I HOPE residents of the Sunshine Coast realise the potential future of the area.

This fast-growing area of about 350,000 people with its attractive coastal beaches and healthy lifestyle is free of the pollution evident in Brisbane, Gold Coast and cities of the south and fast attracting others from all over.

With expansion of our airport to attract international airlines and upgrade to the Bruce Highway to improve road access we lack only one thing to complete the picture.

That is rail access which is lagging behind with poor-condition train carriages and a slow service.

A fast train system running from Maroochydore (the Sunshine Coast's major city) to the state capital Brisbane would make an enormous difference to the Coast and reduce the Bruce Highway traffic.

While we want progress we don't want to duplicate the Gold Coast and we don't want to attract the wrong type of people.

These things we must trust Sunshine Coast Council and the police force to ensure doesn't happen.

Development is welcome but a massive build-up of enormous high-rises is not and the semi-rural element of fringe areas must be retained.

Yes, we have an environment to live in that is the envy of many in the south where gridlock traffic, pollution and over population is wrecking their lifestyle. We must never let that happen here and must do all in our power to prevent it.

KEITH WHITESIDE

Sippy Downs