Congratulations to Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens, Tamborine Mountain Community Kindy, Canungra’s P&C and Beechmont Tennis Club (among others) who received terrific grants in the latest community benefit fund round. It was a bumper round of over $1million in grants for Scenic Rim Electorate groups. It was a pleasure to support so many of them in their applications to improve facilities. Well done!

SPOTTING A SCAM – A REMINDER AS CHRISTMAS APPROACHES
Unfortunately, scammers posing as fake charities continue their efforts to scam Queenslanders. This year alone, it is estimated Queensland citizens have lost $194,000 to these fake charity scams, which is more than any other state or territory in the nation. More broadly, in 2021 money lost to all types of scams in Queensland was almost double the previous year, with an approximate $58 million lost by Queenslanders. It is crucial to ensure that you know how to spot a scam and how to respond. To check if a charity is legitimate before donating, visit the Scamwatch website.

To spot a scam, consider:
- If the offer seems too good to be true
- If you are being asked to open links or attachments
- If someone is asking for your passwords or personal information
- If someone is asking for remote access to your devices
- If someone is strongly requesting payments
- If someone is offering you the opportunity to make “fast money” with “little to no risks involved”.

If you suspect that you have been affected by a scam, contact your bank or financial institution immediately and report the scam at: scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam.

CALL 13 HOON
I know that hooning is a big issue in some areas of the Scenic Rim. I have discussed the issue with local police in the past and relayed concerns from locals. There are penalties for hoons, including the confiscation of vehicles. Dangerous drivers are not just a danger to themselves, but also others on the road, pedestrians, and entire neighbourhoods for the disruption they cause to people’s lives.

It is important that if you notice hooning in your area to call 13 HOON (13 4666), Policelink (131 444) or fill out the online form at police.qld.gov.au/reporting and report the incident, with the make and model of car and registration number if you can see it. When complaints are made like this it can be recorded, and can help our police to be allocated the correct resources (like more police vehicles, police personnel, or noise cameras) to deal with problems. We need more police resources in our region and every report of activity can help add to the case for more police.

SOMETHING I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT?To let me know about an issue you think needs fixing, or if I can be of assistance in any matter (especially those related to the Queensland Government – major roads, state schools, police, our public hospitals, National Parks), please don’t hesitate to let me know by email on scenicrim@parliament.qld.gov.au or phone on 5515 1100.