Straddie access, elections, and ANZAC Day

Letters from residents include suggestions for re-opening access to Straddie, thoughts about the recent elections (including a thank you letter from Mayoral candidate Claire Richardson), and reflections on an ANZAC Day ceremony at a neighbourhood park which the Council wanted to sell off for residential development, a few years ago.

If you have something to say to the community, email your letter to theeditor@redlands2030.net/redlands2030-pre-may2020

Reopening Straddie

A scenic highlight of Straddie is the North Gorge at Point Lookout

North Gorge on North Stradbroke Island (MInjerribah)

My thoughts on the reopening of Straddie – let’s do it soon, but stagger it.

My suggestions for changing access to Straddie are:

Let Straddie property owners over first
Then Cleveland residents, maybe a week later
Then other Redlands residents
Then Brisbane residents
Then tourists.

Islanders might continue to say…” but what about the possible threat to the Indigeneous Community in Dunwich?”

Perhaps the solution might be to insist that visitors to Straddie pass through Dunwich at this stage without the risk of stopping and potentially spreading COVID-19 (a slim risk anyway).

If social distancing is applied, I see this approach as a low risk and realistic one which will provide mental and physical health benefits and fairness to all who love Minjerribah.

In Sydney , where COVID-19 is a more serious issue, beaches including Bondi , are now open for exercise.

Let’s start contemplating how we should deal with the inevitable return to a reasonable form of normalcy.

PH
Cleveland

Claire Richardson says “thanks”

Claire Richardson

I would like to commend all candidates that participated in the Redland City Council elections for being prepared to try and make a difference for our community, and to offer my congratulations to those that have been elected to office.

While I had hoped for a different outcome, I am proud of the campaign I ran and the policies I presented to the community.

Thank you to the tens of thousands of local voters who put their trust in me by giving me their vote – and to the many volunteers and supporters who contributed to my campaign.

It is important that the new Redland City Council accepts that well over half its electorate voted resoundingly for leadership change based on first preference votes – and therefore the majority were seeking changes to its policies and practices.

The community’s election messages should not be ignored.

In particular, I urge Council to take steps to improve the appropriateness of the current planning scheme, to lobby the State government to address the serious community concerns about the Toondah Harbour proposal and to improve openness and rebuild the trust of residents.

Once we emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, I hope that Council will take the opportunity to refocus, and to accept the challenge to deliver an inclusive and sustainable future on behalf of the whole community.

Claire Richardson
Redland City
Mayoral candidate 2020

Democracy is fragile and made up of many moving parts

Following the 28 March 2020 Council elections, there are two matters which really need quality and rational public debate.

One of these matters goes to the very heart of a democratic platform and maybe we, the voting and tax-paying public, have been conned for years.

The other “an abuse of position and privilege” by any pub test in the land.

Redland City Bulletin dated 22^nd April front page – “Williams victory”. The article goes on to explain that Mayor Williams won with 50.9% of the vote and after preferences won by 1,400 votes.

Can someone please explain the detail?

According to the ECQ web site, the polling results, as posted 19^th April stated that 77.27% of the votes have been counted.

Hang on, what happened to the other 22.73% of votes?

Are they counted with the same degree of care and commitment as the first 77.27%? or, now simply discarded? The outcome may not change, that is irrelevant. Surely, those voters who made up 22.73% are entitled to have their say?

As this stands at the moment, their vote was wasted. Why do we insist then on compulsory voting?

Surely accuracy and completeness would be a hallmark of a democratic process that must be upheld?

This Council election turned nasty with a flood of Facebook barbs and language from someone whose comments wouldn’t pass a pub test on “abuse of position and privilege.”At a time when the nation was grappling with the impacts and consequences of a once in a 100-year pandemic, we were being lectured by someone who should have been concerned with all in the community and not his “mates in Council and ensuring that they were returned.”

As we learned at high school, democracies are fragile structures made up of many moving parts yet requiring observance to form, structure, and commitment to give strength and fairness to all.

What we saw on Facebook and through other media outlets was an indiscriminate snubbing to “position and privilege”. It was a black day for all.

Unfortunately, in a democracy, our chance as voters and taxpayers to voice an opinion is only allowed once every 4 years.Fortunately, us long-suffering voters and taxpayers, have long memories which give a democracy such as Australia its strength.

Do you agree?

RP
Cleveland

Editor’s note:

A committee of the Queensland Parliament is investigating the ECQ’s publication of election results on its website. The deadline for making submissions is midday on Monday 11 May 2020.

The ECQ will provide the committee with a public briefing on Monday. The Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday 15 May.

More information about this inquiry is available on the Queensland Parliament website.

Anzac Day in Workington Park

Thanks to Redlands2030’s assistance, as well as a community groundswell of support, we still continue to enjoy the benefits of little pocket parks like Workington Street.

In these socially isolated times, Workington St Park facilitated the community connection in a safe way, so we could honour and remember all those who have served to give us a self-determined and quality way of life.

Attached is the flyer that was circulated for yesterday’s ANZAC’s Dawn ceremony.

About 30 people were able to safely “attend”, including at least 2 servicemen. Many people stood at their back gates to show their respect.

RG
Alexandra Hills