Having lived in country towns and large regional cities, I know that Gympie is a great place.
The friendliness and welcome, the hills and winding streets, the parks and trails, the list could go on.
Together we can make it even greater.
Gympie has problems, so does every community.
But there are so many good things, and it is greatly improved in many ways.
When I moved to Gympie the two-lane section of East Deep Creek Rd ended at the meatworks.
It is now two lanes all the way to Cedar Pocket.
The bitumen on Noosa Rd ended at the turnoff to the rock pools, there is now bitumen all the way to Traveston via Tandur Rd.
When I moved to Gympie there were no walking and bike tracks through Victory Forest or along the river.
Now they are enjoyed by walkers, runners, and bike riders from town, from country areas, and by visitors.
Yes, there are potholes, and there is congestion, but as one who visits Brisbane regularly to see family, Brisbane is far worse for congestion and potholes.
Can we do better on road maintenance, definitely.
Yes, we need more sporting fields and better-connected footpaths, but generally, our footpaths, parks and fields are kept in better condition than those in Brisbane.
We have better shopping than before, great arts groups, and thriving businesses.
Yes, there are failures, but they are far outweighed by the successes.
So I say, Gympie is great, but we can make it even greater.
– Dan Stewart for Division 5
East Deep Creek
