MP Takes Fight for Community to the Streets… On Two Wheels!

While Australians begin to thaw out after a chilly winter, one Sunshine Coast MP is setting out on a cycling tour of the southern Sunshine Coast.

Having laid out the lycra and pumped up the tires, Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace will head off again on his bicycle on Monday, as he embarks on his seventh annual listening tour around the Fisher electorate.

“We know that over 3 in 4 Australians aren’t getting the physical activity they need to maintain their physical and mental health. At the same time, the cost of living crisis and housing crisis is driving up distress in Australian households. Getting out and getting active is so important to maintain wellbeing,” Mr Wallace said.

When asked about what he expected to hear from the community over the course of the ride, Mr Wallace pointed to issues like healthcare, infrastructure, and community safety as core issues. However, he identified the cost-of-living crisis as the issue he expects most residents will raise during Tour de Fisher.

“What I’m hearing when I knock on doors, call constituents and speak with locals out and about is that the cost of living and the cost of doing business are the overriding concerns,” Mr Wallace said.

“Locals feel like they’re being ripped off every time they open their wallet, tap their phone, or look at their bank balance. And they know that the State and Federal Government don’t give a toss about our community here – and the infrastructure and services we need,” Mr Wallace added.

“I look forward to hearing what our community has to say over the coming week. I urge local residents to sign some petitions, fill out some surveys, collect some resources, and let me know what matters are important to you,” Mr Wallace encouraged.

Mr Wallace said that his Listening Posts were a great opportunity to get behind local campaigns to deliver Sunshine Coast Rail to Maroochydore; for better mobile phone reception in the Hinterland; for action on the Cost of Living; and to fix local roads by reversing cuts to the Mooloolah River Interchange, Bruce Highway and Caloundra Transport Corridor.

Now in its seventh year, this iteration of the popular Tour de Fisher will run from August 26-30, with 22 Fisher Listening Posts held in 13 postcodes over five days. The event kicks off from Lions Park, Ormonde Tce in Kings Beach on Monday, 26 August from 9:00am. The tour concludes at Cliff Hargreaves Park, Westaway Pde in Currimundi on Friday 30 August from 12.00pm.

More details of times and locations can be found at www.andrewwallacemp.com.au/tour.

Please note times are subject to change as there may be delays due to weather or unforeseen circumstances

(including mechanical failure of the bike or the rider).