Letter to the Editor

Editor -

The Palmwoods Progress Association at its last meeting, resolved to write a letter to the Maroochy Shire Council relaying our concerns at the direction of the LAP being prepared for Palmwoods.

It was agreed that our expectations for the LAP included more significant aspects coming out of the project than the cosmetic, unprofessional and immature strategies which are being proposed.

We would like to share these concerns with the people of Palmwoods and would be grateful if you could publish the following extracts from our letter to the council, as an open letter: This association considers it vital that street traffic networks be given a priority over issues of scenic amenity and building appearances.

At the second workshop, much time was given to discussion of streetscapes, having everyone living in pole homes or Queenslanders (no place for brick and tile in Palmwoods) and showing us how the Post Office building could be cloned for a Palmwoods "city mix". Not a single mention was made of a proposed southern bypass for the town, traffic flow in general and future parking.

We would also question the consultant's continued references to Palmwoods as a "village". Palmwoods is a Queensland country town; that's where its history belongs and where its identity lies. We do not need to become an architecturally trendy "village" to remain the pleasant little country town we now enjoy.

We are also concerned that suggestions were made in the last study report relating to areas not included in the study area. As a result residents in those areas are not being consulted. For example, a proposed industrial estate for Nicklin and Winston Roads which are not in the study area.

Also, much time has been given to discussion of "pie in the sky" plans such as moving the Palmwoods Memorial Hall, moving the railway station and other such economically unviable schemes.

We had hoped that this planning would address real issues and ones that we could realistically be acted upon to improve our town. Instead, we are seeing pretty pictures and ideas which in some cases are so far fetched, we could easily have come up with them ourselves.

At this time, the major problem confronting this town is firmly centred on traffic and street networks. We had hoped - and been assured - that this would be addressed by the LAP. In reality, there has not been a word.

Other concerns raised include:

• A roundabout for Chevallum Road, Diedrichs Court and McKays Lane, its location being at the end of a series of S bends with virtually no visual approach. This would amount to a blind approach for all traffic using Chevallum Road as access to Palmwoods.
• No discussion addressing economic growth and stability of employment for our residents. In fact, "humorous" discussion was made of turning the juice factory - one of our major industries - into a gymnasium and closing down a real estate agency and making it a lolly shop. This could be funny if it were not so serious. Business is providing jobs for our families and such levity is out of place in a matter as serious as the LAP. As one member said "we can have the most beautiful town in the world but without jobs we are nothing." Indeed, without business we have a slum!
• No provision for sporting and recreational facilities or other facilities for our young people.

Other issues ignored by the consultants include:

• Establishment of a town identity/icon
• The problems facing school buses and student interchanges - 300 pupils change buses every day on the main street.
• Ways to beautify the many rock walls in the town.

This association believes the real issues to be addressed by the LAP are being overlooked and red herrings such as a planned move for the Memorial Hall being introduced to avoid having to knuckle down and come up with some answers for the "tough" questions regarding traffic and town layout problems.

Ron Corelli
President