RSL furious at being led down garden path

RSL members are fuming after documents revealed seven alternate routes were available to the one taken by the council which is set to rip up a memorial garden.

NOT HAPPY: Caloundra RSL’s Catherine Stamp, George Harris and Heather Christie continue their fight to save their Bob McInnes Memorial Garden from destruction. Picture: Patrick Woods

CALOUNDRA RSL sub-branch members are fuming after documents revealed seven alternate routes were available to the one taken by the council which is set to rip up a memorial garden.

Documents obtained through a Right to Information application showed seven other options for the transport corridor upgrades were investigated, but rejected by Sunshine Coast Council.

The documents viewed by the Daily showed eight options, including three that were short-listed, were investigated to ease congestion on Caloundra Rd.

Some of them included going through Park St, Suller St, Minchinton St and Arthur St.

“Out of all of those options they chose the one that involves taking away … and ripping up a space that is so sacred to many people,” sub-branch committee member Cathy Stamp said.

Mrs Stamp said she, and many others, were confused why the council couldn’t choose the option to widen and upgrade Arthur St.

But Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer said widening Arthur St wasn’t a viable option for the future expected growth of the region’s centre.

“Several options were assessed and took into account environment, engineering and economic considerations,” Cr Dwyer said.

“After considering the merits of all options, Oval Ave and Third Ave were selected for upgrading to improve access into Caloundra and maximising network efficiency.

“Other alignment options such as Arthur St did not service the forecast growth in the Caloundra centre and were indirect routes, which would have required the upgrade of Oval Ave and Third Ave also.”

Mrs Stamp said she didn’t think there was a reason to not attempt more investigation on other avenues.

“Putting the upgrade here is adding a corner, four sets of lights and I don’t understand how it’s the cheapest option,” she said.

“We have invested hours and hours into this campaign and we’re not going to throw the towel in tomorrow.

“It’s not about 7.5m, it’s about what they’re doing to the community, Bob McInnes, his wife and his family.

“I’d like to think there is a glimmer of hope that we can save our memorial garden, not just for the RSL, but the families, the communities and Bob.”

State MP for Caloundra Mark McArdle said the council needed to further explain its decision.

“Clearly there are numerous options council have considered and for full transparency they need to explain why they have settled on an option that so drastically impacts on the Caloundra RSL Memorial Garden and surrounding areas,” he said.

Cr Dwyer said without the upgrade, traffic congestion would continue to worsen.

He said online and paper petitions that gathered about 6000 signatures would be considered.

“It is the right of any citizen to submit a petition to council and any submitted petition will be considered and will receive a response,” he said.

“Council will continue consulting with the community and as part of the detailed design process work to minimise land requirements as much as possible.”

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