LetteroftheWeek
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WHERE does one start with the announcement in Tuesday’s Bulletin that the Songcheng theme park will incorporate access to the M2 Coomera Connector road?
Firstly, some sort of road has been gazetted on that site for many years and Songcheng would have been aware of it from the beginning, as would many of the locals who opposed it.
If their plans are being revised it would more likely be because of the fierce opposition by concerned Gold Coasters. Many of us spent time and money researching what would happen if a large-scale development was put on the site, and flooding issues were clearly identified.
It’s simply not credible that they’ve fixed this problem, as they claim, when the performance theatre alone is said to seat 3500 people.
Some of the accommodation, incidentally, will be reserved for Chinese performers who appear in the sort of spectaculars Songcheng is famous for, so forget jobs for local dancers and musicians.
Indeed, the whole claim that there’ll be “jobs for locals” is questionable but is something that always gets trotted out to try to get an unpopular project over the line.
Meanwhile, some of the “attractions” leave a lot to be desired.
Whilst the fake Uluru is off the agenda, an indoor ski field is still there. Has anyone stopped to consider how much power will be used and emissions created to cool this to icy temperatures? Australia is dealing with some of the hottest and most prolonged heatwaves it has ever had. This theme park is likely to have huge energy needs and possibly jeopardise the supply for everyone else.
Lastly, the Bulletin article correctly mentions that more than 600 submissions were received about this project. Most were against but it has taken the unusual step of naming the few supporters it had – about five in total.
Because the submission process is public it can be seen that they all signed an identical document so it could be argued this is one submission, not five. That’s not a lot of support.
Our mayor Tom Tate is in favour but so is the Chinese government who has it on its Belt and Road Initiative. Given concerns about China’s influence on this country, their support could well be seen as a negative and certainly shouldn’t carry more weight than the wishes of local residents. YVETTE DEMPSEY, CARRARA
DISGRACED racehorse trainer Darren Weir can suffer all he likes for his shameful behaviour. (GCB, Feb 6).
To deliberately increase the winning chances of his hundreds of horses through foul means is despicable. And he’s gladly accepted the accolades over the past years as he rose to become a leading, record-breaking trainer.
This guy has caused so much heartache for his staff and family that I wonder if he’ll assist any of them to cope financially.
His staff must be devastated as it’s unlikely there are enough other jobs for them to fill.
This guy should face police charges for his actions and and then let the juducual system take its course.
A four-year ban from racing is too soft! KEN JOHNSTON. ROCHEDALE SOUTH
HAVING Michael Cheika still as Wallabies coach, is like amputating a toe while rugby has a headache FRED ERICSEN-MILLER, TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN
IT is said beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
And it certainly applies to those whose only aim is to create a “Gold” Coast that has everything to do with making a quick buck.
Those living here have been shut out of the Coast’s long-term development, instead having irresponsible development chosen for them.
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it sure as hell isn’t anywhere near what our council is creating. DJ FRASER, CURRUMBIN
WITH rego renewals the Queensland Government now expect owners to use nerdy apps to follow their rego dates and payments.
Sounds like they make more money via the fines than the old way of sending out renewal notices in the post.
Phone and power companies, mail or email our accounts regularly, no problem!
Last night’s TV news talked about some 80,000 cars on the road are unregistered.
I suggest that a majority of these unfortunate owners have been trapped in the Govt’s ploy to gain revenue via fines.
Unregistered vehicles are automatically uninsured. Sounds like the money is more important than looking after us Queenslanders DICK SAYER, ROBINA
THE Police Minister says GPS ankle bracelet tracking devices will now be “pre-deployed” to all 24hour watchhouses in Queensland.
He is a genius. That is some real forward thinking.
Watch out Annastacia, here’s a parliamentarian eyeing off higher duties.
How many months of lobbying did it take to get that done? REG DAVID, MUDGEERABA