The recent federal election result has sounded a clear warning to politicians at all levels of government. Australians are concerned about more than just short-term economic gain and have become tired of governments not listening to the people they serve.

Despite public outrage, the Queensland Government has ruthlessly pursued the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam and the local government, forced amalgamations. This government seems intent on selective hearing, especially in the areas of water shortages, climate change and population growth.

With the population of the Coast expanding beyond sensible limits, we once again hear the catch-cry of more growth equals more jobs. A target of half a million people on the Coast within 20 years is “promising” according to the real estate industry.

A lack of water for a thirsty capital city and a rapidly disappearing natural environment are the most obvious signs that south east Queensland is not on a sustainable trajectory.

There is nothing promising about the increasingly obese state of our road networks or pipelines, complicit in the forced removal of water from regional areas. These are the results of a chest-thumping, mindless pursuit of growth. But, as they say, the future is not yet written and residents of the Sunshine Coast are writing the draft script.

There are local industries such as Latronics in Caloundra who are focused on a sustainable future. A future where innovation is its central theme and growth is limited by the preservation and restoration of our green infrastructure.

The recent Sunshine Coast Environment Awards highlighted that Latronics is definitely not alone. Other local businesses; local government, schools and community groups are continuing to show there is a groundswell of local people coming up with innovative solutions.

Each week the Coast has more arrivals and each week our state and local politicians play a game of reactionary catch-up, instead of planning for a sustainable long-term future. Local residents expect and deserve better so the politicians had better take note.