SEKISUI
Dear editor,
It is disappointing to see that not only is the Sunshine Coast Regional Council unresponsive to its community regarding the development of the unique area of Yaroomba, but it seems Sunshine Business Council is also for development at any cost. It was disheartening to see the chairperson of SBC, Sandy Zubrinich, comment that the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Sekisui’s development was “a blow for local tourism, industry and for jobs”. As has been said many times before, Yaroomba residents are not against development per se, which is inevitable and would certainly support jobs and industry, but they cannot support development at the expense of those things that attract people to the area in the first place. Surely developers can come up with more environmentally friendly plans that the whole community can get behind?
Robin Bishop,
Yaroomba.
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FLOOD FUNDING
Dear editor,
Global warming is wreaking havoc with our weather systems such as the “rain bomb” which inundated Queensland and New South Wales. Can anyone recall record-busting floods occurring in both states caused by the one weather event?
Why hasn’t the Morrison government done more to make our country more resilient to natural disasters in the wake of many warnings from department reports, experts and scientists for years?
They set up a $5 billion Emergency Response Fund but have barely spent any of it – with the minister responsible saying it is, “like a term deposit”. Bollocks! That money needs to be put to use now, not just earning interest for a later date. So far it has earned over $800 million in interest sitting in the government’s coffers.
How much are the current disasters going to cost us? Not to mention the lives tragically lost, homes destroyed, businesses ruined, infrastructure damaged and animals drowned.
True to the Morrison government’s form, they are doing too little too late.
Robyn Deane,
Bli Bli.
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FLOOD INSURANCE
Dear editor,
Is house insurance worth the risk and outlay? When disasters like floods and fire destroy lives and property, we see the value and true character of insurance policies and companies. Once claims are made, premiums rise.
With big-city developers risking building on flood plains and close to water, many homeowners inadvertently find, by experience, their houses are uninsurable. The onus is on buyers playing Russian roulette. This is not a problem until disaster hits.
The recent widespread, historical flooding of many homes on the east coast, leave many owners and renters with nothing and no hope when insurance companies won’t pay up. With the legal fine print indecipherable to most, the devil’s in the detail.
Most with current insurance, thinking they are covered, find delay and denial tactics used by insurers, only add to their loss and suffering. This is evident when claims are held up for years or denied, while insurance giants continue to feather their nests. It’s a David and Goliath battle to force them to pay up.
Governments need to enact strict regulatory powers on insurers, to pay their victims regardless, in times of natural disasters. Many insured, uninsured, or under-insured are left with nothing. It is un-Australian and unconscionable.
It’s often left up to our Australian spirit of mateship, for practical acts of compassion, to help the victims of disaster and failed insurance policies. “There, but for the grace of God, go we!”
E.Rowe,
Marcoola.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Dear editor,
Is now the time to talk about extreme weather events- unprecedented floods, heatwaves, pandemics, bushfires, coral bleaching and the Emergency Response Fund of $4.8 billion? Is this the cost of inaction on climate change? Just asking.
Margaret Wilkie,
Peregian Beach.
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