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: Developer seeks to change conditions for 150-site tourist park
Maggie Sherwood, Beerwah: Unfair! The owners of Coochin Fields want to be able to travel there by helicopter. Why can’t they fight the traffic on the highway like everybody else especially as they intend to increase the amount of traffic.
Peter Thomas, Ningi: Blatantly obvious developer wants to exceed 600 as, if allowed, it will be thousands of campers that will, if allowed, would impact environment and local residents but also jeopardise Woodford Folk Festival, if allowed.
The impact that their Sandstone Point Hotel complex has had on local traffic impacting has had a detrimental effect when they have major events on commuters to Bribie Island and local businesses.
The local government bodies need to address traffic and long-term impacts on any major development with road upgraded to meet conditions.
I have no objection to the current conditions restrictions capped at 600. But definitely see a Venus flytrap if they modify approved cap at 600
Not happy Jan.
Gary Ryan, Caloundra: It didn’t take long before the developers of this park, controversially approved by the minister, which as I remember had strict stipulations for construction and future use set down, have already applied for relaxing, varying and cancellation of many of the construction design and future use requirements. Once again we will get see if our appointed government minister stands for ensuring caring for the environment and the views of the local population are actually important.
Robert Walford, Mudjimba: If the nature of the development limits the number of overnight visitors then why is there a need to delete the 600 guest limit? Further, the requirement to keep a register of guests seems reasonable, at least in terms of adults by name and children by number. Electronic booking systems make this eminently simple. Also, helicopter operations should be defined precisely and be limited to the purpose of transporting the owners/managers.
Richard Williams, Moffat Beach: After bypassing the council and community to get ministerial approval, the developers now want to make changes to the conditions of approval imposed by the minister. I think a detailed study is required to determine the impacts of the proposed amendments before possibly over-riding the ‘wisdom of’ the minister. The developers should fund a scientific study, which would of course take at least two years, before the revised application is considered. Since the changes are apparently needed for the viability of the project, no development should proceed until the outcome of the study is considered.
- Read the story: New land valuations reveal sharp increases
J Binnerts, Yandina: Our valuation went from $400,000 to $820,000. I bet the next rate notice will reflect this absurd rise.
Eon and Marie Radley, Buderim: Gosh, we wish we were so lucky to have an increase of only 24 per cent as you mentioned. Ours has gone up 65 per cent in Highland Place, Buderim.
Interesting to note that the latest valuation closely mimics recent sales results which indicates a change in policy by the state government to the past. Historically, land values have been the result of an internal formula. However, it now appears the department has made a change and is now referencing like sales data. Of course, no explanation of the change has been made.
We first came upon this over a year ago on other land owned in Moreton Bay, which had similar extreme increases in value which eerily aligned with recent sales data. Upon enquiry, the department confirmed that is how they came up with the new assessment, by referring to recent like sales data. They even sent copies of the referenced sales data to justify the steep increase and ignored any queries re the change of assessment approach.
Really, this was no surprise considering this was introduced under the prior Labor admin, who of course would have been looking for ways to get more funds to cover their spending habits. The consequential increase to local council funds could potentially offset demands from councils for more state assistance? And in line with true socialist principles target the land owners alone, thus hopefully avoiding upsetting a main source of Labor voters. Just an observation of course, may be a coincidence.
However, disappointing to see the now Liberal admin continuing the deception. And we thought 4 per cent inflation was a worry.
- Read the story: Iconic road side pie van to make way for rail
Graham Lockey, Coolum Beach: Here we go, again! This popular and long established business is to be pushed out by early next year. The TMR spokesperson confirmed “The current site of the Aussie Battler Pie Van will be required to support construction access when works start on the new Caloundra station in early 2027″.
Is this work fully funded? Have contracts been awarded for this station’s construction? Exactly when is the work scheduled to begin, or is this going to be like other areas of The Wave that grab land and do nothing with it for years?
I suspect this is TMR pushing their agenda with no real timeline for action in place.
- Read the story: Council weighs changes in response to overnight camping issues
Graham Lockey, Coolum Beach: Council seems to have overlooked a widely-used parking control instrument in their alternatives, namely, residential parking permits. By adopting option three, 4 hours at all times, the nuisance parking of boats, caravans, mobile homes and trailers would be eliminated at Picnic Point Esplanade as the permits would be for passenger motor vehicles only excluding motor homes and commercial vehicles.
A new parking restriction also needs to be adopted by the council that bans on-street parking of boats, caravans, mobile homes and trailers in nominated streets which could be applied to any street in the SCC’s area to get rid of these vehicles and enhance road safety.
As with its use in other areas, the residential parking permit could take the form used for disability permits, that is a permit contained in a holder that can be displayed on the dashboard or the windscreen of the parked vehicle so the vehicle can be parked in any available space, with no need for designated permit spaces. The resident is issued the permit and the permit is not assigned to a vehicle but to the resident. This overcomes issues with changes of vehicles and allows a resident to use the permit to allow a visitor to use the permit whilst visiting the resident.
This solution could also be applied to Marina Walk in Alexandra Headland.
- Read the story: State backs major road project despite funding blow
Andrew Moran, Battery Hill: After last week’s “getting the Sunshine Coast moving again” announcement, the Deputy Premier now promises a major interchange project by 2032 – despite a funding shortfall and without providing the basics: what will be built, when it will be delivered, how it will be sequenced, what it will cost, and who will pay.
Calling it a “big and complicated build” requiring all three stages to happen at once ignores the reality of severe construction‑capacity shortages and multiple competing Coast projects already struggling for labour and funding.
What could possibly go wrong?
Unless this is an early April Fools’ joke, the community deserves real detail.
- Read the story: Palmer promises another yellow avalanche
J Martin, Beerwah: How sad to see this man preparing to waste so much money on his doomed political career. I have a dream! Just a fraction of that money would help so many struggling families. Why doesn’t he spare some dollars for a village of demountables/granny flats. He could call it Palmerville if wants to promote himself.
Each one could be fitted with solar to really help them. Pigs may fly!
- Read the story: Council defends action against brewery after open letter appeal
Ray Fitzgerald, Nambour: I have been following this story and have just realised that its a matter of the council not checking or following the success of this venue. The first complaint was supposed to be one neighbour about traffic and parking. It seems that the council should be asking ‘how we can assist this business?’. They (the council) spend millions and millions down at Mooloolaba to attract tourists time and time again but Terella have asked for nothing. Maybe the council could spend some of our rates on improving the access and parking instead. We are also talking jobs and unemployment. It is a business we should be proud of not destroy. Change your attitude Sunshine Coast Council. You seem to forget who is paying your huge salaries.
- Support local growers
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs: Walk into any weekend market on the Sunshine Coast, and we’ll be greeted by sunflowers glowing like they’ve swallowed the morning. We assume the bouquet came from just down the road.
Often it’s an illusion. Depending on the season, up to half of the flowers sold are imported. Yes, they can be cheaper, because overseas growers operate on a massive scale with lower labour costs and generous government support.
Meanwhile, our local growers, many of them on family farms, are wrestling with challenges that would make a rose wilt on the spot, facing heatwaves, floods and water restrictions that can wipe out a season’s work overnight.
Imported flowers aren’t ‘bad’. They keep prices down, ensure year-round supply, and support growers in developing countries. But they come with a heavy carbon footprint, and chemical fumigation reduces their longevity in the vase.
When flights stopped during Covid, we found how little we produce, and that when we offshore too much, we lose skilled jobs, resilience, and choice.
Despite all this, Australian flower growers persist. They turn up at markets at 4am with hands that tell the story of real work.
Local growers survive only if we choose them. So next time we buy flowers for a birthday or a thank you, let’s ask: “Are these Australian-grown?”
Buying local isn’t just a transaction, it’s a vote for beauty with roots deep within our country.
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.
