I was assaulted by a street woman. Then people came out of nowhere to help

At the end of July I was assaulted by a street woman who reeked of alcohol. My husband and I are disabled pensioners. We parked in the disabled parking spot on the corner of Short & Lowe St, Nambour about 3pm. As I removed myself from the car on the driver’s side, I was accosted. I’ve seen her before when she’s asked for money, so when she tried again to illicit money, I refused her demand. It escalated from this leading to the assault. 

The police are handling this case. This week, after a number of interviews, I was informed she had been charged. Only last week, I was told that it may not go to trial, as it would be classified as a “she-said-I-said”, her-word-against-mine case. Because, other than my husband, there weren’t any witnesses. Of course, it could have been worse if either of us had fallen. 

We moved out of Brisbane seven years ago to live in the hinterland away from the soaring rates of crime in the big city. But we’d not experienced it first-hand, until we moved here. We don’t live in Nambour but we do our shopping there. There are kind people in Nambour. When my husband fell, near Nambour Post Office, as he can do because of his advancing Parkinsons, people appeared out of nowhere: young people who were so sweet and gentle with him. 

It’s hard to reconcile how close that was, such kindness, just across the intersection from my assault. We will continue to come to Nambour because of the locals’ kindness & friendliness, but I will never park anywhere near my assault’s location. It’s hard enough juggling my hubby, his walking frame etc etc without having to be on the alert for danger.

– JS, Nambour

Why is Nambour left to shoulder the burden, and its students the risks?  

With reference to your recent articles on homelessness, and to the quote from Marty Hunt about “recent enforcement action by neighbouring councils which has led to more people experiencing homelessness moving into Nambour”:

What that means is that all such “enforcement action” are vigorously applied in neighbouring councils but not Nambour. So I ask why not? Perhaps the truth is that Nambour has effectively been unofficially “zoned” as the place to deal with the homeless who need somewhere to go. 

Meanwhile, allowing such an issue to emerge along the coastal glamour strip would most likely be seen as an embarrassment for the Sunshine Coast, and indeed for Australia with the Olympics approaching.

The compassion of Nambour residents towards the homeless is no different from anywhere else. 

However, given the drug-related activity reported around Quota Park and adjoining Nambour State College, is it not true that students there are at risk of a similar drug-related attack to the one that took place recently at Habitat Childcare Centre, Peregian Springs? 

If such an event were to occur, responsibility would surely fall on those whose job it is to take measures to prevent this risk. Last Friday parents at a preschool near a homeless encampment  in Nambour expressed their concerns after an incident which saw the centre shut down. The tensions are high.

– Rob Skimmer, Image Flat

Ninderry Road and Elouera Drive T-intersection is not safe

I am writing to you on behalf of myself and the residents of the surrounding community who share serious concerns regarding the T intersection of Ninderry Road and Elouera Drive. For over 30 years, this intersection has been the sole access point for many local residents, and it has unfortunately remained a source of danger due to the lack of adequate safety measures.

In light of recent events, including tragic incidents such as the recent accident on the Mooloola River that claimed a life, the urgency for action cannot be overstated. Many residents have tirelessly reached out to the Council in hopes of addressing this pressing issue, yet our pleas have repeatedly fallen on deaf ears. Two households have resorted to launching petitions – signals of our collective frustration and the urgent need for safety improvements at this intersection.

It is especially disheartening to note that despite previous promises from the Mayor prior to the election, to take action, and even after numerous discussions by past Sunshine Coast Councils regarding this perilous intersection, we still find ourselves in a hazardous position. 

With the area being promoted as a tourist destination and the increasing residential developments, it is imperative that funding be allocated to upgrade this intersection and prevent further tragedies. Therefore, we respectfully urge the Council to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors using this intersection. 

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We look forward to your prompt response and decisive action to enhance the safety of our community and visitors. 

– Kerry McLean, Valdora

Former councillor shouldn’t have a say on project

The recent issue of the paper (SVG, August 20) startled me because of the prominence given to a former Div 10 Sunshine Coast Councillor to express his views. 

Is it the policy of this paper to provide a forum for every former SCRC councillor with a point of view? Just what is special about this former councillor?

I found it irrelevant to learn that a former Div 10 councillor considers a new library for Nambour to be a waste of money.

This from a councillor who considered the dreadful “safety hazard tunnel slide” at the library steps in Nambour to be a super idea.

I did find it irritating that this former councillor, now head of the appalling Tramway/monorail white elephant should be telling residents of Nambour how public moneys should be usefully spent.

What have the massive public funds poured into the Tramway operation actually produced? Who has benefitted from these considerable funds? 

There is a spiffy new building sitting unused (apart from LNP meetings) at the end of the tram tracks that we were told endlessly would revitalise tourism in Nambour. 

The Council gifted a valuable block of land to a private company which apparently former councillor Rogerson considers a fab use of public resources. 

The endless traffic lights at every roundabout along Howard St are still not operational which is at least a blessing: can you picture the traffic chaos when they do fire up?

Former Div 10 Councillor Rogerson frequently appears in this paper representing the Tramway operation so it was annoying to hear this person, from that outfit, accuse others of a lack of public consultation.

Just what public consultation went into the bizarre idea of running a tourist tram from Aldi to Coles? Just what traffic impact studies were made?

– Clive Newton, Towen Mt

Editor’s note:

As a former councillor, Greg Rogerson’s experience gives weight to his views on how Council spends public money, whether or not you agree with him. 

Rogerson right to question Nambour building plan

I wish to add my voice in support of Greg Rogerson’s recent questioning of Sunshine Coast Council’s consideration of a $55 million upgrade of its administration building in Nambour.

In a town where homelessness is growing, families are struggling and basic services are under pressure, it is very hard to justify such an enormous spend on offices for bureaucrats. Residents in Nambour and across the hinterland need investment in housing, safety and community facilities far more urgently than Council staff need refurbished offices and a new library precinct. We’ve got a perfectly good library already. 

The scale of what is being proposed feels out of step with the challenges our region faces. When residents are told “there isn’t money” for essential services, yet $55 million can be found for a prestige project, something is wrong.

Greg Rogerson is right to ask hard questions. Council must be transparent about its priorities and explain to ratepayers how such a project benefits the community as a whole, and not just its administration.

– Name supplied, Yandina

How about spending some money on hinterland roads?

These, above, are just a few of the defects over approximately one kilometre of Flaxton Mill Road at its western end. Councillor David Law is bleating over his pet $55 million project being delayed, yet we cannot even get our roads fixed. The hinterland really does get nothing, except window dressing for coffee precincts. We provide our own water and effluent treatment, pay our rates and get bugger-all for it.

– Glen Belson, Mapleton

Getting to the root of the problem with a Men’s Meeting Place for Nambour

Children are suffering right now because too many men in our community are unhappy, unsupported, and left to deal with their struggles in unhealthy ways. At the root of problems such as domestic and family violence, child neglect, drug misuse, abusive behaviour, suicidal tendencies and street safety are men who have nowhere constructive to turn.

We believe it is time to act — not in five or ten years when major redevelopment plans for Nambour finally arrive, but immediately, using existing funding and support sources. Our proposal is simple: establish a Men’s Meeting Place in the heart of Nambour’s CBD, a central and accessible location for the whole Sunshine Coast.

This centre could link men and teenage boys with services such as health, counselling and police, while providing a comfortable environment where they can talk to each other — not in the pub, but in a safe, supportive space. Here, men could seek advice, resolve misunderstandings with partners before situations escalate, and reduce the anger and frustration that so often leads to violence, drug use and anti-social behaviour.

We even propose a “security section” where men at risk of committing domestic violence could be brought in, calmed down and counselled, with the aim of reconciliation rather than punishment. Prevention is better than cure, and less damaging than locking men in cells and fracturing families.

We ask our community: would you support such a lighthouse initiative in Nambour? A Men’s Meeting Place could reduce harm, save money, and most importantly, protect children from the lifelong damage caused by family breakdown and violence.

– Lorraine and Dr Bob Roberts PhD, Nambour

So, you want a baby?

After a Brisbane woman’s experience, don’t even think about the IVF option. It turns out that most worldwide, male sperm donations are outsourced to and supplied by America ‘Health Companies’ that don’t comply with industry standard security measures and have an over 90 percent failure record of getting the characteristics of the male donor right. You’d be better offer propositioning your good-looking mechanic for help.

– Doug Patterson, Montville

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