High-rise development should be welcomed
As a ratepayer in FCRC who lives and works in Melbourne, but has family in the FCRC - it is my express opinion that high-rise development should be welcomed in Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
The Council has a significant volume of accumulated investment in the infrastructure being provided to the many communities within the FCRC zone. The lifecycle costs of such infrastructure is significant in terms of planning, project delivery, operations, maintenance, renewals (reinvestments to maintain service delivery standards) and replacement at the end of life, generally with something better - in terms of sustainable operations and size - to meet future demand of a growing community and holiday destination.
Therefore the Council needs developers to invest in the region to provide additional rates of income to cover the increasing cost burden of supplying and maintaining community infrastructure. Otherwise, this cost burden will need to be shared by the existing ratepayer base - meaning significantly higher future rates for all households.
To achieve a balanced outcome - and a broader community acceptance of change - I propose that Council consider providing a rate increase cap (maximum of 4.5 to 5% every budget) to all existing ratepayers - on the basis of supporting Council to increase the rate base through multi-residential development approvals as well as normal residential and commercial development across the Fraser Coast Region.
Good Change conversations always start with WHY- and then progresses to “What’s in it for me”. It is time to broaden the conversation and reduce the focus on the negative argument - primarily driven by a resistance to change movement.
Kevin Smith
Publisher’s Point
Following the excellent Publisher’s Point of View regarding the controversial high rise in Torquay I am prompted to make a few points.
We have just spent five days in a high rise in South Brisbane, about 16 stories high, but too difficult to count. We met hardly anyone in the corridor, lift nor foyer, really a bit lonely.
The apartment was excellent, but from our spacious balcony it was difficult to avert ones gaze into the other apartments across and below us.
So, despite the height, one loses one’s privacy. Rather than a background sound of cicadas and frogs with occasional bats which we appreciate in Hervey Bay, we had the background sound of air conditioners.
Over the years, on our boat in Urangan marina, it was quite infrequent that we got the impression that many people were actually in residence in the various surrounding apartment blocks.
So one wonders about how many nights-per-year apartments are actually occupied at present in Hervey Bay, similarly what will the daily occupancy be in the proposed Torquay high rise.
I agree with your columnist, Glen Winney, that so many of the buildings on the Esplanade are dated and not very attractive to tourists.
Personally, I favour the appearance and tastefulness of the present 6/7 story apartment buildings spread along the Esplanade from Buccaneer Drive, Urangan to Beach Road, Pialba.
As for the controversial proposal for a high rise at Torquay, I am a bit reserved, indeed intimidated, that a developer, having already paid $10 million for the site, $400,000 on development application and could be prepared to pay another $500,000 legal fees.
So no matter whether I love or hate the idea, I will not take the developer on, those dollar numbers are too big for me.
One should be pleased that a developer has an interest in Hervey Bay, but I favour a plan that has charm, complements the general character of the area and fits in with those features that distinguish Hervey Bay from rival regions in South East Queensland.
Urraween Resident
Development of The Hervey Bay Resort
I have recently read your column for the development of the Hervey Bay Resort and find that there is some information that has either been conveniently left out and not mentioned in the hope it would not affect the vote by the Council.
However, during the 1990s the then Hervey Bay City Council conducted a referendum/vote within Hervey Bay to set the building height limit for the Charlton Esplanade, the result being a height limit of six (6) stories. The residents of Hervey Bay at that time have spoken and that, as I understand it this decision cannot be altered without another vote. How do I know? I voted, along with many other current residents of the Bay.
In the past there have been, I believe some developments that may have been approved that exceed this limit. How can this happen? Those elected need to obey the letter of the law and not make inappropriate decisions.
Why don’t we have daylight saving, a referendum was conducted and the result was NO, governments cannot change this.
What is the answer? Progress is needed in moderation along the Charlton Esplanade and must meet the needs of those who live here. Therefore, go back to the people and conduct another vote and see what the majority want.
Councillors are elected by the residents and need to listen to what they say, but I doubt it.
Russell Wardrope
Prioritising Heart Health on a Budget: A REDFEB Call to Action
As we embrace REDFEB, Heart Awareness Month, this February, Heart Research Australia is dedicated to reshaping how Australians approach cardiovascular well-being without causing financial strain. Beyond our collective effort to raise funds for life-saving research, our goal this year is to shed light on the financial and health implications associated with heart disease, affecting individuals regardless of their financial circumstances.
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Nicci Dent CEO - Heart Research Australia
