LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

DAYLIGHT SAVING

A TIMELY reminder that Queensland faces a confusing six months as the nation’s selfish leaders move to daylight saving tomorrow at 3am.

On that day New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and, even, New Zealand will move their clocks forward one hour creating havoc in our fair state.

Far away Western Australia, which is always between one and three hours behind other jurisdictions, will go it alone by the Indian Ocean.

A few helpful tips for we “banana benders.”

Queensland shoppers will be able to access retailers around the country an hour earlier. Conversely, southern shoppers will be greeted by out-of-office messages should they try and place orders in Queensland before 9am Eastern Daylight Saving Time.

The Australian Stock market will open at 9am rather than 10am and close at 3pm rather than 4pm.

Planes and buses will leave an hour earlier. The 10.15am flight out of Toowoomba Wellcamp to Sydney will now leave at 9.15am.

Most television programs will commence an hour earlier. Paul Murray Live, for example, will be on from 8pm to 10pm rather than 9pm to 11pm.

The three and a half hour trip to the NSW border will now take four and a half hours. On the positive side the return three and a half hour trip will take just two and a half hours.

Worst of all, our tourism numbers will drop dramatically as southerners discover the extra hour of sunshine gives them their very own “Sunshine State.”

It’s a terrible situation and one we all must do something about. Write or telephone those selfish premiers and chief ministers and tell them to do the right thing and stick with Queensland time.

An overwhelming 30% of Queenslanders have voted “No” to daylight saving – follow their lead before it’s too late.

GREG JOHSON, Middle Ridge

CARNIVAL ISSUE

THE Carnival of Flowers again created amazing excitement around the city and region.

Where would this unique event be without our gardeners – both private and Toowoomba Regional Council staff. Their ability to create the beauty they have through the conditions currently, warrants a champion award for all. Thanks – we applaud your efforts.

But in reference to SMS, NH, Sth Tmba (TC, 1/10), I could not agree more and have heard similar comments from many who attended the Heritage Bank Festival of Food and Wine weekend in Queens Park. The cash registers were obviously ticking over, but the safety and comfort of the attendees appeared to be less of a consideration.

It was disappointing to see elderly visitors pushed off walkers, children in prams being restrained as enthusiastic revellers found their ground, families on rugs having others just walk through their settings - with no apologies, the inappropriate behaviour of attendees with irresponsible drinking. Do the stall holders have some responsibility in serving patrons alcohol?

Yes, the party atmosphere and entertainment were a great celebration, but for the family-promoted event there were many boxes of safety that need to be revisited in planning a future festival.

If tickets were limited and events are a sell out, just what was the capacity crowd to avoid overcrowding that was experienced and what was considered a safe crowd for the space allocated to the event? It’s a big parkland, why not open it up further?

And what happened to “Flower, Food and Wine Festival”? It is the Carnival of Flowers and we are the Garden City and the festival event did have a small element of floral.

It’s great to celebrate 70 years of carnival, but there’s room for improvement.

BARB McGOVERN, Toowoomba