We predict, you decide who wins
Glen Elmes
Mr Elmes is the sitting member. He is a 56-year-old former local radio boss at 4GY who was elected in 2006 after first standing in the 2004 election won by Labor's Cate Molloy.
Mr Elmes is married and has a son and daughter. Having lived locally for 26 years, Mr Elmes has a detailed understanding of his Noosa electorate and at the last election was able to covert Noosa back to a safe conservative seat. This was after Labor angered locals with the Traveston Crossing dam proposal (which saw Ms Molloy abandon the Labor Party) and the forced council amalgamation, which many voters are still bristling about - when not mulling over Labor's surprise forced assets sales and ditching of the fuel subsidy.
Mr Elmes has made the decoupling of Noosa from the regional council his number one objective and this is unlikely to cost him any part of his 20% winning margin, which saw him win all but one of the electoral booths. He has been able to have LNP leader Campbell Newman commit to a de-amalgamation boundary review and referendum. Locally Mr Elmes has delivered a refurbished fire station in Noosa and major road upgrades at Tinbeerwah and Doonan after lengthy lobbying. Mr Elmes has been climate change shadow minister and was later police and emergency services shadow until Mr Newman's ascendancy, which saw him lose out in the party machinations. Mr Elmes lists his key electoral drivers as: a determination to keep Noosa the environmentally-friendly and sustainable community, a passion for social justice and community safety and well-being and protecting tourism, small business and encouraging regional development.
Bob Jarvis
Mr Jarvis has a local profile in Noosa having served on the last Noosa Council before amalgamation and like the other Bob who founded his party - Bob Katter - does not shy away from a perception as a colourful, knockabout character who calls it as he sees it. The former welder has gone the way of another unconventional politician by buying into a fish and chip shop at Tewantin.
Given Mr Jarvis refused to have a bar of the new Coast regional council, it is hardly surprising that a guaranteed Noosa de-amalgamation is his first policy priority. However this may be hard to deliver, unless the Australian Party holds the balance of power after March 24.
Mr Jarvis wants to stop coal seam gas in Queensland and was moving to establish a Lock The Gate local branch to this end. Mr Jarvis has nominated preserving Noosa's iconic values and protecting its lifestyle, while reforming the Noosa Biosphere structure, as his key priorities.
Mr Jarvis has been a local rugby league coaching director and was involved in gymnastics and masters sports. He is keen to promote employment opportunities while strengthening local tourism, improving Noosa's health facilities, provide more affordable accommodation and promote freight transportation.
Jim McDonald
Dr McDonald is an articulate Sunshine Beach academic of 16 years standing, who should appeal to Noosa's strong Green constituency. The trouble for his prospects is that local conservatives also have a green enough tinge when it comes to preserving Noosa's core values. Mr McDonald, a widower with a son, stood at the last Federal election as a Green against LNP federal leader Warren Truss and matched it with him at the candidates' debate.
He also stood for council in 2003 as a supporter of Noosa's population cap. The retired former industrial relations lecturer now writes and acts in theatre and is a paid up member of Actor's Equity. Dr McDonald said he was attracted to join a party because: " there is a real Australian idealism in the Greens' policies - the fair go that
neither of the old parties seems much interested in any more".
His priority is to give strong support for "the sustainable vision that has made Noosa what it is".
Dr McDonald favours allowing for a referendum on a Noosa de-amalgamation with the costs of any split born by the State Government. He has been leading the fight in the region against coal seam gas.
His other priority concerns include: improved health service delivery, promoting business and secure work opportunities for families, planning for the effects of climate change, a light rail system linking all centres and a rapid rail system to Brisbane as well as a regional food security strategy.
Kurt Hopkins
Mr Hopkins has been showing his face for Labor in the electorate, when not bartending to pay his way through a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Indonesian language at the University of Queensland. Mr Hopkins, 21, has travelled extensively, but has not been resident in Noosa.
His online party profile states he: "wasn't fortunate enough to grow up in Noosa, but is excited about joining the community and fighting to preserve its unique character and lifestyle".
At a recent Noosa Parks Association candidates' meeting Mr Hopkins insisted he was taking this run for office seriously. He told the Noosa News this seat was a tough fight, but winnable for Labor.
Mr Hopkins claims a vote for the LNP will put the environment at risk as leader Campbell Newman reportedly has promised to gut the environment department. At the same time he has vowed to set up a marine park taking in most of the Coast.
As well, Mr Hopkins said if the LNP wins, any move to de-amalgamate Noosa from the Sunshine Coast Council would prove a costly exercise for local ratepayers. Mr Hopkins has in the past week endorsed the Bligh Government's three-year price freeze on vehicle registration.
Bill Colley
Independent candidate Bill Colley raised eyebrows last year.
The 47-year-old, the son of former Tewantin Noosa councillor June Colley, paraded on horseback to discuss drug reform.
Mr Colley, who admits to being a long-term marijuana smoker, is in favour of decriminalisation of illicit drugs.
Mr Colley says a new approach should be taken by registering not only drug users, including alcohol, but gamblers as well. He said mental health professionals would look after the licensing department.
His other main policy announced in the lowest of low-key campaigns to date, advocates a Queensland Government homebuyer co-op to provide 25% of a home deposit.
Gemika Maloney
Has shied away from media contact since becoming the Family First candidate. This information is from the Christian "family values" party website:
Ms Maloney is a local resident and married mother of two young children. Her employment in retail and management has given her contact with the public. With her husband she enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle and involvement in her community.
"Like many young mothers Gemika is concerned about the lessening of the recognition and support for the traditional family as the basis for a successful society. There is a great need for Family First's policies promoting the family, small business and choice for parents in the education of their children in a school with values congruent with their own.
"There needs to be adequate care for all sections of society from the unborn to the aged and better planning for the infrastructure needs of developing areas. In the Noosa area there needs to be careful encouragement of tourism whilst protecting the great natural attraction of the area for both tourists and residents. Giving your first preference to Gemika will ensure that all parties recognise the importance of these priorities."
