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.
- Read the story: Light rail vs buses: transit options down to two
Why is our money being spent on a business study on this project when we have no firm commitment by all levels of government to actually break ground on our long-planned heavy rail project?
Do we really have money to spend on secondary projects prior to even starting the vital first, or are these perhaps fallback plans if heavy rail doesn’t proceed ?
G. Ryan, Caloundra
I far prefer the light rail option over buses. My experiences with light rail in Europe have all been very positive – clean, prompt, cheap and reliable. Our buses are big and cumbersome and, depending on the day, they can have significant wait times.
The Coast has long struggled, since I was a school student here in the ’60s, to provide public transport that is prompt and reliable, the main reason for so many cars on our roads.
Jan Jarman, Buderim
The whole concept is flawed. It is the desire of developers to turn the beachfronts from Caloundra to Maroochydore into a Gold Coast-style eyesore of high-rise buildings, along with the accompanied noisy, under-utilised trams.
We have a council and government who presented numerous surveys that were designed in such a way that the outcomes suited their agenda. We have governments who pretend but do not listen to their constituents and blindly sink the taxpayers into unwanted developments and huge debt, all in the name of progress.
Solution? Simply upgrade the current roads and improve the existing flexible bus network. Both governments are a disgrace and must be voted out at the next elections.
Baden Lane, Alexandra Headland
Most objections to light rail are based on the fear that one or two traffic lanes will be lost in order to accommodate the trains. Have the people of the Sunshine Coast lived such a sheltered life north of Brisbane that they have never travelled on the Airtrain from Brisbane city to the airport? That rail line was built in such a manner so as to overcome the objections currently outraging the narrow-visioned people of the Sunshine Coast.
To overcome the concerns of the objectors, I continue to propose a sky rail down the central median strip of Nicklin Way from Maroochydore to Caloundra Road, then left into Caloundra, with branch lines to the Kawana hospitals, Moffat Beach and the university at Sippy Downs.
The elevation of the line will allow overpasses at each road intersection on Nicklin Way so that there is no disruption to vehicle traffic. Only a single line is necessary as long as there are passing lanes at each station. If, in the future, more capacity is envisaged, then construct the sky rail two storeys high, with one line above the other with trains going in opposite directions.
Most rail commuters and tourists will want to go direct from Maroochydore to Caloundra, and should not have to take a wide detour via the Kawana hospitals.
Alan Ward, Buderim
There are only two options for discussion. This is unfortunate as the options dissuaded have merit.
Council is determined that light rail with overhead power lines is the best option – this is evident by choosing an option less likely to stack up against light rail.
I live in Alexandra Headland, where the esplanade is too narrow to accommodate tracks in the middle of the road without removing car parking. If parking is removed my quiet street will become a nightmare with constant traffic and nowhere for residents to park.
Trevor Lobegeier, Alexandra Headland
My recollection of the previous public consultation on the council plan for transport between Maroochydore and the new Sunshine Coast Hospital is that there was very strong opposition to the light rail system in favour of rapid buses. Surely the council has not swept this public view to one side by continuing to include the light rail option? This would be much more expensive, take longer to implement and be more disruptive to the existing community than the bus alternative.
In addition, the proposal to only consider Caloundra as an afterthought is quite objectionable. The transport system should seek to unite the communities of the council area, not divide us into those included and others neglected.
For many years Caloundra has been poorly served by the council – paying for parking in the town centre, reducing personal Inquiry staff, an inadequate library and so on. Very belatedly it seems that we are going to get a new library. The expenditure on Caloundra has been dwarfed by the Maroochydore city centre and luxury council building. Let us see a bit of fairness for Caloundra.
Roy Green, Golden Beach
- Read the story: Iconic car park set to make way for parkland
I wholeheartedly agree with many of your published contributors. I think for anybody with mobility issues, removal of these car spaces would greatly affect the beach and seascape.
Also please note the only viewing point for those confined in a car is the hill on Alex and the Mooloolaba car park. Hopefully the council will be more transparent about finding local and visitor opinions.
John Parkes, Buderim
I think it would be regrettable to remove this unique amenity. I have observed many people enjoying the closeness to the water from their car or bench seating nearby. Many are aged and probably less likely to park and walk.
Such convenience could have meters, with a two-hour maximum stay, allowing for beachgoers and shoppers supporting cafes and retail trade. A makeover would enhance this special feature of Mooloolaba.
Kim Dwyer, Maroochydore
- Read the story: First look: what to expect from foreshore transformation
After seeing the proposed works to upgrade access to amenities at wonderful Mooloolaba Beach, I earnestly hope someone will have the foresight to install handrails to give support and consideration to those wishing to use the many steps to the beach.
John Darling, Manly West
- Read the story: Tiny home tenants still facing uncertain future
In the article on tiny homes and various petitions, I noticed the following: “One of the sticking points is that, for health and safety reasons, tiny homes are required to be connected to water and sewer.”
Many houses are built on sites without being connected to water and sewer. Water tanks and various methods of treatment for wastes have been used for many years. And “health and safety” has been and remains important, but not a barrier that is insurmountable.
Is this actually a reason for trying to prevent use of the tiny homes? It seems so when both levels of government appear to support the need and their use, but then point to “rules” they rely on as to why the tiny homes cannot be approved. Surely sort out what is required for water and sewer issues, and any other “rules”, and get the solutions under way, with reasonable time limits and further approvals later, if necessary?
Is the local and state government intention to assist with provision of new forms of low-cost affordable housing, or just support the idea but not implementation?
Michael Yeates, Golden Beach and Brisbane
Not happy with the current council at all. One rule for them and none to the people.
Erik Buttars, Mountain Creek
- Read the story: $1.8m boost provides new support centre for veterans
For those of us who are part of the ex-ADF community, it is indeed welcome news that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has approved a grant of $1.8 million to assist in the establishment of a Veteran and Family Wellbeing Centre in Maroochydore.
Queensland RSL and the veterans’ charity Mates4Mates will provide much-needed services and support for those who have served our nation and their families with the government’s grant.
The new centre will support the veteran community with a broad range of services and programs as well as social connection activities. It will collaborate further with ex-service organisations already doing great work on the Coast.
Robyn Deane, Bli Bli
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.
