First of all, Congratulations! on providing a forum for local discussions on matters of interest. I think the general public of Bribie are tiring of the continual bickering illustrated in Letters to the Editor in our local papers concerning the dunes. Forums give everyone the chance to express their views and then hear the counter arguments.

I would like to reply to two recent comments made by FOWB members.

Merece Edwards in a recent letter to the editor feels that somehow, Council has been deceptive because she feels that they have commissioned the SEMP plan, accepted the advice in that study and then “blatantly go ahead with the original plan for the lowering of the dunes”. I guess deception can be in the eye of the beholder. And Merece is not alone with these views as it’s the standard from FOWB.

I see no deception whatsoever. SEMP clearly states that there are a number of ways to allow us to improve the dunal system so it is less prone to erosion. In the Exectuive Summary of the SEMP report it points out the dunes are in poor shape and in conjunction with the nourishment to supply sand to the beach, that the dunes need to be rehabilitated and reshaping the main dune to allow the establishment of more suitable native plants.

Rob Richards in his Editorial also mentions “dubious spin” by the Council and “dune lowering activitsts”. OK, let me give you a good example of spin. David Percival wrote to the Minister of Local Government on 12 January 2007 complaining about Council’s plans to carry out works on the main dune. He received a response from Senior Advisor Michael Dart. David then proclaimed in a letter to the editor under the title Not the Plan……”The Minister’s Office advises that lowering of the dune was not part of the Master Plan……” and then went on about the Qld governments complaints procedure.

The complete paragraph actually read:
“While re-profiling the dune was not initially part of the Woorim Beach Master Plan (the WBMP), it was identified by the EPA during Council’s planning and development of the WBMP as a better way to retain the values of the coastal environment.” It continued later…..”I understand the EPA considers the impact of the Council’s works on coastal processes will be minimal and does not consider that the dune modification works will set a precedent to undertake similar works on other foreshore areas.” The complete letter should be on file with FOWB and it would be advisable for all members to read the entire letter.

So, please, don’t talk about dubious spin, you are the masters.

Have a Merry Christmas! See ya’ll in the New Year!

Bob Thompson

December 20, 2007 8:50 PM