As 2024 comes to a close, Sunshine Coast News reflects on the stories that captured your attention.
Camping was a hot topic among readers. Volatile waterways, a pest fish and an upgraded highway were also focal points.
These are the stories that had you talking this year.
No. 1: Removal of toilets and showers leads to unhappy campers (December 20)
Grassed area or toilet? Jenny Ellem knows which one she would rather have nearby during her annual camping trip by the sea.
Ms Ellem is one of several campers who are ‘peed-off’ at a decision to demolish one of the amenities blocks at the Cotton Tree Holiday Park.
The block, which had showers, toilets and dishwashing facilities, has been replaced by a barbecue and grassed area where food trucks park part-time.
No. 2: Another breakthrough coming? Tide flows over island again (February 6)
A coastal geography expert says Bribie Island could be subjected to another tidal breakthrough, although it’s “hard to tell” if it would be permanent.
University of the Sunshine Coast Associate Professor Javier Leon says overwashing has been occurring at a slender section of the isle, about 1400m south of the large tidal breakthrough that divided the island two years ago.
Photographer/videographer Damien Lange captured images of the site, showing where the water had flowed over the island.
No. 3. Holiday park regulars ‘lose’ annual bookings (February 16)
Regular visitors to a popular holiday park are lamenting the ‘loss’ of their sites, after they were unable to adjust their bookings amid family heartbreak.
Established summer vacationists at the Cotton Tree Holiday Park failed to negotiate new arrangements with the managers of the Sunshine Coast Council-operated park, despite their difficult circumstances.
But a council spokesperson said there were necessary standard booking procedures, before adding that it will review length-of-stay conditions in coming months.
No. 4. Fishos concerned about rapid spread of pest fish (March 31)
Recreational anglers fear an invasive fish species has already gone past the point of no return on the Sunshine Coast and that other regions may soon suffer the same fate.
The presence of tilapia in waterways around the Coast is nothing new, but long-term fishos say they are starting to take over tributaries in the region.
Former commercial fisherman and avid recreational angler Caleb Lanfranco says they are becoming more prominent each year.
No. 5: Landslip occurs at popular camping point (June 3)
Rangers have witnessed a near-shore landslip at popular four-wheel-drive and camping location Inskip Point.
The Department of Environment and Science issued a media release with information about the event and the volatile area.
“The peninsula is a highly dynamic environment where strong winds and waves naturally impact the sandy shoreline,” the DES stated.
No. 6: Complaints over illegal campers and homeless at river park (May 22)
Sunshine Coast Council says it is working to address illegal camping and homelessness, amid complaints that up to a dozen people have been staying long-term at a riverside park.
Concerned resident Andrew Watson told Sunshine Coast News he has noticed a significant increase in the number of people who sleep overnight at Muller Park in Bli Bli.
He said most were in large panel vans, with others in tents and cars, and some in large motorhomes and caravans.
No. 7: ‘Game-changer’: 11km of upgraded highway officially opens (April 11)
A $662 million upgrade of the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane is officially complete.
More than 600 workers were involved in delivering improvements along an 11km stretch, which included upgrades to interchanges and exit ramps.
Motorists between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road at Caboolture and Steve Irwin Way at Elimbah are now saving time on their trips and travelling even safer on the state’s longest and busiest highway.
No. 8: Rows of campervans by waterfront draw ire from locals (October 11)
A packed public car park at sunset has sparked angst from residents of a famous tourist town.
Photos of rows of campervans at the end of Noosa Spit emerged on social media, prompting outcries from many locals.
Several commentators expressed concerns that people were staying overnight or longer, while others voiced some support for the visitors.
No. 9: Swift fans scramble for flights after cancellation (February 16)
Taylor Swift fans have faced a transport headache to attend her concert in Melbourne, after a flight from the Sunshine Coast was cancelled.
A Jetstar spokesperson confirmed to Sunshine Coast News that flight JQ793, scheduled to depart at 8am, had been cancelled due to an engineering issue, but that all passengers attending Swift’s show had been rebooked on other flights.
“Customers booked to travel on this morning’s cancelled flight have been reaccommodated on alternative Jetstar and Qantas flights,” they said.
No. 10: Show’s over: beloved cinemas set to close (March 20)
Nambour is losing its cinemas.
In a statement, Majestic Cinemas said its Nambour venue would cease trading on April 14.
The cinema chain, with has nine sites across regional Australia, appointed administrators on February 1 in the hope that a restructure would give the business a bright future going forward.
Other well-read stories
11: Caravan park on market for the first time in 40 years (April 26)
12: End of the road: beloved business shuts after 40 years (May 7)
13: Closing down: another suburb set to lose major bank (May 1)
14: ‘Malicious’: park users warned after metal spikes found (April 26)
15: Measuring up: Coast snake among longest ever rescued (February 14)
16: Coast man ‘shaking’ after claiming $50m Lotto win (April 10)
17: Attempts to identify man broaden with overseas inquiries (April 15)
18: ‘Heartbroken’: roadside cafe closes its doors after council battle (April 10)
19: Screws suspected to be deliberately set as tyre trap (June 18)
20: Tide study says passage turning to open coastline (October 25)
Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email.
