Debate heats up over Airlie's main street

 Whitsunday Regional Council’s recent move to gauge public opinion on the Airlie main street upgrade (via an online opinion poll) has sparked more intense comment in the ongoing curved-versus-straight-street debate.

 Out-of-town property investor Gary Dunn says any opinion poll should take into account the views of non-resident ratepayers, without whom, in his judgement, the area would be “an economic disaster”.

 Mr Dunn recently wrote to the offices of local MP Jan Jarratt and WRC expressing his concerns and accusing community group Save Our Foreshore (SOF) of “once again impeding the economic development of Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays by opposing the main street upgrade unless it is done on their terms”.

 “If SOF think turning the area totally into a park with a ‘soundshell’ and waterslide is going to draw tourists to the area they are sadly uneducated as to what modern day tourists demand.

 “The failure to allow the redevelopment of the car park with the so called Outrigger Hotel (largely as a result of the opposition by SOF) back in 2008, now has consequences that can be seen by empty shops and an untouched main street,” Mr Dunn said.

 Meanwhile SOF continues to defend its stance on the protection of public land, saying the area in question is simply “not the mayor’s to give away”.

 “The curve in the road is a pretty design feature which is not needed, is too expensive for the limited budget, is not wanted by many and will benefit one flood-prone property owner,” said SOF president Suzette Pelt.

 “Let’s be realistic and practical about this and live within our means. Leaving the road straight with tree plantings and landscaping will deliver the results (and more likely within budget). Importantly, it will deliver without wrecking Airlie’s unique foreshore asset. The Main Street upgrade was never intended to be dependent on taking public foreshore land,” she said.

 Members of the public are being encouraged to have their say by completing the WRC online survey at www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au with a cut-off date of Wednesday October 19.