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. Some of the opinions below are comments from SCN’s Facebook page.
- Read the story: First section of Mooloolaba’s new seawall opens
Kim Bailey: I think council has done a wonderful job and I have seen so many people enjoying the new seawall over the last few days. People say that it will be too hot to use in summer and all I have to say about that is: 1. Have you not ever walked on the sand in summer? 2. Not everyone likes being on the sand. 3. Pop a towel on the concrete before you sit. It’s not rocket science. I personally think this is only going to help our economy on the Sunny Coast.
Anton van Schalkwyk: The steps are too high, making it really hard for older people. It needs a set or two of normal stairs down the middle so you can easily access all tiers. But pretty good overall. If I was over 60 though, I would not attempt to go down a mega step.
Sydney Struwig: I was there on Saturday and it was packed with people sitting on the steps and loving it.
Kerrie Green: Gone is the Loo with a View. Gone is the playground. Gone are the easy slopes to the beach. If you have ever experienced the steps at beaches in Sydney, you will wonder why council has gone this way.
Marg Oakman: It actually looks very smart and neat. I thought it was a big mistake at first but now I like what council has done. For folk complaining about the size of the steps, the ramp is still there. Use it.
Tony Moore: I’ve fondly nicknamed the new wall ‘Hot Rocks’. Now I just say to my peeps, meet ya at Hot Rocks, and they oddly all know what I’m referring to and where to go.
Irene Moana: The terrace is very popular. I should have taken a photo this morning, people were catching up with friends, enjoying the sunshine and the view today, yesterday and the day before, while sitting on the terrace.
Trent Sherwin: There was nothing wrong with the way it was. At least we know where our increasing rates go. Hope the tourists like it.
- Read the story: Drilling barge probes seabed for mega project
Gary Ryan, Caloundra: I am keen to see the environmental reports for the proposed increased dimensions of the shipping channels, particularly those in close proximity to the newly completed sand pumping works to reinstate the northern end of Bribie Island.
As an untrained observer, I still remember as a child digging numerous holes at the beach only to see the adjoining sand fill the holes in again almost immediately. My thoughts with the shipping channel plans therefore are: as the redesigned channel will effectively be closer to Bribie Island and deeper in depth, will this have the potential for sand on Bribie’s current and newly reformed beaches to naturally refill what will become effectively a very long, deep adjacent trench?
Has the many years of previous channel dredging here had any impact on the northern Bribie Beach sand levels? I also believe current regulations prohibit pumping spoil from channel dredging activities onto nearby beaches. Perhaps this should be reconsidered for the northern end of Bribie Island?
- Read the story: Petition seeks major speed-limit reduction
Adrian Fogerty: Let’s start with making our roads car worthy before worrying about speed limits. They won’t need to be changed if we had real roads that are maintained professionally and properly!
Jack Millar: Locals are also wanting to counter the petition. The road has operated for over half a century with no issues outside of the recent increased presence of cyclists recreationally exercising. The voices of few keep outweighing the many. We are looking to ban cyclists on roads that are not suitable for the recreational activity.
- Read the story: Group behind 2032 legacy push set to wind up
Gail Podberscek: It seems a shame for all that good work to go to waste? Has the community input the group worked on been sidelined? Why would they be asked to change successful, working strategies? Was the state government not happy? Is there more to this story?
- Read the story: Supermarket explains increased security measures
Dhreen Sheppard: Such a shame. Mooloolah is an amazing store, with wonderful staff. Why can’t humans just be kind, honestly how hard these owners and staff work to supply such an amazing service. I love my weekly visits both there and Forest Glen.
Julie Hassall Green: Theft is extremely bad at most retail outlets. So many dishonest people these days. Should have a ‘name and shame’ wall at the entrance.
- Read the story: Ex-doubles partner of Federer turns pickleball ace
Tim Rubin: Great exposure for a thoroughly nice bloke who’s simply deadly on the other side of the net. Go Kratzy and the Aussies.
Daret Gooch: What a great article. So glad Andrew is getting the acknowledgment he deserves. Thank you.
Donald Kingsley: Andrew is a really nice bloke and plays very well in the Masters division. He is in Da Nang at the moment with Aussie team.
- Read the story: Coast renters among worst hit in nation
Carolyn Thompson: They make sure you are paying one-third of your income to get you into a property then they have no care if you cannot afford the extortionate increase! Then you can’t find cheaper, moving house costs a couple of thousand, savings go out the window, and bam, another homeless family!
Dianne Moving: Our wages do not go up by $50-a-week a year after you move in and subsequent years after that. Rents do, however.
- Read the story: New land valuations reveal sharp increases
George Bury, Buddina: I cannot believe this Sunshine Coast Council valuation hike of over 60 per cent is allowed. For instance, my unimproved land value has risen from $2.1m in 2025 to $3.4m in 2026. Over 60 per cent. Wow! My neighbour cannot get an offer on their house with a pool of $3m? What does that tell you – again a council (local government) ‘out of touch’ with the community they are supposed to be looking after.
- Parking woes
Frank Timmins, Cotton Tree: Since moving to the esplanade at Cotton Tree three years ago, we have noticed a big up surge in park usage. A credit and a big thank you to staff for the fantastic up-keep and dedication to working on these superb facilities.
The only problem is, now we have a grandchild and we are using the park for celebrations, the car park is for only two hours. It seems an unreasonable timeframe to set up, have the party and then clean up. I would suggest on the weekends a four-hour time limit, or even free at the weekend. No need to have staff taking photos etc.
- Give ’em yours
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs: The late Dolly Parton said: “If you see someone without a smile, give ’em yours”. On the Sunshine Coast, that’s practically a civic duty.
The other morning, I was strolling along the boardwalk at Coolum on one of those days when the Coast seems to be smiling at you. Except for one bloke. He was sitting on the bench near the surf club, shoulders slumped, staring at the sand as if it had personally offended him. Maybe he’d spilled his coffee. Maybe he’d lost an argument with his teenager. Maybe he’d tried to book a tradie. Whatever it was, he wasn’t smiling. So, I gave him mine.
Not a big theatrical grin – just a simple, friendly Sunshine Coast smile. The kind that says: “Mate, whatever’s going on, the ocean’s still here and the day’s not done”. He glanced up, surprised. Then he smiled back. A small one, but genuine. The breeze felt lighter. The morning felt brighter. Even the seagulls seemed to approve.
We ended up chatting – nothing deep, nothing dramatic. Just two strangers talking about the surf, the weather and how the Coast has a way of smoothing out the rough edges of a day. He told me he’d recently moved up from Brisbane and was still adjusting to the slower pace.
“People actually talk to you here,” he said. “Well,” I replied, “we’re contractually obliged. It’s in the rate notices”.
He laughed – a proper laugh this time – and off he went, shoulders a little higher, steps a little lighter. And I kept walking, thinking about how tiny moments can tilt a whole day. How a simple smile can be a little gift – free, renewable and surprisingly powerful. On the Coast we don’t always realise it, but we’re surrounded by these small exchanges. The nod from the early‑morning swimmer. The wave from the barista who remembers your order. The grin from the dog who’s just stolen someone’s ball and is very proud of himself.
Dolly was right. If you see someone without a smile, give ’em yours. It might just be the best thing you hand over all day and another one of her lasting legacies.
- Souls – self-made art
Phil Broad, Nambour:
We’ve been given a vessel to fill as we go
Through the ocean of life with its fast and its slow
There’s a current within us that flows on the tide
Of the highs and the lows as we go on this ride
As we shape and we mould such pictures of us
For others to see – from birth to dust.
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. Some of the opinions below are comments from SCN’s Facebook page.
