Comments on: Council meeting, media watch, etc

By: Jeanette Maynes

Jeanette Maynes — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 11:06:08 +0000

$90,000 on a sign; ‘What the ….!’
I am in shock and can’t believe that a council member would approve wasting or allocating that much money on a sign!!!!!!
No wonder my rates have gone up!!!!!!!!

Ps. I would be thoroughly interested in the answers to Ben’s questions…..though my instints are telling me due to Councils past history on these matters I already know the answers!

By: Ben Collingwood

Ben Collingwood — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:08:03 +0000

Sue

I too was disappointed with the concept sign as shown in the local rag this week. Perhaps I missed an earlier press release or something but did the public get an input into the design of the sign?

Worse still, was it designed by a local or did that get outsourced elsewhere like the council logo and other projects?

Also, you say council allocated monies for the sign in previous budgets, how come council can afford $90,000 for an entrance sign but not $50,000 for an additional Economic Development officer?

Council really must sort out its priorities when it comes to trimming the fat from budgets!

By: sue

sue — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:49:29 +0000

As mentioned previously, personally I would prefer a simpler and cheaper sign.

By: baggins

baggins — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:32:20 +0000

Hello again Sue,

I think any ‘Welcome to HB’ sign is better than what we have had before …. absolutely nothing!

I noticed you stated:
“I applaud the volunteers that come along and help weed and plant etc to assist us retain the naturally beautiful parks that we are so lucky to have. The foreshore is a particularly important ‘park’ and we must ensure that we care for it well. If you are interested in finding out more or joining a group.”

I also applaud the work of volunteer environmentalists trying to control weeds and revegetate forests. However, despite being a CEP volunteer myself in past years, my past experience with this program and its practices regarding foreshore maintainance have not impressed me at all! I agree that our foreshore is “a particularly important park” (moreso than a particularly important forest I suggest), so I will be very interested to hear any new ideas you may be considering for its care and improvement.

With just a slightly different management focus for the future, most of our more populated foreshore offers huge untapped asset potential for locals and tourists alike for leisure and enjoyment. Many residents tell me they are willing to assist with foreshore maintenance activities and reduce council costs, but the current focus and CEP practices are no longer practical in the eyes of many. I’d love to hear any suggestions for positive change when you get time, Sue?

By: Sadman

Sadman — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:20:35 +0000

Sue,
Do you really think $90,000 for a sign is warranted compared to the
state of our roads, Maryborough’s pool, sewerage, water, Tiaro’s
roads or Woocoos every thing?

This is a purely fell good thing, I’d rather eat bread than cake.

sadman

By: sue

sue — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:39:42 +0000

Sadman, I hope that because we are amalgamated doesn’t mean our towns and cities need to lose their unique identities. I like welcome signs but personally prefer a simple block wall with a simply worded welcome sign and the name of the place. It’s a thing that can be done cheaply but makes me feel good to see when I drive into a place. Smaller and cheaper signs are planned for our other Hervey Bay entrance roads like we now see at the airport. Tiaro will receive a map and sign and our smaller regional towns will also be included with smaller signs like we see at River Heads etc. Hervey Bay had monies allocated in its budget pre amalgamation for the signs.

By: Sadman

Sadman — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:16:33 +0000

Sue,

I don’t know that it’s true to state the welcome to Hervey Bay sign
is what we have all been waiting for!! In the years I’ve lived in the
Bay, while talked about a few times, there has been no real push.
Now we are amalgamated I doubt the need? Do we equally erect big
and grandios signs for Tiaro and Woocoo?

I also find it funny that those people who come to visit Fraser Island
won’t even see the sign as they drive down Booral road as very many
do.

Of all the things to spend our money on, I see this as one of the least
important.

Sadman