YOUR VIEWS
WRITE TO: P0 Box 1, Southport, 4215 EMAIL: letters@goldcoast.com.au FACEBOOK: facebook.com/goldcoastbulletin
THE Hooker Blvd exit from the casino, one of the most dangerous intersections in the state, is a fatality waiting to happen.
When asked in parliament what actions the State government will take to remedy the problem, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads simply replied “… officers from TMR determined that all signage, line marking and ‘Keep Clear’ road markings at this intersection met TMR standards and were deemed to be clear and visible to motorists. The operation of the traffic signals at this intersection, including the nearby intersection at the Gold Coast Hwy, have been reviewed and the signals are operating in line with traffic demands, pedestrian needs and tram movements. It is acknowledged that some motorists fail to follow the Queensland Road Rules by running the red light and jeopardising the safety of other road users exiting the Star Casino at this intersection. This illegal driver behaviour is reckless and dangerous, and I would encourage anyone who witnesses instances of this, to report it to the Queensland Police Service
for enforcement.” In other words, they don’t care if somebody is killed there because they have the appropriate signs in place. Despite requests, police refuse to conduct any form of enforcement to apprehend motorists endangering others there. So they want the public to do the enforcing for them.
Well the Government has finally found a solution which will cost them nothing, but could cause another risk to public safety. As of 30th June, they are closing the intersection as an exit from the casino. This will force the bulk of traffic leaving the island to use the exit on TE Peters Dve, creating major traffic movement problems. They have just recently approved the construction of five high-rise apartment/hotel complexes on the island, greatly increasing traffic from it, which could present a serious safety risk if large numbers of people have to evacuate in a hurry for some reason such as a fire. It’s a cheap, but flawed response to a problem which demonstrates once again that they don’t care about public safety.
There are other solutions which
could improve safety at the intersection, but they stubbornly refuse to consider them.
IAN TIMMINS, MERMAID BEACH
OH poetic justice! Woolworths has decided they will no longer give refunds for goods that panic merchants have stockpiled. People returning stacks of items certainly can’t argue that they make a wrong choice. The frantic stockpiling of toilet paper has come back to bite some people on the bum!
KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH
IF you’re celebrating ‘a touch of the Irish’ in your blood on St Patrick’s Day, spare a thought for whether this means you are pumping too much iron.
People of Celtic origin are more likely to have the iron overload condition haemochromatosis which is the most common genetic disorder in Australia. About one in 200 people are genetically predisposed to it and one in seven are carriers. The good news is that early detection means haemochromatosis is no barrier to a normal life and the condition is easily managed through blood donations. But undetected and untreated, it can cause organ/tissue damage.
So as you raise a glass to your heritage this year, vow to find out more about the ‘Celtic curse’ from your GP or go to www.ha.org.au
DR DIANNE PRINCE, PRESIDENT, HAEMOCHROMATOSIS AUSTRALIA
TINA Barber (GCB, 12/3) is partly correct in stating that Main Beach is dying because of business rents, and rents should be lowered. However, landlords expect a return on their investments. Main Beach has an ageing population who don’t have the disposable income they once had. Despite this, there are some business that have been successful for over 20 years. It’s now a numbers thing – maybe a few more high-rises and I’m sure a CST would bring it back to life, but unfortunately a lot of the same people complaining about closed shops are against progress.
ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE