There';s seems an obvious and beneficial poagthway to utiljise what has been a massive but under-used gift to this city. The Magpie suggests this can be changed with clever thinking.
For sale: local Townsville business with a government sanctioned and supported monopoly, a guaranteed money spinner. Any local takers, or do the Big Corporate Boys step in again to take advantage of we timid local mugs.
Is raw sewage seeping into our natural waterways? The question has been posed but remains unanswered …. and the Bulletin says ‘Pooh to that” as a question, and couldn’t ‘t be bothered asking – despite it allowing the question to be raised in the first place. And another Federal pollie asks more damning questions of the Townsville Council, past and present.
It’s not true that Rupert Murdoch thinks he is God … but he’s been having a stab at playing Pope, choosing his first saint. But it might need a bit of a rethink, Rupes. Ya’ll gunna love this.
Some quotes of the week from all over the place.
And while choosing our regular cartoon line-up from the USA, The Magpie felt like a mosquito in a nudist colony … oh, where to start?
Given tough times all round, the collection plate for the Holy Flapping Church of Sacred Nest is somewhat sparse of late. And despite our weekly mission of truth, light and laughter, reality is that The Magpie has just copped a big bump in rent – it’s fair and was inevitable, but it doesn’t make meeting blog costs on his own any easier. If you can lend a hand, it will be greatly appreciated. The donate button is at the bottom of the blog. Thanks.
An Open Letter To UpTown Townsville.
Given The Magpie’s vocal shortcomings, if the following is deemed worth consideration, perhaps it could be circulated at the next meeting. The ideas below have been prompted by a recent unsupportable decision by our council regarding tourism. I don’t know about you, but I find highly irresponsible the council’s out-of-hand, undebated gifting of a one million dollar-plus budget to an organisation with absolutely no proven track record in the highly specialised world of securing events, no firm strategy or specific targets, and no KPI requirements. This really should be should be challenged with questions about it appropriateness. But out of respect for the UpTownTownsville group, The ‘Pie will forego his usual robust character readings of organisations and specific people, and stick to the reasons for, and the outline of, his plan.
Dear UTT folks.
One of your prominent founding members has wisely suggested that there is no silver bullet single solution to the problems of the CBD and the malaise that leaks into other areas, but that revitalisation can best be achieved by small steps towards the overall goal. t seems that Townsville has been handed a magnificent tool to boost our economy and enhance our city’s name, but we aren’t using it creatively – the Country Bank Stadium. This undeniably attractive venue is not being exploited as the central factor in a secondary visitor campaign. The old trope of ‘built it and they will come’ is only true in hokey Hollywood movies and those who’ve used it to describe our stadium are either self-serving or lazy. because we suffer the tyranny of distance, we needed to think creatively and make people want to visit our city. So we have to create it as a destination.
Here is one of those small steps that achieve that can lead on to wider campaigns. Pivotal to this idea is that we have think like people in southern centres think, especially how they view the tropics … the cliches are mostly true as far as travellers are concerned – sunshine, beaches, a more relaxed lifestyle.
So, consider these facts:
We are the only tropical city enjoying mild winters that has an NRL team.
As such, we are the only NRL city with access to the reef and tropical waters like those of Magnetic Island and beyond.
And we have at least 12 occasions every winter – a dozenCowboys home games – that we can use to entice a specific target group of visitors. And while there is already visitation surrounding those games, we are not even touching anywhere near the full value we could create from our unique situation. It will require several matters falling into place in a coordinated way, so to take advantage, matters need to start moving now.
Here’s what we could do, especially with the expert advice and representation of among others founding UTT, Debbie Rains.
Create packages designed for the membership of each NRL team who will be playing here i.e all of them. These packages should include highly discounted airfares, (perhaps guaranteed block bookings), free airport transfers, tickets to the game, special deals on accomodation, participating businesses offering discounts or benefits. For instance, a restaurant could offer a good bottle of wine for every two eligible diners on the package, the MI ferry could offer a deal on day pass returns and so forth … But these packages will ONLY be sold dependant on those taking a mid-winter break staying for at FIVE OR MORE DAYS.
This should be a full professional operation, designed and executed by industry professionals, with glossy brochures, in-club video clips selling the idea, drinks coasters, even ‘show bags’ of sunscreen and sun hats. Each club gets the same deal. All this would be sold into the southern clubs, with marketing starting well in advance of the season, even late January, so people have time to plan their getaway, as individuals, groups and/or families.
This costs money, of course, but with the proper approach, the NRL should be brought on board to assist with talking to clubs, especially about possible mail-outs to their membership, the airlines may also come to the party with a guaranteed block booking of say a 100 or more that should attract a discount. And there can be no doubt if a demonstrably serious and professional plan is put to them, Tourism Queensland would almost certainly help fund the initial start-up at least. There may also be government money from regional development funds, both state and federal. Remember, we are talking next year, so recovery from our current difficulties should be well advanced. And News Ltd would have. a vested interest in supporting this plan.
Finally, it my personal view that Debbie Rains, one of this city’s most savvy business brains and a true champion of the city and the region, be asked to consider leading this initiative if it considered to have merit. I do not believe there is any other better qualified person than a proven travel professional. And there is no other existing entity with the degree of professional application this scheme needs to work. I shall ignore the muttering of ‘thank a bloody lot, Malcolm, like I’m not busy enough’ emanating from the Rains household.
A small but significant step in restoring our poor old town’s tattered reputation that’s unlikely to cost a million dollars … but whatever it does cost, at least this way, we’ll know where the money went.
Keep up the good work, UTT.
Malcolm Weatherup
aka The Townsville Magpie
And There Seems To Be Another opportunity On Offer
Acting in his usual capacity as news tipster for LightOn Smith and new Astonisher editor Jill Poulson, The Magpie offered this in comments on Thursday.
| The Magpie |
Submitted on 2025/04/03 at 10:25 am
Yoo-hoo, LightOn, Jill P, this from your very own paper this morning ring any bells? Perhaps just a little tinkle? This is Sealink by any other name.
This Kelslan crowd, according to a brief search that took all of 25 seconds, owns the Magnetic Island ferry service (giveaway … SeaLink is plastered all over the boats and the terminal). So that means that that Queensland Government supported business will be up for sale … and could result in all sorts of new arrangements. So, will TEL be out there ‘advocating’ for a suitable buyer (oh, gawd)? Will a local consortium emerge to make an offer for such a valued local asset? Does the council or Queen Foodtrucks herself have anything to say on the matter? Hop to it, sport, but The ‘Pie is aware you may have a problem because this is a story that may required you to ask to questions. |
Business is business but it would be nice to know a sure-fire business protected by a government-mandated monopoly ( and probably a government subsidy) is in local hands, with maybe more funds going back into the community and other local developments. Will our dedicated advocacy advocates at he Dudley Do Nothings pick up this ball and run with it. More likely, they’ll knock it on.
It’s Long Been Known That News Ltd Is An Irony-Free Zone, But This Is A Humdinger
God may well move in mysterious ways, but He’s got nothing on News Ltd. The ‘Pie scratched his his head when he noted this front page of The Australian last Wednesday.
It was doubly strange because the same story, originally from the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal, had also been the Oz front page two days earlier. But the Oz doubled down with a yarn that is really anything but front page news. And the overkill of the tediously detailed story on page 4 is its own mystery … based entirely on the no doubt emotionally hyper belief of the parents that some sort of supernatural intervention saved their son’s life (all because doctors had no ready explanation for the outcome.)
The basics are that an American toddler was almost drowned in a family hot tub, but was resuscitated after 53 minutes of CPR. But the astounding core to this story of superstitious barbarism is that the kid was saved after the parents prayed for the late George Pell to intercede. But the salient facts is that this is an American story of little or no importance beyond being one of those occasional filler oddities that normally rank in the ‘two-headed calf’ category. More salient is that George Pell is dead. And he has not been canonised, the usually jealously guarded qualification for Catholic miracles. Nor is he likely to be, although News Ltd would dearly love him to be, they defended him at every turn in his kiddy fiddling problems while of this veil.
Naturally, Catholic publications around the world were all over this story, and that’s fair enough, nothing like a free advertising blitz to bolster the ranks of the faithful with a fairytale.
AND THERE IS THE ULTIMATE IRONY … it is hard to imagine anyone less likely and less suitable to be appealed to for the safety and well being of a child than the late largely unlamented George Pell. The survivors of his callous behaviour in Victoria must have enjoyed having old wounds opened again by this egregious and insulting ‘reporting’.
Speaking Of Irresponsible Shit …
More Federal attention is being given to our poonami saga, with Senator Larissa Waters and the Federal member responsible for Wulguru Andrew Wilcox, both weighing in.
| The Magpie |
Submitted on 2025/04/02 at 11:49 am | In reply to Alahazbin.
Key excerpt from the Bulletin story. “This is not the first time this has happened to the people here in Wulguru,” she said. “Are we not a wealthy country? Is it not 2025? Why do we have raw sewage flowing through people’s homes?” Having written letters to the council since she first visited five years ago, Ms Waters said she was “disappointed”. “The council’s got a lot of explaining to do, but if they need to ask for financial help – just do it.” |
And Mackay-based federal MP Andrew Wilcox … who, through one of those quirky representation boundary changes, is responsible for Wulguru … has made it clear this is completely unacceptable.
We Start Off This Week’s Round-Up F rom Amerika With PLACARD OF THE WEEK!!
How To Keep Your Cool If Road Raged
Think oif it as a singalong.
And Some Final Helpful Words To Get You Through these Turbulent Times.
……………..
That’s another week down. See you next Sunday, God and Trump willing. The donate button to Help The ‘Pie meet Nest costs is below.
Pie,
Build If And They Will Come
Better utilisation by attracting to our attractions .. attractive idea .. tick
Ongoing subsidised cost to visitors as distinct to full cost recovery for service providers .. mmmm gotta be a cross.. as its gotta be a cross to continually bear .. never works as an ongoing strategy
Do we need to attract more visitors , like we need to optimise utilisation of our assets , built and natural .. indisputable.
Do we need to use extant institutions to enable key elements or our business and social atlas such as Defence, Education, Maritime , industry .. to attract not only visitors but those that will be transition to be keepers indisputable ..
And do we need a Council that works both in function and application .. yes indisputable .. do we have it .. not indisputable
And does the substance of all of our offerings such as including a footy game in the mix need to be top shelf yes to that indisputable .. is it .. no to to that .. indisputable
Anyway .. gotta run Pie .. time to finalise preparations for our next grey nomad run .. this trip added to that of 2024 will mean a collective 12 months out of Townsville spending out life hard earned in other places .. mmmm tick or cross .. I know what it is in my score card BUT .. your deity wishing we will be back perhaps like a bad smell in Wulguru or through some sense of on going attraction or loyalty to continuing our 50th year of living in Townsville .. go figure ..
Keep up the fight mate .. but i dont think Townsville is deserving of you .. not sure if you grow roses but as you would know .. they smell beautiful
Desert roses.
Safe journey.
The Sealink North Queensland operation is not part of the sales package so there is no impact.
Well, maybe but how does that work, NFL Fan? Just because it is not listed in a Townsville Bulletin story is no proof that it is not, so where does your information come from? Keeping a one-off albeit profitable asset sounds a strange way to sell up, but perhaps the contract with the Qld government prohibits a sell-off. Anyway, sale or no sale, there is unlikely to be any impact on the MI service, nor did The ‘Pie suggest there would be. Just a remote chance for a local consortium.
Thanks again for your blog Mal, another solid effort. Regarding Wulguru, this sewerage farce has gone on for too long. Council can spend money on a Wedgwood collection, gift money to TEL, allocate massive funds for Landsdown and top up NQ Sparks coffers, but it can’t provide a compliant and safe sewerage system for its ratepayers? Seriously, what the fuck? It’s no longer funny, and never was to be honest.
Joe McCabe, get off your fucking ass. Go grab your begging bowl and go and speak to Phil Thompson. I’m sure he will be able to assist, as obviously years of local Labor rulership has done SFA, and toe cutter Crisafulli isn’t providing any project money at this point in time.
And as reported, Andrew Wilcox sees it as his responsibility to assist … but this really can only happen, as Senator Waters said, if the council asks for assistance. It cannot be otherwise.
With regards to SeaLink Townsville sale. I know one person who get to buy that with all those lease fees he garners from all the property out Webb Drive way.
It would be small change to him. As in his own words “Money for jam”
Pie , your ideas for the stadium / cbd has merit and doable but we need transparency on Council expenditure . Was it a few $ mil on foodtrucks and recent $1.3 mil transfer out of Council for events ? . How much more is Council spending externally and what is the return on investment .
Councillors voted acting Mayor position to a Councillor who has been part of the cbd decline . Surely the Divison 3 Councillor signed off on the food trucks and voted for Council events to be outsourced .
Current acting Mayor shunned the cbd tenants / retailers for years falsely claiming Council engaged / reasearch on extra parking meters and increases .
i googled the UPTown committee majority who seem to be successful business operators / investors who actually have skin in the game cbd .
6 new Councillors approaching 1 year since being elected do they believe they have improved the City ? . Based on what Council have declared financial issues are what commentors in the Magpies nest have been saying for years and worse .
Litmus test ” new start ” acting Mayor december will be the Council budget and increase rates / charges to home owners / business .
Your last line isn’t really clear Mike. What are you suggesting?
Pie . 6 Councillors campaigned on change and were elected . Current deputy Mayor claimed ” new start ” . If Councillors sign off on high rates increase including reducing early payment , are lazy and don’t make tough decisions and get the budget into surplus it’s the same Council as Team Hill .
mike why did you google the uptown committee? you kiss their ass any chance you get since day 1
Scooby Doo Troy where are you . Do you work in the cbd 5 days a week ? . Its nice to hear your fellow team members comment on how much cleaner the cbd is and the increased amount of Police / community safety presence .
Its clear i am not the only fan with the Townsville Bulletin saying they are committed to cbd improvement highlighting UpTown Townsville . Photos of Townsville MP Adam Bailee ( office in Flinder st ) , Phil Thompson as well as State Government staff / tenants / residents seen in UpTowns social media post and sharing . UpTown promoting cbd businesses and communicating activity like last weeks cruise ships and clear strategy / results .
Lets not forget no ratepayers $ UpTown who raised sponsorship including from some committee members . Have you engaged with UpTown ? . Its a change to get input and response vs paid Councillor rarely seen and doesnt return emails .
Happy promote entities that support our business / team and seeking to improve Townsville for everyone . More results in just a few months than the past years .
You may need to consult a doctor regarding your Troyphobia
Troyphobia?
Mike, a phobia is an irrational fear of something or in this case someone’s ambitions and not so well hidden agendas. What is irrational about the very measured judgement that intelligent people do not want a proven liar, valour stealing businessman with a questionable economic track record and false claims of economic degrees as the leader of our city. His self-interested, money grubbing court actions shows his contempt for the entire city in the false guise of being a white knight.
Straight question to you Mike: you’re happy for Troy Thompson to return as mayor?
And that line,‘support our business team’ mate, fair dinkum, bit of a giveaway … so you are a member of UpTownTownsville, as in ‘our team’. But we can’t find Mike Douglas on the list.
PSA – @Mike Douglas IS an UpTown member. The articulation, or dare I say, incoherent drivel, is a dead giveaway and can be commonly found on LinkedIn. I believe this is the same person as the Administrator for the Douglas Neighbourhood Watch group page on Facebook as well.
“George Pell is dead. And he has not been canonised, the usually jealously guarded qualification for Catholic miracles.”
Backwards – miracles are the qualification for sainthood. This claim is an attempt by his supporters to justify making Pell a saint. I think two purported miracles are required.
OK, The ‘Pie will play along with this malarky … do the qualifying miracles have to be credited to living persons, even if in retrospect? Then they’re either are or aren’t fitted for a halo after they cark it? Perhaps Georgie Boy will be considered for some of the miracles he worked on the Vatican books when the accountant there.
They only add conveniently dead people to the list of saints, the miracles being indicators that the prospect is now in heaven and has some sway with the Almighty.
The miracle, Pie, is that people still believe in (Divine) miracles! We’re in for a big dose of this nonsense in the coming few weeks.
But I do like hot-cross buns, so maybe I’m a heretic?
Re the septic capacity, one thing I always wondered is why we have to pump our swimming pool water into the sewer.
I’m not certain about the rules, or why we have to, but that water is pretty sterile and I can’t see how it would harm the environment. I know my pool in Brisbane used to just pump to the street / stormwater.
Obviously the time everyone is pumping their pool water into the sewer is the very time the sewerage treatment plants and pipelines can’t keep up… and we’re pumping thousands of litres of pool water in to be treated.
Exactly why are you pumping your swimming pool out?
They had Troy Thompson over for a swim and now need to change the water.
Chlorine is a disinfectant.
The ‘Pie rests his case. It can only do so much.
Aren’t pools these days salt water?
Ok… for todays pool maintenance lesson… Saltwater pools generate chlorine through the chlorinator using a process called electrolysis. But when its rained a lot you have to add extra chlorine as the salt levels are so low, it can’t generate enough free chlorine.
because when it rains heavily the pool overflows which can cause problems, duh
Oh, the inhumanity!!!
I pay my rates and that includes access to the sewerage system. TCC have known about issues with the system for 20 years and have done nothing. Are they going to offer me a rebate on my rates, I doubt it.
Oh how awful for you. That’d be almost as bad as having raw sewage overflowing into your yard because the sewage system is overwhelmed, by, Oh, I dunno… an influx of pool water
I’m keen to know exactly what these problems are that the pool overflowing causes?
Muddy puddles?
Its fine for the pool to overflow into your yard.
Its not ok for you to ever pump it into the street. And its not ok for you to pump it into the sewer within 48 hours of a rain event.
Ducks,
I get that (BTW, I don’t pump my pool out in rain events, I switch it off altogether – but I know a lot of people do pump their pools down all the time).
I’m hoping the Pool Guy can bless us with the wisdom of what the problem with letting it overflow might be. Apart from the skimmer not sucking the leaves off (woopty do, so you might have to scoop a fee leaves by hand!), I can’t see what could possibly be the problem.
Funnily watched the movie poolman last night, worth a watch for a quirky and arty movie… Danny Devito included … great cast.
Turn your pump off during heavy rains. Siphon water from the top layer and keep the salt levels correct.
Note:
Council provides written consent of the discharge of pool maintenance drainage water into
Council’s sewerage network provided that:
• the water is clean;
• the chlorine concentration is below 5 mg/L;
• the discharge occurs at least 48 hours after a wet weather event; and,
• a flow restriction device is used.
Pool maintenance drainage water must not be released to the environment outside the property
boundary or into any stormwater drain. Doing so may constitute an offence under the
Environmental Protection Act 1994, section 440ZG for depositing a prescribed water contaminant.”
People like you are the reason there’s a poonami in Wulguru.
https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/6128/Residential-Pool-Wastewater-Disposal-Policy.pdf
In regards to pool water I do as I please when I please. Fuck council and its silly rules. How many fatbergs are caused by CBD restaurants dumping their oil and grease down kitchen drains? They couldn’t give a shit, literally!
So you use them as suitable examples and justification for similar behaviour?
Why do they call themselves “UpTown Townsville” when downtown is the correct term for the central business district of a city?
UpTown denotes wealth and a desirable destination. But whatever …
Yes, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there’s a whole song about downtowns and how lively they are, and another song about what a boring “white bread world” uptown is.
Is this some sort of serious argument about something or other?
OED,
Right from my earliest memory it was “up town” as in, we’re going up town.
Down town is American and is another example of American cultural imperialism polluting this country.
He’s actually admitted it in his comment this morning.
You may well go up town, but when you get there you’re downtown.
Hope you’re not into orienteering, OED.
Something Stinks in Walker St in reference to their handling of Dredge Soil dumping in the proposed site at 55 Kelly St.
Since when does TCC do their OWN self assessment on the EPBC act? Surely NOT!
Nothing to see here???
Have a read of this https://www.magneticcommunitynews.com/post/letter-to-the-editor-19
The Moggs knows there have been further meetings of DAMIT: Direct Action Magnetic Island Team. Now there are some very seasoned activists who are part of the team, some cutting their teeth on the principles of Non Violent intervention at the Franklin Blockade all those years ago.
Plenty of PISSED OFF Grannies over here.
Foodtrucks Greaney and her minder Major Matt won’t know what hit them…
https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/queensland/mayor-tom-tate-plans-to-introduce-bed-tax-for-gold-coast-tourists/news-story/2bd4c5e8dc34766d60069bf5dca08b1b
Mr. Pie, this idea makes a lot of sense for the Townsville City Council!
And I know you’re gonna ask why?
The idea has been kicked around all over Queensland from time to time, a sort of horizontal version of a pedestal tax.
But, c’mon, let’s hear it.
Hellooooooo Troy, where are you? Yoohoo, anybody home? So much silence is so out of character for you. Has some tinfoil damaged your brain? Are you being comforted by Mr Lame, Mr Hawks, and the rest of the Townsville Cooker Chapter?
The best cartoons tell the truth simply and the fun is the astonishment that the issue is so simple. And one of the best on the planet for this is the legendary Matt in the London Telegraph. This says it all.
And here is again cutting to the chase.
And our very Shovel had similar thoughts.
has troy been abducted by the ccc
silence on council matters and now deleting his footy tipping cash giveaway… aka ‘buying friends’ posts?
don’t worry about the smell in wulgaru, it’s even more rotten at troys mums place
I saw him at Bunnings 3 times last week, spending a lot, I’d say he was pretty busy, no time for Facebook maybe. My mate sat beside him when he was supporting people first party campaign at the avenues. The missus saw him and Michelle at Coles Annandale too, so those rumours can be put to bed.
Did you? Can they?
Yeah they were walking hand in hand at Coles. He was buying timber and tools at Bunnings.
Heartwarming.
Probably knocking himself up a big wooden cross for Easter !
Hi Pie,
News is that the AWU will be demanding a pay increase of 28% for TCC workers. AWU rep has been very vocal about it to other unions in the region. Brace yourselves rate payers- it is going to be a savage rate increase with no lube supplied by barge arse, foodtrucks…
What a ridiculous demand. I do know of other industry’s giving 9x4x4% over 3 years, which is high but fair. It’s to cover the post COVID issues we now have with high inflation that has existed over the past few years. But we are in this position because fuckwits in government around the world shut down the planet for 2.5 years. Economies, businesses, energy costs and wages have never fully recovered. Thats why many governments that existed during the COVID shutdown have been booted out by the voters, and rightly so. Time to vote with your feet people and where possible kick out the local, state and federal politics who have contributed towards our pain.
We’ve already done that in Oz … but not for the reasons you espouse. We kicked out a government that refused to sack a scumbag egomaniac as their leader.
Estimated to be 28% over 3 years, 6 unions involved in negotiations since July 2024, councillor Mooney involved in discussions for AWU.
Clarificationplease, KP … “councillor Mooney involved in discussions for AWU.” ‘For’? That suggests Mooney is arguing on behalf of the AWU. That surely can’t be correct.
@Magpie
In a workshop in July 2024, Councillor Mooney made it clear to all he would be participating in the negotiations on behalf of and with the unions. He is not an officer of council, so would excuse himself when voting on this is required, he is a member. The 2025 / 2026 budget has already added 8% safety factor to the budget for wages, this will go up 8% every year for 3 years, then further new negotiations will be underway.
After reading the Code of Conduct for Councillors I question if a conflict of interest may exist when he is both a Councillor holding certain information and him not using this knowledge to formulate the responses when providing advice to staff and unions.
https://www.localgovernment.qld.gov.au/for-councillors/councillor-information/code-of-conduct
Hey KP, how do you have access to the proceedings of that workshop, council bank accounts and quotations? And all the other stuff you supposedly know about. One wonders if a) you are full of shit b) making things up c) telling porky pies.
Magpie, you have previously defended your blog against claims of body shaming. All you had to do here was remove two words ….”barge arse” and the statement would have lost nothing of it’s impact. Actions speak louder. Pissweak effort.
Indecent obsession, go take your politically correct woke bullshit elsewhere. Dickhead
Bargearse was comedy gold from The Late Show.
That was a lie, Indecent.
Another Federal member stepping in to do what other elected people should be doing. From FB this morning.
Sooning Bridge repair cost $2.7M (TCC based eng).
Sooning Bridge repair cost $890k (Private cert. eng).
Councillor Greaney first stated there was no funding, then repositioned to council needed approvals first. QLD Government forwarded $10M disaster funding to TCC, $16M in total this FY. The disaster moneys still in the bank.
Any chancve we could sede the private cert eng’s report? A very important point to be made if verified.
If TCC are basing the estimate on QBUILD, or whatever identity it now assumes, that would be a perfectly reasonable estimate for them. They are always nearly 3 + over anyone else, especially if the client already has a good friend in mind for the contract.
2 members of MIRRA met with TCC executives, this group is doing their own due diligence on projects and costs, there are a few very qualified and capable people on the island keeping council to account. The prices by council are based on de-risking and limiting exposure to a premium increase. Remember council is self insured, though much of these items could fall under disaster management.
Yes. Vern Veitch once explained to The ‘Pie that high council quotes were because unlike the private sector, councils were required to make any project as risk-free as possible. And ergo extra safeguards cost money.
Shades of the tin shed on top of Castle Hill? Wonder if it was the same Q.S.!
I for one am glad Thompson is spending time building at mummy’s house. It keeps the cockhead off of Facebook where he coaches his zealots into worshipping him. He uses Facebook as a tool to convey negative messages about Council and other assorted politicians. Maybe we can give him the contract to build Landsdown and never hear from him again?
His FB strategy ius basically cowardly.
There is nothing wrong with reporting true negatives about the council, but in his wishful thinking position of a return to Walker Street, stating a problem without offering a possible solution is just a series of cheap shots from a cheap shit.
Twonames is a parasite and a sociopath. He is happy to besmirch and smear anyone and everyone who doesn’t hold the same social views as he does. Plus, he is a fucking sook.
Grow wings and fly away Troy.
Rollmop, granted, he is a lot of things, a sook is a stretch, no one confronts him, and we keyboard types go at him daily, yet when in the street, I’ve never seen anyone go at him. I played football against him, he’s a unit and has a solid set of gloves on him too, I won’t go that path, but if he was a sook, he wouldn’t be calling on administration at risk of losing his job. He is many things and I’m one of his biggest critics, but you prince are the pot shot extraordinaire mate, he’s just a mumbles and fool.
No one on this blog has EVER advocated physical violence against Thompson. Or anyone for that matter. And no such call would be published. The ‘Pie certainly has and still does advocate that people should loudly let their feelings be known when he is seen out and about, but just vocally.
@Magpie
Confronted him at the markets one day, he was not a little bloke. I still let him know what I thought of him, he smiled at me and told me to feel free to move on, he doesn’t seem to care about anyone not on his side. I reported him to OIA on a few items, but they came back with nothing, which is so frustrating. Not condoning violence at all.
The ‘Pie sure you weren’t suggesting someone smack him, it was just the general tone of your comment (‘physical size, big gloves’) and of some others, where a Nest policy statement was best made. Needless to say, several comments suggesting extreme violence have not been published.
And there is no way Thompson himself would involve himself in any scuffle beyond self-defence … he will have been repeatedly advised by lawyers about the consequences. Even a violence prone dork like Lane would know it would be curtains for TwoNames rorting ambitions if he went the biff.
Kim Beasley, how do you know that my potshots haven’t included a robust conversation with the man in person? And just because he is large in stature, that doesn’t not make him a sook. Twonames is indeed being a sook as he has sulked about his being stood down as Mayor, he has sulked about being called out for being a liar and a fraud, he has sulked about his treatment from the former Labor government, and he has sulked about his so-called mistreatment due to having epilepsy. And the list goes on… So yes, Twonames is a sook when it comes to his perception about how he has and is being treated. #tissuefortroy
As matters move on,The ‘Pie reckons #tissuefortroy will catch-on big time.
Don’t worry he’s on LinkedIn commenting on Mike Douglas’s posts
I notice that Mike’s grammar is a lot better on LinkedIn. Wonder why that is? And is there any form of social media that Troy Thompson isn’t involved in? Get a life Troy, you fool.
Still manages a space before all punctuation and has a history of no carriage returns.
This is some sort of fucking issue, Shakespeare?
Aww Their, There, They’re.
I am reasonably well off and have solar power which enables me to have zero energy bills every quarter. What frustrates me is that I am around $1,300 in credit due to government subsidies. I don’t need credits as I pay nothing, but I would like to gift those credits to my children who rent houses which don’t have solar systems. Unfortunately I can’t transfer the credits to someone who needs them. The system is completely rooted.
We feel your pain, Dave, thoughts and prayers.
D.D.
Check the Ergon web site then phone Ergon.
As I understand it, and in my case, I have a credit with Ergon that continues to grow albeit slowly. It includes the government handouts. Ergon advised that I have an anniversary which is at the end of this month in my case.
As I was paying my bill by direct debit, prior to the new solar panels, I have elected Ergon to make my annual electricity credit deposited into that account. I understand that the government handouts will be included to assist my cost of living. How nice.
Assuming my understanding is correct, in your case you can hand your children the cash.
Awwww, you poor bastard. I also have solar electricity and receive the princely rebate of $5.30 per month. It’s all been checked, as well as the appliances and no explanation is forthcoming. Apparently some houses are just like this.
Why don’t you share the $1300.00 cash among your litter?
Get an EV to soak up some of your excess generation.
Went to see Come From Away at the Civic Theatre on Sat night. Great show, but was amused to observe Liam Mooney’s onstage antics. Apparently he directed the show, but he also was involved in the musical backing, playing (or pretending to play) a mini piano accordion from time to time and waving his hands around like an orchestra conductor. If only he was as enthusiastic about answering phone calls and texts.
Maybe Clr Robinson, always keen to have budding entertainers torture us with meaningless pre-meeting recitals, will get the Luvvies Champion to don his candy-striped jacked, straw boater and cane and give a number or two. Perhaps acting mayor Foodtrucks might be inspired to enter the spirit of things and give us a spirited Dance of the Seven Army Surplus Blankets.
Perhaps young Mooney is practising for when he becomes Mayor one day, waving his arms around and taking charge? I’m sure that his goal is – Councillor, then Mayor, then retire on multiple Labor appointed board positions. Oink oink oink snouts in the ratepayer/taxpayer trough. Daddy will be coaching him all the way. Perhaps he will even be taught the benefits that come from approving land/realestate developments for local developers around town. Oink.
Come on people, be reasonable. Credit where credit is due. It was a bloody good show and all involved did a very good job, including young Mooney. Let us hope that he becomes as good a councillor as he is a thespian.
Imagine how good any of us would be if we got a fat salary, no expectations of doing our job, and unlimited time to practice being an artiste.
Completely stupid comment. Only published to show Nesters how much they should trust anything else you gibber.
It is a very good thing that Trump is a very stable genius.
Imagine how the global economy would be if he was an egotistical fuckwit.
There are more stable geniuses in the stables at Cluden than in the White House.
Funny how the $1.2 million training track has been condemned and has to be replaced, good old Racing Queensland and Grace where is my lunch at 1pm Grace. Also thank you Les, Aaron and Scott for organising this.
Little Mooney is a little bundle of anger when he is shirt fronted. Lord help us if he ever becomes mayor. He would have to get past Greaney and Thompson though, so good luck with that little man.
How should he be when shirt-fronted? Holding any public office does not require tolerance of boorish, bullying behaviour.
So, little man, love top see you try out your bravado with, let’s say, Clr Batkovic.
Being Mooney it would likely be ‘skirt fronted’.
That will come as, a bit of a surprise to his female partner. Enough of this crap, folks.
Oh c’mon Malcom, don’t stress and lighten up. Let the boys have a bit of fun. We need something to cheer us up in this dull and dreary world. For all we know the orange man could push the nuclear button tomorrow.
It’s only a matter of time before an administrator is appointed for TCC. A formal complaint, done correctly, would result in an investigation and the Govt would be left little choice.
Bye, bye Team Hill residue.
what brought that on?
Just watching comments here, along with seemingly good evidence, as well as the breakdown of essential services.
Every community has a breaking point.
Did anyone else see Claudia Brumhilda’s shocked comment re: the report on the Copperstring 2 c cost blowout to almost $14B? She whittered on something like, “Oooh! It’s not good to talk about cost blowouts. ” WTF, words fail me.
And her, always.
JUST SO YOU KNOW.
Apparently sone sad little turd has hacked The Magpie’s FB page, and has started texting people mentioned therein, posing as said bird.
IGNORE COMPLETELY.
The ‘Pie rarely visits FB and hardly ever his own page, (had to b e told by a beloved niece who was turd-contacted). The value of FB to The ‘Pie is less than negligible, so might scrub it completely can be bothered to look how.
No biggy, but the only time The ‘Pie seeks outside input is here in The Nest.
Arseholes.
Thanks for the heads up.
Looks like Albo and his mates have no sense of humour, a group has started wearing MAGA caps, meaning Make Albo Go Away.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/australian-election-2025-albanese-dutton-campaigning-on-day-12/news-story/4a94154b2db1e7221986f2245d9d2245
Or maybe you Trumpists shouldn’t be made welcome in Australian politics.
Haha Temu Trump should get himself some polices that he can stand by and maybe some candidates that he doesn’t have to disendorse for fraud, misogyny, child exploitation, the list is getting longer and the electionis getting closer .
Okay, Mr. Pie, a little quiz for you.
Which of our so-called “civic leaders” uttered the following, ridiculous statement?
“North Queensland is in for an action-packed event weekend with live sport and entertainment not only from the Supercars, but also including professional bull-riding and a Cowboys double-header event at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.”
“The Supercars event is expected to inject close to $53 million into the Townsville North Queensland community, bringing over 33,000 visitors into the city over three-days.”
You have three guesses!
And another good question, where the answer isn’t so obvious: where they all going to stay?
Anybody want to crunch some numbers on this? Significantly, there does not seem to be any collated data on how hotel/motel beds there ain Townsville, which is certainly handy for Ms B-S of Dudley Do Nothings. But 33,000 visitors (swelling the city’s population by about 20% (they fuckin’ wish) and $53m in economic benefit is just Trumpian-style gibberish. Why are we expected to not cop but fund this insulting from shit?
there also needs to be some questions asked or explanations given (as if!!) why the marriage car racing and bull riding are some sort symbiotic fit. The inclusion of a sideshow alley, and skid pan and bur n-outs just about sum what some of our elite think of the average punter, And maybe they’re right … we’ll see.
Also wonder what show ground boss Chris Condon thinks about a rival show-like set-up with a sideshow alley, dodgem cars and the like. Chris jealously guards the annual show, and has in the past made his feelings known about events that rival our traditional show.
Errr, might be a typo – 3300 visitors? Even Brumhilda couldn’t be so stupid. Then again…….
Typo nor not, that’s what she is claiming. From the relevant media release:
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith:
“North Queensland is in for an action-packed event weekend with live sport and entertainment not only from the Supercars, but also including professional bull-riding and a Cowboys double-header event at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.”
“The Supercars event is expected to inject close to $53 million into the Townsville North Queensland community, bringing over 33,000 visitors into the city over three-days.”
As phrased it’s a bit ambiguous and impossible to work out accommodation needs as it could include daytrippers.
But 33,000 OVER 3 days is clearly just multiplying an estimate of 11,000 per day by the number of days, so the demand for accommodation wouldn’t be as bad as 33,000 FOR 3 days.
If that is the case, it is dishonest ambiguity by Ms Bullshit, she is clearly suggesting 33,000 visitors overall. But if your right, doesn’t that mean that if there was in fact 33,000 individuals coming here, the economic benefit would, by her rubbish, estimation, would be $159m for the local economy.
Anyway, pretty sure Townsville would be pushing its luck finding beds for even 11,000.
Is the show on around that time too. That normally fills the caravan parks.
KK – the show is on the weekend before the Superpests. Getting in and out of town for the Cowboys is a nightmare with two major roads as well as the parking behind Officeworks all closed.
Why are we using millions of dollars of Ratepayers money to fund the supercars when rates keep going up ? If the supercars made so much money why doesn’t private enterprise find the money to pay for it ??
On other matters, people seem to be losing their homes with albanese’s massive immigration model, i noticed a lady with a cat living out of her car recently, other people have been forced out of their homes to appease the voracious immigration gods – sacrifices are being made. Like so many instances I’ve cited , its human psychology, if you aren’t living out of your car then things are bonza mate ! Rents are going up as greed takes over ( though to be fair – if rates go up then rents go up as a consequence).
You really are a moron. Immigrants aren’t why that lady is living in her car. The housing issue is a worldwide problem. And its far more complex than immigrants. That’s just an easy dog whistle for bigots.
Can’t agree Ducky, that’s very lazy thinking. Your use of the word ‘bigots’ – indicating racism – is the giveaway to your misunderstanding of the issue. While Guy was his usual hyperventilating self, it is absolutely a valid issue for Australians to question the number of migrants we take in, and it agreed on all sides that the current and recent past numbers are a core problem with the housing market. That this entirely the fault of past Magoo-like government policies not considering unintended consequences of all areas affected by over-reaching growth and in most cases, sheer fucking greed of a consumer economy gone over the edge.
AS Australians, we have every right to ask questions about immigration levels of (usually cashed up) newcomers, which, because if relative small size as a nation, can put a balanced economy off kilter – definitely including housing – and it also offers lots of opportunity for attacks on our established values and way of life by pernicious elements that come here with ill intent. Call that last part racism if you will, but it’s actually a realism accepted by those Australians with enough pride and faith in their community values to protect them.
Unfortunately Magpie while its easy to dog whistle immigration, it’s not THE cause of our housing issue. Just like it’s not the cause of the housing issue in the UK, or the US, or any other country. Dig deeper into the issue Magpie, there’s many causes.
Housing supply hasn’t kept up with population growth, especially in major cities.
Planning laws and zoning restrictions slow down new housing developments.
Investor demand, boosted by tax incentives (e.g. negative gearing), drives up prices.
Low interest rates (historically) increased borrowing power and pushed prices higher.
Lack of affordable and social housing forces low-income earners into the tight rental market.
Urban concentration put pressure on housing in cities.
Short-term rentals like Airbnb reduce long-term rental availability in some areas.
RUOK? The first six of your seven points are all massively afected by immigration. In fact, it is just plain demented policy gibberish to not see that immigration, to be the undoubted boon it has been in the past, needs to be controlled so the very areas you unbelievably deny have anything to do with an influx of people can be reined in if there is an imbalance.
And your first point is just silly …. where has the population growth come from? Well, duh, that’s right, immigration.
Look under your Pokemon doona, mate, you might find the plot you’ve lost there.
I’m afraid this time you don’t know what you are talking about Ducky – immigration is EXACTLY what’s causing the problem. You must be Labor or “green” to put on horse blinkers and ignore EVERY indication that un controlled immigration has slowly but surely caused great harm to Australian society . Immigration is used by the Labor party to destroy every civilisation they take control of its part of their self destructive DNA, they can’t help it. Immigration is used by the liberals to pump up the figures , Howard did this when he came to power.
The whole point of GST was to increase the tax base to afford immigration, before you scream racist, the UK did the same thing in the 70s under Ted Heath I think , Heath also took the UK into the EEC to undermine the working wage of the working class in Britain by allowing foreign nationals to walk in and work for less , the labour party in the UK were at the time against it because it directly affected their voter base.
Massive immigration in both the UK and the southern economic zone formerly known as Australia , America and every other country of the west always leads to the same thing
Massive and ongoing inflation
An explosion in crime
An explosion in house prices
An explosion in taxes ( you need Massive taxation to fuel Massive immigration)
A marked decrease in quality of life:
Its harder to access health, education, travel becomes a laborious battle of three hour traffic jams, road fines, licence increases. Did you know its 400 odd dollars to get a passport now ? Fuel becomes expensive – no – Massive immigration brings no ” economies of scale”.
The most noticeable change to all western countries that have suffered massive immigration is the rapid deindustrialisation of said countries, they all follow the same script. Australia couldn’t make a NAIL even if it wanted to, whole sections of industry have been wiped out. Education suffers , there’s an explosion of useless courses – not to mention men especially white heterosexual men being deliberately locked out of the job market. I remember a half Scottish/ German/ Philippino guy gloomily remarking to me about him trying to get into defence, apparently they only had positions for women ( he was told down the careers centre) and by the looks of it he wasn’t diverses enough.
After a few decades of these active measures waged on the social fabric of society, guess what ? Everything got worse and a very small number of people got insanely rich and no one seems to know why.
Phew!!! Deep breaths, mate, deep breaths.
Take your pills, Guy, you old drama queen. Australia is doing fine. You’d love to be the Cassandra main character in the downfall of civilisation, but that’s just cope to explain your repeated failed tilts at public office. Log off and touch some grass.
You should start commenting under the name Chicken Little.
heh heh heh.
Mr. Pie…we’ve been down this road before and, from memory, there are 16,000 beds available in Townsville…parks not included!
Shall attempt to verify later.
But, in the meantime, take this onboard from Ms. Bullshit Baffles Brains.
“Overnight Visitor Expenditure in Townsville North Queensland for the year ending June 2024 surged by 10.3% to an impressive $1.2 billion. This growth was underpinned by 1.3 million overnight visitors—an increase of 22.7% compared to the previous year—and a total of 4.5 million visitor nights, up by 7.9%. ”
Therefore, the $1.2 billion generated by 4.5 million visitor nights… equates to $266 per day/night.
The revenue of 33,000 nights, (as if) purported by Ms. BBB above, by $266, results in just under $9m.
Just a tad shy of $53 million!
Food for thought, Mr. Pie. She’s dangerous.
Gotta go and juggle the AFL and NRL channels.
Regarding the V8 Superpests, not content with our annual $1.8 million handout plus who knows how much inkind support, they now want the track upgraded.
Meanwhile Townsville roads remain patchedup and potholed after years of council neglect. Will be interesting to see what Team Greaney puts first – the track used for one week a year or our local roads.
You mean the entire track will be lined with parking meters, speed radar and they’ll need to dodge potholes on their way to glory ?
Line the entire track with parking meters except for one free parking space at the end.
The absolute bullshit and dodgy figures that Claudia ‘Ms B-S’ Bumme-Smith puts out are a joke. Council are fools for allowing her and Gill to continue spreading their manure around town. What an embarrassing joke TEL are.
An expensive joke at that … a budget of $!m+ of public funds to this incompetent mob for an unnamed yet to be thought-up event attractions. The best they can come up with is the highly doubtful melding of the SuperPests with bull-riding.
Is the status of TEL actually legal? How can a business unit be allowed to operate using public funds and have unfettered access to spend without any proposal review before release of these funds.
Surely there has to be an audit at some stage, when they plan a venture?
They seem to be in the “please sir can I have some more” category except there’s no Beadle to withhold the purse strings.
They have a ‘events panel’ which includes Foodtrucks. it’s layer upon layer … and guess whos at th bottom of this shit pile.
So unbelievably sad to see Trumpet of Patriots down 1 to 1% in the latest YouGov two party preferred poll. Unfortunately One Nation are up slightly. Poorleene was interviwed on TV last night. Other than being generally deranged, her voice is like having a 9 inch grinder screaming in my ear.
https://www.pollbludger.net/category/federal-politics-2022-2025/
As it ever was.
And given the Trumpian lunacy of the Trumpets of Patriotism – even as a name – a more fitting name would be the Banjos of Deliverance.
Or the bum trumpet party.
Very good Mal, that gave me a chuckle, Deliverance. Or they could call themselves ‘Conga line of fuckwits’. So many options…
On current travels to Brisbane there are LOTS Trumpes (Kazoos) of Patriots road signs.
They are a ‘Look At Me’ Clive Palmer sign.
The font and layout is such that while paying attention to driving all you get is nauseating imagine of Clive, the remainder small text unreadable.
I put it forward that, given the cost to reward ratio of the last Palmer federal election campaign, and the projection of this Trumpets campaign Clive Palmer is, at an inner core level, a very very lonely man with no one to hug him for true love but, with all those Clive dollars, Strumpets for Patriots will be some comfort for Clive.
One of the best thing about being overseas during an election campaign is missing the acres of yellow ink being used on Fatty Palmers campaign ads.
Change of subject somewhat, but if does affect us all to varying degrees.
Currently in Childers on day two of a three day drive to Brisbane.
The Bruce cattle track is the worst I have seen it, and that includes my first ride north on my old bike and sidecar in 1974.
(Met a beautiful Townsville girl, and such was the allure of the sidecar we were soon married; oops 50 years, still annoying each other, and going strong.)
Back to the Bruce cattle track. Hundreds of Rough Surface Ahead sings on the side of road. Three times, electric trailer signs, “Rough Surface next 50klm”
Dutton has been quacking on about future funds for this and that.
Well, Dutton, Albanese, and you too Cristifulli, how about a past fund.
A fund to correct the past neglected basics, as unattractive they may be to you, as necessary as it is who live with it year to year.
And to all three of you, when was the last time you drove the Bruce, actually in the drivers seat, as opposed to the comfort of the back seat while the Commonwealth Driver avoided the pot holes.
Enough, I have more of the cattle track tomorrow.
P.S.
If you have to go to Brisbane, flash your Seniors Card and go by rail at $25 seat. Next time for us.
It’s funny how our cars need to be roadworthy, but the roads don’t have to be roadworthy. And what about all those speed cameras which are apparently so greatly needed to save our lives, meanwhile the very roads they sit on are allowed to take lives. The Bruce is a fucking disgrace.
Good point.
Roads don’t kill people. People kill themselves when driving by doing the one or more of the following:
1 not giving way;
2. driving while eating/drinking;
3. not driving to the prevailing weather conditions;
4. under taking or dangerous over taking;
5. drink or drug driving or both;
6. fatigue;
7. distractions; or
8. not wearing seatbelts in the event of a crash.
9. driving on unsealed roads without due care and attention; and
10. there are many more reasons you could research.
Notice that nowhere in this government report does it mention the fucking road caused the crash.
Yes the Bruce is in a bad state of repair, but that could be pegged on over 30+ years of Labor neglect. But morons, want Crisafulli to fix it overnight.
You ignored one of the main causes of death and injury on roads …. being hit by drivers doing one or more of the things you mention. That includes an increasing number of pedestrian fatalities.
But your basic hypothesis is wrong … poorly designed and/or poorly maintained roads DO kill people, who are often doing legal things but are suddenly confronted with unexpected conditions or situations.
I don’t know if you have been listening or reading the paper Motorist, but $9 billion has been earmarked for the Bruce and that is not just an election promise.
Long, long overdue though.
There is something weird going on at Townsville Civic Theatre. We had an announcement a few weeks back that patrons could no longer buy tickets to shows at the Civic Theatre, except for 2 hours before a show. This was later amended to
new hours on Monday 7 April, with the box office counter at Townsville Civic Theatre opening from 9am to 2pm on Mondays and midday to 5pm on Wednesdays, as well as two hours before a performance and closing 30 minutes after a performance starts.
This week I had to visit the TCT and the staff there said they had nothing to do with the changes but that directive had come from ‘above’. It is being portrayed as a cost cutting measure, but the staff assured me no one had lost their job, that they were all working at other than stated opening hours, ‘behind the screen, ie when they are closed they have to pull down a screen.
Last night I met a Councillor at the opening of Amadeus, whom I tackled him on the issue. (Oh, the joys of being a Councillor) The councillor said (and I presume this means the all councillors) they had been told that the people who sold tickets at the counter are part-timers hired especially for that purpose, and by cutting back their hours was a cost cutting measure,
Now, both stories can’t be right.
A further downside to current arrangement is that when someone comes to buy a ticket, because they are in a hurry they buy just for that show and go. Background: on the wall behind the ticket sellers is a giant monitor with rotating promotions for upcoming shows.
So, in prior times many tickets to future shows were sold because of these promotional ads and these are now lost.
Why can’t you buy tickets on-line ????
Guy – not everyone has a credit card and you can’t use debit card for online tickets.
Also if you get a free ticket for a show you have to go to the box office to swap them for a seat.
Sorry Minnie, but you can use a debit card on line, it has ALL the features and convenience of a Credit Card, but with no extortionate interest rates.
Are you serious? I use my debit card to purchase things online regularly, including theatre tickets.
DN, you have entered a different time and space, where reality is twisted and fantasy is fact. You have entered……., THE TOWNSVILLE ZONE.
You can.
They can reduce hours for casual employees without sacking them.
But Theatregoer says the staff say no one has been affected, which The ‘Pie takes at face value.
It would be advertised outside the theatre and online that physical tickets could be bought at any library in townsville.