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 story: First findings of breakthrough review releases
The debate regarding the North Bribie breakthrough has been discussed by many locals, long-time locals, new residents to the area, people qualified in the subject of sand versus water, tides and weather. Then there are the people who are passionate about the subject and gain publicity. There is the petition with 1200 signatures wanting action on the ‘shifting sands’ matter.
Sunshine Coast News has followed this story, as has Facebook. The number of comments this story has attracted is quite astounding. Very few remarks have been in support of the passionate group. The main opinion is man cannot change nature. Then there are those concerned with the financial cost of any solution to the ‘shifting sand’ of Bribie when homelessness is a problem and cost of living is a problem. The whole population of the Sunshine Coast has concerns for their future, not just the signatures on the petition.
Caloundra and the Sunshine Coast is a large area with an ever-increasing population, many more than 1200. The ‘shifting sands’ of Bribie Island have always been a natural occurrence as any marine engineer and long-time local will agree. The greater population of the Sunshine Coast Council area will be impacted by the increased rates for the investigations by engineers etc. Then, when the Coast gets hit by another weather system, we will be back to square one. Man cannot control nature, water and sand. Fixing one problem area will impact another area.
Most of Golden Beach has a large foreshore due to the foresight and planning of previous local governments. Maybe future planning and building approvals could look to the past to gain foresight for the future.
One other fact I hope the council takes into consideration is that the ‘shifting sands’ of Bribie could be a precedent for future claims and protests when other areas are impacted by natural disasters, due to past councils’ lack of foresight, allowing housing approvals and large developments in areas known to flood.
While the focus has been on Golden Beach, another problem has been caused by more ‘shifting sand’ closing the northern opening of Bulcock Beach. I believe this is a very important situation also. If water from the Pumicestone Passage cannot escape to the north on low and high tides, the water will become a breeding ground for bacteria etc. Many tourists, locals and children could be affected and become ill. Remember when the sewage treatment plant malfunctioned in the past and the beaches were closed? Maybe give less attention to Bribie and more to Bulcock Beach. Oh my, where do we stop?
So let’s listen to people less passionate and more knowledgeable and sensible about the ‘shifting sands’ subject. Let the professionals and engineers advise the council what could be done for the good of the whole of the Sunshine Coast residents.
Sandra Fietz, Beerwah
- Read the story: Work set to start on $200m retirement resort
With regards to the Halcyon development on Steggalls Road at Yandina, letter writer Peter Baulch raises concerns about there apparently not being a condition that a safe pedestrian crossing be provided.
It is a very valid point as the amount of traffic will rise exponentially with the retirement village planned to have 250 extra homes.
Daily traffic data indicates that the construction of an additional 24 homes in the area resulted in an increase in daily vehicle traffic from 530 in 2022 to 831 in 2024, totalling 300 additional traffic movements.
So, according to my rough and ready reckonings, an extra 250 homes will increase the daily traffic by perhaps up to 10 times or 3000 extra daily vehicles.
Just because it is a retirement village it is wrong to assume that the number of vehicle movements will not be great. As retirees, besides the occasional visitors, we are often out once a day or more.
What future planning has been done for the increased traffic flow and the safety of road users? Will the developers have to contribute as roadworks such as widening become necessary or will it be up to the ratepayers to foot the bill?
Locals are justifiably concerned about the location of this retirement village.
Robyn Deane, Nambour
- Read the story: Snake catcher’s fury over illegal act
It is obvious that the snake catcher has never had anyone in his family killed by snake bite. He may have a different opinion if it happened to him.
Adrian Mitchell, Silverleaves, Victoria
If you find yourself needing to kill a snake, it’s only your own stupidity that got you there. Ninety per cent of the time, the snake will move on provided you give it space and time. None of them are truly aggressive, all can be defensive if they feel threatened. Just stop dead still and observe – the snake will usually turn away, unless you are too close.
Red-bellied blacks are shy, they don’t want to be near you and will keep their distance, given due respect. It’s not hard to live in harmony with them, carpet pythons or tree snakes.
Gadj Strebor, via Facebook
I live in the Lockyer Valley and everybody here hates certain snakes or kills them if they pose a threat to a person.
People are not going to pay ridiculous fees for a snake catcher. One person I was talking to stated a snake catcher wanted $1000 to come and get rid of an eastern brown snake and this person was on a pension, so I leave it up to you what he did next.
People have a right on their own property and I have spoken to over 50 people and they say one thing about snakes. Stuff what the law says: a good snake is a dead snake.
Jon Taylor, Laidley
- Read the story: Plea for action on active transport project
Ten years of studies and consultations and nothing done.
Perhaps the council could ask Chinese engineers to deliver this short bike path. They could probably deliver one ready for cyclists by the weekend.
Bob Higgs, Caloundra
- Read the story: Airlines cash in on lack of competition since Bonza demise
The lack of competition in the budget airline sector was not caused entirely by the Bonza collapse but by the withdrawal of the excellent Rex capital city service.
Rex was becoming a problem to Virgin and the bloated Qantas Group, as demonstrated by Qantas’ reportedly attempting to block Rex from prime slots at Sydney airport.
Unfortunately, the only losers have been the Australian public as the federal government fully backed Qantas.
Terry Ireland, Rosanna, Victoria
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.
