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 given to letters of 100 words or less.
- Read the stories: Design work to start on replacement of ageing seawall and Island breakthrough review opens to public feedback
I have just read about the old seawall to be replaced by a new one. I accept that it probably needs to be done but at least they have a seawall, unlike Golden Beach in Caloundra, which has been endangered and certainly will be in the future.
With the breakthroughs of Bribie Island after the cyclones and tidal surges, areas in Caloundra are in danger and need some drastic attention.
This was ignored when the first breakthrough happened a few years ago. I fail to understand why this has been allowed to get to this stage.
We have a piece of paradise here so let’s not let it disappear. A hell of a lot of residential real estate and businesses are in the firing line. Please don’t let this be ignored any longer.
Peter Brassington, Bulcock Beach
- Read the story: Tree dispute stalls plans for seven-storey project
It seems to be an unreasonable condition to impose, considering that the species is not a native of Australia, is a messy seeder and can be easily replaced once the landscaping is underway on completion of the building.
Alan Ward, Buderim
I agree with council. Trees come before concrete development.
Vanessa Sinclair, Golden Beach
The issue of trees and their retention within the Sunshine Coast Council area is one that the council stands by, even if the tree is listed as a weed.
Within the Sunshine Coast area there are numerous African tulip trees that are Class 3 weeds. These trees drop large red flowers that land on pedestrian walkways and cause the area to have an increased slip zone for pedestrians. After flowering they drop seed pods that are large, have pointed ends and when they fall on tin roofs cause damage. If they were to land on a child it could cause serious injury.
Last but not least, the trees are well documented to kill native bees. With the ongoing threat to bees in this country, why is it that this imported weed is allowed to remain?
Michael Hogan, Buderim
- Read the story: Contractor appointed to billion-dollar rail project
In a local newspaper dated May 8, 2019, Andrew Wallace took a quarter-page advertisement for the purpose of electioneering. He is pictured on a railway platform with his hands on his hips, perhaps to suggest a position of authority.
Underneath this picture are the words ‘Duplicating our rail line. Delivering for Fisher’. It is now six years later, almost to the day.
In that time not a single metre of track has been laid anywhere on the Sunshine Coast. I would suggest that this is not ‘Delivering for Fisher’.
Where is the irony in this? The LNP has been running its campaign on the slogan ‘Getting Australia back on track’.
For this to happen, there must be a track in the first place.
This is not the case for the Sunshine Coast.
Brad Boustead, Dicky Beach
- Read the story: Party calls for end to welcome ceremonies
Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country arose out of an effort to remind people that this country is still the land of First Nations people.
It is based on a tradition in First Nations society of not wandering aimlessly onto someone else’s land, but stopping to be invited and paying respect to the people who live on that country.
And yes, you might not want that to be so, or to be reminded of their continuing presence, and indeed their continuing connection to the land. So, your objection may be that you don’t agree that First Nations people still have a special place in this land.
But you might like to consider that their presence is not the same as all the settlers who have come here, from British penal colonies to later migrant groups.
The acknowledgment of their particular place in this land is a simple act of respect and something of a redress of past attempts to exclude them from our society. It does not take away from your citizenship or affiliation with the country.
It is not performed at many events or on that many occasions – simply those where the gathered people agree that it is appropriate to remind themselves of the importance of our country’s long history.
Many organisations in our society have opening addresses, statements of their purpose or beliefs at important events. This is just one other way of paying respect and acknowledging the importance of and particular place of First Nations people in this country.
Fiona McGill, Sunshine Coast Reconciliation Group Inc chair
I agree that the Welcome to Country should be banned totally.
We, as Australians, don’t need to be welcomed to our own country. It is overused in every way and just plain annoying.
Craig Hickson, Nambour
- Read the story: Your say: breakthrough review, dingo problems and more
Reading Peter Baulch’s letter about the Berkeley nuclear plant got me curious and, after doing a little research about the Berkeley power plant, I noted that it will take 100 years to be fully decommissioned.
Other news items I found about nuclear power in the United Kingdom are concerns about leukemia clusters, especially among children who live near nuclear power stations.
Admittedly, times have changed and, hopefully, safety procedures are more efficient these days but who really wants to live with the prospect of radiation fallout? The LNP’s Tarong site is a mere 100km as the crow flies from the Sunshine Coast.
The Dutton Opposition is promoting a nuclear scheme that prolongs the use of dirty coal-powered stations and will not address climate change for decades.
According to research from Climate Energy Finance, a whole-of-economy analysis demonstrates that the implied costs of the federal Coalition’s nuclear plan runs well into the trillions of dollars, ranging from $4.3 trillion to $5.2 trillion by 2050, including $3.5 trillion in lost GDP. That’s around 60 per cent more than Australia’s annual GDP last year ($2.71 trillion).
All that expense for 4 per cent of our energy needs.
As Peter Baulch said, “We should be careful what we wish for.”
Robyn Deane, Nambour
- Construction music frustrations
I am writing to highlight an important local issue that I believe would resonate with many Sunshine Coast residents – particularly those living in areas experiencing a high volume of new residential construction.
Currently, there are no effective regulations or enforcement pathways regarding the use of amplified music (such as loud radios) on building sites during permitted construction hours. Despite contacting the Sunshine Coast Council, I was informed that council cannot take action and that complaints must be directed to Policelink. However, the police are similarly unable to intervene when the noise occurs during legally allowed work hours — leaving residents without any practical solution to what is often months of intrusive, non-essential noise.
While standard construction noise is generally accepted as part of the building process, amplified music is not necessary for construction work and can significantly add to stress and mental health strain. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable groups such as those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory sensitivities and individuals with existing mental health or physical health conditions.
Personally, I have been significantly impacted by the issue at my own property in Maroochydore, and my next-door neighbour – who suffers from serious mental and physical health challenges – has been messaging me regularly about the additional distress the loud music is causing her. I am currently listening to loud radio coming from a site next door, while all of my windows and doors are fully closed, leaving me with no fresh air coming into the house, but still the music more so than the building noise. It’s hugely stressful and disruptive.
I understand from research that other Australian states have begun recognising and managing the harmful impact of amplified music separately from standard construction noise. It seems the Sunshine Coast has an opportunity to lead by addressing this gap, especially given the high number of developments underway in our region.
I believe many others in the community are facing similar frustrations but may not realise that there is currently no effective protection available.
Aimee Clark
- Outback revival
Following the devastation of record floods in the Outback, its isolated people implored coastal dwellers not to discount them from tourist plans.
Yes, things will not be quite the same as last year’s glossy brochures, but what awaits is wonderful.
Last century’s heritage photographs spring to life within the resilience of today’s Outback generations reviving devastated farms and the struggle streets of little villages that Noah-like survived.
Classic tourist towns such as Longreach and Winton are rejuvenating their offerings with renewed passion to make tourists’ experiences even more memorable with an added personal touch.
The authentic generosity of local people opening their hearts with dramatic insights into their lives and love of the outback comes through at every attraction and in the simple chats in the street, at the shop, or the café counter.
Nature is redeeming itself by painting the landscape green and nourishing a proliferation of bird and animal life.
While the countryside is blooming, we urban dwellers can set their economies booming.
Our country cousins want us to do ourselves and them a favour by getting out to the outback now while the climate is most welcoming.
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs
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 given to letters of 100 words or less.
