Residents and business owners at a popular beachside suburb are crying out for urgent ongoing safety upgrades and a ‘show of love’ for their neighbourhood.
The call comes in response to concerns that Sunshine Coast Council infrastructure funding is being unfairly directed to neighbouring areas.
One business owner, who said her concerns reflect those of her neighbouring businesses, said pedestrian safety concerns, parking availability, beach and disability access, and general beautification in Moffat Beach were all in desperate need of attention.
Robyn Watkins, of Whit and Watt on Seaview Terrace, told Sunshine Coast News she fears the neighbourhood was becoming “less enticing” for visitors and that a lack of local upkeep could pose a safety risk.
Sunshine Coast Council has responded to the concerns, advising that community concern regarding safety was taken very seriously. It added that some maintenance and repairs had been carried out in the neighbourhood, and assured that more improvements were scheduled.
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Ms Watkins hoped her speaking out would draw more attention to the issues.
She noted that she had herself tripped on uneven pavement outside her business, resulting in several injuries. She added that the many families, along with dogs, who came to local parks were without adequate shade, tables and amenities, and that carparking was also limited.
Ms Watkins felt work had also been slow on vital upgrades to the seawall, which was damaged during February’s weather event. The wild weather also forced the removal of two 90-year-old Norfolk pines and stair access to the beach.
Ms Watkins told SCN she was disappointed with the level of attention from Council for the localised issues, claiming money was instead being funnelled heavily into Caloundra.
The Council 2022-23 Budget did not allocate any capital works funding for Moffat Beach.
Within the budget, division two funding promised $5.3 million towards initial construction of a new library in Caloundra and $4.5 million in transport and road works, mostly near Caloundra State High School.
Ms Watkins is disappointed Moffat Beach missed out.
“(The Council is) not making it enticing to go there,” she said.
“The parking is a major issue, access to the beach is an issue and we need more tables and chairs to make the area more family friendly.
“The park is big and barren, it’s neglected, there is no greenery in the middle of the park and there is no shade there. Even where they have put new tables and chairs along the beach front there is no shade there, no barbecues.
“There has been a lot of money spent in the main street (of Caloundra).
“Until people start stomping up and down and say, ‘we’re here, take notice’, nothing will happen.”
“I pressure clean out the front of my shop and put pot plants to try and make it look presentable. Some greenery and nice lighting to promote the cafe and retail precinct is in great need.”
Ms Watkins had contacted local councillor Terry Landsberg regarding the uneven pavers outside her shop, which have subsequentially been repaired.
A Council spokesperson told SCN that action had been carried out to rectify the issues she has raised.
“The pavers along the northern end of Seaview Terrace, close to the corner of Bryce Street at Moffat Beach, have subsequently been repaired to ensure safety for all users,” the spokesperson said.
“Pressure cleaning of the pavers has been scheduled for future works.”
In response to funding concerns, Council said it had recently completed a $365,560 upgrade to a section of the Moffat Beach coastal pathway – this was included in the 2021/22 Sunshine Coast Council Budget.
“The project included widening the popular section of shared pathway and upgrading the picnic areas, adjacent shelter and irrigation, which improves safety and amenity for the area.”
The Council pointed out that it had adopted the Sunshine Coast Recreation Parks Plan (RPP) at a meeting in December 2021, providing a framework to deliver and manage recreation parks over the next 10 years.
“Community feedback received during the RPP development is incorporated into future park designs including opportunities to connect with nature in cooler, vegetated play spaces,” the spokesperson said.
Regarding restoration of the seawall, the Council said major repair works were progressing.
“These works will include reinstating the beach access, access ramp, and beach shower as well as further landscaping in the vicinity of the seawall,” the spokesperson said.
“Work is expected to progress in late 2023 pending the outcome of an application for funding from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.”
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