With my failed attempt at politics in last year’s council election, I try to stay away from writing about our community representatives.
I have tried to be good, but this topic I am about to share with you is way too important to let slip through the cracks of budgeting.
I am on about the abandoned lifeguard tower at Wurtulla and the one at Golden Beach.
The disclaimer, of course, is that I live near the one at Wurtulla and have done so since we moved to the area in 1984.
There have been a few battles fought at this beach.
Originally, dogs weren’t allowed on this access at all, but once it was pointed out it was the only one where the elderly or folks with a disability could view the water, common sense prevailed.
The latest is basically the closing down of this area for designated public bathing because of the new patrolled section at Bok Beach that is manned by lifeguards.
They’re basically robbing Peter to pay Paul.
So, Peter misses out.
He is no longer required to be there – even though there is a nice concrete track, viewing platform and unmanned tower.
This is an area where people have been coming to swim maybe for decades, but now they are expected to go north to swim in front of Paul at Bokarina.
But let me say that Paul is pretty bloody busy.
There is still maybe 40 per cent more construction in Paul’s area, no parks available for cars and more folks coming to live.
Yet, Peter has been retired with a perfectly good tower sitting vacant.
The thing is, whether Peter is there or not, a couple of generations of families have been swimming in his area and some don’t see any reason to stop.
Now that is the really scary part.
I mentioned common sense over the original dog issue, but let me tell you that common sense is not so common.
If the powers that be think that putting up a sign saying ‘Danger: beach is closed’ is going to get 100 per cent efficiency, they are dreaming.
Whether it is Peter, Paul or Mary keeping the beach safe 750m away won’t make a skerrick of difference to some.
They will roll the dice and swim where they like, which won’t be a problem until someone drowns.
Then what?
The budget won’t be so important then.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball, and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
