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: Drivers call out new ‘congestion-busting’ traffic lights
As a local user of this intersection I could see this would not work.
I didn’t need research or planning to make this observation, just common sense.
Robert Harle, Yaroomba
Absolutely ridiculous.
Complete waste of whatever millions. The roundabout could have been made two lanes. About minus-2 out of 10 for me and that is being generous.
Gordon Benfer, Yandina Creek
There needs to be something done very quickly with regards to exiting out of the 7-Eleven drive.
Like the last person had said (in the article), it is now basically impossible to turn right, especially if you wish to head to the motorway. People are getting stuck behind cars in the driveway to exit 7-Eleven for up to 10 minutes. It’s the worst bit of traffic engineering I’ve witnessed. The other option is to now turn left and try and swing a U-turn just by the works depot entry, which I saw cause a near-miss this week.
People are now exiting out of the entry to 7-Eleven and myself and more others will be doing the same. A simple thing like getting a coffee or fuelling your vehicle should not be a 25-minute experience of pain.
Shaun Moore, Coolum Beach
I live in Bli Bli and travel to Coolum for work every day.
These two suburbs have grown dramatically in the last 10 years. However, the road system has stayed the same. These two suburbs are choking with traffic congestion. I totally agree with comments in the article. There desperately needs other bypas roads built and opened up to get more traffic away from these bottlenecks. Options please. It is such poor planning what has happened to these two once-beautiful suburbs.
I really hope something changes because it has to.
Brett O’Donnell, Bli Bli
While there was a need to improve traffic congestion at the intersection of Yandina-Coolum Road, South Coolum Road and School Road the traffic lights are not the solution.
Surely, a revamped roundabout would have been much better with the inclusion of pedestrian lights where the pedestrian refuge was on the Yandina-Coolum Road. It is a pity that more forethought was not done. Traffic has increased considerably in the time taken between planning and installation of these lights and costs would have escalated during that time as well.
Currently, us locals can add 10 minutes on to a trip if we approach from the Coolum Beach area to the Sunshine Motorway with traffic being stopped prior to the Yungbar/Central lights and nothing appearing to be coordinated.
Motorists exiting the 7-Eleven service station are now entering the Coolum-Yandina Road, adding to the problem. I, along with others, will try and avoid this area from now on leading to heavier traffic on David Low Way and frustration either way.
Our infrastructure has not improved in this area and there has certainly been an influx of residents. Again, lack of planning and taking too long to put any plan into action. I realise most infrastructure is taking place south of the Maroochy River but we are still part of the Sunshine Coast Council and also deserve attention.
Perhaps funds that are allocated for actual projects can be spent on those projects.
Pamela Vagg, Coolum Beach
Let’s hope the monitoring of the lights improves the situation.
They need to synchronise these lights and the lights at Yungar Street so that in the morning and afternoon they can have Yandina-Coolum Road all the way through for five minutes and then the South Coolum Road and Yungar Street three minutes just to move the traffic.
- Read the story: Roadside copper cable theft interrupted amid statewide issue
The solution is not difficult, freeze the receipt of any reclaimed/recycled copper.
Any trades which work with copper can put in an application to the police/local authority to recycle their scrap copper. The details of the applicant are scrutinised and the copper they’re recycling is received. No payment is made to the applicants account until the validity of the copper (source) is verified. (Oh, look there’s an open job opportunity)
Failure to supply bona fide credentials and source results in an investigation and seizure of goods, vehicles, tools etc.
It’s time to get tough with criminals.
Manne Hurlbatt, WA
Another form of copper theft – when air conditioners and plumbing are replaced.
I had a new ducted air conditioner installed to replace my old one.
I found that the service providers did not advise me about the copper they retrieve. They offer to take away the rubbish after the replacement. But not all is rubbish. It is valuable copper. The tradies have the copper recycling project all stitched up. Somebody else comes along by arrangement and retrieves all the recyclable materials. A very lucrative sideline. But as the owner of the property I wasn’t informed or given a choice.
Many of these customers are older people who may not be aware of the value of the copper being taken from their property.
Denise Brooks
Back in the early 80s I was living in Alice Springs and the stealing of copper wire was very common then.
Surely there is another product, worth much less, that could be used instead.
Debra, Port Lincoln, SA
- Read the story: Increased height proposal describes plan scheme limit as ‘error’
I strongly disapprove of allowing any buildings to exceed the present height restrictions.
We do not want to become like the Gold Coast: a high-rise jungle with no charm at all.
Please do your job council and stop this now.
Anne Pace, Currimundi
- Read the story: Drone technology used to track e-scooter and e-bike offenders
The chronically-ineffectual LNP Member for Ninderry witnesses some incautious after school e-bike behaviour at the Coolum pre-poll, gets re-elected, gets appointed Police Minister and there is immediately a targeted Coolum crackdown.
Be careful what you wish for.
Peter Baulch, North Arm
- Read the story: City centre project hailed
Congratulations to the Sunshine Coast for winning such a prestigious award and the vision of the previous council and mayor Mark Jamieson and also to the many ratepayers who have paid for the infrastructure for this project to proceed.
I believe it is about time the ratepayers started to get some benefit from this project. In the master plan there is a lake, a town park and walking and bike paths. You can get a glimpse of water from Dalton Driveve behind a cyclone fence.
It is about time the long-suffering ratepayers achieved some benefit from this project and not in 15 years’ time.
Trevor Rudd, Buderim
Mark Payne, Peregian Beach
- Read the story: Planned Olympic venues face scrutiny after cost blowouts
Our new Queensland LNP leadership wants to reassess projected cost overages for Sunshine Coast venues.
I fear this is pidgin for they won’t spend the money.
I am not a business owner but I believe the impact on the Sunshine Coast community could have lasting benefits and immediate advantages as well. I was at the 2000 Games in Sydney and the civic pride and international recognition still reverberates there. I hope these factors enter into the equation.
It is easy to balance budgets when you just opt out of spending money for anything.
Jeff Tuttle, Caloundra
- Read the story: Coast’s ‘most wanted’ invasive species list released
Council has stated that our region has 81 priority invasive plants and animals now listed in the Sunshine Coast Biosecurity Plan 2024, that brings the Biosecurity Act 2014 notifications up to date.
But, among the woody weed tree species listed, one appears to be missing: pinus elliottii, or slash pine, a prolific plantation escapee. Its spread along Sunshine Coast roadway verges and infiltration of nearby native plant communities has made it a serious environmental weed in some areas. Prime examples may be seen along Steve Irwin Way. While the importance of slash pine as a forestry resource is not in question, confining it to within its forestry boundaries is reasonable. The onus should be on foresters to manage this run-away now weed.
Yearly mowing or brush-cutting pinus seedlings and young saplings would be effective and, once cut, there is no regrowing.
Tom Turner, Bli Bli
I am wondering if the camphor laurel tree is on the list of plants to be eradicated?
I notice that this very invasive tree is infiltrating the Sunshine Coast hinterland areas. It is now the dominant tree species in most areas of northern NSW to the point where it has outcompeted native tree species. It covers vast tracts of land and grows to be a very large, spreading tree. Native birds such as wompoo pigeons feed on the seeds and spread them via their droppings, hence they continue to spread.
Do landholders get assistance to control camphor laurel and are laws in place to enforce the control and removal of this species?
I speak on behalf of many people that would hate to see this tree take over the beautiful native bushland and forests of the Sunshine Coast.
Fiona Woodward, Southport
Editor’s note: See the list of invasive plant species here.
- Read the story: Search underway for independent to contest federal seat
I take issue with the word ‘independent’ candidate.
This ‘movement’ is part of the Teals (party), the visiting proponent is known as a ‘Teal independent’ and backed by climate 200 billionaire Simon Holmes a Court. The supporting photo profile of Zali Steggall says it all. Are these potential candidates willing to pronounce they are standing for the Teal Party?
Their policy guidelines will be very interesting.
Phil Broad, Nambour
How can anyone who expresses interest be truly ‘independent’ if they are answerable to the ‘group’ behind this?
K White, Cotton Tree
I was at first quite excited about the idea of having a ferry to go across Mooloolah River from La Balsa Park to the wharf until I saw the cost of $14 one way.
This is, in my opinion, an extremely expensive option when compared to the cost of a family group taking a taxi or Uber, so I doubt there will be much interest from local residents wanting to use this ferry.
Most passengers would need to buy a return ticket as it is too far to comfortably walk back especially if accompanied by small children or elderly people.
If marketed as a short canal cruise for tourists it may do well but as an extra means of transport for residents, I doubt it’ll be popular at that price.
Lorelle Sutton, Buddina
Such a great idea and service.
We now have a new entity to be able to showcase the wonderful area we all live in, to the many visitors that visit the Sunshine Coast.
Carl Bay, Maroochydore
- Read the story: Global brand touts interest in proposed 77-room hotel
The council, in its wisdom, increased the council rates of short-term rental accommodation by approximately 50 per cent to owners.
Many owners have taken their units/airbnb properties out of the market. Council did this because of full-time rental shortages (punishing investors) and now they want to allow the building of a monstrosity on the foreshore of Bulcock Beach to cater for a shortage of short term accommodation.
This is bureaucratic madness at its best.
Danny Freyling, Caloundra
- Put the brakes on noisy motorbikes
Why do we have to be subjected to obnoxious and selfish noise from unmuffled Harleys?
The owners parade up and down Aerodrome Road and Alexandra Parade most weekends unchecked, flouting the noise level. If a car drove around with no exhaust muffler I am sure the owner would be fined. Not so for the bikies.
Are they immune from the law and why are the police reluctant to enforce noise restraint action as required by vehicle roadworthy conditions?
Anthony Robinson, Alexandra Headland
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.
