Division 7 Candidate

Rising infrastructure and maintenance costs pose a significant challenge for our community. The incoming Council must prioritise sensible and sustainable spending to address this issue, ensuring that every dollar spent maximises value for our residents.

As a candidate for Division 7 in the upcoming Fraser Coast election I feel it is a crucial aspect of sensible spending to invest in walkable neighbourhoods and mobility solutions that cater to people of all abilities. Creating accessible sidewalks, ramps, and transport options is essential to improve the quality of life in our ageing and diverse community.

Likewise, environmentally conscious development is vital for our region. My goal is to prioritise eco-friendly infrastructure and encourage sustainable practices. This approach preserves our unique and remarkable natural environment.

Strategic approval of developments is crucial to ensure that new projects align with our community’s needs and values. We must avoid haphazard construction and consider the long-term implications of every project. This includes addressing the lack of housing, which is a pressing concern. We should explore innovative housing solutions that accommodate different income levels 
and demographics while maintaining our community’s character.

Having lived here for 30 years, spending 20 of those working in various community service roles, as well as coaching and volunteering, and as a resident of Division 7, I aim to further serve our community as its representative. My aim is to be accessible, consistent, and effectively communicate with my fellow residents.

John Weiland Division 7 Candidate - Fraser Coast

Eyesore

Surely the Mayor and Councillor will not allow an eyesore like this to be built on our beautiful Esplanade. 
Once the Council allows this kind of high rise on the Esplanade they will not be able to say no to other developments like this.

I have spoken to many tourist who have said they avoid places like the Gold Coast and prefer Hervey Bay because it is not built up along the Esplanade.

They like the laid back and friendly family atmosphere that they don’t find in other larger built up towns and cities.

The Council must have already given some sort of backdoor approval because the developers would not have spent millions buying up the properties and spent millions again in development plans unless they were sure of Council approval. 

Now in a report done for the Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council /Joint Venture Analysis Report done by Savills Project Management it stated that due to low occupancy levels in existing motels a new motel would trade at a premium to the Fraser Coast market and cause displacement of trade for existing older motels.

So they have already been warned that a new motel with over 118 rooms would be a disadvantage to already struggling motels that are only really full during holiday periods.

This development is also not in keeping with height levels of building on the Esplanade that I believe is 6 -8 storey in height.

So why wasn’t this development designed in that height range unless the Council has changed that law, as it has done to so many other Local Laws this year.

The Mayor and Council are elected to represent the ratepayers and residents of the area, yet they seem to only want to represent what the developers want.

There are units, houses and now this going up all over Hervey Bay and yet we have no new water supply for all these new buildings.

We are now coming out of the La Nina wet years and going into El Nino the dry years and last time we were on high water restrictions then.

The Council must look at infrastructure that the area needs before developers needs.

This monstrosity is not what belongs on the Esplanade and I ask you all to bombard the Mayor and Councillors with emails if you are against this going ahead. 

I will be having a petition signing at the Urangan Pier each Saturday morning against this going head if you wish to help me and sign the petition. 

Please don’t let the developers have a win with this one, they should be made to scale it down and keep the height the same as other high rises that have been built along the Esplanade. 

Delma Taylor

The continuing saga of Esplanade highrise developments

The proposed 21 storey development on the Esplanade at Torquay is a cause for concern.

I also wish to raise community awareness of the hastily approved eight storey development on Urangan Esplanade/ Hockley Lane which is, in my view, a backward step for our low rise community.

Can we, as a community, simply ask ourselves “What do locals and tourists want to see on Hervey Bay Esplanade into the future?” 

I’d like to think that locals wish to see some preservation of our best asset- the tranquil beach setting, jetties and Pier, tree lined parkland, play parks, walking and cycling trails, and welcoming cafes and local businesses. I believe tourists in Hervey Bay choose this area for exactly the same reason.

Development in itself will happen, absolutely, but we as a community need to ensure that it will be in keeping with local character, and to also ensure we have the Esplanade we wish to see into the future.

Please email your wishes to Council, and have your say.

Nicola Thomas - Urangan. 

New airport management model needed to make Hervey Bay fly

The current Hervey Bay Airport management model is holding back the growth of Hervey Bay.

New skills are required to drive profitable management and expand flight routes for Hervey Bay.

Lessons can be learned from other regional cities; Mildura, like Hervey Bay is a council -owned airport.  Both cities have runways that can handle a Boeing 737, both have similar sized terminals and service similar populations but have vastly different management models.

Fraser Coast Regional Council under the guidance of the CEO manages Hervey Bay Airport.

In contrast, Mildura Airport has a board of aviation special skills directors with the sole share - holder being Mildura Rural City Council.

Mildura Airport have increased passenger movements with direct flights to Melbourne, Sydney and Sunshine Coast across three airlines Rex, Bonza, Qantas with a direct Mildura – Gold Coast route starting soon.

Better air routes are essential to bring health specialists to our community, expand tourism and jobs and reunite families.

An airline’s capital is mobile; it requires very proactive management to secure and sustain flight routes.  Fraser Coast Regional Council needs to change the Hervey Bay Airport management structure to ensure better aviation services for the people of Maryborough and Hervey Bay.

Andrew Broad Candidate Division 7 Fraser Coast Regional Council Broad4FCRC@gmail.com