Latest news with #PaulBidwell
ABC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Scattered rain forecast to continue across south-east Queensland
Continuing the trend of a wetter-than-average start to the month, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is forecasting another day of showers for much of south-east Queensland. There is also the chance of thunderstorms between the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay, as well as scattered showers in the state's interior. In the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday, Coolangatta had received 108 millimetres, more than three quarters of its monthly May rainfall average. Caloundra Airport totalled 201mm in the same period, more than one and a half times its May average. In that 24-hour period, falls were scattered across the state's north. Cairns Airport recorded 116mm, which was 120 per cent of its average for the month. But it was a different story at Townsville Airport, which only received 3mm — just a 10th of the city's rainfall average for May. BOM senior meteorologist Steve Hadley said the south-east's prolonged patchy showers were caused by a large high-pressure system off the southern New South Wales coast. He said it was blasting onshore winds towards south-east Queensland and creating lots of moisture. "It's keeping the showers piling in, especially those more exposed parts which capture the rainfall," Mr Hadley said. The "incessant rain" has frustrated south-east Queensland's building industry, according to Master Builders Queensland chief executive Paul Bidwell. He said when it rained, builders had to stop work to ensure worker safety and the integrity of buildings under construction. He said the disappointing weather had squeezed an industry that was already under pressure from workforce shortages and rising construction costs. "It really has a big impact on the industry," Mr Bidwell said. Meanwhile, the downfalls have also taken a toll on sporting and recreation groups. Paul Hoysted manages the Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club and said sporadic rain since Cyclone Alfred had created trying times for the club. "Even if it doesn't rain, we still lose business because people only come out when it's nice weather," he said. "If it rains at midday and if our night-time bookings are sitting in the office, they'll think it's too miserable to come out." Recreational tennis player Peter Fraser enjoys heading to the courts for a hit multiple times a week. But he said the recent unpredictable weather had washed out a lot of his games. "With the shower pattern at the moment, you don't know whether to come to the courts or not," Mr Fraser said.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pitch and putt graveyard plans set to be approved
Plans to convert a golf course into a graveyard to address a shortage of burial spaces are set to be approved. Bracknell Forest Council is proposing to use the pitch and putt area at Downshire Golf Complex to expand Easthampstead Park Crematorium and Cemetery to provide more than 1,000 burial spaces. More than 400 residents have objected to the scheme, arguing that the loss of playing space would hinder the local sporting community. Paul Bidwell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, admitted the plans were "emotional" but said council leaders "don't really have any alternative". The authority opted to use the land back in November after warnings that the borough would run out of burial spaces by mid-2025. If the planning application is approved it would mean the loss of the existing nine-hole pitch and putt course, used by more than 150 children a week. The two-hectares of land would provide a total of 1,173 full plots, as well as 150 Muslim burial plots and 1,168 cremated remains plots which is estimated to provide burial space for a further 25 to 30 years. The authority said it would build a new road within the cemetery to allow for access to the new graves, which would require the removal of some hedge. Under planning law, land used for leisure purposes should not normally be converted for different uses, unless it is replaced by an "improved facility" elsewhere. However, 27 letters of support have been received by the council on the scheme, arguing that the new space will be a "much-needed facility for the Muslim community", whose faith requires burial after death. Leader of the council Mary Temperton said: "It isn't just for the dead…it is for the living relatives, a place where you go and feel near." The proposal is set to be discussed by Bracknell Forest Councils' planning committee on Thursday. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Golf course space needed for graves, council says Pitch and putt graveyard plans spark criticism Allotment site could become graveyard Town's burial plots running out, council warns Bracknell Forest Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
