Within a couple of months, Noosa Council could be forcibly amalgamated with the rest of the Sunshine Coast – unless we the people, as proud and united Noosanauts, continue to stand up and defy the unwanted destiny the Beattie Government is imposing on this community.

How can Noosa beat Beattie? How do we Noosanauts stop Noosa from being amalgamated? Simple.

We declare that Noosa will secede and become an independent nation in its own right. Either Noosa stays as a local government or Noosa goes its own way altogether!

The process for declaring a new nation or state is very straightforward, and goes like this.

The four requirements of statehood, under the 1922 Montevideo Convention of international law, are recognised as:

1) Permanent population - Noosa has a permanent population approaching 50,000 people;

2) Defined territory – Noosa has an area of approximately 800 square kilometres, and this area could expand to include Eumundi, Doonan and Verrierdale, and parts of Cooloola, should their residents decide that they too want to become constituent Noosanauts;

3) Government – Noosa has a system of government founded in 1910, and;

4) Capacity to enter into relations with the other states – Noosa is a member of the regional organisation of local governments (SUNROC), and the SEQ Council of Mayors, and has sister city relationships around the world (e.g. France, Japan, Uruguay, Macedonia).

So it can be clearly and demonstrably argued that Noosa already fulfils the requirements necessary for the birth of a new nation named Noosa.

I have already decided not to be overtaken by reforms emanating from Brisbane.

In anticipation of amalgamation I have already declared my own unilateral independence and nationhood as an example of how to lead the way, rather than follow the herd.

In January 2007 I founded my own realm – the Dude/chy of Danksta Downunder. In February 2007 this new nation was launched on MySpace.

Visitors are always welcome to log in via www.myspace.com/dankstadownunder

The newly independent state of Danksta Downunder is based on the principles of international law described above.

It has a permanent population of one, an area of one room as well as the entire realm of the imagination, a motivated one-person government and friendly relations with over 460 others from around the world, ranging from the Conch Republic located in Florida to the Brisbane Artists Republic closer to home.

Noosa the nation would do well to set itself up as an electronic domain that will flourish even if Noosa Council ceases to exist.

Since any individual can set up their own state, then so too can any community - like Noosa.

Indeed, other communities and councils around Queensland, also threatened by the imminent prospect of amalgamation, could decide to secede and declare their independence too.

How would the Queensland Government cope with multiple local councils breaking away and becoming what the European Union calls “Pays-en-dehors” (The Countries Outside)?

Further information on setting up a new nation is available from these two useful sources:
1) The website www.micronations.net and
2) Lonely Planet’s guide to Micro-Nations (2006).

Noosa might as well step up and become a nation, before its council and community are consigned to becoming just another backlot within a gigantic city council.

The Tourism Noosa slogan “There’s Only One Noosa” should be amended to “There’s Only One Nation Named Noosa”.

So Noosa’s fate is up to all Noosanauts everywhere! Don’t Give Up!

Hamish has two my space websites. On one he writes about poetry, writing, music and other interests such as performing, reading, history and archaeology * link to site while the other focuses on amalgamation and other local issues * link to site