A different planet?

When I read the papers, I always decide that I must live on a different planet from most politicians and other people in power.

I feel sure that these people are aware of the implications of climate change particularly on the Peninsula; however they seem to be intent on proceeding with business as usual with now an input of Federal money to re-make yet again the beach at Ettalong.

It is a pity these people did not see the article Paradise Lost by Frank Robson in The Good Weekend a few weeks ago, which dealt with the situation in Noosa.

It was very similar to the story of Ettalong.

In the 1960s, the Noosa business fraternity, together with the council, decided to re-make Noosa.

They even diverted the river.

Rock groynes were built.

Property owners were permitted to place rocks at the front of their properties to protect them from the sea until a sea wall was eventually built and sand pumping replaced the now lost sand.

Much money was made as land changed hands and mansions were built and Noosa became a famous landmark for the international as well as national tourism industry.

As a result, the highly successful and expensive Hastings St and the surf beach are now under threat.

Holidaymakers lie on a beach next to a sand pipeline which relentlessly pumps sand every Tuesday and Thursday, daily in rough weather; traffic controllers guard the emergency point to stop accidents in the slurry of sand and water; the foreshore is in danger of being swept away; trees have been uprooted; footpaths are suspended and traders have to contribute to the $500,000 fund each year for beach maintenance.

Tax payers dip in as well.

Still there's the cry for the authorities to "fix" the beach.

It would seem an artificial beach is better than no beach, although there are concerns about sourcing the enormous amounts of sand continually needed for replenishment.

The story of Noosa must ring bells with many local people.

It does with us.

We have been looking at old movie films taken about 35 years ago with our young children on the wide beach, as it was then, at what is now often called Ferry Beach.

There is no beach there now; just sand bags to help prevent erosion. Rats can sometimes be seen foraging amongst the rubbish.

This change was caused by the rocks which council was persuaded to put at the point in the 1970s.

Will man ever learn?

Storm surges and sea level rise could inundate the Peninsula.

As Robson says in his article: "It's an endless environmental soap opera."

You may read the full article about Noosa in The Good Weekend of April 10.

It is obtainable at your local library or at Gosford.

Email, 7 May 2010 Margaret Lund, Woy Woy Bay