Heavy rail, walkways better use of monies than light rail
MY main concern is the extension of the light rail to Burleigh Heads and then the airport.
The southern beaches of the Gold Coast are very popular because of their beauty and laidback lifestyle.
This is very different from the hustle and bustle of Surfers, Broadbeach, Main Beach, Southport areas, full of highrises and concrete.
The corridor of highway the proposed tram will travel, is narrow and limited. This will impact on other modes of transport, parking and green space.
The present bus service along this corridor (700, 777) is super efficient plus the SkyBus to the airport is ample and only has to be promoted more. If by chance there is an accident buses can change route very quickly.
Any mishaps on the tram line would cause instant mayhem. The tram extension only supports those people living close (walking distance to station) .
The tram stations along the way would require parking and bus areas which again would have great impact on the southern beaches, beauty and green space.
The impact on local and hinterland residents and visitors trying to access our beautiful beaches and creek systems by cars (some carrying handicapped people, surf craft equipment, sun shades and other items) with a lot less parking available will be horrible. The present council and developers have had their “win” with the high-density living rezoning the corridor because of the proposed tram and are building madly.
People will still buy in these southern beach suburbs because of their present beauty and lifestyle, not because a tram is going to be running.
All these people will still need cars to go other places and workplaces due to the limitations of the tram route.
The continuation of the heavy rail from Varsity Lakes to the airport and Coolangatta is where our funding should go as this would service more of our ratepayers and tourists to ease traffic on the main highway. The council monies for the tram could then be directed to building a complete pathway from The Spit/Main Beach to Point Danger/Rainbow Beach with walk bridges over Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creek and a walk/bike tunnel through Nobby’s Hill – this would be an iconic coastal walkway/ bikeway for our community and for our tourists.
This walkway/bikeway would also promote a healthy lifestyle for us all. The beaches are our No.1 asset and where, if required, this walkway could also help with beach erosion problems.
I do consider myself as a longterm local having lived here since 1975, and have no intention of leaving, so I do care about our direction and lifestyle changes.
RUSS AND VICKI PETERS, GOLD COAST
WE are spending our holiday here in Broadbeach and today we made a visit to The Spit.
We would like to pass on our thoughts about our morning walk.
We were disappointed to see the condition of the pathway to the lighthouse.
There were many people walking to and from the lighthouse and we were applauded by the unevenness of the pathway.
It appears to be a very popular area as there were many cars parked in the bays.
Could we suggest that the council give serious consideration to sealing the uneven walkway and at the same time make a lane for bicycles?
It appears that parts of the walkway have been patched up but leaves much to be desired.
Port Macquarie have enhanced their pathway along the beach and is a constant walking path.
I trust you will give consideration to this suggestion.
NORA AND JOHN MCNAIR, BENDIGO
THE Gold Coast Bulletin’s Keith Woods (GCB, 10/7) is absolutely right about the loony left and their poor logic, gullibility and cult-like behaviours.
The extent of the scientific dishonesty that goes into the climate hoax is truly staggering, but the truth is out there – and here’s where you can find it.
Dr Ed Berry has just published a paper in the International Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences that destroys the climate alarmists’ carbon dioxide hysteria.
Dr Berry has a Ph.D. in theoretical physics with minors in atmospheric physics and math, so he’s as expert as a person can be.
Search “Science Publishing Group”, choose “Earth, Energy & Environment”, choose “International Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences”, under “Latest Articles”, choose “Human CO2 Emissions Have Little Effect on Atmospheric CO2”, choose “pdf (686KB)” and download it for free to read at your leisure.
Dr Berry’s 9000 words and 17 figures explain why human CO2 does not change the climate.
Don’t take it from me – get it straight from him. Then sit back and marvel at the dishonesty on display in our public narrative.
PETER CAMPION, TOLGA
FAMILIES and friends of loved ones seriously injured or killed in alcohol-fuelled fights and other types like road rage are the ones who suffer tremendous grief as a result (GCB, 10/7)).
When will the message get through to perpetrators that such action can be fatal?
Two things are obvious. Firstly, these guys don’t have friends looking out for them in cases like a bar brawl. Or do friends fuel these altercations with their “come ons”?
Secondly, hotels and clubs do not appear to be obeying the law that drunken patrons should be refused service.
This appears one big weakness in the way our liquor laws are handled.
Often security personnel are present but not many treat their jobs seriously.
Unfortunately, most men, intoxicated or otherwise, won’t simply walk away from a potential fight for fear of being labelled pussies.
Well, men must be proven strong by just walking away! If not, all they might suffer is severe injury or death. I know what I’d prefer!
KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH
IF I was a betting person I would be sticking my money on the LNP government taking the original inhabitants for yet another ride to nowhere.
And what makes it even more gross the PM has every possibility to take the original people for another ride after building them up yet again.
D.J. FRASER, CURRUMBIN
THE media can go a long way in stopping the Friday night protesting idiots.
Don’t give them any press. They are only doing this for publicity. So please don’t give them any, they will soon go away.
ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE