29th June Edition 2023

The Humpback whales of Hervey Bay
The Humpback whales of Hervey Bay are famous far and near. And tourists by the thousand come to see ‘em every year. They’re at their most spectacular when leaping through the air
But it’s still an unsolved mystery just what they’re doing there! Some people think they’re specially trained to act as tourist bait. While others think they’re showing off ‘n trying to woo a mate! Scientists call them “Big wing whales” and with pectoral fins so wide. They’re just perfectly adapted to flutter fly and glide! It doesn’t happen often mind but last time the moon was blue
Old timers say one pod of whales leapt right out the sea and FLEW! With hoots of joy this family of forty-five ton whales. Went flapping over Hervey Bay behind two alpha males! Then flying in formation they began to swerve and jink - Spectators were so stupefied you could hear their eyelids blink! But just as they were nearing the climax of their show. Some drongo flashed a photograph – you’d think the galah would know. That flying whales hate nothing worse and the whole mob gave a sorta. Snort of disapproval and dived straight back in the water!
Since then to see a whale in flight’s a sight that’s pretty rare. And only just the lucky few will see them in the air. For though you’ll see them leaping to fall back with a splash. The only thing that stops ‘em flying is those tourist camera’s flash!
David H Lewis – Torquay

Council says this is the cheapest option

Dear Sir, I am adding my voice to the letter submitted by Mr John Neve in the Advertiser 18th May 2023. Mr Neve, I fully agree with your comment; the Council will not listen to reason whatsoever on the building of their Taj Mahal in Main Street, Pialba. All they can see is the monstrosity that will be built there, in the most silliest place, on the corner of Main Street and Torquay Road, not once taking into account the problems it will bring to the so called CBD. Where will the car go as far as parking is concerned? One only has to look at Main Street now and see the difficulty there is in parking there. Oh yes, an underground car park for 100 cars, by the time Council staff park their cars there won't be enough spaces for the public, also as you say it is a waterhole where they plan to build it. Mr Neve, remember many years ago, when a developer wanted to build a "tower" on the Esplanade over the then three storey limit, and the then council had the decency to put out a referendum for the public to have their say on the matter, and of course the vote was for no. However, once that council was no longer there and the new council was elected, that was overturned and allowed the higher towers to be built. Why can't this council have the decency to do the same and allow the public to have their say on the matter? I still cannot see why they need to move there, the area they are in now is perfectly safe for the public to park, and there is plenty of space for the staff to park their cars out of the way. There is nothing wrong with the building if they want to "modernise" and allow themselves to enjoy the sea views build higher. And look at the cost saving there would be. Maybe help eliminate some of the 26 million dollar plus debt the Council have got themselves into and expects the public to have to pay for it. I still cannot understand why there is a need to have two Council Administration Centres. Maryborough is the centre of the Fraser Coast so why can't there be just one centre and leave the bay one as is.
Beverley Price – Kawungan

Failed strategies

After highlighting problems and inefficiencies in the Aged Care sector and promising to provide many improvements, homes were shut down before the improvements could be made available. Displaced residents are now faced with finding alternative living quarters, while less are available. It’s a bit like the renewable energy story. They are shutting down reliable base load coal fired power stations…blowing them up, before the projected renewable replacements are built and operational. Inconvenienced people…that will be all of us, will be highly frustrated without the reliable power we have been so accustomed to for so long. How many more trial and error schemes will fail before Labor realises they can’t shut down facilities before having something to seamlessly replace them?

Val Spencer - Eli Waters

Apology

An apology is in order to both the advertiser and the FCRC for my letter in 8^th April edition.I was wrong, I laid the blame on the Fraser Coast Regional Council for financing the Pulgul/Moolyyir St road works out of ratepayers money. I should have done my homework better, as your article states it was funded by the federal government and now a waste of tax payers money. The terrible design must have been included in the application for the govt grant, and as for being a black spot, I could think of much worse places.

R Gibson - Torquay

Fair or unfair?

It is hardly surprising that so many companies, sporting groups and corporations have made large donations to the “Yes” vote, when one considers that donations for the “Yes” vote are all tax-deductible. Any donations for the “No” vote have no such tax deductibility. What could be more unfair? A real set-up?

Val Spencer - Eli Waters

Art Society - Rejected

As ratepayers and artists, the Hervey Bay Art Society have been running a yearly Art Competition and Show for local and interstate artists for 30 years. The Art show and competition has always been sponsored by the community. We organized the competition in the new Regional Gallery when it opened. The opening event was one of the bigger events in Hervey Bay. People came and filled the show area and spilled out on the deck. We are very upset that our Society has been rejected by the Regional Gallery and we have had to move the competition to another town, Maryborough. We need support, not rejection.

L. Sternbergs

Power, emissions & benefits

The obvious beneficiary of our energy policies is China. They make our solar panels, wind turbines, steel, electric cars, & many other items, using slave labor, our coal, gas & iron ore. The more restrictions we place on our own industries; disincentives to mining, and the much more expensive power for the entire country, the far greater is the benefit to China. There is no reduction of emissions for the planet. Those emissions are simply produced by China instead of Australia. Why are we being conned onto this self-destructive path?

Val Spencer - Eli Waters