Letters: homelessness, traffic chaos & the joy of gliding
Actually, Council should be praised for their work regarding homelessness
I read with interest your article ‘Father of eight enters contest for Division 10’ (Gazette, January 24). As a community worker working directly ‘on the ground’ with many people experiencing homelessness, including those who are sleeping rough on the street, I do not feel this story was a valid reflection of efforts made by Council, and in particular Councillor David Law in relation to this issue.
As part of my role I also work with Council on their responses to the housing and homeless situation. While we all share the frustration of Council and State government regulations impeding progress on housing, from my experience it is simply not true that Council is not engaged in this space.
David Law, the current Division 10 Councillor, has been a particularly strong advocate for people experiencing homelessness. David is actively engaged with local community groups and community centres working in this space, as well as meeting with, listening to and advocating for people currently experiencing homelessness. In my time as a worker in this space, I have had greater interest and interaction with David, than with any other elected representative at any level of government.
Council’s Community Development team is also funding and facilitating a long-term lived experience program where people who are or have experienced homelessness are informing and educating council and other organisations on the reality of life on the streets. They humanize people experiencing homelessness, actively destigmatizing this group of people, as well as giving advice on how to be a good ally.
– Peter Hogg, Social Worker & Community Development Worker
Palmwoods January 30 traffic chaos a fiasco
What happened today (January 30) in Palmwoods should never be allowed to happen again. From about 1pm and into the evening the road flooded under the rail bridge and absolute chaos ensued.
Council and/or Police had informed the Transport and Main Roads Department at about 1pm of the flooding problem yet nothing was done until about 3.30pm when barriers were erected to stop 4WDs roaring dangerously through the flood water.
Traffic was backed back for kilometres in all directions and this was made even worse when the barriers were erected. All traffic in each direction had to use the single lane raised pedestrian way which was chaotic enough without adding in Jubilee Drive and Chevallum Road.
Police said that due to accidents and other flood issues they could not do traffic control. So why did Council or Main Roads Dept not organise traffic control?
Every time we have a weather emergency on the Coast it seems the area descends into chaos with no one taking control or responsibility.
I understand Council has an Emergency Hub so why did they not organise assistance?
Questions have to be asked why Council were not present to control the traffic flow.
And Council should not reply that it was a State Government issue! Both the State Member and local councillor’s phones were on answer machine.
When weather disasters hit our region residents need to know who is responsible for taking charge and organising action. Until now we have not had a clue and simply muddle through. As this spot floods regularly we need to know what can be done to ensure we do not get a repeat of 30 January the next time floods close this road. Never again should we have to experience such chaos.
– Ken Coulter, Ilkley
... Council responds ...
The following is most of a statement provided by a Council spokesperson:
The safety of our community and staff is our number one priority. At times, roads may be closed due to flooding or other natural disasters, trees or power lines over roads, or landslips.
QPS, TMR and Council continue to work together to manage road closures and provide traffic control across the Sunshine Coast.
Regional weather conditions and accessibility to sites can also be hampered by severe weather conditions and our ability to get staff and crews safely to the sites.
Crews are dispatched on a triage system, based on the highest needs, as well as available resources and to ensure the safety of the public and respondents. Prior to roads being closed to traffic, a site inspection is required. The road closure information is as accurate as possible at the time it is entered. However, as conditions change quickly, this information should be used as a guide only. Council’s team lists and signs known closed Council roads as conditions and resources permit.
For the joy of gliding
I recently spent a glorious day in the hinterland and happened to stop at Gerrard’s Lookout on my way home. I was soon to be joined by a dedicated paraglider and an eager team of onlookers who gave their words of encouragement, engaged in interesting conversation and helped when the wind would not co-operate.
Dealing with conditions less than ideal, it was easy to see how a collaboration of patience and determination was needed to get off the ground. What I also observed was that it only took one person following their passion to bring together a whole group of people, who in that moment were innately connected with the same purpose, the same desire, the same sense of wonder, the same anticipation.
To everyone’s delight and relief, we were able to witness the magic of flight. It reminded me of the eagles I had seen on a previous visit. While entranced in this newfound freedom, I had forgotten about my aches and pains, my own entanglements and the parts of me that felt a little broken.
What became abundantly clear was that I needed more of that – not the gliding, although this does seem like magnificent fun! What I needed, what many of us need is more creative living: to engage, to inspire, to move, to consider, to appreciate, to contribute. Life isn’t meant to be static and neither are we.
Who knew that gliding to great heights could be such a grounding experience.
– Andrea Weber, Kilcoy