A different solution to housing
Apart from the workers themselves, hospitality business owners are the main victims of the shortage of affordable housing on the Sunshine Coast.
The first irony is that the more desirable these businesses become, the more they raise the value of real estate in this semi-rural paradise.
The second is that these small business entrepreneurs immediately look to government (local, state and federal) for a solution.
Unfortunately, these institutions tend to respond to ‘problems’ that can be solved with grand vote-winning gestures, like building fast rail links and hosting the Olympics.
Something as important but boring as social housing will be passed over in favour of flashy new stadiums.
While we understand the need for land development, subsidies for housing, etc, the real problem is on-going real estate speculation and the limited vision of developers.
We could end up creating ugly ‘dormitory’ commuter suburbs in the back blocks along the connection roads, and destroy the very environment we all cherish.
It occurs to me that hundreds of local business owners could pool resources to create a fund to build affordable medium and high-density housing projects near to the active business centres across the coast.
By adding some State or Federal ‘subsidy’ to that locally initiated dedicated building fund could actually produce sufficient housing space for younger renters and first-home buyers working in the hospitality and related fields.
Considering the huge cost, in terms of labour and health currently being paid by our hard-working entrepreneurs, it seems to me that building purpose-specific housing located near the coastal business activity zones could actually become a worthwhile investment for existing business owners, while providing them with attractive and affordable housing options for their new staff.
JOHN SAINT-SMITH, Buderim
A retired architect’s thoughts on housing
Housing for the lower rental market is indeed a real problem.
Traditionally, this lower rental market was met by older houses with several bedrooms and space for a number of cars on site, the only way rental could be affordable being a share-house with three or four sharing.
Working back from what is on offer for pay and from the other end, the cost of a property and the fixed and running costs such as insurance, rates, etc, the problem is, and has been, that these older houses have been, or are being, rezoned for redevelopment.
Their price then rockets upwards along with valuations and land tax so only developers can afford these older gems.
And for many of the “developer” landowners (including government departments such as TMR), managing tenancies, tenants and rental returns are not core business except for long term.
So, all that is left is newer and new houses on very small sites with limited car parking and with prices heading beyond those feasible to rent at the necessarily low levels.
Same has applied with older unit blocks, those traditionally as described in your article, with two beds, one bath and one car space. Same problems.
Perhaps it is too late, but if no more of the older housing is rezoned for higher density, and smaller sites in older areas are unable to be replaced with million-dollar houses, there is a chance the “mum and dad” investors can get a return from the sort of rents being dreamed about in the article.
But bear in mind, the actual value of such a property will not increase as they have over recent years unless some other actions are also taken to reduce costs.
Also, restricting the sites for redevelopment will ensure those sites already rezoned or approved will experience huge increases in value and scarcity will probably impact negatively on the number of jobs in the building industry. What a paradox!
It seems that growth-based economics has a price if the inevitable consequences are ignored or downplayed.
The current situation could well be the beginning of the consequences of too many jobs that pay too well.
Older folk will probably recognise this set of issues — they usually resolve in a recession such as around 1991. Odd to think the problem could be caused by, or contributed to, growth-based economics.
So, a very timely article, if not too late? Others of course will disagree so we should look forward to seeing their solutions applied in practice.
MICHAEL YEATES, Golden Beach and Brisbane
(Retired architect with substantial participation in a lower-cost, lower-density, multiple-housing model for Brisbane in the 1980s.)
Supporting canine war veterans
I am just writing to thank you for the heartwarming story regarding Ollie, the retired defence dog suffering from PTSD.
This really hit home as my wife and I have the honour of co-caring for retired Explosive Detection Dog Amber who retired in 2017.
Her career involved two deployments to Afghanistan of approximately eight months each time. She is a Koolie and joined the Army through the Koolie Rescue Association.
Amber too suffers from PTSD and it took almost 2 years of patient retraining to help her adjust to civilian life. She had severe anxiety around other dogs and people she did not know but has now improved greatly.
We soon realised that by putting her collar on she thought she was back on duty, so we restrict this whenever possible.
Sadly as a Veteran of conflict, no support is available from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Amber and all of the other war animals who have retired, which is a travesty.
This is despite ongoing attempts by the Australian War Animal Memorial Association and others to have this position changed. Our family and friends love Amber and willingly do all that is necessary to ensure she has a comfortable, long and well deserved retirement.
We wish Glenn and his wife well for the future.
GRAHAM AND JANELLE, Tewantin
Painful surgery wait
I read your article about the sad situation for patients waiting for surgery on the Sunshine coast.
I myself am on the waitlist for a hip replacement surgery. This condition is very painful and has a very negative impact on my quality of life.
I can only walk short distances with a very bad limp that has affected the rest of my body, giving me all kind of aches and pains.
I had an assessment at the orthopaedic department in April this year (after being on the waitlist for a year) and was told I could wait another 10 months just to see a surgeon.
I am very anxious and I get quite depressed at times not knowing when this life-changing surgery will happen. I can’t do most of the things I love doing because of this condition; and I am only 53 years old.
It’s a disastrous situation for all of us who are waiting for much needed health care now.
NADINE WANTZ, Palmwoods
