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 give to letters of 100 words or less.
- Read the story: Tide study says passage turning to open coastline
The sealing off of the former outlet opposite Happy Valley-Kings Beach has slowed the clearing outflow from the Pumicestone Passage.
It seems to have contributed to the overall changes including the Golden Beach erosion. It also restrains and contains the drainage discharge into the Happy Valley waterway, resulting in the water there stagnating and increasing contaminants and infection risk, as has already happened. Digging a channel to reopen the original ocean outflow would flush the waterway and make it healthier. The resultant tidal flows would probably ameliorate the Golden Beach erosion issues. But I’m no expert.
I do know what used to work.
Warren Duff, Caloundra
- Read the story: Thousands make most of flights
You must start plans very soon for upgrading this airport. How can you consider more flights in when it is already inadequate and overcrowded? It is very uncomfortable for elderly people flying in to visit relatives.
Air NZ provides an excellent assisted service and are to be complimented for this. My next wish is for Queenstown to Sunshine Coast direct. This will alleviate the need to fly to Auckland, stay overnight, then on to the Coast. I love my time in Mooloolaba with family.
Margaret Hawkes, Cromwell, NZ
Great article re Air NZ. What will be interesting is to see how they react to Jetstar now flying all year round. Will there be a price war?
T.J.
- Read the story: School pools closed over leasing difficulties
Australia, especially the Sunshine Coast, is known for its sunshine and swimming greats, as evidenced by our wonderful Olympians who started off in these local pools.
It seems incredulous that we can spend billions on 3 per cent of our population and send millions of our money overseas to support irrelevant causes.
While it is local council and state government’s realm, the focus has to be on locals and our youth.
Phil Broad, Nambour
- Read the story: Wheels in motion for rail tunnel under suburbs
I read your story with complete disbelief. They are delusional and completely out of touch with what is possible based on the record of new line construction in Queensland, with the Kippa-Ring extension from Petrie that opened in 2016 being the most recent. That was only a 12km line that was all above ground with six stations and it cost about $1.5 billion, but the corridor had been in place for some time. The real cost was a lot more because the assessment and business studies went on for years between 1999 and 2004: approved in 2005 with tenders for construction not awarded until 2013. So that line took something like 16 years from the time they started testing soil.
We have eight years before the Olympics and they are saying that they can build 36km of line in heavily populated areas with 1.2km underground in less than eight years? That is a lie, plus they do not have enough land at Maroochydore for a bus-rail interchange and turnaround point. Even if they did, they say that they can have all this done and open before the Olympics. That is simply not possible given that they haven’t even done the soil testing or finalised the corridor, much less a comprehensive cost analysis including who will pay for what.
The Cross River Rail project in Brisbane is only 10km and the cost on that project is already up to $6.3 billion. Based on all of this, they will be lucky to get the line to Caloundra and, if even if they did, there will be a public transport nightmare to get people to and from any of the sports events at Kawana.
They are all in dreamland and in complete denial.
Bob Carroll, Maroochydore
In regard to the proposed heavy rail link running from Beerwah to Maroochydore, which at this stage will cost around $12 billion, has anyone considered putting in something similar to the new Brisbane Metro?
A rapid transport system, utilising similar electric or other powered buses to that of the Brisbane Metro, could extend from say Landsborough (where there is already a new bus interchange) to Maroochydore, with stops at key locations. Such a system could quite easily be extended to include the Sunshine Coast Airport.
It could operate on parts of the existing road network as well as separate newly constructed sections where there is already high traffic volumes. For example, a rapid transport system could use the land set aside for the rail corridor.
It would be interesting to see if there is a business case for an alternative to an expensive heavy rail , comparing the costs, estimated passenger numbers, convenience and accessibility to stops, land use suitability and environmental impacts.
Ross Fleming, Pelican Waters
Editor’s note: There are plans for a bus rapid transit system between Maroochydore and Caloundra.
- Read the story: Developer lodges appeal over shopping centre refusal
While I appreciate council is trying to keep the village atmosphere, which is lovely, you cannot have some housing development and not expect services to cater for that growth. Why have the surrounding residents of the area not been consulted? The Bamboo Road development alone would support the Coles development, along with the residents of Eudlo and other surrounding areas. Then add the area on the Range side of Palmwoods. Where are they supposed to shop? The existing little supermarket cannot cater for the growing population.
Council is allowing massive development in the Woombye/Palmwoods area but has not given much thought to growing needs of the residents. The roads in the area are in poor condition, the railway bridge intersection is an accident waiting to happen, and the Woombye school intersection is another very bad area. Try getting out to go to work between 7am and 8.30am or again at home time. Sealing Nicklin Road would at least help the railway bridge intersection morning and afternoon traffic flow, but we are flat out having the gravel section maintained to alleviate the potholes and drains that form every time it rains.
The villages in the area have no curve and guttering, sewerage connection or town water – what do our rates pay for? A very expensive garbage collection as that is our only service.
We have been hearing for quite some time about a smaller supermarket that has not materialised, and now Coles has been declined. Again, where are the residents supposed to shop? We would like to shop in our own area like most Coast residents.
Myra Grindrod
- Read the story: Owner appeals council order to decommission tiny homes
I can’t comment on the costs associated with the rentals. However, I sure will about councils.
They are the same all across Australia. They are a law unto themselves and are only interested in money. They know about the housing crisis and will never seek a just and fair solution to help people that are genuinely battling to put a roof over their and their loved ones’ heads.
I know the feeling as I am living in a caravan battling to make ends meet.
Good luck. I hope they see sense.
Mike, Dayboro
I think it’s disgraceful that someone with a large property can’t help others to get on their feet.
Things are so bad financially everywhere. These tiny homes are very presentable and often are self-sustainable, making little impact on the environment. Would council take each situation on its own merit and give their people some help?
Susanne Marsland, Sippy Downs
So sad that these councillors don’t have a housing crisis.
Make these privileged councillors live in a tent or car to realise how stupid they are. Small houses are giving people somewhere to live.
Bazza, Currimundi
- Read the story: 150 new trees line busy suburban road
Whilst I’m very supportive of more trees, I can’t help but think the planting of trees along Karawatha Drive is a mistake.
In July, a young boy lost his life in a tragic road accident.
I wonder if an adequate risk assessment was done to assess if the planting of trees between the road and footpath will reduce visibility for drivers and pedestrians leading to more incidents?
Terry, Buderim
We also enjoy the shade and beauty that trees provide along the verges in the Sunshine Coast.
However the selection for verge trees should be given greater consideration. We have two large leopard trees on each verge of a corner lot. There would hardly be a day go by when we aren’t out picking up copious bark pieces that shed from the trunk and limbs, then hundreds of hard shell seeds fall daily for weeks, which must be picked up before the mower spreads the bullet shrapnel across the lawn, and of course the branches that fall must also be picked up, some being quite large.
These large leopard trees, plus several other very large trees, shade the roof’s solar panels, reducing the already paltry amount that we could earn to offset electricity expenses. And lastly, we do wonder if council is responsible for any damage caused by trees and branches that are too large should we have a massive storm damaging the roof, windows or solar panels.
We trust greater consideration is given to the selection of verge trees that are not too large and enhance the area. We are house and yard proud. I guess if we weren’t we could just let the debris gather up across our lawn to annoy the neighbours instead of ourselves.
H. Demmitt, Buderim
- Read the story: Rows of campervans by waterfront draw ire from locals
I’d just love to know what Noosa Council has done to really fix the problem.
Traffic and camper parking is still the same – terrible.
Melissa Tuffley, Sunrise Beach
- Read the story: $4.2m boat ramp upgrade opens
While out paddling this week we decided to make a pit stop at Outrigger Island, Minyama, one of the busiest waterways in the area.
Paddlers, canoeists, boaties, fishermen, cyclists and walkers make use of this island.
We had heard about the improvements that had been made. A new boat ramp, improved parking, a floating walkway. Although the previous setup was a bit rough, the biggest problem had always been no loo facilities (most other coastal boat ramps have access to some type of toilet facility for public use). The new boat ramp is first class, the parking is much improved.
However, astonishingly, after this $4.3 million upgrade there are still no toilets for the public to use at this location.
P. Hurrey, Palmwoods
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 give to letters of 100 words or less.
