Cast net far and wide for Surfers visionaries IAN WILSON, GOLD COAST
THANK you GCB for giving space to the sad, declining state of Surfers Paradise which for too long has been ignored by our decisionmakers.
Jeff Davison (GCB letters, 26/12) makes some relevant points as to the path chosen, with the easiest option taken by Council regarding the leasing of the beachfront shopping centre with a refurbishment clause included for updates to be completed within two years.
Desmond Brooks’ plan has been welcomed as his is the first over-arching proposal beyond the piecemeal, patch-up approach used to date by Council.
We have the opportunity to turn our city into a modern, contemporary place to live and visit yet have opted for the least effort solution.
We are being left behind, our reputation fading. It is time to stop short-changing ourselves, to expect more from our decisionmakers to broaden their horizons and to seek expert advice where needed.
Why not, as suggested, invite planners and visionaries submit their best ideas from around the world to set us on the optimum path for success?
Our city is the result of forward thinkers and doers. We are blessed with the right natural ingredients, we just need the dodderers to get out of the way and let the fresh ideas people get on with it.
STORMBIRD and koel bird are current visitors to the Gold Coast. Their wild calls can be heard as they festive feast on Moreton Bay figs, insects, white fig and wandpaper fig, after their long journey from New Guinea or Indonesia.
All bird voices marking seasons in most biodiverse cities in Australia add richness to our lives.
Researchers arranged for additional bird calls to be broadcast on Colorado trails. Those experiencing this reported more favourably on their nature experience (GCB, 23/12, Bird Boost: Hear, hear)
Migratory and local birds depend on our forests.
Our New Year’s resolution, as Commonwealth government declares species extinction crisis in Australia, is to urgently address next two decades when Australia projected to clear 3,000,000ha of untouched forest.
Many listen to the Queen’s Christmas message. She recently initiated Queen’s Canopy Project and 42 Commonwealth countries have participated, with protection of forested areas a prime goal.
K’gari-Fraser Island (recently subject to uncontrolled burn) and Bulburin National Park are included as well as project to plant
a million trees, the latter meritorious but protection of untouched areas should be prioritised.
Australia has particular responsibility with 8 per cent of all Earth’s plant and animal species – with 85 per cent of its plants,
84 per cent of its mammals, 45 per cent of its birds found nowhere else.
Queensland accounts for majority of land clearing and has least percentage of national parks. Federal, state, local governments and citizens need to address this urgently.
Recently a bush walker released an entangled platypus which now comes to stream and he admits realising he should not just enjoy nature but protect it and has started a platypus protection project.
Children of the future may well ask parents not “What did you do in the war?” but “What did you do to save our natural world?”
SALLY SPAIN, WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND, GOLD COAST PRESIDENT
IT’S interesting that details of the Palaszczuk government’s lack of instigation of election promises as printed in the GCB (26/12). The failings do not stop there as they
can waste money on paper and TV ads telling the voters how great managers and economists they are but can’t find the funding for fire ant eradication, or Jess Watson’s yacht and the maritime but the waste and failures go on regarding JobSeeker, euthanasia law introduction, new trains, kids in need, not to mention the massive blowout on the Cross River Rail.
Not to mention the knee jerk health decisions due their inability and systems to track COVID.
ANIMAL rights activist Tash Peterson disrupted shoppers by wearing a white apron covered in blood and holding a pig’s head.
Tash is showing shoppers the process used to produce Australia’s meat. By doing this she is highlighting the torture inflicted on animals, as shown in the documentary www.dominion.com.
Since her protest, her home has been targeted and she has received death threats. After calling police, some in the media criticised Tash, as she has previously been arrested.
I see two issues: firstly, if someone has previously been arrested, are they no longer entitled to police protection?
Secondly, if people choose to eat meat, then it is only right that they know the pain inflicted upon the animal. Turning a blind eye will let this needless torture continue.
Many Australians don’t realise the discrepancies in our animal welfare laws, that most animals are exempt from protection. They permit profound and inexcusable cruelty that domesticated animals are protected against.
Pigs are a very intelligent animal and spend their entire lives in a cage, without enough room to turn around. The happiest day of their lives is the trip from their cage to the abattoir. Shame, shame, shame!
I urge people to rise up against such torture, and insist that their food come from our many compassionate farmers who care about their animals.
Should the government allow animals to be imprisoned their entire lives? Do we have enough land to allow our animals to move freely? Factory farming is not natural, it’s inhumane and should be stopped. With so much empathy shown by families enjoying their Christmas feast, spare a thought for those poor animals who suffered all year, for your half hour of happiness.
SHAUN CUNNEEN, MOUNT NATHAN