Letter of the Week
Have strong opinions, write in an engaging way? You could win our Letter of the Week, and with it a book from our friends and sponsors, the publishers HarperCollins. This month’s book prize is Table For Eight by bestselling author and master storyteller Tricia Stringer. It tackles troubled relationships, second chances and love old and new in this uplifting story of unlikely dining companions thrown together on a glamorous cruise.
IT took only a few winks for wonder mare Winx to get a giant nod of approval from her adoring public.
Race fans watched the race to see her win, not just race. And win she did.
Just like champions before her, her very presence unites fans who just won’t see her beaten.
Just like royalty, Winx gives hope to many in a time where political instability seems to rule our lives.
Thank you Winx KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH I READ recently that only a small percentage of teenagers can cook to save themselves
Then I listened to two so-called experts on TV saying the reason for this was that parents are time-poor and the schools should teach them.
Well maybe they should teach them respect and manners at the same time, but no.
I’m sorry, if you are to busy to be a parent you are not a parent.
ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE
I HAVE read several times (from people/entities with a vested interest) that the Gold Coast needs a new stadium with the capacity of 10,000-12,000 because we have or are missing out on “decent touring bands and acts”.
Just a simple question ... please name the bands and acts we are missing out on? Don’t generalise be specific.
Many times we were told the failed Commonwealth Games had a global audience of 1.5 billion yet no one was able to explain this ficticious figure. It was clearly made up to give the Games some credibility. RICHARD GAGIE, ORMEAU I AGREE with Sandra St Ledger from Palm Beach (GC Bulletin 26/10). The recent 20-storey development approval at Main Beach is just the latest approval which is so hard to understand.
GC residents need to stop being complacent and start voicing their opinions/concerns to the council and to the media, regarding development applications (especially for high-rises) that seem to be outside our City Plan.
When ratepayers voice their objections to a council decision they are usually ridiculed by our Mayor and called names, like them having a NIMBY attitude or that they are stuck in the past and the GC must change to meet expected population increases.
The Mayor often justifies council decisions by saying that this was in accordance with survey/community feedback from ratepayers.
So why doesn’t council (including the Planning Dept) listen to ratepayers’ objections in the same way they listen to those who participate in their surveys/community feedbacks?
Most of the councillors just don’t seem to care what we think.
Luckily for Palm Beach and for the GC, we have councilors like Daphne McDonald who shows common sense when she votes and who cares about us all. Unfortunately though, she seems to be in the minority.
The council has about 50 City Plan amendments they need the State Government to approve. Does that mean the current City Plan is flawed and that we will be left with the mess?
Contrary to what some would think or say, the Gold Coast should be known for its beaches and laidback lifestyle and not for its highrises. Because when someone equates the Gold Coast to highrises it’s not a compliment. Highrises don’t make us unique, but our beaches and lifestyle do.
The council had it right many, many years ago when high-rises were built on larger blocks but with landscaped gardens, pool and recreation areas.
A large number of Palm Beach residents recently submitted objections to a development application for an Aged Care Facility on the beachfront. This application is so outside the current rules like height and density it’s not funny. A decision is due in November.
Logic says it should be rejected, but logic doesn’t seem to get a say in this city.
Where will it end? SUE KELLY, PALM BEACH PLANES 750m above our heads, trains on steel tracks clanking down our streets, highrise blocking the blue of open sky and Gold Coast icons torn down. The locals have never been so vocal in protest.
JANINE SCULLY