10th August Edition 2023

Council should be commended

As a long-term Fraser Coast resident and proud business owner for more than 30 years in this amazing region, I would like to commend the Fraser Coast Regional Council for their visionary foresight to develop our city centre.

The transformation of the Hervey Bay City Centre will not only be a vital piece of infrastructure for our burgeoning area, but a signal that we are surging ahead as a community.

The additional developments that will flow into our region as a result will be substantial.

I applaud our local councillors for their future focus. Great job.

Bob Wicks – Pialba

Fraser Coast Rate Notices

Recently I amongst many others received a new rates notice for 2023/24.

If I recall correctly, the Mayor went on the news stating the rate increase was 5.9% - less than inflation.

When I checked my rates bill the total amount to be paid (excluding water usage) increased by 9.5% over the previous year. I also noted the land value had not changed.

I then reviewed the Rating Category Statement 2023/24 and noted the two most common differential rates – 0.8366 c/$ and 1.4222c/$, which probably cover the majority of properties, had increased by approximately 12% over the previous year.

Notwithstanding the $75.00 Infrastructure Levy has been dropped, as stated above my rates have risen by significantly more than the percentage amount claimed by Council.

I wrote to Council 11 July asking for an explanation and have at this time received no response.

If the Council cannot do simple math, how can they responsibly build a $140M Palace on Main St within cost?

S J Cooper - Dundowran Beach

Hoons in Hervey Bay

Dear Publisher, I just wanted to say I agree with Mr Kieth Elliot about the so called hoons that have been destroying the peace and quiet every night in the Point Vernon and Pialba area, I feel like it’s become a training area for these morons, they start after 10 PM and continue racing one another with both cars and motor bikes that have illegal noisy muffler systems until the early hours.

I find I have to close all the windows on my house in Pialba and that is still not enough to suppress the noise, I can’t understand why more locals haven’t complained to the police. I live close to Old Maryborough road and frequently I hear hot rod cars and high powered motorcycles doing burnouts and high speed runs between the high school traffic lights and the golf club, time roads and traffic or police install a permanent speed camera to prevent someone getting hurt.

And PS I am of the opinion being an ex motor mechanic / aircraft maintenance engineer, that QLD should adapt the annual road safety inspections on all vehicles older than 5 years, my reason for that is not only to stop the illegal modifications to vehicles but I know the majority of vehicle owners rarely get there vehicles checked unless something goes wrong, to me the regular inspections create more jobs and possibly save lives.

Regards Allan Host

Planning for the future

I would like to make a comment of the recent council decision to go ahead with the construction of the Library and Administration Centre. The argument of “our rates will increase” is a very selfish thought, which everyone has a right to consider but the reality is our rates will increase regardless of this development. If we believe that not having the development will reduce rates, we again are making the wrong assumption. The other debate of rates going towards important services also needs to consider our future – particularly for our next generation which is our children in many cases. Hervey Bay will reach 100,000 residents before we know it and our current CBD is not going reflective of a City. We are building for a future city that we have outgrown our 5 fishing villages. This generation must make a sacrifice that provides a city that reduces the migration of our children and future leaders have a future here that provides opportunities with a central location of a professional image, rather than a current retirement village look.

I love the “sleepy town” as much as anyone but there will be more high rise apartments and hospitality on our esplanade. This adds value to the region, it attracts more tourists and businesses can make a living rather than having a high failure rate which was evident during slower growth periods such as 10 years ago. If the council was to propose an alternative with lower rates, less tourists and a “not busy esplanade” – are we then prepared to have our homes revalued to pre covid prices……..I think not! We too often criticise developments because they are council funded rather than consider the project on its merits and the benefit to the community. Congratulations Fraser Coast Councillors for staying with the vision and putting our future first.

Dennis Smith - Pialba

The Taj Mahal and other matters

Well. They have started on the clearing of the Taj Mahal site, so all the letters, listing valid reasons for not continuing this project, or doing it elsewhere, achieved nothing and  were a waste of time.

I am glad I will not be around to see its completion or help foot the bill, which will run way over what they are estimating.

I am having a guess, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes way over $200,000.

It's time for some of the long term fuddy dudies in council, to get out their walking sticks and start using them.

Come the next elections. They can’t come fast enough.

The article written about Sara Diana Faraj, was fantastic, in the Hervey Bay Advertiser, and I hope that she, with her ambitions and like minded people, will stand in our Local Government Election and bring common sense back .

Mike Adamson

Bins out too early

Don’t put your bins (sorry-waste containers) out too early, or leave them out late (another of the Fraser Coast adopts amended local laws)

This is the new offence of leaving a waste container on the kerb, more than 24 hrs before, or after scheduled collection, to improve safety and prevent road hazards. I never thought I would experience the day, to read about this. How can my Waste Container be unsafe, or a road hazard, if it is neatly placed on the kerb? Maybe cars can drive up onto the footpath and play dodgems with the bins. GET REAL! Just another revenue raising idea. The next thing will probably be to make sure you sweep your gutters (if you have them) to remove leaves and rubbish, or to be fined for not picking up rubbish off your lawn that has been thrown there by a passing “yobbo” cars returning from a fast food venue.

Mike Adamson