I want to cover a couple of topics, both are related so it’s probably one topic – development.
I was a late invite to a Wednesday media launch about plans for an upgrade of Sunshine Coast Stadium that’s being driven by big-hearted local legends Roy Thompson and Rod Forrester.
They have stumped up a bucket-load of money towards it on the proviso our three levels of government shoulder a fair lump of the costs.
Fortunately, Council and the State Government pledged their portions, but there are serious concerns about the Federal Government’s response.
The reason for the media scrum was because if the Feds don’t kick the tin the whole deal is off. Roy and Rod get to either keep their cash, or give it to another cause, which probably is the most likely scenario knowing how generous they are. Talk about an opportunity lost!
I was attending as a Falcons member and Billy Moore as an ex-NRL legend, businessman and community member.
What I didn’t know, was that after a short intro from Council about what they are trying to achieve, it was going to be the Billy and Tugboat show.
Thankfully, Billy went first and covered why we need the stadium upgrade, footy of all codes would benefit, we could host major touring shows and it would create jobs etc. He covered everything, actually, even the naysayer’s call (white elephant) and I think most people agree this would not be the case.
I had nothing left to do but remind everyone that as a safe conservative seat we get bugger all from the Feds and this has to change.
I am sure the State LNP never thought they would lose Caloundra, but history was made when they lost it at the last election and that could happen in the upcoming Federal Election if we finally decide we have had enough of being taken for granted.
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Hopefully, the Andrew and Ted show get the message and pass it on to the Big House.
My second point on the same subject relates to all these No High Rise- No Light Rail – basically no to everything signs – that are up around the town.
Strangely, some of them are hung on the verandas of three-storey beachfront houses. Talk about pot and kettle.
The same folk also bring out the old chestnut about not wanting to be another Gold Coast. Well I disagree. While, I don’t want us to be Surfers, I do want some of their infrastructure and sporting facilities.
There is possibility of a little thing called the Olympics on the horizon that the Feds and locals might need to be reminded about and some of this stuff might come in handy.
