maze of sand banks in the estuary and advised that no vessel should attempt to enter the river without an experienced pilot on board.

1878

January: Cobb and Co. made their first trip on the new Brisbane to Gympie route that went via Noosa (Tewantin). This enabled passengers to travel between Tewantin and Brisbane by coastal steamer rather than by road.

November: The Aboriginal Reserve in Noosa area was annulled.

1879

January: the land formally set aside for the Aboriginal Reserve at Noosa Heads was made available for purchase.

April 17: Town lots made available for sale in the Village of Noosa, however, no bids were made at the April sale.

June: 1,200 acres was designated for a township at Noosa Heads.

November 11: Much of the Noosa area became part of the Widgee Division (a precursor to a Shire Council) when it was incorporated on 11 November 1879 under the Divisional Boards Act of 1879.

1880

By January, Dath, Henderson and Company’s sawmill on the northern side of the Noosa River, opposite Tewantin, was in operation. The exact date of its establishment has not been determined.

March: Aboriginal bushranger Johnny Campbell was captured by Kabi Kabi men at Goodchap’s paddock in Tewantin.

1882

Walter Hay established the first boarding house at Noosa Heads, Bay View House, a ten-roomed residence.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/21880

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/333

1884

Cobb & Co service between Gympie and Tewantin was discontinued.

The paddle steamer, Adonis, built for Dath, Henderson & Co, was put into commission for the transportation of sawn timber, goods and passengers between Noosa and Brisbane.

1886

April 24: The 61 metre long Alexandra Bridge over Weyba Creek was officially opened, connecting Gympie Terrace to Noosa Heads by road. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/358

July: Dath Henderson advised that they would be discontinuing the cutting of timber in the Noosa district and would shift their milling operations to Brisbane.

1889

March 4: Maclurcan’s Grand Hotel in Tewantin was completely destroyed by fire.

June 10: the rail line between Cooran and Gympie was opened, extending the existing rail between Maryborough and Gympie.

August 5: 22 agricultural township farms, ranging in size from 37 to 43 acres, adjacent to the village of Pinbarren were opened for selection.

1891

April: the railway line between Cooran and Cooroy was completed.

May: Approximately 9 acres of land near the bar on the southern head of the Noosa River was designated for public use. This became the Noosa Woods camping and picnic area.

May: The steamer Culgoa was grounded on the Noosa River bar whilst departing Tewantin and was unable to be refloated. She was subsequently declared wrecked.

July: the railway line between Cooroy and Yandina was completed and opened, connecting Noosa Shire with Brisbane.

September 9: The Grand Hotel at Noosa Heads, owned by Mr H S Hill, was completely destroyed by fire.

December: The Alexandra Bridge was declared unsafe and closed to traffic due to infestation by shipworms (borers).

Dath Henderson closed their timber mill on the north shore of the Noosa River opposite Tewantin.

1892

Closure of the Cootharaba Sawmill at Elanda Point (Mill Point).

1893

February-March: The area is impacted by one of the largest floods in Queensland history. The remains of the Cootharaba sawmill were destroyed. Some homes were washed away. Several homes in Tewantin needed to be evacuated. Roads were cut and the telegraph line was interrupted.

1894

The Co-operative Communities Land Settlement Act 1893 which promoted communal management of farmland resulted in two groups of unemployed men moving from Brisbane to Noosa area – the Woolloongabba Exemplars (59 men plus families) settled at Lake Weyba and the Protestant Unity Group (35 men plus families) settled near Cooran, at Skyring’s Creek. The members of the Protestant Unity Group who remained in the area formed the basis for the new township of Pomona.

1895

Laguna House guesthouse was built by J. Bainbridge on Hastings Street. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/4418

1900

March: The name Pomona was formally adopted for the viillage that had been growing adjacent to the then Pinbarren Railway Siding.

May: An auction of the first town lots in Pomona was held.

1901

September: Daniel Martin applies for a license to operate a new hotel at Tewantin, The Tewantin Hotel.

Report to the Widgee Divisional Board recommended the continued closure of the Alexandra Bridge across Lake Weyba.

1905

June 8: The Lands Department opened 6,000 acres at Kin Kin for selection. 144 applications were received for 40 portions.

1907

May: The re-purchase of the Cooroy Estate from Dath Henderson & Co by the Queensland Government under the provisions of the Closer Settlement Act 1906 was approved.  The purchase was completed on 29 July.

1908

The first timber mill in Cooroy was established by the Fenwick Brothers and Robert Morrish.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/24458

April: The first land sales of the Cooroy Repurchased Estate took place with considerable interest.

1910

The Shire of Noosa was created consisting of an area previously governed by Widgee Shire and Maroochy Shire. Noosa’s population at the time was about 2,000.

22 April: The first Noosa Shire election was held. Nine Councillors were elected.

11 May: The first meeting of the Noosa Shire Council was held in the Federal Hall in Cooran. James Duke was elected the first Shire Chairman and Edgar Alexander Edwards appointed as first Shire Clerk.

Dr Ellen Wood opened a private hospital in Cooroy, the first hospital in the Shire.

1911

The Council moved into the newly constructed Shire Chambers in Pomona; Pomona having been determined as the location for the Shire headquarters following protracted community debate.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/24922

1915

Easter: The Royal Lifesaving Society installed a lifesaving reel at Noosa Main Beach, the first on the Sunshine Coast.

1918

The Council started lobbying its counterparts between Brisbane and Gympie as well as the Automobile Club of Queensland to combine forces for the construction of a “great northern road” to facilitate vehicle access to the region.

1921

The Majestic Hall, which later became the Majestic Theatre, was constructed in Pomona.

1922

The construction of the Cooroy-Tewantin Road began.

1923

June: A timber bridge was built over Six Mile Creek on the Cooroy-Tewantin Road, the first bridge to be constructed by the newly established Main Roads Board. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/6242

1926

The first proposals regarding installation of electric lighting in the Shire were discussed by Council and townspeople.

1928

Noosa Council sold 470 acres of land south of Noosa headland to real estate developer T.M. Burke & Co with the condition that T M Burke build bridges over Lake Doonella and Weyba Creek and construct a road from Tewantin to the new estate.

April 2: The Cooroy Royal Life Saving and Surf Club was formed to patrol the Noosa beaches, today known as the Noosa Heads Surf Club. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/20031

December: The new Cooroy-Tewantin Road officially opened. It was the first main road to be constructed in the Noosa Shire and cost £52,000.

1929

October 19: The “humpback” bridges over Lake Doonella and Weyba Creek, constructed by T.M. Burke, were officially opened connecting Tewantin, Noosaville and Noosa Heads by road for the first time. The road between Tewantin and the new estate at Sunshine Beach was also upgraded and metalled.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/359

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/358

1933

January: Allotments in the Boreen Point Estate placed for sale at public auction.  https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/6745

1934

September: The Great North Coast Road was renamed the Bruce Highway after the Queensland State Minister for Public Works, Henry Bruce, in honour of his role in facilitating the project.

December 15: The newly constructed Bruce Highway was officially opened.

July: Pig and Sheep Islands declared wildlife sanctuaries under the Animals and Birds Act of 1921-24 to protect the prolific birdlife.

1939

March 20: Royal Mail Hotel in Tewantin destroyed by fire. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/12191

September 7: A significant fire destroyed most of the premises in the shopping centre in Memorial Avenue, Pomona.

Designation of 245 hectares (605 acres) of land on Noosa Headland as National Park. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/24456

1942-1945

The Australian Army established training camps in various locations around the Sunshine Coast to train personnel for active service in the jungle. The sand dunes along Sunshine Beach were used for artillery exercises and troops were frequently seen around the area. Additionally, recuperating soldiers stayed in flats owned by Pansy McKane Hastings Street. 
https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/63

1940

March 9: Martin’s Tewantin Hotel destroyed by fire.

1941

Electricity was connected to Cooroy.

1942

The Bruce Highway was fully sealed between Rothwell and Eumundi.

1946

Electricity was connected to Tewantin and Cooran.

Edgar Alexander Edwards, the first Noosa Shire Clerk, retired following 36 years in the role.

Electricity was connected to Noosaville.

1948

March: The lifeguard tower is toppled, at least 15 houses along the beachfront at Noosa Heads inundated, and significant beach erosion caused by a cyclone. Concerned residents of beach facing properties on Hastings Street dumped rock fill on the beach in front of their properties.

Electricity was connected to Kin Kin.

1800 acres gazetted south of Lake Cootharaba between Noosa River and the ocean for development of an airstrip.

1948-49

Construction of runways for an aerodrome on Noosa North Shore was underway, funded by Noosa Council with subsidies from Queensland State Government.

1949

March: Proposal to register Sunshine Beach as the name of T M Burke development.

October 15: Governor John Lavarack officially opened Noosa National Park and the entrance road.

1950

A process by Noosa Council to reclaim land along the Noosa Inlet commenced.

1951/52

T M Burke began forming the streets of Sunshine Beach with gravel and constructed McAnally Drive and Seaview Terrace.

Power was extended from Tewantin and Noosaville to Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads.

1954

February: Multiple homes including Laguna House were damaged, a dressing shed destroyed, and trees were blown into the surf by strong winds associated with a cyclone unofficially known as The Great Gold Coast Cyclone that crossed over the coast at Coolangatta. Huge seas caused substantial erosion along Noosa Main Beach endangering houses. Tewantin was without electricity or telephone service for 24 hours.

1957-58

Hastings Street was curbed and channelled and sealed.

1959

June 4: 530 acres of Crown Land between Noosa Heads and Coolum Beach leased to T.M. Burke Pty Ltd for development in exchange for the company building a road along the highway to make this area accessible.

27 June: First contested King of the Mountain race held in Pomona. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/11694

1960

April 2:  The first section of a coastal road linking towns along the coastal strip was opened between Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach by Premier Frank Nicklin.

1961/62

Electricity was extended to Peregian Beach.

1962

June 2: The official opening of the Peregian Beach Roadhouse and switching on of the electricity in Peregian Beach was held.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/26250

November 1: Foundation meeting of the Noosa Parks Development Association (now the Noosa Parks Association or NPA) was held in response to community concern about proposals to construct a road around Noosa Headland and desire to expand Noosa National Park.

Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Club formed.

1963

Passenger and vehicle ferry service across the Noosa River to Noosa North Shore was introduced by Herbert Woods.

1964

Additional land including the coastal strip of Noosa Headland was placed into the Noosa National Park, following advocacy by Noosa Parks Association and a visit by senior government officials. by the Minister for Lands, the Honourable Alan Roy Fletcher.

1965

October: the Six Mile Creek Dam (later renamed Lake Macdonald) was officially opened. It provides reticulated water to the towns of Noosa Shire.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/21537

1967

February: Cyclone Dinah, at the time considered to be the most intensive tropical cyclone recorded in southern Queensland, battered the coast. Significant erosion occurred along Noosa Main Beach. Dinah also brought big swells that attracted surfers to the area.

March: The RSL Memorial Hall in Tewantin destroyed by fire.

22 July: The name “Sunshine Coast” was officially gazetted by the Queensland Government to describe the region encompassing the Landsborough, Maroochy and Noosa Shires, previously referred to as the “Near North Coast”.

50 acres of Crown Land at Alexandria Bay was added to Noosa National Park, bringing the area under protection to 930 acres.

1968-69

A rock wall was erected on Noosa Main Beach.

1969

The construction of a new concrete bridge over Lake Doonella commenced.

An application for the development of Noosa Sound was approved by Noosa Council.

October 22: A group of Noosa residents formed the Noosa Heads Planned Progress Committee under the chairmanship of Dr Arthur Harrold. The group’s aims were to address concerns regarding proposed high-rise development on the beachfront at Noosa Heads.

1970

March: Proceedings began in Brisbane court between the Noosa Heads Planned Progress Committee and Noosa Shire Council against the proposed construction of an 8 storey building on Hastings Street.

1971

Sewer was connected to Noosa Heads, the first township in the Shire to be sewered. Cooroy was connected later this year.

1972

3,000 objections lodged with the Gympie Mining Wardens Court against an application to undertake sand mining along the coast between Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach.

September: Work commenced on the Noosa Sound development.

December: The Noosa Town Plan was formally implemented. It included limitations on high rise development in Hastings Street.

A 33-acre area of land adjacent to Noosa National Park that was set aside as a Water Reserve was added to the Noosa National Park, cutting off road access to the parcel of land owned by developer TM Burke.

1973

January: State Cabinet rejected an application for the mining of mineral sands along the stretch of coast between Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach, following a lengthy fight by the local community and led by the Noosa Parks Association and Sunshine Coast Organisation for Protection of Environment (S.C.O.P.E).

October: The new concrete bridge over Weyba Creek was completed and opened for traffic.

Sewer connected in Noosaville and parts of Noosa Junction.

December: the Shire’s first Council-operated public library opens at Moorindil Street, Tewantin.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/21701

December: The first stage of the Noosa Sound development was officially opened by Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

December: Developers present proposal for Noosa Waters canal estate to Noosa Council and held a public showing of plans and a model. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/21542

1974

January: Cyclone Wanda brought heavy rainfalls and high seas, causing flooding and significant damage to roads.

1975

Negotiations to exchange TM Burke’s freehold land surrounded by Noosa National Park for an equivalent parcel at Peregian Beach.

1977

October: Approval given for the Noosa Waters canal development.

1978

December: The newly extended Noosa Spit was declared open in December following a significant project to restore the beach that involved sand pumping, construction of groynes, and dune stabilisation works.

1979

Sewering of Tewantin was completed.

1980

The capacity of Lake Macdonald was increased to 8,000 megalitres by raising the dam wall.

1 December: Noosa Shire Council relocated from Pomona to new premises at Pelican Street, Tewantin.

4 December: Noosa Library opens in new premises on the ground floor of the Council Chambers building on Pelican Street.

1981

The Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving Club was established.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/21820

1982

A second rock groyne was built out from Noosa Woods at Noosa Heads.

1983

The First Noosa Triathlon was staged at Noosa Heads.

1990

Work commenced on the development of Noosa Waters.

August: Noosa Botanic Gardens at Cooroy was officially opened after three years of work by local volunteers to transform a former unofficial rubbish dump beside Lake Macdonald.

December: Camping at Noosa Woods ceased. https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/24516

1991

The Cooroy Butter Factory building was purchased by the Noosa Council for community use.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/24487

July: Sunstate Airlines announced that they would cease providing services to Noosa Airport.

September: Noosa Council took over control of Noosa Airport on a 12 month, no-cost lease to ensure the facility remained open.

1992

February 22: Record rainfalls caused significant flooding and a section of Park Road at Noosa Heads to collapse.

1993

June: The official opening of Wallace Park as a community precinct, including the handover of Wallace House to the Noosa Arts and Crafts Association and the opening of the Environment Centre.

December: Noosa Library opened in a new, purpose-built building in Wallace Park.

Recycling bins were added to the refuse collection service.

1994

A timber footbridge mini-replica of the Old Weyba Bridge over Weyba Creek was opened to serve cyclists, pedestrians and anglers.

The Noosa District Community Radio Association, Inc. (NoosaFM) was founded.

1995

September: Noosa Airport closed and was placed on the market for sale by owner Australian Airlines.

1996

Noosa Council awarded a contract to Australian Water Services for the design and construction of a coastal sewage treatment plant and works commenced.

1999

May 1: Noosa Aquatic Centre at Girraween Court, Sunshine Beach opened by Premier Peter Beattie.

Noosa Private Hospital opens on Goodchap Street, Noosaville.

Noosa Council purchased 500 acres of environmentally significant land on Noosa North Shore for $3 million from developer Leisuremark, ending a 10-year legal battle over development of the land and ensuring conservation of the land.

2000

Queensland Government closed the timber mill at Cooroy in accordance with the Regional Forest Agreement.

2001

February: Wallace House re-opened following works to remediate damage caused by a substantial fire in 1999.

Parkyn Hut was relocated to the corner of Diyan Street and Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin and opened as the Tewantin Heritage and Tourist Information Centre and home to the Tewantin Historical Society.

Noosa Council introduced a tourism levy to fund Tourism Noosa.

Noosa Council established the Tourism Community Sector Board, the Arts & Heritage Board, the Economic Board, the Environmental Board and the Social Board to help guide strategic and long-term planning.

The staged development of the Noosa Trail Network in the Kin Kin, Cooran and Lake Macdonald areas commenced.

The first Floating Land exhibition was held.

2002

The Queensland State Government donated the Lower Mill Site at Cooroy to Noosa Council for community purposes.

2003

W.A. Stockwell Pty Ltd was issued with a development permit to construct the proposed Shire Business Centre (SBC) at Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville, now known as Noosa Civic Shopping Centre.

2004

The boundary of the Noosa Shire was extended south to encompass South Peregian, based on the 2023 determination by the Local Government Electoral & Boundaries Review Commission.

Stage two of the construction of Eenie Creek Road (Reef Street to Langura Street) began. This stage included a 515-metre bridge across Weyba Creek.

A petition by Noosa Residents was presented to State Parliament by Member for Noosa, Cate Molloy, opposing the Government’s intention to amalgamate the Shires of Noosa, Maroochy and Caloundra. The petition included 18,747 signatures.

2005

The construction of the southern section of the Walter Hay Drive began.

Work commenced on the construction of The J community and entertainment centre on Council’s land on Grant Street, Noosa Heads.

Noosa Council introduced a Heritage Levy.

2006

The Noosa Plan 2006, a new planning scheme to govern development in the Shire, is adopted by Noosa Council. It included the Shire’s first local heritage register.

October 12: Noosa Civic shopping centre opened, anchored by Woolworths and BigW.

October 27: The J Noosa community and entertainment centre was officially opened.

2008

March 15: The Noosa Shire ceased to exist when it was merged with Maroochy Shire and the City of Caloundra to form the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

November: The third and final stage of the $14.5 million Eenie Creek Road project was completed and the new bridge over Weyba Creek officially opened by Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Bob Abbot.

https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/364

2009

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett blocked the Queensland State Government’s plans to build the Traveston Crossing Dam.

2010

May: The new Cooroy Library opened.

2013

March 9: 82.6% of voters in the former Noosa Shire vote in favour of Noosa de-amalgamating from the Sunshine Coast.

May 31: The Kabi Kabi First Nation native title claim filed with the Federal Court

November 9: Local government elections were held to elect a mayor and councillors for the soon-to-be-re-established Noosa Shire. Noel Playford was voted in as Mayor.

2014

January 1: Noosa Shire was officially re-established as an independent local government area.

Teewah Airfield (or Noosa North Shore Landing) closed to helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Peregian Beach Surf Club was dissolved, and patrols were undertaken at Peregian Beach by members of Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club.

2015

September: Noosa Council rejected a development proposal to double the size of Noosa Civic, which was upheld by the Planning and Environment Court in 2016 following an appeal by the developer.

2016

November 30: The Kabi Kabi Undambi area claim filed in the Federal Court

2017

March: Ex-tropical cyclone Debbie brought rainfall of up to 200mm in 24 hours and winds up to 90km per hour. More than 10,000 homes were left without power, streets were closed due to flash flooding across the shire, and falling trees and tree branches caused damage.

October: Noosa Council endorsed the Yurol Ringtail Conservation Project, commencing a 10-year process to transition 2,400 hectares of land from State Forest to Tewantin National Park, ensuring protection of valuable habitat for threatened species.

November: Sandy Bolton is elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly as an Independent Member for Noosa.

2018

The two Native Title claims join to become the Kabi Kabi First National Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group

2019

Four major bushfires in September and November burned 7,000 hectares of land and required the evacuation of 8,000 residents from their properties. Two residential dwellings were completely destroyed.

2020

March: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reached Australia and widespread lockdowns resulted in the closure of schools and businesses and significant restrictions on travel and business and leisure activities. There were long lasting impacts on the local economy and community.

16 July: The Noosa Plan 2020, a significant update to The Noosa Plan 2006, was adopted by Noosa Council.

2021

October 21: Noosa Council adopted a new local law to regulate the provision of short stay letting and home hosted accommodation to reduce the impact on permanent residents and neighbourhood amenity.

2022

February: Widespread flooding was caused by a low-pressure system over Queensland’s southern coasts that delivered up to 1300mm of rain over seven days. Roads, schools and businesses were closed, and houses were inundated. The weather event also caused a significant landslide at Black Mountain.

March: The Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Club was incorporated and recommenced operations.

December: Stage 1 of the Tewantin Bypass, the Cooroy Noosa Road/Beckman’s Road roundabout was completed.

2023

King of the Mountain race held for the final time in Pomona.

2024

June 17:  Federal Court determination formally recognises Kabi Kabi people’s pre-existing rights and ongoing connection to Country as a result of the Kabi Kabi Native Title determination process.

July: Two brand-new, purpose-built ferries (one accommodating 12 vehicles and the other 27 vehicles) commenced operation across the Noosa River.

September: The Noosa North Shore Landing (Teewah Airfield) officially transferred to National Park.

September 19: Noosa Council signed a commitment to sustainable custodianship of the lands and waters of Noosa, in partnership with Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation (KKPAC).

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Adams, R.J.L., Noosa Horizons – A history: timber tradition tourism, Ultreya Publications, 2004

Brown, Elaine, Cooloola Coast, University of Queensland Press, 2000

Cato, Nancy, The Noosa Story: a study in unplanned development, 1989, John Wiley & Sons

Edwards, Denise, Country and Coast: a history of the development of Noosa Shire, 2001

Freeman, Emma, Hastings Street: Stories from Noosa’s Past, 2^nd edition, 2016

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Sharpe, Peter, Up Rose an Emu, 2009

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Wellington, Tony, Noosa & Cooloola: Celebrating 50 years of Noosa Parks Association, 2014