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: State insists plan for 3200 hectares on track
Andrew Moran, Battery Hill: Â The state government’s commitment to unlock Beerwah East as a future growth area is meaningless. It’s another of the local promises the state government has made, inferring something will happen while avoiding any of the details that provide any assurance that anything will. Or not soon. Most likely they won’t.
The critical details of what will happen, when and how, the cost and who’s paying are nowhere to be seen. Apparently, we’re expected to be impressed when we hear about planning and reviews and ‘big’ dollar numbers. All activities that take time, discover real and imagined difficulties and complexities, and ensure nothing will happen anytime soon, if ever. And be satisfied with that.
We shouldn’t be, particularly as the Queensland Government has also trumpeted a major infrastructure investment plan, which lacks the funding and the planning and construction skills, capacities and capabilities needed to deliver it. We need more responsible, transparent and accountable government. Here’s a chance to demand it.
Terry Shaw, Kallangur: The proposed development of 3200 hectares with 20,000 homes seems to lack ambition. That works out to about 1600sqm per block. Even allowing for 1600 hectares for roads, parks, sports fields, environmental areas and community facilities it still works out to 800sqm blocks. Given that most estates are running between 300 and 400sqm blocks this seems very low density even without the increasing affect of areas of multiple dwellings such as townhouses.
Possibly much of the land is undevelopable, in which case is it a good choice? It would be rare for government or developers to low ball the scope of a development.
Rainee Skinner: Let’s hope that there is some provision for social housing in this new estate. It seems unconscionable that we can’t find beds for homeless people on the Sunshine Coast.
Name withheld, Currimundi: So there is a delay in freeing up some crown land near Beerwah for housing, meanwhile there is more owned land waiting for approval for housing to the south of Aura. Silly question, why not open up both? Could it be the prices might have to drop (isn’t that what we want?) or are they playing developer off against developer now that they have removed the embargo on developer political donations? I wonder!
- Read the story: ‘The damage is done’: businesses slam seawall project
Jackie Dawid: As a regular visitor to Moffat Beach and the wonderful eateries there I heartily sympathise with the business owners having to manage falling revenue due to the lengthy ongoing seawall repairs. Started too late, this project is now running right up to and beyond Christmas, with a completion date that seems very ‘loose’. I am no works planner but surely these upgrades could have been laid out in stages to accommodate peak periods. Take a drive down the strip to the beach at Moffat and it is not only an eyesore but removes a serious chunk of parking spots. Seems the Stage 1 upgrade work in Mooloolaba has been completed in plenty of time for Christmas trade if I read SCC updates correctly. It does seem any work planned in Mooloolaba is completed on time, if not early, and never seems to impact peak trading periods. I may be wrong. Not anywhere near good enough SCC. You should be supporting local business, not making their survival harder for them.
- Read the story: Council looks to spare bedrooms to ease housing crisis
Graham Lockey, Coolum Beach: So Noosa Council is exploring ways to put the shire’s thousands of unoccupied bedrooms to use. Since when did councils have the right to invade my living space? Be very aware that this is the precursor to a UK-style bedroom tax, along with another attack on a person’s right to choose their living style. What’s next, spare car seat tax? Unused clothing wardrobe tax?
- Read the story: Crackdown looms on e-devices after latest deaths
Patricia Ward: The government should have thought about the obvious consequences of allowing these disastrous items into the country. The problems are now way beyond their control.
Ross Forbes, Twin Waters: After too many fatalities and injuries it is pleasing to see the state government taking action to hopefully reduce the personal impact of these devices with riders being the biggest beneficiaries. Surely, it would be more beneficial if the states work together to come up with consistent regulations and implementation Australia-wide. For some reason the Queensland government will not be releasing results of its own investigations until March while more deaths and injury occur.
John Robinson, Doonan: Until riders of e-scooters, e-bikes, and cyclists, are required by law to wear hi-vis tops or bibs, deaths and injuries will continue to happen. I regularly drive along Eenie Creek Road and Eumundi Noosa Road. So many times I see inexperienced and experienced riders on black bikes and scooters all dressed in black. In some instances, they are impossible to see as they pass shadows of trees across the road. Surf life savers are required to wear hi-vis tops when competing or training. Pink, yellow and green colours are mandatory. Bright flashing taillights would also help. I recently read a comment from a reader saying police should take more action against irresponsible riders. Police are too busy on proper police work. It is the parents and riders who need to take action.
Diane Derby, Marcoola: The NSW premier Chris Minns was quoted in saying to 2GB that his government was considering measures to half the maximum powers of e-bikes from 500 watts to 250 watts, which I’m sure is incorrect. The Queensland police informed me that the maximum power an e-bike can have is 250 watts. Anything over the 250 watts is classed as a motorbike and must not only be registered but also have a licence.
- Read the story: Work starts on rebuild of ageing lifesaving tower
Lesley Evans, Kings Beach: I cannot understand the logic of disrupting Kings Beach in the first week of the summer school holidays. The path along the beach is now blocked off and walkers have to walk on the road to bypass it. What difference would six weeks make in the construction of the new lifesaving building? Tools will no doubt be downed for at least a few weeks during that time. As it is likely to run over time and over budget, as do most government projects, a six week delay would give holidaymakers a chance to enjoy the beach as they should.
- Read the story: Bridge design revealed but timeframes still unclear
Graham Lockey, Coolum Beach: I must take issue with Noel Thorpe who, in 35 years, claims to see no new infrastructure on the Coast.
- Duplication of the Maroochy River bridge
- Significant on/off ramp improvements and additions north of the bridge along the now toll-free Motorway to Noosa
- Huge works to upgrade the Bruce Highway in the Coast and Cooloola regions
- Significant coastal works
- Huge infrastructure expansion to permit new developments to house thousands of new residents right across the region
- Kawana Shoppingworld and Sunshine Plaza developments along with numerous new/expanded local shopping precincts
- The new Maroochydore CBD
Certainly there remains much to be done, but no new infrastructure on the Coast? Really?
- Read the story: Developer seeks 70m hotel, offers to pay for foreshore
Manfred Lorber: Why commence reno work at major tourist attraction just before the busiest time of the year? Mooloolaba businesses suffer again with lunch trade loss of 25 per cent. Who makes those business killing decisions?
- Read the story: Refresh of renowned shared street almost complete
Pauline Hurrey, Palmwoods: The recent expenditure of $700,000 to paint a short section of Ocean Street in Maroochydore with fancy patterns is appalling. At a time when homelessness and the cost of living are ever increasing, this seems a flagrant misuse of taxpayers’ money. At the same time as over half a million dollars was spent on painting bitumen, council is refusing to take any responsibility for tackling the issue of people sleeping in cars, living in tents claiming that solving this is up to the state. Mayor Rosanna Natoli has asked for ideas from the community to help alleviate the current homelessness situation which is particularly evident in Nambour.
Here are a couple such ideas.
Perhaps council could have used $700,000 to hire staff to look after the operation of the Sunny Coast Sleeper bus so that it could be offered every day of the week. This would provide local employment and help to alleviate the tension in that community.
Perhaps council could have used $700,000 towards turning the Fred Murray Building in Nambour (which they already own) into a crisis shelter. This building already has bathrooms, showers, lockers, secure parking. The aim would not be to turn it into permanent residential accommodation but to provide beds, showers, safety for the night. It is ironic that if a natural disaster like a cyclone occurs it is the local council who sets up crisis shelters. Surely the current situation of the homeless can be considered a crisis.
- Read the story: Special delivery marks milestone in tram project
Pete Finch, Noosa Heads: Each time I visit Nambour I wonder what happened to the great dream of resurrecting the cane trams as a tourist opportunity. Heading to the railway station last week the facilities built for the futuristic battery powered device appeared to be a resting place for the homeless. Yes, it’s a complex and very time-consuming process to get such a project up-and-running but maybe the concept should go back to the drawing board. The Timbertown tourist village and its renowned railway on the mid-north coast of New South Wales are closing shop in 2026 with the area up for redevelopment. Here’s an opportunity to acquire a working steam locomotive (with a slight gauge modification) and a fleet of carriages that may more closely represent the cane tram operation of the Moreton Sugar Mill. The battery rocketship device could be sold to a theme park.
- Dementia carers
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs: Compassionate dementia carers come from all walks of life and while their challenges may differ, they share resilience and dedication in supporting loved ones. For some, the role of carer can be a struggle when they feel they are losing their identity, but it can generate a passion to help people they meet along the dementia journey, looking after a loved one. In railway terms, it’s not about the cared and carer being shunted into an out-of-the-way siding of life but staying on board the train together on the mainline with a shared destination in mind.
It may not be all aboard the express, but an all-stations service with stops along the way to relive memories of past journeys together before the dementia diagnosis. On any dementia journey, lack of support, overcoming the frustrations of misdiagnosis and the emotional turmoil of caregiving can create feelings of isolation and loneliness in both the cared and carers, struggling to survive but fired with the desire to thrive.
Carers need care too. Key issues for the carer are a sense of loss and grief for the person the cared used to be, mixed with a cloud of ambiguity hanging over the present and future scenarios in the dementia journey. Dementia support networks are critical for harnessing the transformative power of peer groups, counselling and coaching for carers to maintain patience and understanding. The challenges are greater for young carers navigating personal growth and academic pressures. They may be reluctant to ask adults for help when so many are untutored in how to interact with a person with dementia.
The challenges can be even greater in rural and regional areas with limited access to support services. At times, carers may put pressure on themselves, feeling they are not doing enough for their loved ones, especially when negotiating respite breaks. When carers feel supported and understood, everyone’s quality of life improves.
Thankfully, dementia doulas can fill gaps for families struggling to access support. A qualified doula serves as a companion guide for the cared and carer on their dementia journey. Dementia doulas not only provide practical advice and connections to support networks, but they also offer a sympathetic shoulder to lean on when times are tough, and that can be often.
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.
