Mr Aldous and Councillors,

Frankly I am appalled at the short-sightedness of the Caloundra Council in preferring a golf course over a much broader and more inclusive vision.

Although I love golf, and initially was a keen supporter of the Maleny Golf Club, I now feel that we as a community have a much more significant opportunity to create something inspiring for this and future generations. The concept of the Maleny Precinct has now outgrown a mere golf course and presents our community with the chance to do something great, instead of merely wasteful. I understand that many golfers will be disappointed if their course doesn't get built, but with a number of good courses available nearby, they will be able to continue their sport as they do now. But what about the vast majority of people from here to Brisbane that love to walk in a beautiful natural setting, away from the stresses of modern living? Maleny is one of the few places that can provide such natural resources within our extended region.

Your talk about people in opposition to the golf course "pushing their own interests" is very disappointing in light of the fact that a golf course will cost millions of dollars before it is even usable, and then the land will only be available to several hundred people. I understand that Maleny golf club members have been lobbying strongly for a number of years, and with a gift awaiting them like this I'm not surprised. But who is pushing their own interest more? Consider Mary Cairncross Park and the number of people who visit its natural beauty every year. We have an opportunity to do something visionary, something that people in the future will look back on with respect and gratitude, and with a feeling of "they got it right all those years ago".

I (and presumably you) have seen an alternate plan which is breathtaking in its combination of community facilities and environmental beauty. I live opposite the Precinct and drive past the land every day. I have always loved this particular property and often go for walks along its boundary. When I see the vision for a garden, wetland, forest, community facilities, etc, etc I am truly inspired by the desire to harness and develop the natural beauty of our region, which is one of the main reasons we moved our family here 12 years ago.

My attendance at the planning sessions left me with a very strong feeling that most others in the community have this type of vision for the precinct, so I was very surprised and disappointed to hear that after all that time we spent discussing options, the whole process was overturned by the councillors. Why did we bother to have all that consultation when it was going to be completely ignored by the council? Why is the golf course lobby so favoured that their views are valued in council far more than an entire consultative process? Because this is how it appears to many in the Maleny community.

I would urge council to take a long term and visionary approach to the Maleny Precinct and to reject any plan that only benefits a small section of our local community, whilst ignoring a once off opportunity to do something great for South East Queensland.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Strong