STUMERS LOVE
Dear editor,
I have been walking my dogs at Stumers Creek for a little over 25 years. They have all loved the freedom and open exercise available when they are off-lead on a long stretch of beach. There were times when it was very difficult to cross the creek because it was flowing swiftly, and the sand was very unstable. These conditions would make it impossible for anyone who could not wade thigh deep on soft, shifting sand to cross up into the proposed off-lead area.
This is only one reason to keep the current area south of Stumers Creek available for off-lead dog exercise. The other reasons to maintain the current area as it is have been well stated by others. It is beyond reason to shrink current off-lead areas when there will be an increase in dog population in the future.
As for dogs polluting Stumers Creek: I know for a fact that Stumers Creek is polluted well before it reaches the beach. Honestly, please have some common sense.
PS: the “Have Your Say” survey is not helpful at all. It doesn’t address any of the issues we are concerned about. Please insert an opportunity for us to tell you how we feel.
Karen Mork,
Coolum Beach.
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QLD PARROT
Dear editor,
A Qld species, the ‘Trumpeting Parrot’, thought to be extinct in 2019, has been rediscovered, creating great interest in the twitter space. This bird of passage is now widespread across the Nation. Unusually, its persistent trumpeting can only be heard by some bird fanciers. Just asking if it will survive?
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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FRANCINE WIIG?
Dear editor,
Francine Wiig, a Teal Candidate, independent for Fairfax has campaigned on integrity in politics as well as the ideals of Climate 200 in conjunction with billionaire Simon Holmes A Court.
Francine Wiig says Fairfax matters, but does it really – or is it just a means to an end?
Recently, Francine Wiig and Climate 200 sponsored an SMS survey by uComms stating-
“The LNP has proposed building nuclear power stations around Australia, including one less than 100km from Sunshine Coast hinterland. Do you support or oppose this plan?”
This, we know, is an argument based on a complete falsehood. We know the nearest power station or reactor will be 6 hrs away in the Callide region. This is lie spreading, contrary to integrity and honesty in politics.
Colin Caudell,
Coolum Beach.
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OIL & COST OF LIVING
Dear editor,
Both sides of politics are focussing on the “cost of living” as a major federal election issue – vital discussions for the imminent election. Contributing to the issue of its historical rise, they are ignoring the impact of government-imposed GST and excise elements on the fuel price, exacerbated by the annual CPI rise. No-one is exempt from its impact, as the price of fuel is factored into all goods and services we need for functioning in our lives.
The Federal Government is concerned there is no excise taxes on all-electric cars and are contemplating how to beat the excise system which their own “green” policies promote. They want their cake and to eat it too. With world oil down to $75 a barrel after its phenomenal rise when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, we would expect the domestic price of fuel to be back to its pre-2022 price, at $75 a barrel. There is no parallel relief at the pump.
One contributing factor for maintaining its high price is that our local fuel is fully imported and not refined here. Australian manufacturing is almost non-existent, with the high price of labour, the cost of power and local resources becoming “a bridge too far” financially. It doesn’t pay to maintain business on the local level when overseas labour and resources are cheaper, translating to more profit.
Our national population is small, with most manufacturing and business on the coast and in the capital cities. However, high wages impact the cost of production for all commercial dealings. The alternative for Australian businesses is to move their markets to overseas for cheaper overheads yet claim “Made in Australia” branding. Motorists are being taken for a ride, with tax the core income of government budgets, especially road and fuel taxes, with no foreseeable relief from the rising cost of living.
E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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FISCAL MANAGEMENT
Dear editor.
Australians deserve to be treated with respect by our political representatives and they should at all times stick to the facts. Especially with statements they make in public, in the media and in their glossy pamphlets.
The Opposition constantly spreads misinformation and lies, even in Parliament, where last week I heard a Liberal MP stand up and say that Labor should be doing more to lower inflation.
Under Labor’s watch, the inflation rate has dropped from the 6.1 per cent rate left by the Liberal/National government to 2.8 per cent.
According to the IMF, there has been a $200 billion improvement to the budget and we now have one of the top three budgets in the G20. Previously, Australia’s budget was ranked 14th.
So just who are the better economic managers?
Seems to me that we all need to be thankful that Labor has been working hard to get us back on track to a better economic future to benefit all Australians.
Robyn Deane,
Nambour.
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PRINT THANKS
Dear editor,
Big thanks to free, independent, print and online newspapers, serving communities with local, regional, national and international reporting of facts. Is it true that 65% of Oz newspapers are owned by one foreign owner? Just asking for more details.
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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ISSUES WITH WILLS
Dear editor,
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 recently.
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 family members 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 issues that will underpin the sincere intentions of seniors wishing to pass on their hard-earned legacy to their chosen loved ones.
Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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PRAISE FOR FRANCES
Dear editor,
Mrs Windolf you have outdone yourself! What a truly mesmerising and utterly breathtaking piece of writing and community journalism. Your column, ‘A Look Back In Time’ and its retelling of a view from Mt Coolum would have tugged at the heartstrings and soared the souls of those who have spent long years residing the Coolum and North Shore.
Thank you so much for a thoroughly thrilling edition to your series!
Dylan White,
Coolum Beach.
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