Blessed Hervey Bay
Walking the esplanade at Torquay last Friday I was pleasantly surprised to see new small businesses occupying some of the empty shops. Engaged with many families of small children. Sitting on the jetty excited little folk and their grandparents often enquired did I live here. Lucky you it’s so relaxing and this beachfront has everything making it ideal and safe for us visitors as well. Most were in caravans not 6 star accommodation.

Hervey Bay is blessed to have all this and now sadly a developer is trying to override our town plans and the majority of ratepayers wishes to build 21 storey luxury apartments and other accommodation for short term stays. Haven’t they heard how tough people are doing it and are opting out of flasher holidays and going for a simple lifestyle? Why ruin that delightful area for short term gain. 

J.French - Pt Vernon

NO to highrise on the Esplanade
 As much as many Hervey Bay residents desire, we must make room for new residents and the infrastructure to support it.  The Esplanade is a major attraction with the parklands, beach, cafes and boutique shops. Destroying this in the name of progress is an unforgivable mistake.

As much as I dislike high rise buildings, I understand that more room is needed. I suggest that we maintain height restrictions between Boat Harbour Drive and the Esplanade. Allow the towers to be built along BHD and behind that. Their views will be spectacular from that height, and we can continue the development of the waterfront as a recreation and entertainment area. This will allow the area to maintain its ambience. We do not want to make the age-old problem of “loving the place to death”.

Allowances will need to be made in transport infrastructure etc, but it will be worth it. We must not allow developers to destroy the place we love in the name of profit.

John Anderson - Hervey Bay

Need for more ambulances and a bigger hospital
John and I have both been patients at the hvb hospital and have both been very happy with the treatment. BUT are concerned how they will cope with the future population We NEED a larger hospital with of course more staff which we realise will not be easy to find.

We also NEED more ambulances we have always been grateful for their help and have had no problem with any they have ALWAYS been Great.

Cecelia and John

Rubbish
As an Eli Waters resident, I enjoy the numerous walking opportunities the suburb offers. The new subdivisions have increased those opportunities.

Unfortunately, the enjoyment of my early morning walks when they include the Azure estate are tarnished by the sight of the amount of builders’ litter that has blown into the drainage channels and surrounding bushland, with no apparent attempts for a clean up.

It is also disappointing to see the number of newly planted trees that have been destroyed by builders’ vehicles.

Is it too much to expect that the people who are profiting from this development would wish to show a bit more respect for the environment?

J.C. Scragg - Eli Waters

Stick to the height restrictions
They should keep to the height level restriction if they do go ahead with it.

This will bring new issues for car rental companies & visitors wanting to drive over to K’gari.

A lot of infrastructure needs to be put in place to support it.

Police presence/reliability to show up within reasonable time frames because without it crime will increase.

A major power grid upgrade is needed.

Phone coverage needs to be sorted.

Long term effects on local small business.

Then rate & rental hikes will come into play because of it but with that property prices might increase.

It’s a good idea but a lot needs to be taken into account before they even think of braking ground.

Naz - Bay Resident

It’s time for change
Hervey Bay is a beautiful place but so is the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast why do you think they have so much skyscrapers and houses because of the population.

Now tell me isn’t Hervey Bay, the most touristy area in the region and that this sort of development is necessary for such a beautiful place, like on how the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast is.

The thing is people we are a coastal city 3 to 4 hours away from Brisbane are capital city. More people means more infrastructure doesn’t anyone understand that?

Now opinions matter, and I understand the frustration, but we aren’t going to be like the Gold Coast, because we aren’t next to Brisbane.

However, we need some serious change in the Bay. People, we aren’t just a Bay. We are a coastal city that is growing every year. 

They may even be encouraging more people to visit the Bay so why not give this development a chance, please?

It’s time for change because if it never happens, then we will never know what it will be like for Hervey Bay and our region.

You know Australia is a big country with small coastal towns if you don’t like it, then move somewhere else, we want change Hervey Bay needs it if people like it or not. / I mean, no disrespect, and I respect other people’s preferences but guys we need to start being serious about this we need change and not in 20 years time.

I am in no disrespect to anyone that reads my comment I’m just frustrated that we can’t just have a few in the Bay.

Drew - Hervey Bay

Scarness Parklet! Let’s Make It Happen! 
Dear Editor, In response to your Parklet story,
It’s a YES from me! Let’s make it happen. Hervey Bay needs more places like this.

We are growing and need to embrace it. Losing those parking spots will make no impact to the businesses within the area.

I personally would like to see that section of the Esplanade closed completely with no through traffic. Just imagine the buzz the place would have.

Extend the park for the kids and some lovely grass picnic areas for all to enjoy. Its such a beautiful spot that seems to go to waste.

There is plenty of off-street parking around the back of the Beach House and along Freshwater Street.

Let’s embrace some much-needed changes/updates around the place.

Noel Peters - Scarness