The ongoing question at Caloundra is what to do about the Caloundra bar?
It was only a matter of time before the sand movement impacted the Pumicestone Passage and caused a monumental problem, which occurred with a recent delayed rescue of some troubled boaties.
Read our story here: Coast Guard desperate for dredging after crew’s rescue attempt impeded
For our readers, it seems the answer is not quite straight forward…
Too late for dredging?
It is much too late for the Coast Guard at Caloundra to be complaining about silting of the old Bribie passage, which is preventing them from taking their 10m rescue boat out to sea at low tide.
There were plenty of opportunities in the last two years for them to say something to prevent the breakthrough before it happened, but I don`t remember seeing any mention of any possible preventative proposals by them in the local news media.
For supposedly experienced seamen, they have missed the opportunity to influence their own fate.
Other more-astute observers had suggested that the weakened section where the breakthrough eventuated, could have been reinforced by a line of large sandbags; followed by construction of a groin on the ocean side of the spit, of the type used recently to stabilise the entrance to the Maroochy river.
This narrow neck would then have grown wider by sand drifting north and collecting against the groin. This could have been hastened by employing the sand dredge which was working in the Maroochy River at that time.
Now that the powers-that-be are probably faced with a large annual bill for dredging, will they learn to listen to common-sense advice and pre-empt problems for a small cost, compared with the enormous cost that has now resulted from their negligence.
Alan Ward, Buderim
**
Dredging Dilemma
It’s obvious that any dredging action would be generating a very short-term result there.
The developer of the marina will need to do work constantly or do major reinforcement works, which as we all know will only result in some further erosion either north or south of there.
Mark Weiss, Caloundra
**
Sea Wall Needed?
In my opinion, a sea wall along areas of Golden Beach, is what should be top priority.
Dredging is expensive and never ending. Mother Nature will always have her way!
Rosemary McDonnell, Pelican Waters
**
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
**
Town crime
In regard to safety in Nambour, more cameras and lighting would be a start.
Also, start to fix the skateparks in the Hinterland – Palmwoods, Maleny, Mapleton, Montville, Eudlo – and take a positive approach to the forgotten generations, 10 to 20 year olds. They need safe places to engage and play after school for free.
Want to stop youth crime, make youth spaces and light them up at night, just like the coastal fringe, Alexandra Headland, Dicky Beach. Where is the Hinterland’s share of the money?
Andrew Jackson, Palmwoods
**
Peregian Springs Golf Course
I have lived on the Sunshine Coast since 1989 and the Peregian Springs Golf Course is yet another struggling business due to the restrictions of the biosphere. People cannot afford to live in Noosa or the springs.
So many businesses struggling for staff in the area that would normally go to the younger generations, backpackers and travelers, and why would they travel 45mins, say, from Maroochydore to work hospitality in this region.
With rentals and living costs at an all-time high, playing a round of golf on a regular basis is again for the rich and famous.
Diversity is the key.
Yvonne (surname withheld), Peregian Springs
**
Read more recent reader opinions here: Your say: music festival, mass transport, dredging discussions and cinema revival
**
Cool forest, hot topic
I read about the Cool Urban Forests project in the Sunshine Coast News on 8 November and think it is an excellent idea – we all need more trees and cool vegetation in the coming years.
However, the SCC project Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU) proposes to destroy mature trees and understorey in Ben Bennett Bushland Park and more mature trees in Bicentennial Park – a lovely urban oasis – to make a four-lane highway from Nicklin Way to Omrah Ave.
There have been many community protests about this plan: not only will it not relieve traffic congestion on the Caloundra Rd roundabout (its stated rationale) but it will cause much social distress by alienating senior citizens from accessible bush land and destroy much loved native flora and fauna.
The only advantage appears to be to lead some traffic to the new Henzell’s resort on Omrah Ave.
I hope the Cool Urban Forests project researchers consider the disadvantages of this proposal to cool bush already in existence.
Dr Helen Cooke, Caloundra
**
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
