PREDICTIONS that the Sunshine Coast's population will "more than double to 500,000” are frequently used to justify (or lament) the "need” for desalination plants, parking structures, new dams, casinos (and other employers), and so on.

All of the writers seem to blindly accept that population growth prediction as something uncontrollable, like a cyclone or tsunami.

It isn't.

One of government's purposes is to manage population growth.

Hordes of people can't move here without houses or units for them, transportation to move them, hospitals to care for them, and schools to educate them.

All of those are under the control of local, state, and/or Commonwealth governments.

And, we, the voters, control government.

At least, if we have the spine and savvy to do so.

If we don't want to be packed like a tin of sardines and see our lifestyle amenity, security, and personal investment eroded, then we need to make that clear to our elected representatives.

And if they fail to act, we need to actually replace them with ones who will.

So make your voice heard in council and in your state and commonwealth MPs' offices.

The quality of your future life here depends on it.

HOWARD PIERCE

Black Mountain