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: ‘New beginning’: tidal breakthrough sealed with sand
Pauline Clayton, Parrearra: No question, Halls Contracting did an amazing job in creating a sand bar replacing the gap off Bribie Island caused by Cyclone Alfred. So what are the chances of another cyclone crashing through again?
- Read the story: E-bike laws set to be reformed after 8yo’s death
Kerry Southall, Nambour: As per the written law, anything that can be powered by movement is a vehicle. All should be made to have third party insurance if they wish to use them in public as we all have to, this includes adult bike riding groups. Under the definition in law, even a horse is considered a vehicle. Many a person has been fined for drink riding. Just saying.
Andrew Torok, Buderim: Stop selling e-bikes to altogether. Stop them at the source. If that can’t be done, then the laws need to be as strict as gun laws. Make every e-bike registered like a vehicle, with plates. If a child is caught riding illegally or dangerously, hold the parents accountable. If necessary, convict them with real penalties – including jail. Until there are serious consequences, nothing will change. These bikes are powerful, fast and dangerous, and kids should not be riding them freely on our streets.
Selwyn Lutz, Birtinya: The deaths and critical injuries caused by the unlawful use of e-bikes and e-scooters has to stop. The premier needs to be held accountable for these and future deaths and injuries while he stubbornly refuses to act. Waiting until next March for a report will no doubt see many unnecessary deaths and injuries.
Jay Estrela: There are more and more “crazy” kids without any respect who do whatever they want. There are a lot of elderly people near Coles Peregian Springs. We’ve got three schools not far from each other: Peregian Springs State School, Coolum State High School and St Andrew’s Anglican College.
It’s messy with all these kids riding dangerously between pedestrians and small kids. Do we need more accidents and deaths to take action? Hey parents, take responsibility for your children and make sure you doing the right thing! Be present, be tough and remember the 8-year-old child could be from your family… wake up!!
Robyn Deane, Nambour: Back in August, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton called on the Crisafulli Government to bring forward the outcome from a parliamentary committee looking into the use of e-scooters and e-bikes. The premier said no. We will have to wait until March 2026 for the report, and then how long before any action? It is obvious to anyone driving and walking around our state that we have a big problem with these devices, especially those used by young inexperienced riders. Sadly, the consequences of this government’s inaction is costing lives and injuries. It is not good enough. There is already blood on the hands of Brent Mickelberg MP and the premier, how many more will have to suffer before Premier Crisafulli and his government take action?
- Read the story: Beachfront hotel plan heads to court after council refusal
Lynette Saxton, Yaroomba: The reasonable expectations of the community is that the local planning scheme, a statutory document, is respected and enforced. The scheme can be overridden if it is in the public interest based on need. Overriding the scheme here, appears to be based more on increasing the developer’s profit margin rather than need, which is not a concern for the public. If they want increased heights based on the need for a hotel then where is the line drawn? The ensuing court case will cost the developer (and Council) hundreds of thousands of dollars. The developer should do their sums and consider whether it might be more profitable to comply with the designated building height rather than pursuing the matter through the courts.
Richard Williams, Moffat Beach: Thank you council for upholding planning regulations and protecting the character of our foreshore.
Jeff Tuttle, Caloundra: Once again, developers want to disregard the community atmosphere of our beach town and try to coerce our council into accepting a 27m (building) height as opposed to the sensible 15m that keeps Caloundra the charming place we love.
I moved here in 2013 after years of visiting and love it. However, I have a sense that we are being overdeveloped. Traffic is already bad and the argument that Australia needs more housing doesn’t hold water here with more than half of the units going to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane investors for second home buyers. Hardly the demographic that requires housing. Please, do not cave into deep pocket developers tying council in court until they are forced to acquiesce. Keep Caloundra charming.
- Read the story: Scores of locals call for safer suburban road
Tom Fitzpatrick, Buderim: The name says it all. Tulip lane is a LANE! Local traffic only! Divert all through traffic down main arterials such as Lindsay road. The suburb I lived in in Melbourne for twenty years did something similar – increasing speed limits on main roads that can handle larger traffic volumes. There are no losers with this strategy.
- Read the story: Airline to link Coast with Bali and Singapore
Lynette Saxton, Yaroomba: I find it quite unbelievable the Sunshine Coast Airport is going to be linked to Bali. I mean half of the population of the Sunshine Coast are retired people and Bali is the last place they would want to go to. I guess it is more about bringing people in than taking people out, but I do wish the retired population on the Sunshine Coast, most of whom travel, could go somewhere from the Sunshine Coast other than Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand or Bali?
- Poor mobile reception
Syd Hiller, Hiller and Associates: Having businesses located in Newspaper Place Maroochydore for 30 years, we struggle every day with mobile phone coverage, dropouts and one-bar signal while Council enjoys the best of everything at the old Horton Park, 1km away as the crow flies. You regularly see people out in the car park trying to find a reasonable signal. This area is home to many businesses and with today’s communication needs, having spots like this is frustrating.
- Better transport suggestion
Name withheld: We need a shuttlebus or train running between Nirimba and SCUH. There are a lot of staff in Aura who work at SCUH, including doctors and nurses. We need bus times starting from Nirimba at 0605, 0635, 0705, 0735, 0805,0835 and then from SCUH at 1425,1455,1540,1555,1615,1640,1710, 1740, 1810.
Secondly, we need a direct connection between Banya, Nirimba and Caloundra Road with no traffic lights at the western end of Banya like Harmony does. The road should connect between Racecourse Road and Roys Road running parallel to the Bruce Highway with an 80km speed limit.
The Caloundra Road roundabout should go straight to the overpass between Bells Creek Road and Kawana Way, rather than spending money on traffic lights. These developments would ease the traffic in Caloundra south.
- Aged change
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs: The new aged care arrangements introduced November 1 incorporate many changes. Often, older Australians like me are typecast as resistant to change, but many of us adapt well.
While some seniors resist change, so do some young people, for personality is a bigger factor than age in handling change. Seniors have dealt with a lifetime of change, much of it unavoidable. We have learned to take it in our stride, whether personal or across society.
Since the middle of the 20th Century, the world has undergone a social and technological revolution, and the Baby Boomer generation has adapted through it all. Our experience counts as careers varied, the family moved and communities evolved. That’s adaptation on a grand scale by grandparents.
In many ways, change gets easier with age, not harder. With experience comes confidence. People who are still willing to learn in later life adapt best to new scenarios, live longer, stay healthier and become more engaged in their community.
If we grew up in the 1960s, we’ve done this all before when Bob Dylan launched the classic “The Times, They Are a-Changin” and The Byrds released “Change is Now”.
Then, older people complained about young men with long hair, but now it’s almost gone for many of us. Ironically, the one constant in our lives is change. Let’s grow with the flow with the new aged care arrangements where many are protected by grandfather clauses – even grandmothers.
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.
