Letters to the editor

If someone wishes to honour/remember someone who has passed, by all means, a bunch of flowers, fond remembrance, maybe a prayer and a trip to the cemetery (or other such shrine) are all in order.

To me, vandalising council and government property by attaching something to it does not seem in the same vein at all.

If we could also relinquish the morbid practice of placing flowers by the side of the road where someone has died it would be a step in the right direction as well.

- F. Cop, Wellington Point

GOOD work, council. My personal view is that the site of death, or even the place of interment of body or ashes, has little relationship to the life of the loved one.

Their life is better celebrated in what they have accomplished in helping others. People want to express their care and it’s easier and less miserable than a cemetery.

Memorial walls for a large number, yes. Everyone can view and express empathy; a lone memorial, even a bunch of flowers (often plastic) is significant only to family and a few friends.

Other people and wildlife need be considered. What a pity all those balloons are sent up in memorial ceremonies, to fall into the water and kill so many aquatic life by being swallowed, mistaken for food.

- J. Farnworth, Wellington Point

I READ with interest (RCB, June 1) that the state government's draft Economic Transport Strategy for North Stradbroke Island was a possible ferry to the city.

This is a good idea. However, we should follow Cairns’ lead and when Toondah Harbour is developed create it into a transport hub that resembles a marine airport.

I have had many conversations with locals about how good it would be if Toondah Harbour resembled Trinity Wharf in Cairns where tour boats depart.

It would make sense and take pressure off the train line if there was an express ferry to and from the city with a change to ferries to North Stradbroke and possibly Redland Bay and Gold Coast. The government needs to connect ferry services and Stradbroke buses to the go via system.

Sydney has always had a great transport system and used to have a Sunday tripper where you could catch any trains, ferries or buses all day anywhere from Manly across the harbour on ferry, to Campbelltown to the Blue Mountains by train all for $15.

On a recent trip I discovered they have an Opal card similar to our go card, which maxed out at $15 on a weekday. As a tourist it made it so easy to discover Sydney.

I would frequent North Stradbroke on the weekend if as a local I could catch a train from Wellington Point to Cleveland, then ferry to North Stradbroke Island followed by the bus from Dunwich to Point Lookout and then return home for $15.

I am sure that if Brisbane people could do the same whether by train to Cleveland or ferry to Toondah and then on to North Stradbroke they would.

Brisbane locals could then use Stradbroke in addition to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, giving the island a greater ability as a day visit destination.

- D. McLean, Wellington Point

MY children and I were watching the news of koala habitat being cleared at Joyner, north Brisbane. There was a koala and her joey clinging to a tree with housing going up on both sides. My three-year-old yelled 'I don't want them to kill the koalas’.

The koalas can't say it for themselves. Who is going to be the first brave politician to say 'no' to developers?

It is not acceptable to say that tree-planting somewhere else is ok. Trees are being cut down now. Koalas can't wait for new trees to grow in a different area. It will be too late when they are extinct and this will be the result if this continues.

When I first moved to Redlands 12 years ago, it was common to hear and see koalas in Ormiston and Victoria Point but not anymore. I was horrified this council was re-elected with its pro-development, lack of care for koalas.

- S. Gilliham, Victoria Point

MY thanks go to GP Dr Karen Redman, ambulance and medical staff of Redland Hospital for the wonderful care they provided for my elderly mother.

The dedication they displayed has been exceptional even though Redland Hospital infrastructure is in desperate need of a major upgrade to keep pace with unprecedented population growth.

Our state and federal governments must commit at least $50 million to upgrade the hospital so it can provide the services expected of a major regional hospital. I would encourage them to visit the new Bega Hospital, NSW, to see how Redlands must be upgraded.

Our politicians must ensure that our local GPs and our public hospital system are properly funded and resourced because they are doing a fabulous job.

- B. Pollock, Cleveland

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