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: $1b Olympic arena and hotel proposed for CBD
The development of a multi-use, Olympic-oriented event centre sounds like a fantastic idea.
I suppose I would ask just two questions – will the infrastructure (roads, walkways, police and emergency services) be adequate to the challenge, and are taxpayers meant to contribute to the for-profit scheme?
Jeff Tuttle, Caloundra
I think the proposal is long overdue for the area: there needs to be more of it.
Adam, Mount Coolum
This concept is great and I hope it goes through.
However, I would not expect this to be funded by the Olympic committee (other than the usage fee for Olympics) or state or council (well, council has already has, given the price it gifted the land to Walker Corp to already).
This looks to be a great ongoing business for Walker, and so as long as the government does not fund it I’m happy to pay to use it.
John Cacciola, Buderim
I think it’s a good idea and should be commenced immediately.
Peter Birt, Maroochydore
- Read the story: Two towers, 179 units: new vision for high-profile site
I fear Eden Caloundra may be less like Eden than developer spin makes it out to be.
Nearly 180 units and 10- and 11-storey buildings at the top of an already busy street? Has there been an impact study done on what that additional traffic will do to our community? I know I’m not the only one who complains that traffic has got much worse recently. I cannot imagine what another 200 to 300 cars trying to utilise our congested roads every day will be like, and that will be in addition to the buildings about to open on Tay Avenue and Bulcock Street.
I acknowledge more housing is necessary but without enough infrastructure and planning we will transform our lovely little community into a grid locked Hell, not Eden.
Jeff Tuttle, Caloundra
Let’s not muck around. We are not Caloundra any more with developments like this adding to the existing growing developer paradise. Let’s get real and say it for what it is and will continue to be in the future. Welcome to the new town … Gold Coast North.
Let’s have some development but not the now never-ending love of the developer bible.
How many of the huge number of homeless will live in this development?
Allan
I think this development will cause more congestion.
Roads can not handle the traffic up this end of town now. Actually, roads can not handle the traffic anywhere in Caloundra.
I watch the continual traffic now and when it is holiday time it is worse. It is quite ridiculous.
Lee Sharp, Caloundra
- Read the story: Residents run out of patience with live-aboard vessels
Is this really a problem or are your complainers of the same ilk that stopped live music on a Sunday at Peregian Beach or people overnighting in campervans?
Surely other problems such as a lack of accommodation on the Coast, car thefts and domestic violence should have our council resources rather than taking away even more of our coastal freedoms.
C. Radcliffe, Coolum Beach
Leave them alone. More rights to be taken away by the wealthy. Do they complain when you create wash as you go past in your million-dollar speedy? Do they complain about noise each week when you mow your lawn?
Give ‘em a break, scrooges.
Matt Dyason, Buddina
I’ve read the article about live-aboard boats in the Mooloolah River and wanted to let you know we have the same problem in Tin Can Bay.
We have three areas where these vessels are growing in numbers: Snapper Creek; just outside Snapper Creek in Tin Can Bay inlet; and inside and outside of Crab Creek. There are quite a number of abandoned boats in appalling conditions, some of which get washed ashore in strong winds or just get stranded on sand banks. At times, there can be three or four half or completely sunken vessels, one of which has been completely sunk just outside Snapper Creek, where a lot of recreational fishing boats traverse the area. MSQ was informed about it and a small yellow float was placed near it, however it has no light on it so it’s still a hazard at night.
The majority of vessels are not on moorings so as tides change they swing back and forth, dragging the anchor chain across the bottom, scraping any form of marine life off the bottom. Also a lot of these vessels have no lights on at night. I am in the Tin Can Bay Fishing Club and a lot of us are concerned that these vessels must be dumping black water straight into the area where they are moored or anchored. The fishing in the area has gone from very good to very bad as the number of boats grow.
I am writing this letter in the vain hope that someone of authority can be made aware and our area could be cleaned up.
Derek Andrews, Cooloola Cove
- Read the story: Hinterland over-50s village wins council nod
Stockland has realised the burgeoning demand for this style of housing becoming more and more prevalent.
I wonder how many homes there will be available for the disabled?
A very viable concept but no mention of infrastructure being planned for an influx of about 400 people in a small village impacting on local parking, massive queues at local shops and demand for local services like medical treatment.
I do beg to differ on the statement “because it would provide a retirement product not readily available in Yandina”. Currently constructing stage two in Yandina is the well-planned and boutique over-50s gated community Riverbend, with a maximum of 69 homes, which is proving to be very popular. This village alone will provide homes for about 110 people by the time stage three is completed.
Phil Broad, Nambour
- Read the story: More parks but less beach proposed for dogs
As per Alison of Golden Beach, I agree wholeheartedly with her comments and have to admit I had the same thoughts when I saw how many children, adults and dogs were enjoying themselves at Stumers Creek over the summer holidays, that the council would soon do something to destroy the harmony.
It has been my most enjoyable outing for the past few years. I too am over 80 and unable to walk on sand anymore. My daughter (with her small dog) tries to come up every few weeks and collects me and my small dog to go out to Stumers Creek for a couple of hours.
I am settled under the pandanus (only shade close to the beach available) in a chair with a bottle of water, a rug in case it is cool and a couple of dog towels to catch the mutts when they arrive back and do a dive onto my lap.
The pleasure I have got over the last few years is incalculable and I have noticed a number of elderly people also taking advantage of this viewing platform overlooking the creek and the many who are down there enjoying themselves.
I wonder if they have the same thoughts as myself when I would have been one of those down there, playing in the water with my kids and dogs. Today I only have memories, but happy memories.
Congratulations council, once again taking away our pleasure and again removing more off-leash dog beaches, as it appears those who don’t have pets are not happy with their share of the beach as most dog owners are, but want the lot.
Kay Watson, Bli Bli
The Sunshine Coast Council proposal to reduced dog access to beaches and increase fenced off-leash areas does not address the need for an area where dog owners can have a safe off-leash area at Shelly Beach.
Mostly retired dog owners in our area avoid walking dogs on Shelly Beach because of the soft sand. There is nowhere for the many dog owners to allow their pets to socialise with others at Shelly Beach.
Would the council propose we get in our cars to find the nearest off-leash area?
David Howell, Shelly Beach
Why take away the freedom of beach walks to build cages for dogs? Dog parks only work for a small percentage of dogs and owners. Dogs are too busy chasing balls, sticks and each other on the beach to pay any attention to birds sat on the rocks.
On the latest beach clean-up, it was said by a volunteer how little rubbish was collected at Point Cartwright. Why? Because a large percentage of local dog walkers pick up rubbish off the beach every day.
Sheila Parker, Mountain Creek
I am an old dog lover (78) and have been walking with our dogs on North Shore beach almost every morning since 2000 when we retired to this area (different dogs as they don’t live that long).
If it isn’t broke, please don’t fix it. The system is as good as flawless. My fellow walkers pick up any rubbish and doggy-dos of course. There are (almost) never any dog fights. The migrating birds have never been any trouble.
The mention of increased off-leash area south of Mudjimba is a great idea. Thank you to Rosanna and to Taylor too.
Sandra (Sue) Rogers, Nambour
- Read the story: Public input sought for proposed works for hydro project
The fact sheet released in July 2023 states that preliminary works, including investigations and an EIS (environmental impact statement), will cost $6 billion.
We have no idea of the final cost of this project totally relying on unused “low cost” solar and wind to operate efficiently, and even then for only a few hours.
Surely Queenslanders would be better off with new, reliable, low-cost, low-emission coal power that is available 24/7 instead?
David Brunt, Minyama
Great news. Bring it on asap.
Matt Dyason, Buddina
- Read the story: Mayors set for overseas fact-finding mission
Do I have this correct? The state or federal powers agree to hold the Olympics but the selected local regional councils (read ratepayers) foot the bill to educate themselves on how to stage the event. Are we sure this is in the job description of the services our local council is meant to use our money upon to educate themselves?
Or maybe I have it wrong and the associated costs are all covered by others rather than ratepayers.
As usual none of that is clearly explained at present and unlikely to be so based on the past.
Eon Radley, Buderim
- Read the story: Dutton announces seven sites for nuclear plants
Let’s first agree that there is a remarkable amount of misinformation regarding this
issue. So, as best we possible can, let’s stick to known facts, not opinion.
The LNP coalition are pro-nuclear. In taking this position, they also must support the ongoing need for coal and fossil fuels. So the solar systems on our roofs are in jeopardy. Coal-fired power stations are all fading quickly, and will not be here in 2035. Neither will any nuclear power stations. Renewable energy/battery storage is the biggest single energy investment currently in Australia. AGL is the biggest energy provider in this country and is “full steam ahead” in investment in renewable energy. The energy market regulator is also urging the market to continue to invest in renewables.
Australia has no experience in building a large nuclear power station. So we have no idea how long or how much they will cost. Small modulator reactors are still in the ‘theory’ stage. Nuclear reactors cannot be turned off – they run on ‘full’ all the time. This works against the use of baseload power needed to fill the gap when high demand/low demand situations occur – which is every day. CSIRO is the government’s own science body, and it has stated that the cheapest form of electricity for us, as a country, into the future is renewable energy. And for those who still have doubts, South Australia is currently operating on 97 per cent renewable energy and battery, and exporting surplus energy to Victoria.
Given the right information, I believe the Australian population can be trusted to vote wisely. Nuclear may well have a place in the energy market in the future, but not any time soon. And I also wonder what $680 billion would buy, instead of the LNP’s proposed nuclear plants: a better medical/hospital system and better education standards come to mind, to name a few. That, and much of renewable energy is free on our rooftops.
Phil Layton, Pacific Paradise
- Read the story: $2m land purchase to help protect endangered species
I seem to often whinge about this or that so I thought I should voice my appreciation of this green space and environmental purchase at Wootha.
Jeff Tuttle, Caloundra
- Read the story: Why your original will matters most
They say where there’s a will there’s a long-lost relative, especially as about $5 trillion is expected to change hands in the coming decade, prompting more people to dispute legacies.
With massive growth in property values and large super balances, our courts are considering more challenges to wills by adult children.
These contests expose mountains of family dirty washing, as seen with the Murdochs.
It gets complicated with separated and de-facto partners, children born outside of marriage and dependents with disabilities being able to challenge if they can prove they have a moral claim.
Increasingly, the deceased’s carers and domestic helpers are coming into the picture.
While grandchildren aren’t automatically eligible, with increasing senior longevity and size of estates, claims from younger progeny crop up, especially when estranged family members are left out.
However, estrangement doesn’t mean an eligible person cannot challenge, nor does a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Cutting out black sheep from a will can be planting a legal landmine to be triggered by those emboldened by successful challenges.
Timely intergenerational discussions based on goodwill underpinned by sound legal advice seem the best way forward.
Hopefully, we don’t face a Willmageddon defeating the sincere intentions of seniors wishing to pass on their hard-earned legacy to their chosen loved ones.
Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs
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.
