Vale Redlands koalas
I CAN’T believe the Redland City Council thinks residents will swallow its cynical and deceptive exploitation of the koala. From the council's logo to pulsating roadside warnings and static signs, it continues to symbolise this unique and iconic animal as a feature of the Redlands.
During the past decade, rampant and extensive development with massive tree clearing is not only destroying koala habitat but a lifestyle which attracted many of us to move from high density suburbia.
Really, Redlands City Council! Bachelor in paradise? Why? Because he can't find a wildlife corridor to locate his bachelorette? Or because he can't cross busy roads and train-lines? Or maybe, he's one of the last ones left and should be auditioning for Survivor?
I know there is little that one person can do but I’ve made a start by contacting my councillor and joining local wildlife organisations. Maybe, there's still a chance.
- B. Hein, Ormiston
Redlands roundabout
I HOPE I am standing, especially at peak hour, at the Wellington Road and Shore Street (Cleveland) roundabout when the first self-driving car attempts to negotiate this busy intersection. It should be good for a hearty belly laugh.
- T. Risby, Ormiston
Recidivism needs addressing
WITH regards to deputy mayor Lance Hewlett’s calls for more police effort (RCB Nov 21), there is absolutely no doubt that the call for more police effort is soundly based on a very real situation, but the fact remains that similar calls have been made, for the very same reason, as far back as history records.
The reality is that our prison system is dysfunctional, as advised in a conclusive recent report, to the complete frustration of many in the police force who are very much aware that our prisons are little more than a comfortable training ground for those who wish to further their careers in crime.
As per the report, petty criminals enter prison and exit as more experienced criminals. The statistics speak for themselves. The overall recidivism rate for offenders in Australia is 44.80 per cent. The highest rate is in the Northern Territory at 57.10 per cent with Queensland at a rate of 40.20 per cent. These figures would be only too well known to those in the police force and do nothing for their morale to see the prison system as a revolving door for criminal offenders.
With a reported total prison population of 32,000 people in jail at the present time, the cost of maintaining the prison system is $4.2 billion. A lot of tax payers money spent on a dysfunctional system. The community should be demanding of all politicians what their plans are to create a truly effective and functional prison system that is primarily focused on total rehabilitation for the majority of prison inmates.
- D. Baxter, Alexandra Hills
Car park shock
AN UPDATE from Division 6 Cr Julie Talty found in my letter box contained a nasty shock. It showed an image of the proposed Weinam Creek development essentially turning the best part of the Redland Bay foreshore into an extensive carpark.
OK, it’s pretty much a carpark now but surely the council could make it more visually appealing to improve amenity and entice tourism? After all, despite some recent ugly developments right in the centre of town, Redland Bay has a lot of potential given intelligent planning.
Reading further was very worrying though. I found the jewel in the crown of this proposal is a masterly tourist drawcard: a multi storey carpark catering for up to 2000 cars with five levels right at the waters edge.
This is the inspirational solution our council has devised to address the parking problem for bay islanders. The problem will inevitably worsen but I suppose this could be slowed somewhat by additional levels, 10 or 20 perhaps as demand increases?
I understand that commuting for bay islanders is tough but this proposal has a grievous cost to us all. Most of us must park our cars at home or catch public transport. Bay islanders have the option to park their cars at home as well and those who wish to use cars on the mainland are able to utilise vehicular ferries. Services will increase as demand rises.
Where is the greater good for Redlanders? A more balanced approach than this proposed vandalism is required by giving top priority to exploring better public transport options for the bay islanders while opposing the despoilation of our foreshore.
- M. Scott, Victoria Point
Helping the homeless
WITH regards to the homeless living in Capalaba in the bush, why don’t people try to help them instead of sticking their noses in even though they aren’t annoying anybody but trying to survive?
As for our council looking into helping out, why don’t they hire an old industrial shed to house these people until the government actually does something about it?
- R. Viney, Wellington Point
Bring on Toondah
I HAVE lived in high-rises for 31 years and am offended by the label “monstrous high-rises” that some house and land owners moan about in these columns. We own fewer cars (high rises are located near transport and retail and don’t need them), generate less waste and do not own native wildlife killers or dogs. And units are more affordable.
I am a proud Cleveland CBD employer of Redlands Coast people and only have two complaints about Toondah Harbour: why only 3600 units and why a 10-storey limit?
- R. Palmer, Cleveland
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