The unravelling story about our Camelot – Australia Zoo – is an intriguing peek behind a cleverly constructed curtain.

If only half of the rumours swirling up from the edges of the Beerwah State forest are true, the story that lies at the heart of Bob Irwin’s departure is well worth telling.

Do journalists have a right to examine the story from every angle?

Yes we do. Caloundra councillor Anna Grosskreutz is just plain wrong with her claim, reported in Monday’s Daily, that it is a family problem and should be kept private.

The Irwins, like many celebrities, have always sold family as part of the package. The details we know of Terri and Steve’s courtship and marriage are only those the couple chose to reveal. Bindi’s birthday has been a media event since she was born.

Even Steve’s death and the mourning that followed became a carefully scripted, made-for-television event.

It is a bit rich, then, for Ms Grosskreutz – or anyone else, for that matter – to suggest that journalists should just not report anything that doesn’t fit with the construct, marketed by svengali John Stainton, of perfect, happy, alturistic family and happy staff and volunteers beavering away for the sake of the animals.

What I found disturbing was Ms Grosskreutz’s suggestion that we should ignore the story because “bad” publicity may have a financial cost.

It was an oddly desperate take on things that one would hope did not reflect the measure by which she intends to make decisions on behalf of Division One.

Do you believe in miracles?

There are many among us who believe in miracles. The Catholics have their saints and others have the literal interpretation of the Bible’s parables and heroes.

But it would take some doing to fit a six-star, nine-storey resort onto the 600 square metre block of land at Mooloolaba proposed by one development application now before Maroochy Council. Talk about loaves and fishes.

What is a six-star resort anyway? Mayoral contender Joe Natoli aspires to one and seems keen to have council officers find some way to fit this over-sized, under-car-parked proposal onto the pocket-handkerchief site.

Whatever else comes with six-star, it doesn’t extend to balconies or windows that open and fits oddly with the motel-style accommodation described in the development application.

Mr Natoli has denied any link between his zeal and his relationship with the applicant, King’s Church business council member Josh Hunt, whose catering company did his campaign launch.

None is suggested. But there is no denying that Mr Natoli has shown considerable naivety in his handling of this matter.

One-eyed view on housing

Housing affordability is suddenly everyone’s concern. Was it only two years ago that we were measuring newfound wealth that came with our property values, revelling in how smart we were and looking for investment homes to build an early retirement?

Now we’re measuring mortgage repayments against holiday plans and finding a reality check. It was good while it lasted. Now comes the pain.

Not the least of that pain will be the shonky solutions that claim to make housing affordable for our kids.

It was disturbing to see our own university commission a Housing Affordability report, funded by a property developer and authored by an academic informed by the sole perspective of deregulation.

University of the Sunshine Coast senior lecturer in management Scott Prasser came over all righteous in its defence, claiming: “My view is you don’t ban people from saying things. University is a place where we allow views to be expressed.”

No one is suggesting anyone be banned from saying anything. However, while there is obviously no shortage of land development companies willing to sponsor a report by a champion of deregulation, who will commission and fund the contrary view?

The fact is that Dr Alan Moran heads the Institute of Public Affairs deregulation unit from where he trumpets the benefits of giving business unfettered rein. The report is anything but definitive, as described in a release announcing its completion.

It has one perspective and one fundamental solution, the consequence of which would make the university’s new planning curricula redundant.

When will it all end?

Joe Natoli may be lagging in all published polls but campaign manager and mayoral wife Rosanna can still find inspiration.

Jane Gardner’s campaign trail piece, “The Long Run”, in last Saturday’s Daily, included the following gem.

“It’s amazing when you have this kind of event how the adrenalin kicks in and you find yourself being able to do extraordinary things,” she (Mrs Natoli) said. “There must be something greater than us that’s fuelling us, it couldn’t be humanly possible.’’

Oh God, is there still 10 days to go in this campaign?