Letters to the editor

Redlands secured its water supply at its own cost many years ago.

Leslie Harrison Dam was built and water was sourced from North Stradbroke Island.

Former premier Peter Beattie forced the acquisition of these assets in 2006.

Since then we have been paying more in escalating rates to cover billions wasted on the water desalination plant, the health payroll debacle  and Traveston Dam mess.

Under Labor, Leslie Harrison  Dam is mostly empty with the gates in disrepair while we pay through the nose for every drop of water we use.

Do MPs Kim Richards and Don Brown hope their constituents will accept these prices as inevitable and not blame them? It is time they stood up for their community.

Union first the community second is not good enough.

- C. Stiles, Victoria Point 

IT IS unfortunate that there have been some inept Redland City Council decisions regarding Raby Bay canal responsibilities.

It is easy to regurgitate events in a saga of mismanagement and point the finger at whose fault it is.

However, it does not change the fact that a buyer of a property on the canals is responsible for maintaining their property within their boundaries.

These properties have a retaining wall along the canal that holds their property within its boundaries. If that wall is not adequate to hold in place the property line, then it must be rebuilt to do what it is intended to do and this is the owners’ responsibility.

If it was a retaining wall to a roadway this would be the case.

It is a little different with a canal due to movement within the canal that may be caused by other’s negligence, however the wall is required to retain the property line.

If the developer did not build a wall of sufficient strength, then it needs to be replaced by the owner.

This may not be a “small wall” as stated by Z. Johnston of Raby Bay (RCB, April 18). If the wall the developer built was not sufficient to do the job, then the buyer should have been aware of this and factored in the cost of replacement into his purchase price.

The inept decision by council to accept some responsibility by levying owners and agreeing to carry out the work using these funds and a portion of ratepayers funds has created the situation we are in now.

All the figures and arguments put forward do not mean a thing when it comes to the law. The owner is responsible within the boundaries of their property, not council, not the government, not other ratepayers.

Properties on canal developments should pay rates equivalent to a road frontage at the front and a water canal frontage at rear.

A levee related to access to the canal, if the owner so desires, would allow an owner to build boat ramps or pontoons with mooring rights. Construction and maintenance would be at the owner’s expense.

Ordinances and regulations would govern the construction and use of this infrastructure. If these matters are applied, there should be little room for dispute.

How the disbursement of monies collected so far is carried out is another argument. 

- G. Cowin, Alexandra Hills

APART from a few irregularities, the article “Real relief and respite” (RCB, Mar 28) article was positive.

I refer in particular to the statement by Mr Blackman ...."we encourage people to look at the NDIS and talk to a service provider.....".

Having 27 years’ involvement in the disability field, the past 15 as a disability service provider/support worker, I recommend people also look at the respite for employees at the coalface – the providers. 

These are the staff working hands on, day in, day out with your young person. They provide holistic support for independence, development and social skills.

These are the staff often working under stressful conditions using outdated industrial instruments, lack of respect and trust, undervalued knowledge and experience and micro-management.

Parents/guardians do some delving, use gut instincts, look for indicators of disgruntlement to ensure your NDIS investment in the Redlands, is the best available for your money and for your child.

- A. Marshall, Wellington Point

FORMER premier Peter Beattie is a serial apologiser each time he makes an error of judgement he apologises and says so what, get over it.

Not any more. The public have to realise that this is the professional politician at work. He gets a gold medal for arrogance and a bronze for performance.

- B. Johnstone, Victoria Point 

l WAS at the Sunday afternoon entertainment at Aunty Alices Cafe on Russell lsland several weeks ago.

The presentation was by a singer/gitarist, a violinist and a didgeridoo player.

That combination – blending of the old and new – was the direction in which the world should head. That trio sounded so connected, it brought a tear to my eye.

Would it not be good if we could blend the old with the new in harmony?

The songs this group sang related to Australia evolving, starting with an acknowledgement of the first nation people, the arrival of convicts, rebellion, multiculturalism and development of values through war, hardship, hard work and mateship. They will be at Alice's again in June.

- I. Ratcliffe, Russell Island