Building height

FACT: Hervey Bay – especially the Esplanade – building heights were determined in The Great Sandy Straits Marine Park Management Plan after K’gari (then Fraser Island) was World Heritage listed.  The plan stated that no building would exceed the height of mature trees when seen from the water.  While this isn’t the precise wording it provided the guidelines that council applied when making decisions on Esplanade. Up until that time building was limited to 3 story ‘walk ups’ the decision to allow up to 6 stories was opposed by some residents as well as some within council.

The current application has led me to really look at Hervey Bay – which I love like a comfortable pair of old slippers.  Sadly I see a mix  – especially on the Esplanade – of very tired, ageing buildings, dotted with empty spaces and struggling operators. I have sympathy for the few brave souls who are trying to introduce quality products as they’re too few and hard to find.

OPINION: I agree that it’s time to rethink heights, but 10 – 12 would be a more achievable prospect and would allow time for support attractions to be built. Unfortunately, being a ‘nice place’ isn’t enough to fill over 400 hotel rooms with cashed up visitors.  K’Gari alone won’t fill the rooms, just getting there is a second- rate experience at best if you aren’t taking a 4WD.

IF the current application is approved, very real Scenarios include being built and not selling (how many existing units are unsold)? or being ‘Sold On’ with approval, which would see the whole area languish, unchanged for the foreseeable future,

Many years ago, consultants presented a visionary plan to Council to divide the Esplanade and nearby areas into a group of hubs.  It had the potential to encourage a range of business opportunities for locals and visitors to explore, e.g. A dining hub, arts and crafts hub, fashion hub, commercial hub, etc.   I encourage Council to look at the whole Esplanade as their biggest challenge and best opportunity to create a legacy for a truly unique place to Work, Live and Play.  High rise??

Dawn Dwyer

Esplanade development

Naturally, Glenn Winney is in favour of development at any cost as no doubt he will ride the gravy train of rising land values as more people flock to Hervey Bay to live their dream.

What these so-called internet trolls that Winney criticises are trying to do is temper development at any cost to a lifestyle that many realise will change, just a bit slower.

If you have been to Noosa, you will understand why a lot of people are not happy with over 20-storey buildings blocking the light, creating wind tunnels and horrendous traffic conditions in a fairly small area that is already under pressure from vehicle over-access, lack of proper infrastructure and road planning. With the current blitz of ads on the internet and a stall at Stocklands pumping the advantage of multi-storey living, it is only fair people can voice their objections on the internet.

Andrew Gro-Morton

Towers

Dear sir,

I can’t believe the fact that there are too many people in support of the Twin Towers development on the esplanade. It would be fine if these developers would work within the height limits which are now in place but to put this monstrosity in an area where parking and traffic congestion is already a problem defies all logic. This development will open the floodgates to more future development with these height levels. Many people who choose to move to Hervey Bay from the overdeveloped Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast want to leave these places to find a quieter more relaxed place to live. Places like Brunswick Heads are fighting a similar battle to keep their beautiful city’s unique lifestyle from overdevelopment. This destroys the reason for people to live here.

OK so the rationale by the developers is that it will create employment for the construction of this thing. Where are the workers going to live during construction? At present there are no rentals for people in desperate need and the idea that this creates more accommodation for  whom? How about the infrastructure as it stands at present, throw in a lot more pressure on hospitals, water, roads, electricity and sewerage all which are not going to cope with this, given the massive amount of housing development already surging ahead. During times of drought the water supplies were a huge problem in the past and predictions are for more to come.

This development seems to be like selling our soul for 30 pieces of silver.

Carol Seeger

Wildlife Library talk for March

Some of us may have been lucky enough to visit K’gari in the Sixties and be amazed at its wilderness, its outstanding beauty and its lack of habitation. The Fraser Coast Branch of Wildlife Queensland would like the community to share in this unparalleled experience and has invited John Erbacker to present his memories in two library talks, one in the Hervey Bay Library on March 15 and in Maryborough on March 22.

John with two friends holidayed on K’gari in 1964 after being impressed with the isolation of Waddy Point on a previous visit and was also lured by the stories of dingoes, brumbies, death adders and beautiful shells found on the beach. This visit was enabled by his acquaintance with Wally Schultz who transported the party in his 11 metre launch along the western side one very stormy night in December reaching Wathumba Creek in five hours.

This unpleasant boat trip was just the beginning of a week of adventure and fun spent at Waddy Point in a driftwood shack. Come and experience John’s presentation of a time before tourism when K’gari was unspoilt by the thousands of visitors seen today. The talks commence at 1pm and bookings can be made by phoning the Library on 41974220 or booking on Eventbrite through the Council website.

Urraween United Service Station

Hello,

My name is Anthony Ferguson, I live at Craignish.

I regularly use the United/Pie Face service station.

I would like to draw your attention to the state of the United Service Station on Pialba-Burrum Heads Road.

I would tend to think this is an Environmental Issue with the site as bins are left to overflow and inventory plastic packing is stuffed behind the station to blow away when the wind picks up.

Over a period of time I have seen no attempt to clean the area. Pallets with stock for restocking shelves are also placed adjacent to the main entrance and are not tended to for days.

I have observed three staff behind the counter, one on the register, the other two playing on their mobile phones. No supervision or expectations of staff.

As a business operating in our region I would expect certain standards would need to be adhered to.

Regards,

Anthony Ferguson