In response to the State Government's heavy-handed 'cram more people in' approach to SE Qld, David Gardiner has written - not so much a submission as a clear and concise rebuttal of their developer-driven agenda. His thoughts may help you in your own submission.

Make no mistake - you may feel that 'my letter won't make any difference' but this is a numbers game.

State Government are relying on our apathy. Give 'em a whack!

Dear Council Officers and Councilors
It is very disappointing indeed to know that the pleasant life style of the region is now under (and has been for some while) serious, possibly terminal threat due to extremely rapid population growth. As a former senior financial worker with well developed appreciation of economic arguments it is simply impossible for me to understand the simplistic equation that states: Population growth = Economic growth. It is not necessarily so. Many other factors must be taken into account. One of the most obvious examples: poor infrastructure directly impacts upon economic performance, just as general health and well being do if admitttedly in a somewhat less tangible way.

When other vital factors such as sustainability and quality of life are at stake, and when public amenities are lacking - and inevitably lag far behind the immediate need, it is no wonder everyone I know questions what it is exactly the state government thinks will be the eventual outcome for a region so dependent upon tourism as a major economic force.

Population growth may well be an ongoing phenomenon. It can and should be carefully managed. Clearly that is not happening and sadly it seems no effort whatsoever is being made, or is intended, to tackle the issue. Rather, state government tries to over-ride Council and passes the buck to Canberra - as if it was their problem. It isn't. It's ours.

Please, please, please get your best people together and work with community groups to fight off this threat. Mayor Abbot needs and deserves all the help he can get.

Sadly it seem over optimistic to raise ones' hopes too high. No one in state government has been held accountable for the Traveston dam fiasco that unnecessarily cost tax payers $250 million or more. So one wonders what is government's accountability to tax payers. Nonetheless this fight - dealing with explosive population growth in South East Queensland - is one worth fighting for.  And state government must be held to account for proposals that can become a plan that can in turn become a decision - then a fait accompli - that ignore the wishes of surely most on the Sunshine Coast who certainly want economic prosperity - but NOT at any cost.

Regards

David Gardiner