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 give to letters of 100 words or less.
- Read the story: Fed-up resident calls for action on parked caravans
Marg Houk, Mountain Creek: These vehicles are all over the roads, blocking vision from my driveway, making entering or exiting almost impossible. There’s no help from council or police. This really is an issue that needs addressing in this area – and many others I’m sure. How do I sign a petition? Perhaps at the council’s office?
Julie, Brisbane: He should calm down. Live and let live. It’s not all about him. It’s a public road and they all pay taxes for road use. It’s not an issue with the right attitude.
Michael Preston: It’s incorrect to describe them as parked caravans, they are actually long-term storage and it not only applies to caravans but also boat trailers. A number of new areas have covenants against storage of recreational vehicles but no one enforces them.
- Read the story: $1m for new toilet block
Diane Derby, Marcoola: What about the toilets, shower, facilities and bicycle lock-up at the Maroochydore bus transit depot, which have been closed for months? After writing to the councillor for that area, the reply was they will not be reopened again due to vandalism etc. Maroochydore is an extremely busy place, not only for locals that travel on the buses but for tourists. Also, with millions spent on the Olympics, one would expect facilities in the area.
- Read the story: Surge in e-transport injuries prompts govt inquiry and Mum’s plea after teen’s e-bike crash
Bradley Oliver, Parklands: There are many people who refuse to learn or do not know about the usage of e-scooters/e-bikes. The rules also apply to mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
I have witnessed so many people, not just children, who have thought ‘it doesn’t concern me’ but it does, like a school student on an e-scooter doing over 60km/h (the law dictates 25km/h) and nearly collecting a car. I know the estimated speed as I was ‘pacing’ them and almost collected them when they swerved in front of me. Maybe the retailers should inform rules – I know of one that posts them – but these days what goes in one ear goes out the other, if it ever goes in, in the first place.
Rob Candy, Image Flat: Given the spate of e-scooters accidents, calls are made to have them banned. However, they do gets kids out and about and provides them with independence, so what will replace the banned e-scooter. Bicycles? Logically, yes, but first the council needs to provide a safe interconnected cycle network as found in other cities around the world whereby kids can arrive at their destinations safely.
Sunshine Coast roads are totally congested to allow safe cycling and more should be done with regards to cycle way.
- Read the story: More fines issued in blitz on illegal camping and Crackdown on illegal camping resumes and Locals fume as van dwellers overrun town’s beach car parks
Tony Mitchelhill, Noosa: I believe our community and society in general has got so selfish and obsessed with preventing travellers from using vehicle parking spaces and is being so self-righteous by congratulating themselves on using police in this pursuit. Those people who are being so strident and outspoken perhaps for a moment might consider that many of these people are young and could be their children or grandchildren seeing the world on limited money. To say they could park in the campgrounds is all too simplistic when many young people cannot afford the very high rates charged and on the assumption that space is available.
The suggestion has been made to use spaces around the football grounds or other areas with coin machines for toilets and showers, and enough money to pay a caretaker for supervision and then cleaning up if necessary. That would take some planning and some initiative but why not change our way of thinking?
Adam, Peregian Springs: We have had illegal campers park overnight in our street in Peregian Springs since the fines started. The campers know that there is nothing that can be done to stop them as the council is closed. They arrive late, often with noisy vehicles, and leave early, waking everyone in the street up. Then there are used vapes and rubbish left behind for residents to clean up.
Unless the law is enforceable by police, there is nothing we can do to stop them.
Damien Addison, Perth: We are in a nationwide housing crisis and all around Australia councils insist on enforcing outdated laws on sleeping in cars. I believe every local government area should be forced to provide a low or no-cost option for van lifers and homeless people. Many people would choose van life over high rent if it wasn’t illegal. This would instantly take the heat out of the rental market.
Look to Europe for inspiration. They cater for all travellers. You shouldn’t prohibit anything unless you provide a viable alternative.
Elaine Koch, Lawnton: I am a van lifer, have been on and off for some years now, but have always only ever stayed a minimum of nights in one spot, mostly it has been one night just to sleep check emails etc. If I’m staying somewhere like that overnight I buy takeaway food – if there’s no bin I keep the rubbish until I find a bin.
I roll in after dark and leave before sun-up. I think arriving late and leaving early is why I have never attracted any attention. I always have a small bucket. I label my overnight bucket for any toilet needs.
Anne Benn, South Australia: I am intending to spend a few days in Noosa soon. It has always been a favourite, where I can walk about from my hotel. After reading about these cheapskates I am having second thoughts. Vans and cruise ships have become the third-class of society.
Stephen Batterham, Charleville: The state government should allow sleeping in vehicles. People who live on the road are homeless and they are also locals while living on the Coast. They are treated worse than dogs by people living in dwellings. During the Great Depression areas were set up for the homeless – today people and weak leaders on the Coast want to kick them while they’re down. Shame on them.
Bring in the bulldozers for all of the ugly permanent dwellings within 1km of the waterfront, and evict the heartless, greedy whingers. Restore the Queensland coast for the enjoyment of the people and future generations.
- Read the story: $82m boost to unlock homes in city centre
Bob Carroll, Maroochydore: The funding to accelerate 1800 new homes and key road links in Maroochydore is a pipe dream. The roads can’t cope with what is there now so how could they possibly add another 1800 homes or units into that space along with the buildings that Walker is building right now, plus their proposed entertainment centre. They will need significant, and I mean significant, road and traffic management upgrades across all of Maroochydore to even go close to supporting this pipe dream.
Also, there is no mention about the elusive entertainment and exhibition centre and athletes’ village, or the bus and public transport interchange. This council talk about it and then everything goes quiet and nothing happens. Ask them for an overlay of what they are planning and ask them to show you some specifics and a proposed timeline and in what order those things will happen. They will not be able to do it. They are absolutely full of it.
Phillip Adamson, Maroochydore: It was interesting that the actual month and year for the ‘fast track’ works to begin was not given. Over the years I have read many Queensland government, council and private organisation press releases regarding fast tracking, a particular project with most taking years for the works to even get over the starter’s line, so please, no backslapping just yet.
- Read the story: Horse riders told to steer clear of park for now due to emu
Sofia, Caloundra: I’m getting a sense of deja vu reading this recent tale of Fluffy the friendly emu. The name ‘Parklands Conservation Park’ name says it all. It is conservation for native wildlife, not for entitled blow-ins who don’t respect the land and the creatures that existed there before them.
Meredyth Sauer, Mapleton: Most visitors to Parklands love to see Fluffy the emu. Ms Stickler appears to be the only one troubled by Fluffy, having made numerous complaints. Walkers have Fluffy lead us around the trails and he loves parkrun as he leads the runners. He is friendly, not aggressive. Leave him alone and he is unlikely to cause you any trouble.
- Read the story: Supermarket plans open to public feedback
Mark Rose, Cooroy: I think another, different supermarket in Cooroy would be a good idea. Woolworths is certainly not Aldi but at least it may help in reducing the drain of residents’ finances caused by the over-charging of two supermarkets with no competition.
The plan to have a petrol station in the development would be a good idea for motorists travelling along the highway, with little likelihood of refilling from Forest Glen to Gympie, not to mention the development as also being a rest stop between the two areas.
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 give to letters of 100 words or less.
