6th April 2023 Edition

NIAA
It seems there is already a body which covers all of the Aboriginal issues which “The Voice” proposes to cover. It’s called “The national Indigenous Australians Agency” NIAA. It’s website “niaa.gov.
au” gives all the details. It is funded with $2 billion annually. Why is this being duplicated by the very divisive Voice?

Val Spence - Eli Waters

Lost Gold Locket and chain

Dear Sir; (sic) I hope you can help me, on Feb 20 I went to see Dr Christie at the cancer-hospital, when I arrived back home after doing some shopping, I realised I had lost my Gold Locket and chain: I was devastated as it was a birthday gift for my Fiftieth birthday, 40 years ago, from my daughter. I retraced my steps to everywhere I visited that day, asking if it had been handed in, but with no luck! 
If someone has found it, please contact us (sic), as it holds such great sentimental value to me (Agnes). Also wanted to (sic) thank you for the great article about the two of us in your paper on 15th Dec. Hope you can help! Sorry to bother you with my problem, but I've just had to try everything! 

Yours Sincerely, Agnes Thurland

Thanks

Good Morning, this is just to say a big thank you for your support in advertising our garage sale last weekend, it was a great success. The money raised will allow us to update equipment, help cover the cost of running the shed as well as making donations to charitable organizations during the year.

Regards, Leon Baldwin - Hervey Bay Men’s Shed

More on E-Scooters

I have to agree with Marie Brown (March 9). Something needs to change in relation to the use of e-scooters. While visiting recently with our son and his family, our 3 year old grandson was knocked over by an e-scooter ridden by a lad about 14. It happened on the footpath near the Urangan Pier. The child sustained grazes, bruising, a bump on the head and a big fright but luckily otherwise ok. 
It could have been much worse. The lad accelerated instead of slowing right down near pedestrians and after the accident, did not stop. We observed many riders during the week, one was no more than 8 or 9, and most were very respectful of other path users. One problem, as I see it, is the quietness of the vehicle (perhaps they need a bell like bikes) and the other I s the age of the drivers. 
I feel no one younger than 16 should have access - at 16 most young people are learning the road rules for their L plates, so have some idea of what is required to ride safely. Hopefully, someone smarter than I, will work out a safe way forward for everyone.

L McNeill - Sunshine Coast

YES, infrastructure, the right sort of infrastructure is needed.

I read Glen Winney’s comments (Advertiser 23/3/’23), with much interest and agreed with much of it.  But does he really believe the proposed site for the “library/council chambers”, is the best option? Hervey Bay has never had a CBD and never will have, a past lack of town planning has seen to that. The current site of our council chambers, not only has room for a new building, but will not increase traffic congestion in an already congested area. Of all the sites available for the new council chambers, the corner of Main St and Torquay Rd would have to be the worst. Time our council and the regions developers, look to the future, not their hip pockets.

John A Neve - Torquay

Council

Dear Mr Editor. I would just like to say what a breath of fresh air it is to be able to express an opinion in a Letters to the editor section of a newspaper, something that I’ve missed since the Fraser Coast Chronicle scrapped its printing machine and went online. A lot of letters are regarding the proposed Council administration Centre development and are against it, I AGREE WITH THEM what a complete waste of money, Fraser Coast ratepayers don’t want to be financing the next major development in Hervey Bay let somebody else have that pleasure. The money put aside for this edifice would be better spent on existing infrastructure such as increasing the water holding capacity for our areas, we are heading into an El Nino phase now so dry times ahead and water restrictions are imminent with the increasing holidaying population. Why not keep the existing council premises and just tidy them up a little (new carpet maybe and a paint job) it is just an administration centre after all where the paperwork is done and the councillors can have their meetings, a lot of council services are performed by private enterprise now such as building certification and engineering. When you think about it Maryborough is the central hub of the Fraser Coast council area, and having already decided to build a new council premises there, why not make that the main centre for local government. To mayor George and your fellow councillors, please note an election is not that far away, do you really want placard wavers in your face at election time because of such a stupid decision. Be aware myself and others are salivating at the thought of banking the salaries that you councillors receive.

Robert Gibson - Torquay

Hervey Bay white elephant proposal

This new building proposal for council and library is putting it mildly bizarre. The mathematics don’t add up, cost out of site...indulgence at the least. Which genius came up with so called forward thinking...more like a handbrake moment. Yes, council officers are centrally located at the moment, how much cheaper option would be supplying a free bus service for all parts of the Bay? Sure if required new structures could be accommodated on existing site at a fraction of the cost. This site is large enough thanks to appropriate forward thinking. Allowing plenty of parking, and in a plan, if required, allow for further height when necessary. Building bigger footing and load efficiency for extra floors in the future. Future forward thinking is required but with a balanced approach. 
Already council wants to reduce speed in Main Street, this is before the white elephant is even built. Access for all with a balanced approach is required, not reactionary approach. How do you fight dumb, simply put, you can’t because they don’t know they are. 

David Short - Point Vernon