Sunshine Valley GazetteFREE Local Matters | 10,000 Copies Fortnightly | Wednesday June 17, 2020 | Edition 205 | www.sunshinevalleygazette.com.au Distributed to Palmwoods, Woombye, Nambour, Chevallum, Mooloolah, Editorial: [email protected] 0409 424 487 Eudlo, Hunchy, Yandina, Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton, Maleny. Advertising: [email protected] 0400 069 711 Montville brews up warmth and friendship in a COVID-19 landscape by Cameron Outridge MONTVILLE’S community spirit pro- vided inspiration through the tourist town’s dark days of COVID lockdown, according to locals. “Montville has a very small residen- tial population but they have been out in force supporting their local shops,” said Montville Chamber of Commerce Secretary Shiralee Cooper. “The locals — I could just hug them — them and the coffee shop owners.” Ms Cooper said coffee shops, in par- ticular, had provided an amazing con- nection to normalcy for people. “I think it was very good for people to be able to have their morning coffee,” she said. “Having those few shops staying open through COVID has been wonderful. We’re so impressed that people have kept their businesses running and shown the resilience to be there for the rest of the community.” Mountain Bean Cafe owner Wayne Bluck faced a particularly rugged climb. The rookie brewer took on his busi- ness just as COVID struck and watched the normally steady tourism trade drop Small town spirit ... A regular crew of locals gather for a catch-up at Mountain Bean Cafe Montville. Wayne Bluck, front, serves his grateful customers from left John McLennan, with Rosie the schnauzer, Garth Riley, Helen Inman, Jane Holmes and Michele Vermeulen. “It only takes Continued Page 2 us half an hour every morning to solve all the world’s problems,” said John. Some progress made but a way to go to clean up Palmwoods landmark: ‘Please clean up our park’ by Cameron Outridge atives,” Mr Mathieson said. “The But the issue was complex with access for disabled people or even nation upgraded to a higher level to most recent one was last week with Council, State Government and elderly people to get into the park. ensure that it becomes something A Palmwoods father is maintaining our new councillor, which has been Queensland Rail involved. “And they They can drive but we’ve got no the whole community can again be pressure on authorities for a rejuve- very promising. don’t talk,” Mr Mathieson said. footpath access. So to get from the proud of.” nation of neglected Kolora Park. “Since Winston (Div 5 Cr Win- He said residents wanted town centre, to this park, now you’ve He said $623,000 had been allo- Resident of 10 years Adam ston Johnston) came into the role, improved access to the park, got to walk across Chevallum Road cated in Council’s Budget for the Mathieson began voicing his con- there’s been a number of things that improved facilities and removal of which is as busy as anything.” Kolora Park Sediment Basin Storm cerns for the once-popular family have started to take effect around salvinia weed from the lake and a Cr Johnston reassured residents Water Quality Management Project. destination last year. here, which is great. nearby bat colony from surrounding he would continue working with “If you’re going to spend major work He said last week there were “This park was run down like you trees. community members to improve the you’ve got to get it into the budget. positive signs with some work pro- wouldn’t believe.” “For me and my kids to come park. And it’s in the budget. gressing but more needed to be done Recently the park has been pres- down here today I had to walk “It’s its one of the most important “The purpose is to control exces- to bring it back to its former glory. sure washed and some painting, through all the bat poo. It’s horrible. parks in the Palmwoods area,” he sive sediment flowing into the “We’ve had several meetings garden and signage works com- My daughter says it stinks. said. with council and council represent- pleted. “At the moment there is no “I’m working to get the park desig- Continued Page 2 Sunstate Gearbox HOT AUCTION! & Diff Service AUCTION ON SITE SAT 27TH JUNE @ 2PM ALL YOUR DRIVE LINE NEEDS Specialising in: RTA No. AU49451 • Manuals • Automatics P 5478 8020 David & Tina • Transfercases • Differentials Ledger F 5478 8850 • Tailshafts • Clutches 10 LITTLE MAINST, PALMWOODS Power Steering • Suspension • Wheel Alignments OUTSTANDING COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY! 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We have to control the flow of sediment into the pond, before we can attention it do works to improve the lake and other asso- ciated works. “But there will be continued works in the deserves areas over the next 12 months to improve the facilities and the look of the park and walkways. Editor's Letter. Cameron Outridge “As far as flying foxes are concerned it’s a [email protected] recognised problem. There are State Govern- ment controls on councils attempting to move There are some lively local news stories flying fox populations out of an area. So that’s keeping us busy this edition. a work in progress.” Adam Mathieson is a passionate Palm- Mr Mathieson has emails of support from at woods resident concerned about his local least a dozen residents on his side of town who Adam Mathieson with his children Georgina, 4, Henley, 7 months, and Cindy the dog at park, and rightly so. have lived in this area for over 20 years. Palmwoods’ Kolora Park... “My argument has always been that this is the first and last part Thankfully Cr Winston Johnston “Some of them have lived in the area for of town that you see as you come in to Palmwoods and as you leave Palmwoods.” shares his concerns. So let’s hope over 40,” he said. “They’ve said they’ve never common sense prevails and the park will see the park get to the state it’s in now. “That rotunda down there cost $47,000. Not $47k as council proudly boasted,” Mr be cleaned up and returned to its former “This park used to be fantastic. They used And they boasted about it!” he said. Mathieson said. glory. to have weddings in the garden and people “That’s a waste of money. I can build that would come across for photographs in the for $10,000 materials and labour. So to spend History & Background Expensive shelter rotunda. Now there’s nothing. $47,000, on something I could build for $10,000, Meanwhile, an important issue raised “Some days you’ll come down here and when you’ve got playground equipment that is • The lagoon was described on early survey by Mr Mathieson concerns the cost of there are itinerants in the park, that have 20 years old. It’s just a misdirection of funds maps as a permanent waterhole within a the rotunda. caught the train, asleep in the rotunda or using by Council.” reserve for camping and railway purposes. If his estimation is correct — that the toilet facilities. That’s not what we want.” Mr Mathieson, who has a background It was regarded as a pure water source for he could have built the $47,000 shelter A mat of salvinia weed choking up the lake in business management and project man- steam trains on their scheduled water stops for about $10,000 — then that’s a lot of was also an unsightly issue. agement, provided a breakdown of what he at the Palmwoods Station. The lagoon is home money that could have been better spent “The lake needs a good cleanout. Obviously thought the project should have cost: to many families of ducks – hence the local elsewhere. dredging of some sort is going to have to be • materials - $2000 name “Palmwoods Duck Ponds”. In 1970, the We’ll be following up with Council done. There’s two and a half meters of silt in • table - $1000, park was named “Kolora”: an Aboriginal word about the rotunda. Stay tuned for the there.” • sandstone blocks - $1000. meaning “freshwater lagoon”. Over the years, next edition. Mr Mathieson said council would be wise • removal of the old structure- $1000 the park area was improved and extended and to consult the community before pushing • labour (3 days 4 staff) - $5000. was one of the key attractions of the Palm- Montville locals shine ahead with any plans for the park. “In all the job should have costs $10k. woods township. It was great to cover a wonderful story about Montville residents getting behind their local businesses during the lockdowns. Montville may have a small residential population, but the town ‘I’m so grateful certainly has a big heart. for all the local DETAILS support’ Editorial from Page 1 Cameron Outridge | 0409 424 487 [email protected] to near nothing. “I’m so grateful for all the local Advertising support,” he said.