Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb for accountability, credibility and transparency. Preference will be give to letters of 100 words or less.
- Read the story: 11km of upgraded highway officially opens
Upgrades to the Bruce are welcome, and long overdue, however one of the biggest congestion problems on the motorway is drivers failing to adhere to the very simple rule of ‘keep left unless overtaking’.
The traffic regulations are unambiguously clear on this: if the zone is 90kmh or above, or there is a ‘keep left unless overtaking’ sign, then you must only use the right-hand lane when overtaking.
It’s worth noting too that overtaking does not mean crawling past doing 2kmh more than the vehicle you are overtaking. It means actively overtaking at 5kmh or more faster, as long as you don’t exceed the speed limit.
This isn’t just a nuisance or inconvenience. I’ve no doubt that statistics would show there is an increase in accidents due to this behaviour: traffic starts bunching up and tailgating behind the slow vehicle.
Oh, and by the by, another overtaking rule that many seem to be unaware of is that it is illegal to increase your speed when you are being overtaken.
We’ve all been there. Stuck behind a driver doing 90kmh in a 110kmh zone. They finally move left and they then speed up to 120kmh as you try to overtake.
Adam Woodhams, Eumundi
- Read the story: Jane Stephens: we need to enforce e-scooter laws
Here’s an idea, how about making it compulsory for a one-off registration for all e-vehicles (scooters and bikes) so that they are made responsible for their actions by being both reportable and fineable.
Maybe then they won’t push their luck.
Suzie Dillon, Sippy Downs
I read your article on the issues that e-scooter riders are causing everywhere on the Sunshine Coast and agree completely. They have become a nuisance and something needs to be done.
My wife and myself walk and jog every second day in may different locations on the Sunshine Coast and have noticed that these e-scooters represent a major health risk to themselves and pedestrians in many locations. They seem to ignore all the laws – I would say that just one in 10 wear the mandatory helmet, most speed well beyond the approved limits on the footpaths, many are looking at smartphones mounted on the handlebars while riding and they provide no warning when they quietly race up behind you at great speed on a footpath. At least most bikes sound their bells to alert you about their presence.
We have had many close-calls from out-of-control e-scooter riders and on the major roads have witnessed some speeding at more than 60kmh and ignoring traffic signals and so on.
Overall, these e-scooter riders are very selfish, irresponsible and dangerous, and breaking the relevant breaking the laws. Why aren’t the police doing something about these offenders?
I think we need these e-scooters (and e-bikes) to be registered and have a small number plate displayed on the rear so riders and offenders can be identified.
Mark Stanley, Maroochydore
- Read the story: Twenty years early: suburbs swamped by rapid rise of water
This morning we walked along the beach path south of Military Jetty. The government’s failure to act on the Bribie Island breakthrough is now forcing ratepayers to pay for the environmental damage due to serious erosion of the foreshore, obstruction by fallen trees in the waterway and a decline in water quality for swimmers.
The Bribie gap increases daily, causing more and more problems on the mainland. Lives are put at risk because of the forced changes in accessing the sea.
Government policy is to do nothing. What is the LNP policy? Please let voters know before the election.
John Tanner, Pelican Waters
- Read the story: Plans and details revealed for rail line to coast
“About 83 per cent, or 15.8km, of the track between Beerwah and Caloundra stations is designed to allow speeds of 140kmh or faster. This is expected to enable passengers to travel between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane at least 46 minutes faster.”
I spoke to a Queensland Rail representative when they attended the Caloundra Markets last year, and there is no way the rail line will ever reach these speeds because of the narrow gauge used in Queensland, which cannot accommodate speeds over 100kmh.
The line from Landsborough to Fortitude Valley now takes 90 minutes. The line is no longer an express from Caboolture but stops at five extra stations until Petrie Station and then becomes an express. Add another 15.8km of track, not sure how you would think this would enable the train to get to Brisbane 46 minutes faster.
Kerrie Darcy, Currimundi
- Read the story: Notification period for 178-room resort bid begins
I am greatly concerned of the potential destruction of this quiet, peaceful, beautiful amenity of Serenity Close – a natural wildlife haven with established native trees and amazing birds – and Grant Street, with the impact of this new development and the ensuring traffic.
Kathryn Burns, Noosa Heads
- Read the story: Uncertain future for clubs making way for new venue
There is plenty of land at end of Main Drive, Kawana, that is bush.
Not sure who owns it, but surely you could negotiate that.
S Faux, Beerwah
- Read the story: Tens of thousands of native animals saved by fox control
In Nimmitabel in the Monaro region on NSW, the farmers individually baited foxes before lambing but were never coordinated in their efforts.
This really benefited the foxes because as one farm became free of foxes, young ones moved in from neighbouring farms and began breeding rapidly, whereas if they had stayed home they would not have bred because the top female would not allow them to.
If the farmers had all baited at the same time they would have had a devastating effect on the foxes over the whole region.
S.E. Chandler, Nimmitabel, NSW
The closure of the Cooroy coffee cafe should come as no surprise to anyone.
The key functions of councils are to maintain the roads, collect the garbage and make life as difficult as possible for ratepayers, without fear or favour. The closure of a popular business was therefore well within their remit.
Ken Baker, Cedar Pocket
- Read the story: Full list of Coast’s ANZAC Day services
The 16-year-old Alec Campbell, who lied about his age to enlist in the Great War, whose fallen comrades from the 1915 ANZAC Cove landings age shall not weary, survived the Gallipoli battle until he too (like us) was left to grow old. Alec, the last ANZAC soldier left, breathed his last at 103 years in 2002.
ANZAC Day 2024’s dawn breaks on Mooloolaba Beach as the Last Post serenades the photo portrait of Alec, the boy kitted in military uniform, his right hand supporting a bayonetted rifle upright.
The Alec of 1915 would probably be chuffed at the sacrifice of surf lifesavers who keep our beaches safe for swimmers.
Burial at sea, with lifesavers bearing oars aloft then churning them gently through lapping waves as their long row boats approach the beach, reminds me of the Cove landings 109 years ago, an unintended re-enaction of a singular heroic tribute. It serves to remind that surf lifesavers and soldiers are connected by selfless sacrifice, one fighting just wars and the other preserving life in peacetime.
Joseph Ting, Carina
- Seniors pursue new experiences
It is exhilarating to meet seniors who retain a reinvigorated, youthful zest for life, building on their knowledge from the past as they explore new fields and contribute to the community.
When I visited the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum on a group tour with my aged care provider, Comlink, I met such a person who had renewed their youthful achievements and shared their vision for the future. The displays were engaging but the highlight was meeting Bevan, the 83-year-young passionate guide. With his metallurgical engineering background, Bevan went beyond being authoritative and informative in taking us on a journey from Gympie’s fascinating mining past up to exploration today and future scenarios.
I meet similar seniors regularly in the Creative Lab at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Having grown up with Kodak box brownie cameras, we have renewed our youth venturing into the expanding fields of drone photography, virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and 3D printing.
Our children are gobsmacked by our hands-on technological adventures. As grandparents driven by our spirit of actively creating our grandchildren’s future, we’re defying the image of Nan and Pop sitting at home with a crocheted blanket as passengers on the sidelines of our mainstream communities. We are exhilarated by what we do, spurred on by the other youthful seniors in the closely knit group of future explorers and pragmatic academic mentors.
Seniors Month in October will offer multiple opportunities for us and other seniors to explore a range of new experiences as we acknowledge the value of the past, actively participate in the now by contributing to our communities, and venture into the future. The theme is ‘Love Getting Older in Queensland’.
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs
- School crossing zones concern
It seems that the police have not got the time to police the school crossing zones during the morning and afternoon.
I rang the Kawana police trying to get a radar placed on Saffron Drive during these times as the traffic is ignoring the flashing signs to slow down to 40kmh. I was previously told that I had to ask the station commander and they would see what they could do for us.
The poor lollipop ladies have to risk their lives trying to get the traffic to stop for them every day, and children who have to use the crossing after the ladies leave, due to after-hours sporting training, run the risk of being hit by a speeding car or truck.
I see a lot of people still using their phones while driving and give a stupid ‘sorry’ wave when they realise they have to hit their brakes.
I have grandchildren who use these crossing zones every day and I would hate them or any other children to witness one of these poor ladies or a child get hit and injured or, worse, killed. I hope that this scenario doesn’t happen but it seems the only way the police will act is when this happens and not because concerned people want something done beforehand.
Barry, Currimundi
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb for accountability, credibility and transparency. Preference will be give to letters of 100 words or less.
