Bulletin readers demand daylight savings after being asked what Gold Coast most needs

A fierce debate has erupted about whether the Gold Coast should adopt daylight savings. HAVE YOUR SAY – VOTE IN OUR POLL

A HUGE debate has erupted online about the need for daylight savings after the Bulletin asked readers to name “the one thing the Gold Coast needs”.

Popular responses also included better synchronisation of traffic lights and the return of NightQuarter.

But the one change most often nominated was daylight savings, kicking off a lively debate among followers of the Bulletin’s Facebook page.

“That is a no brainer,” Mary Couper said, but not everyone agreed.

“No daylight savings thanks,” wrote Rose Anderson. “Grew up with it and hated it. Love living with no daylight savings.”

Others wrote that the best way to enjoy daylight savings was to “move to another state”.

Ms Couper countered that families would be the big beneficiaries of the change.

“The longer evenings give families an opportunity to go to the beach or on a picnic when the heat if the day has gone,” she said. “An opportunity for working parents to spend a bit more quality time with their children in the outdoors playing with them instead of in front of electronic devices.”

Andrew Sacruz said the fact that it is always dark after work “leads to obesity, depression and more screen time.”

But Joanna Doyle felt the introduction of daylight savings would “stuff kids’ sleeping patterns and stuff people’s life up.”

Ryan Price had a simple solution to the problem, advising those in favour of daylight savings to “just put your clock forward an hour and pretend.”

Traffic continues to be a major bugbear for residents of the Gold Coast. Picture: Richard Gosling.

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There was far more agreement about the need for better roads and public transport on the Gold Coast, with readers sharing their experiences of being stuck in congestion in just about every part of the city.

Comments about roads were not all about the M1. Nathan Smith got a lot of support when he called for “a decent, finished, three lane each way highway”. In supporting the call, Rose Cloak revealed it took her 40 minutes to drive from Currumbin to Varsity Lakes train station yesterday morning. “Ridiculous”, she said.

Readers were also keen on better beachside and dining options, while some called for better playgrounds for kids.

FILL IN THE BLANK: The one thing the Gold Coast needs is ___________.

Posted by Gold Coast Bulletin on Wednesday, 9 October 2019

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But one stand-out theme was a worry about the fast pace of development, which many believe is sapping the Gold Coast’s character.

Dorothy Dot Middleton nominated “beautification” as the one thing the Gold Coast really needs.

“Where has the ‘spirit’ of the Gold Coast gone?,” she asked. “What’s happening in Surfers where the tourist dollar is so important. It’s unsafe, no affordable parking for other communities on the GC to have a fun and affordable time out.”

Belle Eldridge called for “a time machine to go back to the good old days. Live music venues, less traffic and tourists and a good old beach and laid back attitude.”

Louise Layton appealed for “more green space” and “less concrete, glass and steel”, while Barabara Smith said she would like to see “less land clearing to make way for more boxy houses.”

But maybe the best suggestion of all came from Karen Holmes who suggested “a long weekend every weekend”, a suggestion which would surely be popular!