Tewantin's story
River port to suburb
Tewantin was the Noosa area's river port by 1869, its town site was surveyed in 1871, and it started out as a timber town.
Mostly houses
82.2% of occupied homes were separate houses in 2021 and just 5.3% flats or apartments. 25.5% were rented.
The old council town
Tewantin was the seat of Noosa Shire Council from 1 December 1985 to 15 March 2008.
River floods
In February 1992 the Noosa River reached 1.81 metres at Noosaville and Tewantin, and water went under many high-set homes along the river.
Damp air
Average afternoon humidity sits at 63% and rainfall averages 1597.2 mm a year.
On Energex's network
A 2008 Energex substation upgrade named Tewantin first among the northern Sunshine Coast areas it would serve. Blackouts are reported on 13 62 62.
The 2027 rule applies to owner-occupiers too
It's easy to assume smoke alarm laws are only for landlords. In Queensland they're not: every existing home, townhouse and unit needs interconnected photoelectric alarms by 1 January 2027, including the one you live in.
The Queensland Fire Department says to replace any alarm with an ionisation sensor, any that isn't interconnected, and any more than 10 years old. Look for AS 3786-2014 on the label.
Hardwired alarms must be replaced with hardwired ones, by an electrician. If yours run on batteries, you can fit wireless alarms with a non-removable 10-year battery yourself.
Under a high-set house
Riverside homes are often high-set, with a laundry, workshop or power points underneath. Those circuits sit lowest when the river rises.
If water has been under the house, leave those circuits off until an electrician has tested them, and ask whether they can go on their own safety switch so the rest of the house keeps power next time.
If we'd lived in Tewantin for years
We'd look up at the ceiling and check the date on each smoke alarm. If any are older than 10 years or not linked to each other, we'd get one electrician to replace the lot and look over the switchboard while they're there.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.