THE Greens candidate for division five has spoken about stopping inappropriate development in favour of affordable development to ease the housing crisis.

“We all live in a very beautiful, yet expensive, part of the world,” Tracy Burton told a meet the candidates function at Woombye. 

“Housing has become unaffordable for many people and some people are leaving the Sunshine Coast because they can no longer afford to live here. Once upon a time, the hinterland was the cheaper option. Nambour, for example. 

“But now those prices are going out through the roof so we need to think about supporting small secondary dwellings, low impact housing, and encouraging reasonable rents.”

Ms Burton said the Sunshine Coast needed to stop inappropriate development, stop building on flood plains, get infrastructure in place, improve pedestrian access and community connections, and stop habitat loss.

She said the council had room for improvement in Woombye, where a town map and sign had been omitted during a $1.52 million streetscaping project; while pedestrian accessibility, the playground at Memorial Park, and the Pine Grove-Blackall Street intersection, all needed upgrading.

The former operating theatre nurse and high school English, drama, and film and television teacher now works for the NDIS and has two children.  She has lived in the Palmwoods-Woombye area for 15 years and this is her second shot at a spot on the Council.

Ms Burton said she had always worked with people, for people, and described herself as “a true humanitarian”.

She said her 20-year teaching career had taught her skills that would be useful as ac councillor: “adaptability, organisation, creativity, social skills, and importantly, a participant of democratic style of leadership.

“I’ve always worked to make sure that people have a better life. My values are strong, consistent and transparent, and I’m a strategic leader.”

Readers Question on affordable housing 

Michael asked: What do you think is the biggest issue for Sunshine Coast (that is under the responsibility of a local authority) and what would you do to fill that need?

Ms Burton: 

Throughout my extensive community consultation these past 9 months, the issue of affordable housing and high rent prices has been consistently raised as a major concern. It is heartbreaking to see individuals and families forced to leave the Sunshine Coast due to unaffordable living costs. Even more concerning is the growing number of unhoused locals sleeping rough in Division 5 every night. This pressing issue requires immediate attention from all levels of government, including local council. We must take a proactive approach to finding flexible and sustainable solutions such as restricting short-term accommodation in inappropriate areas and buildings, promoting the efficient use of empty properties, encouraging reasonable rents, supporting small secondary dwellings and low-impact infill housing, and unlocking land for non-profit housing projects. Our councillor must take a stronger role in advocating for these solutions and pushing for tangible action to address the lack of affordable housing in our area.