Dinosaur decisions will send the Fraser Coast economy extinct

There’s no pressure like sitting in the Chambers knowing everyone is holding their breath to see how you vote. This month, the Council will vote on the most significant development application of our time. I’ve sat there and while it can be hard to gauge public sentiment, I have learned that just as people are likely to leave a restaurant review if they have a bad experience, those against an application are always louder online, while the majority in favour scroll by.

So, what will Councillors do?

Are they looking to keep Hervey Bay the same, inevitably landing us in the planning courts at huge expense to the ratepayer, so we likely get the same outcome anyway?

Or are they looking to the future, willing to make real, positive changes to our housing diversity and crisis, tourism, demographic trajectory and be remembered for being courageous and progressive?

As a girl who was born and grew up on the Fraser Coast, I always viewed the council as a pack of old dinosaurs who never let anything good happen here and this was front of mind when I found myself in the decision room albeit as one number and not as the leader.

With many younger Councillors onboard, I hope to see more progression from them and our mayor. If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve got.

I urge councillors to read the application in full without bias, condition it appropriately to ensure good outcomes, but not in a way that makes the build infeasible, and let Hervey Bay thrive.

Dinosaur decisions and/or crumbling under pressure could send our economy and future prospects extinct and may encourage busy, business-minded people like me to make a return to politics - next time as a leader.

Jade Wellings

Opportunity to remain special

It’s distressing the amount of native habitat lost to clear cutting for property development in Hervey Bay since Covid.

Of course residents want the area to grow and progress - but sustainably please, and with respect to the environment and the entire community.

We live here for the relaxed natural beauty of the beaches, the fishing, the huge shady gum trees filled with wildlife.

A holiday destination, a renowned whale watching hub and access to world heritage listed K'Gari - these are recognised world class, unique, natural gifts of our surrounding environment.

The size of our footprint matters. How we manage our world class destination is critical to our success and opportunity to remain special. Why morph into the next coast mega development and lose it all for short term greed?

We can build six star resorts without destroying Torquay. Why have height restrictions if the highest bid can win?

The wooded area at the end of the beach in Urangan is already zoned for this type of 20+ story, high density property development - according to a former councillor. Why then is Torquay being considered?

Wasn't this Urangan site also identified for high density development by a visiting minister looking for housing options?

Our rates have increased 10% this year, 4% last year. Infrastructure, water and the planning are insufficient to deal with existing population pressures.

Where is the forward thinking and long term strategic planning for Hervey Bay? World pressures and supply chains have changed, but our heads remain buried in the same unhelpful strategies working against each other and the environment.

When are we going to hold community planning and property development to a higher standard of environmental and community sustainability?

Be a voice for an environmentally sustainable future for our children.

Ann - Hervey Bay

Response to Publisher’s Point 27/6/24

I have just read your article about the proposed 21 storey development in Torquay.

The Bay Area has always held a special interest to our family…as my wife spent her early years here.

I would like to commend the mayor and councillors of past administrations for their vision and foresight for setting the plan to preserve and improve the extensive foreshore and streetscape.

I recall the mammoth task the council undertook to pave the walkway from Gatakers bay to Urangan…this was a major project for the 1980’s council.

Today we benefit from decisions that preserved the tranquillity of the bay without the impact of large scale development of the pristine parkland and surrounds along the coastline.

Resisting the developers who wish to despoil this relaxed and unique appeal of Hervey Bay should be resisted at all costs.

Regards

Greg and Wendy Brigg - Samford QLD.

New Dog Laws story

I was pleased to read the story on page 12 of the H.B. Advertiser of 22 June reporting "the Queensland Government's tough new dangerous dog laws" which are long overdue.

The only unanswered question now is whether or not the magistrates will do their part, and have the intestinal fortitude and therefore the willingness to impose immediately the harsher penalties provided by this legislation?

Or will it be another case of second chances for the owners just because an attacking dog has supposedly never been aggressive before?

I guess we must wait and see when the next inevitable, unfortunate incident happens.

James Turner - Urangan.

Thanks from developer

We write to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Hervey Bay residents and the wider Fraser Coast community for their incredible support towards the proposed Sheraton Resort Hervey Bay at Torquay.

While we understand and appreciate that not everyone is in favour of this development, we are extremely grateful for the overwhelming feedback we have received and thank everyone in the community for their interest in this project and their willingness to participate in the discussion.

We have faith that the Councillors are listening to their community and recognise the major economic and social benefits our project will have for this region. This includes an $580 million boost to the economy and tourism, the creation of close to 1,800 new jobs, and providing 430 much-needed new homes.

There is no doubt the Sheraton Resort Hervey Bay will be a catalyst for continued growth and progress that will ensure a long-term and more sustainable and prosperous future for the Bay. We are committed to seeing this project through and creating positive energy the whole community will be proud of.

Once again, thanks so much for all of the support and we look forward to playing our part in a bright future for Fraser Coast.

Dan Cuda