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: Controversial tourist park proposal approved and Coalition calls for federal review after tourist park approval
Tom Swann, Currimundi: Well, surprise, surprise, after Jarrod Bleijie called in the proposal for a tourist park at Coochin Creek, he has approved it. Quite uncharacteristic of him as usually he knocks back any good ideas. I support him on this, but those complaining should rest easy, it’s only a temporary approval. Soon the sea level will rise and the whole lot will be on the bed of the ocean. Climate change is only being given lip service by governments around the world, especially by our Queensland Government.
Enjoy your Coochin Creek camping while you can folks.
Allan Swinton, Montville: The decision taken by the LNP Queensland government to override the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and the state government’s own department responsible for considering the application to develop the 150-unit tourist park is alarming. The decision makes no mention of what the careful consideration was in arriving at the decision.
The public is left with the taste of a deal/favour was granted to a political friend. The responsible minister only comes out with throw away lines about “Queensland open for business”.
We see a pattern of a first term government making decisions which aren’t in the public interest, such as rejecting solar/wind farms, propping up ageing coal powered plants, which drive up power prices. This type of erratic governing reminds those of us the last Neuman LNP government – and that didn’t end well.
Robin Roots, Buderim: I find this approval an absolute nightmare. We need another tourist park like a hole in the head. When will governments stop kowtowing to private developers who are profit motivated. We need the wetlands not another monstrosity.
I supported this government at the last election and I think they have done some good things for the state, but this decision leaves me cold and if this is their priority then they have lost my support.
Elizabeth Robinson, Wamuran: Apart from feeling disgust at the process used by the Queensland State Government in relation to this matter, I feel it is necessary to ensure that government at all levels is held fully accountable for their decisions and actions.
When the advisory body (SARA) has issued a recommendation, I expect compliance. In the event that a minister has information that suggests an alternative option, the details should not only be made available to the community, they should be subject to due legal process – including in this case escalation to the federal legislature.
Community groups are struggling to fund by donation the process of cases through the private legal system. It should not be the responsibility of citizens to fund objections to decisions made on their behalf – particularly when counter to departmental advice.
The move away from democratic decision-making towards a system based on the power of lobbying and economic pressure is not democratic.
Gerard Joyce: We learnt with the flight path that “process” in planning is what the elites tell government they want. Ratepayers and tax payers opinions are irrelevant. Community engagement is an inside joke.
Patricia and Craig Vaughan, Golden Beach: What a breath of fresh air for our beautiful Sunshine Coast. Finally we have people with a backbone to challenge boring decisions from the naysayers that are clearly not in the community’s best interest. This will entice people from all over the world who are keen to spend their hard-earned money in our well-run Queensland state. Our family and friends are over the moon with this tourism destination approval.
Graeme Wilcox, Bald Knob: We lived 800m from the Sandstone Point Hotel (a Comiskey Group eco resort) and had to sell our house and leave as the bass from the concerts shook the windows and was unbearable. The locals achieved a win limiting the number of concerts, but it was short-lived. The Moreton Bay Regional Council supported the hotel despite thousands of lodged objections to the development. We were there before the hotel was built, but that didn’t matter. The Sandstone Point Hotel and caravan park has grown since. The excluded zone wetlands have gone. We think that the motel blocks have doubled in size to that original approved. It would appear that the Comiskey Group can do what it likes, including planning rules being overturned. We feel for the Coochin Creek locals.
Valarie Ross: The Coochin Creek buffer zone must be kept.
- Read the story: Developer plans 18-storey tower on main road
Richard Bishop, Cotton Tree: I offer the following as an open letter to the mayor for publication.
“Dear Ms Natoli,
Should you and your council approve the Habitat Development Group proposal to develop the Salvation Army site on Aerodrome Road, you will be sending two clear messages to the local community.
To property developers, you will be saying that they can disregard council planning regulations when submitting proposals, as they are meaningless. To the ratepayers and residents, you will be saying that their concerns and priorities for maintaining the lifestyle and character of the Sunshine Coast count for nothing.
To even entertain a proposal to exceed the current height limit by 50 percent – from 40m to 63m – is at complete odds with the statements you made when campaigning to represent the community. You professed to understand what locals considered important, shared those sentiments, and promised to represent us in council. The words were welcome. What we need now is evidence that you meant them.”
- Read the story: Caravan business administrators flag possible legal action
Phil Broad, Nambour: I can’t help but to run an analogy here between the federal Labor government and the Zone RV situation. Big announcements by both upon conception of policies and the benefits to the general public of business acumen ‘ pilots ‘ who are converse with the projects, whose implementation will improve people’s lives.
But we find out that the cost of living is destroying Australia and now 148 Aussies plus suppliers are now facing financial ruin alongside 240 employees whose lives have been turned upside down. Surely, (a) government policies and (b) business projects require much more scrutiny by experts in those fields before hurting a multitude of fellow Aussies.
- Read the story: Club’s plan for new headquarters opens for public comment
John Parker, Sunshine Beach: Fantastic design! Looking forward to watching games in a better building.
- Petrol station rip-off
Name withheld, Mountain Creek: To the servos on the Sunny Coast: Stop ripping us off. I spent two days in Hervey Bay during the week. Fuel there was as low as $1.58.9. Later I drove off the Bruce Highway and the first servo I came to had fuel for $2.13.9. Just stop it.
- Riding the wave
Gary Reynolds, Peregian Springs: There was a time when every country road came with its own unofficial greeting. You’d pass another car, lift a couple of fingers off the wheel and the other driver would do the same. Just a little “G’day, safe travels.”
These days, you’re more likely to get a blank stare through tinted glass. The humble driver’s wave seems to be slipping into endangered territory.
The wave was a reminder that behind every windscreen was a fellow human being, not just a metal box.
I grew up believing the wave was part of the social contract. Someone lets you merge. You wave. Someone pulls over on a narrow road. You wave.
But somewhere between bigger cars, busier roads and the “I’m-in-a-hurry-and-my-podcast-is-on”, the wave has faded. We’ve become sealed off in our little climate-controlled capsules, more connected to our dashboards than the people around us.
Russell White, founder of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, reckons bringing back the wave could help shift our road culture back toward courtesy that’s contagious. He says a simple wave can lift safety awareness, especially at a time when Queensland’s road toll is climbing far too fast. It is a moment of shared humanity, reminding us that our lives can be saved by our shared driving behaviour.
Let’s ride the wave.
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.
