An Old Codger’s Thoughts & Opinions

Are the people off the Sunshine Coast being rated as second class? Deputy Premier Steven Miles has announced that there have been 1100 new land blocks approved and are now available at Caloundra South and Aura but can’t say if a major rail upgrade will be done by 2032.

The first planning for this rail line which includes just 37km to connect Maroochydore, Caloundra and Beerwah to Brisbane was was allegedly completed in 2001 but consideration has not been finalised as at this time. How long does it take?

This line was used as one carrot by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to attract votes to gain the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. Now, according to Deputy Premier Steven Miles this might not be built by that time. This would just be but one more projects promised to gain political points then not provided.

The Sunshine Coast’s population is expected to increase by some 120,000 in the next 20 years.

The suburb of Aura is now closer to the goal of 20,000 homes which is anticipated to home about 69,000 people. For this number of new homes, the lack of decent public transport means car dependency becomes the norm thus creating traffic chaos, both within the southern Sunshine Coast area and on the main highway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Caloundra Road often turns into a frustrating carpark as more than 32,000 cars per day are using that roadway with an increasing number of 1100 of daily trips being experienced..

Between 7.15am – 9.15am and 3.45pm to 5.45pm when cars were banked up at the Aura roundabout in all directions leading to the main Sunshine Coast motorway.

All of this extra traffic has a flow-on effect on hinterland residents who have to also travel to Brisbane. Building more roads has little remedial effect on traffic density as by the time the new section is completed the traffic volume has continued to increase.

The immediate duplication of the Sunshine Coast heavy rail system to Gympie with an extension through Aura, Caloundra and onto Maroochydore is one way to help ease the density of local traffic volume.

This will also help to reduce emissions from vehicles thus assisting with reducing the affects of climate change because as traffic congestion increases, so too do fuel consumption and CO2 emissions..

Truthful tells us that his neighbour’s wife, Kathleen Murphy was standing vigil over her husband's death bed. As she held his hand, her warm tears ran silently down her face, splashed onto his face, and roused him from his slumber. He looked up and his pale lips began to move slightly.

“My darling Kathleen,” he whispered. “Hush, my love,” she said. “Go back to sleep. Shhh, don't talk.”

But he was insistent. “Kathleen,” he said in his tired voice. “I have to talk. I have something I must confess to you.”

“There's nothing to confess,” replied the weeping Kathleen. “It's all right. Everything's all right, go to sleep now.”

“No, no. I must die in peace, Kathleen. I slept with your sister, your best friend, and your mother.”

Kathleen mustered a pained smile and stroked his hand. “Hush now Patrick, don't torment yourself. I know all about it,” she said. “Why do you think I poisoned you?”

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