Accident waiting to happen
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Just read the article about police presence around schools to catch speeders. I tried to get a radar to operate on Saffron Drive, Currimundi, last year to no avail.
Saffron Drive is one of the major thoroughfares to get to the Nicklin Way and a lot of traffic uses it. I see constantly a lot of drivers, especially tradies, speeding through here from 7am until about 8.45am with no regards to the school crossing speed limit.
My grandkids leave my house to cross the road where the lollipop people are and many a time I’ve seen the lollipop people take evasive action not to be hit by cars who ignore their red sign being held up. This is a well-used crossing and I’m dreading the day someone is killed or seriously injured here in the morning or afternoon – sadly it will be a child and then it’s too late to say ‘oops, we should have monitored this road’.
I’ve seen these reports before and as far as the police are concerned it doesn’t happen here. The people know the police won’t do a radar here so they can keep speeding and the lollipop people should get out of their way instead of hindering them.
Barry Chin, Currimundi
Dog waste a growing problem
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Following your recent article about people not picking up dog waste at a nursery, I’d like to comment that I have noticed this happening more and more on the Coast.
I walk my dog every day around Currimund lake and I have noticed that since council no longer provides disposable bags there is more doggy waste about.
I buy 75 doggy poo disposable bags for $2.50 at The Reject Shop, which is not expensive but some folks don’t care about the environment to do this.
Shirley Baker, Currimundi
Parking dangers
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I read the article and couldn’t agree more with Tim Dwyer. Although I live in a suburban street in Manly in Brisbane, the problem of this happening couldn’t be more dangerous.
Councils come out and inspect these monstrosities and notify the owners to fix it. This doesn’t fix the sight problem for potential serious accidents. They put covers on boats 7.5m long on street corners, it’s ridiculous that this has been allowed to happen.
Caravans of similar size add to the problem. Why are they allowed suburban street parking? They don’t transport passengers and block street viewing of residents backing or driving out of their properties.
Our particular problem was a boat on one side of our driveway and a caravan on the other side 15m from a busy street T-junction. Our line of sight of vehicles rounding the corner was non-existent. We discussed the issue with them, but they were reluctant to agree a problem existed. Council viewed one in breach and the other within the guidelines. Both had the serious potential of causing nasty accidents and should have been viewed accordingly.
Right behind you Tim.
Jack James, Manly
Foreshore win
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In my view, the blue design looks by far the best. Such facilities do not need to stand out. They need to be practical, discrete and modern; to blend with the environment and keep cool; and to be built to last in this fast-growing population.
Rosie McDonnell
Speed limit solution
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The easy solution here is that the speed of e-scooters should be at walking/running pace on shared pathways.
Gary Eykhof, Mooloolaba
Some keep knocking Australia
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It amazes me that people who take full advantage of what this country offers, and take advantage of what the government (which is really the people of Australia) offers, are quick to downgrade the country they live in.
Change the date
As a fairly conservative white Australian, I used to advocate not changing the date of Australia Day. I changed my mind. Change the date.
I can catalogue quite a few reasons why, but why rehash that? I propose a date that represents what most Australians hold dear, such achievement over adversity via sport and relevant to the 21st century. The date: September 25, the day Cathy Freeman won 400m gold at the Sydney Olympics in the year 2000.
Grace Hill, Glass House Mountains
Full extent of the law
I was in the fault. Accept it. No doubt. It’s the law so not much of an argument – except for being a good fella, and it’s Christmas Eve, and all I was looking for was some discretion and understanding from both sides and to be on my way with my tail between my legs. Which happened anyway…
Around midday, I took the puppies out of the unit to the park across the road for a wee wee. Two 12-month-old groodles – great pups and well trained and well mannered and on the lead. On command they did their business and to my fault I let them off while there to chase two balls for two throws as the park was vacant – not a soul in sight on the walkway anywhere … except for the officers hiding in the bushes, or so it felt.
I was thinking, or hoping, they were only going to come over and compliment me about how nice the boys were, or have a chat to me about dog rules – but they didn’t and I was educated about the rules and how dangerous dogs are to the community areas and sharing the park … all while the pups who committed the crime of ball-chasing sat beside me with no lead awaiting the next command. A real threat to society – not. I put the boys on lead and under sufferance accepted my fate wondering why these two officers were not at some Christmas party half-drunk already.
But no, I was told my Christmas present would be in the mail, fined $287 for offence code LL2 S.13(1) – failure to ensure an animal is under effective management in public place. Their kind discretion being a discount of one pooch fine only. Can’t discuss with anyone, can’t fight it as you have to go to the magistrates court.
I accepted it under sufferance and have paid it. However, not without trying to understand the hefty consequent fine and arguing there is nowhere within walking distance in Maroochydore I can go to. Encouraging dense living is one thing, but there’s no provision for off-leash exercise and critical social development anywhere except Buderim dump.
So I read the council’s Management Plan for Domestic Animals (Cats and Dogs 2021-2030), a plan to educate but ultimately enforce with extra patrols and officers, which I support if they are targeting the people doing wrong or are a threat to their plan. But I question the true motives, where all week I witness others off-lead but no action. The plan’s “goal” statement aims for a harmonious existence between people, pets and places –not on this day unfortunately.
Just a bit of moaning I guess by a good fella and his good boys.
Happy new year from here I guess.
Zac (surname withheld), Maroochydore
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