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: Public submissions open for luxury beach hotel
No, no and no.
We do not need another high-rise building at Caloundra.
Our beautiful town no longer has the quaint easy-going lifestyle that we all love Caloundra for. I don’t want our town to be another Noosa or Mooloolaba. Roads and parking can’t cope at the moment. The added extra of what comes with a high-rise will be unbearable. The proposed building is far too high for the esplanade at Bulcock Beach and should not be allowed.
A definite no.
Berri Fanning, Caloundra
- Read the story: Surfers make most of perfect waves at lake runout
I remember about 20 years ago the local surfers at Moffat decided to dig out an opening at Tooway Lake to form some banks out in front.
We were busy digging with our hands and a couple of shovels when the police arrived and ordered us to stop.
Wow, how times have changed.
Chris Leon, Shelly Beach
- Read the story: State says potential growth area should remain rural for now
Why, after more than 10 years of planning, would a new state government stop this from happening given the current housing crisis and the need for more affordable development?
This is also the largest greenfield site available on the Sunny Coast not owned by a corporation. It seems very similar to when the lobbyists pressured the then-state government to call in Caloundra South.
Seems like a very bizarre decision.
Murray Swindles, Landsborough
- Read the story: New route proposed for ‘Bruce Highway alternative’
I would like to respond to Mr Mickelson’s comments about using Old Gympie Road as an alternative to take pressure off the Bruce and Steve Irwin Way.
We live on this road, at the Landsborough end, and I can’t think of anything worse. It is already used daily as a highway as an alternative route for very heavy trucks, which are not suited on this road, along with constant car use. I would also like to mention, as we are a railway town with only one way out, that all that traffic is clogging Landsborough-Maleny Road as it is.
When the trains come, the road is banked for ages at both ends, and not to forget the road then enters on to Steve Irwin Way.
L Burfein, Landsborough
- Read the story: Speed limit reductions along major roads
When are the police intending to commence enforcing the new 50km/h speed limit restrictions on Aerodrome Road and Alexandra Parade?
And will the speed exclusivity continue for the motorbikes and their excessive sound tolerance?
It’s time for action.
Anthony Robinson, Alexandra Headland
- Read the story: Council votes to refuse next stage of housing estate and Court appeal lodged over refusal of housing development
Given the recent rain events, this seems like an opportune time to examine how the floodplains appear under relatively normal rainfall conditions.
Despite a cyclone, the BOM reported 261.4mm of total rainfall for March 2025 compared to 347.6mm in March 2024 for the proposed development area.
Water pooled at the proposed development site with slow drainage, where other areas have gone completely dry.
Long-term residents have observed the Maroochy River banks fully submerged in the past in this area, which could make asking the community for historical photos of such events valuable.
As a member of the Bli Bli community, I’m deeply concerned about this proposal.
I appreciate SCN’s efforts to keep the public informed about the associated risks, should a development like Parklakes 3 ever gain approval, which seems increasingly unlikely given the substantial data highlighting flood risks in this area.
Nicolas Morel, Bli Bli
- Read the stories: Rail and metro buses to link airport by 2032 and Interchange plan key to unlocking traffic ‘chokehold’
Has anyone considered the O-Bahn system used in Adelaide?
The buses are multi-purpose and the track system has a much smaller environmental footprint.
In Adelaide, it uses the River Torrens as its main east-west corridor and runs above the river, leaving the river itself undisturbed.
Rob, Buderim
This rail metro link is not for the Sunshine Coast residents’ benefit.
They need transport that helps with their daily commuting needs.
This project is all about the Olympics and a band-aid that will not solve our grid-locked roads now or into the future.
Diane Derby, Marcoola
The Wave – more like a limp-wristed wave goodbye to the Maroochydore railway station that has been on the books since 2001.
This can only be the beginning of the backsliding. There is the small matter of the 1.1km Little Mountain tunnel between the Caloundra and Aroona stations, for which there is no budget, so this side or the other of the 2028 state election the government of the day is going to have to announce that heavy rail can only get as far as Caloundra before the Olympic Games after all.
Or maybe we should just take the Premier at his word that there really will also be an airport-bus-only bridge in the sky over the Maroochy River while the David Low Bridge at Bli Bli awaits duplication and the motorway interchange at Coolum stays gridlocked.
Peter Baulch, North Arm
I must express my disappointment with this new state government after going back on their commitment to build the rail connection all the way to Maroochydore.
This full-court press PR campaign over The Wave is hiding the fact that the train line will no longer connect the new CBD with Brisbane. Now, it seems that the train line to Maroochydore will never be built.
Why should the Sunshine Coast have to accept a mish-mash of different systems cobbled together in order to meet the 2032 deadline?
The Olympics will last two weeks but we need convenient infrastructure that will last for generations.
Sam, Maroochydore
- Read the story: Australians to cast federal election vote on May 3
An issue for candidates seeking our votes is where they stand on health.
It is a concern that spans Australians young and old, families and single people, rural and urban dwellers.
“You can have a thousand problems in life until you have a health problem. Then you only have one. Money, relationships, and stress fade away in the shadow of it. Suddenly, the things you worried about seem so small. Nothing else matters because your body or mind is screaming for help.
“Health isn’t just something you have – it’s everything. It’s the ability to wake up and feel alive, to move freely, to laugh without pain, to breathe without struggle. We take it for granted and don’t truly understand how precious it is until it’s gone. When your health is compromised, every little thing becomes harder. Dreams get put on hold. Happiness feels distant and life’s colours start to fade.”
These are words from the heart of a true statesman – Nelson Mandella.
We need our politicians to attain this level of sincere understanding with policies to maintain our health.
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs
Well, the countdown has begun to what will be a crucial federal election for all Australians and the future direction we take.
Promises will be abundant and more details on policies will be forthcoming. Comparisons will take place from all sides of the aisle and their supporters.
I will lead in with two.
Coalition win: will see immediately fuel excise halved with a weekly savings of $14.
Labor win: will see in 15 months time a weekly saving of $5 from a tax cut.
Coalition win: house buyers will be able to utilise $50,000 of their Super to purchase their property.
Labor win: for only 10,000 balloted potential buyers per annum for no longer than four years, a maximum of 40,000 buyers, Labor will provide up to 40 per cent equity and retain this equity for the entirety of the mortgage, not forgetting the possibility of inheritance and death tax also being considered on all homes.
The ensuing weeks will certainly be hectic but crucial.
Phil Broad, Nambour
I am writing to express my concern about the response outlined in the (Leader of the Opposition’s) reply to the Prime Minister’s budget.
While I appreciate the role of public service, I believe the view is out of touch with the majority of the public. Specifically, the cuts to the public service where an already under-the-pump system is noticeably struggling.
Rather than cutting services, what about cutting your expenses and superannuation, perhaps pull your belt in?
It all depends on the type of community that we want to live in, where we give a hand up to those in need. I have never seen so much homelessness. The cost of living is out of control as is the complete arrogance of Mr Dutton.
I am scared for my future and for that of those who are left with the destruction and the results of the knee-jerk reactions, saying what will get the votes rather than for the good of the community.
Dale Johns, Maroochydore
- Read the story: Long-awaited Brisbane 2032 venue plan finally revealed
Thank God they are not in Caloundra where the traffic, at times, is already horrific.
I believe that in Australia we concentrate too much on sport to the detriment of our manufacturing base.
Philip Benjamin, Dicky Beach
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.
