Let’s get on with rail
It is extraordinary to see a State Government react negatively to an announcement of Federal funding in the recent budget for a rail project to link the Sunshine Coast centres with the North Coast Rail Line from Brisbane to Cairns.
Whether this is an appropriate time for the announcement is hardly the issue when major infrastructure funding is offered.
Light rail is a screamingly obvious need to be implemented from the existing north-south rail line, connecting Brisbane with Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Noosa and back to the line again. The limitations of existing or possible roads/highways linking these main centres, the hospital and university, become more demanding with time and the distances are not small. Thus, planning and building a public transport loop/link is an imperative for the future.
Why no Queensland State Government has not developed this project to a higher level already is comment on all their abilities and intentions to plan and manage major infrastructure projects. Whoever is in government in Queensland should progress this great need without delay.
DAVID MCCREADY, Noosa
It is not surprising to see the State Government (1) Not get on board with anything the Federal Government puts forward, and (2) Not support the Sunshine Coast. The only way the CAMCOS is going to get built is if the Labour Government gets voted out. The State Labour Government has a long history of not being able to work with any level of government. For years we have seen them do nothing but argue with any funding initiative put forward by the Federal Government. And sadly, it’s happening now with one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure the region needs. And unfortunately, it’s going to affect how the world sees us during the 2032 Olympic games.
GRANT HUTSON
The train line from Beerwah to Maroochydore is for Queensland, not a ploy for a whinge session. Get on with the job, and pat one another on the back after the 2032 games.
DENIS DE VERE
Saving glossy black cockatoos
Well done SCN for your article on the Sunshine Beach glossy black cockatoos habitat destruction by the Uniting Church of Queensland to build a high-end retirement facility.
It is shocking but not surprising to see this prime habitat destruction in an area of Australia that is supposed to be a nature biosphere. Once again we have to sit back and watch our three levels of government fail to protect the things that need protecting against the want/wishes of the community.  Blame for failure regularly gets pushed between the three government levels but ultimately the money attached to development trumps common-sense and we as a human race lose out once more.
LOIS PEARSON
More and more of our natural land gone for development. More of our rare and unique native wildlife gone forever. When will the elected people start listening and stop profiting for their own benefit. Build these places on already cleared land. It’s disgraceful.
LENORE TAYLOR
Glossy black habitat.
Please save it.
Bit by bit the world diminishes.
Individuals are accountable.
LYNDA ARBON
It beggars belief; destroying a thriving piece of biodiversity which nurtures life, so that decrepit old people have somewhere to await death. Uniting Care clearly has no compassion for our wildlife; shame on them and the Qld governments — state and local.
RIGIL BEST
Black Cockatoo habitat destroyed. It’s all about the money. It’s a shame you could not buy some of this land for the future of the birds. Or secure as a nature park.
Present this idea to the Morrison Government.
MAYLENE HEYDON
