The cruel pointlessness of the recent Townsville Bulletin’s Future Townsville forum (except for making the paper a shitload of money) was exemplified by one (of many) inane comments in speeches from visiting ‘gurus’ … and all reported inexplicably under a picture of ….Brisbane.
The main roads people have truly lost the plot with their arrogant stance towards the partially isolated village of Paluma, endangering lives with their bureaucratic road permit restrictions. They have even refused passage of the village fire truck and SES vehicle for scheduled servicing in Townsville.
Both the afterthought of the week and the quote of the week go a frequent candidate for these coveted awards … Bob Katter. See why when Bob gurgles and gobbles, the mind boggles.
The birth of the boomerang … was it here 20,000 years ago, or in Europe 40000 years ago, as European archaeologists now claim. The Magpie goes into bat for our local lads, and puts an argument for which the so-called experts can have no … ummm … comeback.
The words ‘bombed out’ means different things in different places, and during the week, it was literal in the Middle East and and metaphoric Washington, with the growing threat to free speech bubbling along in the background in both places.
The Magpie is greatly concerned that the current ructions in other places will have a damaging financial effect on the blog … as you know already, the free and ad-free Nest runs on the smell of an oily rag, and, crikey, it’ll be tough on The ‘Pie’s pocket if there is rise in the price of oil. But, hey, you can help out with a donation, just bang the appropriate button at the bottom of the blog. You know you want to.
TMR’s Arrogant Idiocy Now Poses An Unforeseen And Inexplicable Danger To Paluma’s Plight.
It is no frantic hyperbole to say that an inexplicable action has put everyone in Paluma and Hidden Valley at real risk of property damage or and/or personal.injury. Because the TMR mugwhumps refuse to grant a one-off permit for the village’s older model fire truck and another emergency services support vehicle permits to travel to Townsville for regular servicing and inspection, not just of the vehicles but the equipment it carries.
And according to a trusted Magpie source, the danger also extends to those in Townsville who have booked school holidays at Paluma Dam. Accessing the popular camping spot now can only be done via long and dangerous backroad.
The source writes:
If there is a house blaze or a bushfire up here, we’re in trouble, thanks to those TMR dolts.
TMR has repeatedly refused a one-off Permit to our volunteer groups to take their Paluma- based vehicles – a fire fighting truck and an SES support vehicle – down to Townsville for their scheduled, mandated, servicing . They are only entitled to use the road in the event of “an emergency”! Just why they would be going DOWN the range road in an emergency is something only the TMR geniuses could explain.
Problem with that is that if our ageing units are not properly serviced, as such community assets should be, they probably won’t start or else break down en route to an “ emergency” !!! These vehicles are garaged at the Paluma Community Hall , built by 3 local volunteer community groups after much fundraising !
The Fire Truck is an essential safety measure for the community. If one of the 89 properties in Paluma should catch fire, it could rapidly spread to other structures, as they were generally built close together back in the 1930s.
The chances of a Big Red fire truck making it up the Range, from either Ingham or Townsville , in time to put out a fire is zero! And no doubt not helped by being stopped for interrogation and permit inspection by lollipop controllers.
Paluma ratepayers are subject to a levy in their rates for this emergency service.
The SES presence is vital as they are first responders in Cyclones, traffic accidents and missing hikers events. Their Ute is kitted out with all necessary gear ! The SES is partly funded by TCC!( which was not consulted on this bizarre policy by TMR!)
If the vehicles are left standing during the year they require regular, specific, maintenance by qualified technicians and mechanics.
Recently when the regular scheduled maintenance date came up they were both were refused a permit point blank by the genii at TMR. We can all make jokes about government red tape and bumbling, but this isn’t funny … it is inexplicable, high handed but above all bloody dangerous.
It seems that whilst Dr Spin ( AKA Steve “ story- teller” Mc Donald as featured in the Nest recently) is the TMR mouthpiece , the permit system is controlled by a mysterious being who signs permits simply “ Golish ” , to turns out to be a ladder- climbing engineering wallah (wouldn’t you know it!?!) who rejoices under the name Golish Achar. Brilliant engineer though he may modestly confess to, he has a typical lack of of the basic needs and entitlements of those living in the Paluma, Blackfriars , Hidden Valley district. Probably because he hasn’t a clue about living outside a City!
BTW, Hidden Valley’s own fire appliance was drowned in the recent Running River Floods so that The Paluma Fire truck is now IT!)
“ Golish”, however , is under the command of an even more shadowy TMR genius from Cairns in the spectral shape of the TMR Regional Director , one R. Hodgman , an engineer who calls the shots in Townsville for some reason , notwithstanding Townsville has far greater population and TMR roads! Hodgey has nicely insulated himself from the cut and thrust of the local bureaucratic nightmare which has descended on the Range Road repair which apparently won’t be fixed until the next wet season. We make this educated estimate because the Border Guards at the Two Check Point Charlies have been engaged until the end of 2025!!! Talk about “ Fix The Bruce”!!!!
Poor ol’ spin has to justify to an ever increasing angry, disillusioned, frustrated , no nonsense group of taxpayers who reside in the Paluma district and rely on the Range Road to access work, supplies, medical treatment! ( bad luck if you have a heart attack between 6pm And 6 am as the heavy ,locked barriers are not open to punters based on the theory that land slips might occur at night rather than in daylight hours!
Spin doctor McDonald is on hols right now, but leaving us with the assurance “We are working tirelessly “ on this matter. However, we would be more inclined to believe that official blather if he had not so diligently avoided addressing a public meeting in the village for the 5 months that the Road has been closed!
But maybe we’re being a bit severe on the poor bloke … given what a massive clusterfuck this all is, maybe he was refused a permit to travel.
Hey, It Gets Worse … And So Does The Risk Of Legal Action
Quite a few Townsville and Ingham families have booked campsites at Lake Paluma for the school hols but have to access it via the 250 km dangerous ZigZag Station route…..
The crunch may come if there is an event requiring an Ambulance to attend… it would take a 6 hour round trip! No helicopter landing ground near the dam. Usually cloud cover prevents helicopter medevacs.
Katter Chatter: Bob At His Hilarious Best … As Long As He Isn’t Taken Seriously.
The unchallenged quote of the week goes to Robert Bellamarine Carl Katter. Our favourite Kattertonic politician was asked for a comment on the new documentary about his boss Joh Bjelke-Petersen, and offered this pot/kettle comment” Joh couldn’t string three coherent words together”.
For this to come from this man, it’s a bit of show stopper. Because while it reads well on paper, experience tells The ‘Pie that the reporter did a bit of a clean-up job on the comment, which (given The ‘Pie’s first hand experience) no doubt went more like this: ‘ Ah … ahh. ha, J .. J ..Joh (giggle) couldn’t (in a high pitched squeak) put tw .., two co-co-coher…hear … coherent (gurgle) words (tee hee ) togeth -eth -ether.’
Well, journalism was never meant to be easy. But our man was soon back in fluid form, wading into the national defence debate bemoaning Australia’s woeful unpreparedness for the inevitable invasion of our fair land, but he had the obvious solution. In quick order, he decreed that the controversial 5% defence spent that Albo is baulking at ‘should be three times that’, there should be an immediate start on building a ‘a fortress wall of missiles and rockets,’ and then the trademark mangled language clincher ‘ “If people like myself get my way, and I think ultimately I will, every single boy in the country at 14 years of age gets a combat rifle and it’s kept in the school armoury. Then you’ve got a five or six million-man guerrilla army waiting for you and that makes a very, very formidable barrier and protection for our nation which we don’t have today.”
Returning to rifle hand-out, under damn feminist questioning, Bob gets the afterthought award of the week with a reluctant ‘Girls too’ then qualified that to allow the delicate sex some leeway ‘…if they want’ added the father of four girls.
But .. but … but Bob, no guns for poofs, shirt lifters or turd burglars? I mean, it’s a national idea, and while we know – because you’ve told us – there are no homosexuals in North Queensland, does this mean you’d ban guns in Oxford Street? Maybe issue them with pink spanking paddles instead?
Anyway, always the champion of the indigenous with whom you identify, you will no doubt get messages of thanks from the lawless youth of Townsville, who will find the gift of a weapon a great help in furthering their ambitions of car ownership.
The Subject The Magpie Has Dared Not Mention … Until Now.
The ‘Pie does his best to stick to the Nest’s founding ethos of mainly local stories and opinion, but there has been a good deal of lively chatter in comments over the past week about Israel and its military adventures. The ‘Pie, who is usually happy to leave such debates to other forums, showed he was the old softie that everyone knows, and made what he thought was a fairly mild a comment in the circumstances … that he thought killing 58,000 mostly innocent women and children in Gaza was a bit rich. And Israel had gone too far in the manner of its otherwise wholly justified pursuit of the murderous kidnapping terrorists of Hamas.
The world suddenly caved in on the peaceful idyll of this old bird. They came out of the woodwork like banshees, waving banners like ‘All Palestinians are good for it’, ‘they started it’, ‘it’s just collateral damage that’s war’ and The ‘Pie’s favourite – a doozy – that it was a matter of proportionality to be decided by a tribunal at a later date. Although maybe no one will turn up, on account of being dead.
Despite being regularly annoyed by the concerted attack on free speech by News Ltd … particularly the Australian, which has. been completely captured by the powerful Jewish lobby … The ‘Pie was going to leave well enough alone until a FB post caught the beady eye. It mentioned two of The Magpie’s trigger words … Piers Ackerman.
When this obnoxious, repellent individual accuses someone of ‘utter bullshit’, The Magpie automatically gravitates to the the side of the accused. The truly unpleasant individual person is a veteran Murdoch ball licker and one of News Ltd’s stable of show pony columnists who are in entrenched in the the Jewish lobby’s stable. Akerman is as ugly in person as most of his views are in print (Jabba the Hutt should sue). So it was worth a look at his target, who was this bloke.
This is Aussie Dr. Richard David Hames, a polymath and author who is the founding director of the Asian Foresight Institute, and widely considered by some as the world’s most innovative futurist intellectuals. And no wonder he upset the Akerman applecart. This a lengthy but informative history of modern events that have led up to the current situation. Whether it is right or wrong is a matter for the individual, but the assembly of facts is impressive, and any opinion is clearly signalled, a distinction that rarely exists in Akerman’s scribblings.
Skip it if this is not the sort of subject or analyse you come here for, but I thought it worth recording.
After reflecting further on Piers Akerman’s recent assertion that my analysis of the situation in the Middle East was “utter bullshit” and not tethered to reality, I realised how angry that made me feel. As a white, elderly, Anglo-Saxon male, I believe I have earned the right to be most distressed by Western privilege and the arrogance which so often distorts reality, much like a fairground mirror. It paints Palestinians as irrational terrorists, all Jews as rabid Zionists, and Iranians as fanatical mobs, erasing the colonial fingerprints smeared across their histories. That is the real bullshit.
Take Iran: a democracy overthrown in 1953 by Anglo-American operatives for the crime of nationalizing its oil. The CIA’s coup reinstated the Shah—a tyrant whose torture squads (trained by SAVAK and Mossad) disappeared thousands. When Iranians finally revolted in 1979, the West recoiled not at the Shah’s brutality but at the loss of a pliant client. Now, the same powers that strangled Iranian democracy lecture its theocrats on human rights—a grotesque pantomime.
I am sorry to say that Netanyahu embodies this hypocrisy. He rails against Iran’s “aggression” while annexing Palestinian land, arms settlers who burn olive groves, and starves Gaza into submission. His hysteria over Iran’s nuclear program (still unproven after decades of sanctions) mirrors the WMD lies he helped sell in 2003. Remember his cartoon bomb stunt at the UN? Pure theatre. What truly terrifies him isn’t ayatollahs with centrifuges but a regional order where Israel isn’t the unchecked hegemon.
The West has perfected a sinister alchemy of psychological inversion—an Orwellian recalibration of language that transforms resistance into terrorism, domination into peace, and sovereignty into existential threat. When Hamas fires rockets, it’s decried as barbarism, while Israel’s 56-year occupation of Palestinian land vanishes from view like morning mist. Apartheid walls that carve up stolen territory are rebranded as “security measures”, their concrete brutality softened by bureaucratic euphemisms. Iran’s civilian nuclear program sparks apocalyptic warnings, while Israel’s arsenal of 90 thermonuclear warheads—never inspected, never acknowledged—sits quietly in the Negev desert. This linguistic jujitsu doesn’t merely describe reality; it manufactures it, ensuring Western audiences see only mirrors and shadows where power and oppression stand plain as day.
I urge you to consider that none of this emerged in a vacuum. The US and UK engineered the Middle East’s instability—from Sykes-Picot’s arbitrary borders to arming Saddam against Iran, then crying havoc when blowback came. October 7th didn’t erupt from ancient hatreds; it was the predictable eruption of a people caged, humiliated, and drone-struck for generations. To focus solely on Hamas’ atrocities while ignoring Israel’s 56-year occupation is like condemning a burning man for screaming.
There can be no meaningful progress without first confronting uncomfortable truths. The West must reckon with its destructive legacy—the CIA’s 1953 coup in Iran that strangled democracy, the 1967 war that birthed an occupation now in its sixth decade, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on fabricated WMD claims. These aren’t ancient histories but open wounds that continue to shape regional dynamics. Pretending otherwise isn’t diplomacy; it’s willful blindness.
Netanyahu’s hysterical warnings about “existential threats” must be exposed for what they are—not genuine security concerns but a naked fear of justice. His real nightmare isn’t Iranian centrifuges but the collapse of the apartheid system that preserves Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean. Every settlement expansion, every Gaza blockade, and every racist nation-state law reveals the true project: not coexistence but permanent domination.
We must fearlessly reject the false symmetry of “both sides” narratives. While Israelis live with the psychological trauma of potential violence, Palestinians endure the daily reality of military checkpoints, land theft, and indiscriminate bombardment. Comparing Hamas rockets to Israel’s occupation is like comparing a slingshot to a tank battalion—technically both weapons, but existing in fundamentally different universes of destructive power. True peace begins when we stop equating the oppressed with their oppressors.
The future demands more than temporary ceasefires. It requires dismantling the myths that let the West play both arsonist and firefighter. Otherwise, we’re just counting the days until the next explosion.
Amerika
The cartoons speak for themselves.
World’s Oldest Boomerang Found in Poland? Umm, Let Me Get Back To You About That
Two things we already know were reinforced this week ..,. the first is that a boomerang that won’t come back is a stick, and the other is the old tabloid dictum: never fuck up a story with facts.
Both these truisms were highlighted with news out of Poland (fucking Poland?!?) that they had found the world’s oldest boomerang.
Only they hadn’t. Not if the English language is to be respected, the BBC headlines contradicts itself.
Therefore, if it doesn’t come back, by extension, according to all dictionaries, it is not a boomerang.
Something all the ‘Pie’s editors fruitlessly urged him to adopt.
…………..
Another week of peace, love and vegetables gone … and plenty more to come under your watchful eyes. The button to lend a helping hand with Nest costs is below.
Wow, great publication this week Pie.. fabulous stuff .. thanks
You’re welcome.
You can bet on one thing about the Future Townsville talkfest: nothing will come from it.
Townsville has to be the Brain Fart capital of Australia.
You got that right Dougie!!!
The Bulletin is so proud of their Future Townsville Forum that it does not appear on their web site a mere 10 days after the event. So much new news in this city. To find articles on this event seems to require going through back issues of the paper.
Be wary of taking advice from Adam Giles, the guy who sold Darwin Port. He did not leave the NT with positive futures.
What an exciting week for the Nest!
On boomerangs, there are two types that won’t return – the ‘boowoorang’ (Charlie Drake) that first must be thrown, and then the real hunting boomerang, a lethal weapon designed to bring down prey.
On subjects Australiana, don’t always trust the OED, which is run by a mob of Poms. And on subjects Angleterre, likewise the Macquarie’s. ‘High Tea’ anyone?
The ancient Egyptians used a throwing stick to hunt birds, theres a scene in a tomb showing this.
My nana, too, in her backyard in Tamworth. There was a broken window in a neighbour’s garage showing this.
Further to my Dam Questions last week. Does anyone know who can help about 6 sick looking pelicans floating on the Ross Dam near the first corner of the spillway side of the Ross Dam wall? They don’t appear to be able to fly. Could it be blue green algae poisoning?
D.Q.,
I suspect these pelicans are related to the “Norwegian Blue” parrot. There is nothing to worry about.
It may be a ‘Captain Obvious’ comment to say we need more shade, but putting more trees in the city is something TCC could actually do. Maybe Future Townsville was a waste of money and a lot of hot air, but surely while the obvious things are not getting people have to keep saying them.
Fair point. And driving through the CBD yesterday, The ‘Pie was struck by the beautiful trees that remain and the potentially magnetic streetscape.
Council have planted a number of trees in some suburbs since September 2024 and according to the recent budget are planning to plant many more trees. Council needs to be congratulated for this initiative.
Unfortunately I notice that Council isn’t looking after these trees once they’ve been planted or replacing any trees that die.
Please water these young trees during the hot dry months otherwise many may die from lack of moisture because their root system isn’t fully established beyond the planting hole.
That’s a bit too technical for them!
Climate change predictions have Townsville tripling the number of days above 35oC by 2050. We can always wear hats and sunscreen – but why not also build in cool oasis stops with trees, shelter and drinking fountains. This along with a change in transport options to scooters and e-bikes. Pathways need to cater for this by being wider to share the space. They should also be located to be above the more regular severe weather events like flooding.
Build an arbor along the length of The Strand and plant a few different vines along it – bougainvillea, jasmine, jade vine etc. Shade, heavenly scent (jasmine) and something that could be (I hate saying it) an Instagram famous place that people would travel to see.
Nice idea but not there, spoil a great natural view for walkers and drivers.
Walkers are one thing but fuck drivers. If they want to see the view they can get out of the car.
Jawhol, Herr Hamburger.
They should close off one lane of traffic and have the strand one lane, one direction like the cairns esplanade, then expand the public space on either the ocean or built up side.
Kellyville was recently the hottest place on the face of the planet.
Cause: no shade, houses without white roofs. Houses without white roofs heat up the surrounding area because they absorb both visible and invisible energy from the sun and convert it to infrared energy ( heat).
Ideally you need trees without root systems that spread out and dont grow tall ( cyclones). Jet black roads will emit heat as well, so changing the albedo of the roads will reduce the heat load caused by the transport system.
I’ve often thought fruit trees could be planted around the place , animals would probably eat the fruit.
I endorse this suggestion from my fellow fruit bat, Guy.
Re the Townsville forum – what a waste of money and time
yeah, but did you notice, there didn’t seem to be any involvement of TEL and our acting mayor didn’t get a gig as far as I could tell.
Yeah, but did you notice, that with a focus on trade, investment and urban infrastructure needs the speakers were ag, mining and energy leaders and those with background in infrastructure and urban planning? Sensible. Acting Mayor was there and saw her in conversations with business and civic leaders throughout the event.
And there we have it, you’ve emphasised The Pie’s point, which you apparently missed anyway. What tangible benefit or even single practical, doable idea was put forward?
2 comments from me this week.
Jesus was a Palestinian.
When I was driving back to the city the other day, there was a Welcome to Townsville sign. Tear it down. I am sick of being welcomed to my own city.
It’ll certainly save on maintenance money if we tear down the welcome sign. It’s often needing repair.
Newsflash Lab Rat
Borders are man made
The Welcome to Townsville sign is not intended for you.
I’d prefer you and many others on this blog were looking at that sign in your rearview mirror.
WTF? Get a grip, son.
It was a clever joke.
The best part of Test Tube ran down the outside.
Lab Rat – that is soo New Testament.
It is amazing how quickly the road between Cairns and Port Douglas was repaired after the same weather event that affected Paluma.
The TMR are giving Rome a run for its money.
To be fair, the Romans built roads that lasted for centuries.
In regards to TMR, they have always been one of those government departments who are risk averse and go over the top with paranoia when it comes to perceived safety. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with being safe and compliant, it’s just that TMR are well known for lacking adaptability, flexibility, sound reasoning and commonsense. Not allowing a rural vehicle to travel the road in question so it can have its maintenance performed, is outright fuckwittery. In TMR’s dimly lit world the vehicle can use the road if there is an emergency, but no it can’t use the road to travel on so it can receive its required maintenace to be carried out. Seriously, fucking bureaucracy gone mad. The departments regional directors and probably a few high level muppets in Brisbane need to be removed. Morons.
Not to worry the Bulletin will take up the matter with them.
Or just wait until there’s a tragedy – preferably involving a young child or a disabled person – and they can have front page field day.
Maybe we should send Three Names to Israel to sort things out. As an envoy sort of thing.
Nah, Threenames would prefer to sit on social media sniping from a distance. He is a gutless turd. Besides, he is a sociopath who craves attention. The focus of the war wouldn’t be upon him, and he couldn’t handle that.
Yes, good idea. Given all that is happening over there I expect his first priority would be to remove fluoride from the water supply.
I see TCC is wanting to redevelop the rock pool area. More money to be spent on something already functioning and doesn’t need anymore development ( considering TCC should be paying down its debt, not destroying existing working infrastructure), unless that development means towerblocks for TCC mates into property development.
Does Bob Katter’s son in law still have a stake in a missile company?
Don’t know, but Copperstring is a Katter family business, which has already engineered a fortune for them.
This is the Katter arms and munitions link – son in law (and the reason Bob keeps wanting to arm all Australians)
https://www.nioa.com.au/about
https://email.s.seek.com.au/uni/ss/c/u001.Mgc0Pbwk8BklfH5uRvTNRBJW9e6gmlmTay3g5FGPg7Qz9ZEWbAh6Vh2BVtn3ytVncsu_2E3g-JZadf1yhHdakOGXg9sEgX6Kkg6wF6V5IEVnacdHAFYPDWrgfPU0_77rAockpcgWeEZzuTT-QfGBiswoHKlGmZjKvzgtehWGSFmN-ijdE-V4gp_2IhcrqGnU/4hq/6vWN5iE0RYaJweoiQjmvog/h7/h001.mxufU_XV-ChxGUP9KbRC5K3VW1BHAQvDjieJxRsoCZU
This link is for a TCC bin snooper to look in your bin leaving little notes admonishing you not sorting you garbage. I imagine that the said snooper will only look at you bins on the kerbside awaiting collection on your allotted day. At $70K a pop for these snoopers the cost will quickly escalate to 1M $AUS in no time.
There plenty of empirical evidence that Australian recycling is below 50%. Just another way to piss off ratepayers.
Cheers
Mark
If TCC want to get the rubbish issue under control they should make the fortnightly recycle collection into a weekly service. I constantly throw recyclables into the dirty rubbish bin because the recycle bin is full. Also, they should give us a mandatory green waste bin. Again, I have to put green waste in the dirty bin because there is no other option.
A green bin? NO BLOODY WAY!
Some household waste goes to the worm farm.
Generally 1x 35 litre bag of rubbish per week.
Recycle collection once a fortnight meets our needs.
10c recycle items to the 10c collection place.
Garden waste is shredded for mulch or wood for the bbq.
THERE IS NO BLOODY WAY I WANT MORE COUNCIL WASTE COLLECTION FEES FOR SERVICES I DON’T NEED thank you very much.
Maybe you just generate more rubbish than normal people?
Ha, you lot you think you’ve got problems …. see this?
These are what The Magpie has to fill up each week with unpublished comments.
Bugger! I will now have to be much more circumspect when disposing feral pigeons, indian minor birds and the occasional cat.
Some help need here, folks. The ‘Pie doesn’t get the joke.
Can someone please telex him an explanation. Or just a telegram will do. If the PMG post office is open.
Will smoke signals do?
I think it is a joke about the use of a Fax. Fax is considered so last century, as is “wireless”, especially in the context of a “Modern Australia”.
Thank you, Brian T. Damn new fangled gizmos, eh.
–. . – .– .. – …. – …. . – .. — . … .–. . —- .–. .-.. .
Thank you, old McDonald, trust your farm is going well. Morse message partly incorrect btw.
And don’t bother trying to have a comment conversation in morse, The ‘Pie has enough to keep him busy with the various version of English inflicted on him busy without this level smart-arsery.
How the Qld Dept of Transport and Main Roads handles public relations.
PS That coach was the Cobb & Co service to Paluma.
That’ll larn ‘em!!
Hang on!
We’ll have to refund the Rego!!!
Pie, I think the joke is that the LNP election defeat report will be empty apart from
glossy pictures and fancy font. I may be wrong, but that’s the issue with most government reports/papers, all gloss and no substance. Bit like our local newspapers. But what the fuck would I know, I’m just a pleb from Belgian Gardens.
You’re right, Ste … err, sorry, Percy. What we will hear and read will be a fishing expedition, to see what information it prompts from the punters generally. We will never hear about the biting, clawing and eye gouging behind the party room door.
Does anybody know about the water recycling plant off the Port Access Rd, authorised by one Jennifer Lorraine Hill and her old team that was to be used to irrigate our sporting areas in Murray, the Turf Club, and Army that is now sitting idle because it is to expensive to operate. Just asking, apparently it cost a motza.
Do you mean the new facility at the Cleveland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant which was expected to be operational mid-late 2024, producing up to 15ML/day of water for industrial and irrigation users and supplementing potable water usage? Wasn’t that supposed to supply recycled water to some futuristic hydrogen project at the Port?
It is sitting idle. $45M down the toilet. Jen forgot to consult cluden, golf courses, lavarack, ABS, copper refinery etc. when the rate came in higher than the standard water rate, the plant was turned off. Another brain explosion in the Hill era.
The Magpie is unaware of this (like a lot of things). Has this been reported anywhere? Gotx any links … or is this just pub talk.
It was built to service Hill’s blue sky plans for a local hydrogen industry, with the spin-off of watering the various places mentioned.
It has been raised many times, built, not used. The price to the ‘clients’ was higher than tap water, no incentive to buy recycled. Very similar to the new energy transitions we are seeing
Last chance for credibility, Bozo Barry … you say so, but provide proof of at least one instance of the many that you claim it has been raised.
Hill was an abject failure. She jumped onboard the hydrogen fantasy and look how that has ended up, virtually all of Queenslands hydrogen projects have been kyboshed. More debt is owed to Treasury which will need to be repaid over the next 20 or so years by the ratepayer.
As for Threenames and his payrise, let’s not get to emotional. Yes, it’s a shit deal, but one that is legislated so there is nothing we can do about it. No doubt he will go on social media and tell everyone how he is donating the extra dollars to charity blah blah blah. Just another part of his deceptive personality, buying friends with his supposed charity. It’s all smoke and mirrors.
Thompson has done just that, with the Bulletin playing a straight bat and publicising his self-proclaimed ‘generous gesture’. The paper dared not mention that by this token of donating the raise to charity, for consistency and logic, Thompson should be donating his entire ill-gotten salary to charity … apart from his fav, the Make Troy Thompson A Rich Man Fund. He is a legalised thief, and this should be mentioned to him when he’s out parading.
I have been told verbally what the issue is with the recycled water plant and whilst I could not find a reference categorically stating this, I have pieced together enough snippets to be confident it is correct. The issue is not cost, it is salinity. Cleveland Bay collects sewage from the low lying areas of the city and that includes salt water infiltration into the pipes. This was established during the drought when Townsville Golf Club was looking to use potable water for irrigation – they were offered effluent but turned it down as the salt would kill the grass. In the “Jenny Hill saving the universe propaganda” they were going to build a facility which would produce high quality recycled water. What they built was a plant which treated it with UV and chlorine. They did not however build a reverse osmosis plant which is what would be needed to remove the salt. Apparently the plant has been designed for RO to be bolted on later – which would be very expensive. So the effluent is not suitable for irrigation. This would have been known when this project started and prior to building recycled water mains which are now sitting empty. The best hope now is that there will be an industrial customer who will take the effluent as-is. Another Jenny Hill white elephant!
Question for Barry. Whose money was the $45m – or $25m according to TCC media releases at the time? Surely not ratepayers? Is this project funded out of the same state/Commonwealth pork barrel whose hydrogen candle was recently extinguished at Gladstone?
Gladstones Mayor put all of his eggs in the one basket. Silly boy. That hydrogen basket is now empty. And Gladstone being a very strong unionised Labor stronghold will now feel the wrath of the LNP for the next 4 years. There will be no favours coming their way from Crisafulli. Their bubble has been burst. Townsville needs to watch this matter closely as there could be some lessons for us.
https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/building-planning-and-projects/council-projects/major-projects/cleveland-bay-recycled-water-treatment-facility. The facility finished was closer to $45M.
Time to ask the hydro project, copper refinery, and others if they have a contract for the recycled water., when the project was near completion, and the final costs were ascertained, the water was too dear. It was turned on, then turned off, the price was too high. The council is currently offering all manner of rebates to keep its credibility in this project.
That is a very old link which does not advise us of the current state of play with this facility.
First rule of RWTF-club is to never mention RWTF. If it was a success or even a going concern council would be yelling from the rooftops rather than letting it quietly sit there hoping a cyclone destroys it and we can claim on insurance.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-01/pay-rise-for-suspended-townsville-mayor-troy-thompson/105463606
Well, we all knew it was going to happen but that does not make it any more acceptable.
6K pay rise for the democratically suspended Mayor to stay home stinks.
I can tolerate people getting a pay rise if they go to work.
Did not need to happen.
Was a deliberate choice by the TCC Councillors to vote for the pay rise.
Will TCC release the voting to see who voted for and against??
Please pay attention. There was no vote, in the usual convoluted way of these things, councillors had to vote on a motion to have a vote on whether to accept the whole pay rise, part of it, or none of it. Otherwise, it was automatic. Which is what happened, no councillor called for a vote – part because to even oppose having a vote could attract negative publicity. . That didn’t argue against the raise, so they ALL accepted it, no matter what the empty halo polishing of Greaney and Thompson. Greaney had in fact she was opposed to the pay rise (at least for her well padded self) and would vote against it … but then sat on her hands and made no move to seek a vote. This woman thinks she is – as The ‘Pie’s grandad used to say of all politicians – slicker than a trollop’s slot.
But The Magpie isn’t necessarily against the rise, if we put aside the fact that councillors are paid way too much anyway. (Money to attract the best and brightest? And how’s that going for us?) Right or wrong, this is their job, and no other worker in any other job is going to vote against a pay rise. And this increase is totally divorced from the issue of being paid too much in the first place.
If I, as a councillor, had to read the Delegation of Powers document outlined in tomorrow’s TCC meeting Agenda, I wouldn’t ask for a vote on a pay rise either. By far I would rather be reading a petition to establish a fenced dog park on Magnetic Island and getting my teeth into the arguments.
https://www.localgovernment.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/97532/local-government-remuneration-commission-annual-report-2024.pdf
This was signed off by the minister in December. The council has had since then to raise a motion, vote the increase down, seven months later, here we are. Twonames had no say in this, because he was out. He has said on his page he will donate the difference, next pay cycle, interesting times.
Wonder if ThreeNames will offer proof of his largesse, or will we be told to mind our own business (ignoring that being our money, it IS our business.)
Pffft, what’s a lazy $6k when you are getting $225k (that excludes super) to sit on your ass for a year. Fuck me sideways, I would donate $6k to charity also. Besides, Threenames is no hero as it’s always easy to make donations when you have a surplus. Let’s see our deranged Mayor give generously if ever he ends up in struggle street. Fuck him, it’s a token effort and all done for show. He doesn’t deserve any air time.
Excuse me Mr Pie,
Who is going to organise the spontaneous community street party when Threenames is sacked, or better still, charged?
Ummm, a note from Pedant’s Corner, JWB: spontaneous events are by definition not organised in advance.
Even if he does donate it, he will still claim it as a tax deduction.
Yup … it gets lovelier every day.
But yer just gotta love how the Bulletin adopted a surprised tone about it all …
… and to have just figured out that A) Thompson was included in the deal as pointed out by The Magpie two weeks ago (how could he not be?) and B) pointed out (again almost two weeks after The Magpie) that Greaney had said she’d vote against a rise, but did not call a special meeting to debate whether to accept the increase or knock it back.
This is ingenuous of the paper at best.
The rise has been known to be coming by the Bulletin and everyone else in Queensland for more than six months, and we all knew that at least one councillor had to put a motion for a special meeting to decline the extra dough.
But despite January’s story of Greaney’s empty virtue signalling that she ‘would not vote for the pay rise’, the Bulletin’s editor Jill Poulson did not think it her job, which it certainly was, to ask if a special meeting was to be called before the time frame ran out. In fact, it is a question that Greaney should have been asked in the January story, and since it wasn’t, a story shortly afterwards should have canvassed all the councillors if they would seek a special meeting.
Like so many other stories, this paper has a very selective memory.
Poulson can make no excuse except incompetence for a paper that has always claimed to ‘set the news agenda for Townsville’ (ha!) because if it was not so important, why the front page and heavy breathing splash story today?
The only other explanation is that she has decided to be a player rather than a referee. Just like all her predecessors.
Once again, it’s poor fella, my city.
And now, the next day, the question remains unanswered.
Again, the Bulletin refuses to ask the obvious question: ‘Clr Price, how do respond to accusations of empty virtue signalling on this issue when you could’ve called for a vote on the otherwise inevitable pay rise to record the sincerity of your pledge? Why didn’t you?’
Just got home. While out and about saw a sign on the side of Dalrymple Rd. about getting rid of fluoride from the water supply and there is a meeting at a local pub sometime. Could not read all of the sign, eyes on the road and that sort of thing.
Seems the anti intelligence, anti science tinfoil hat fuckwits are still hard at it. These fools are not a joke as they have been successful in rolling back progress in local governments down south.
Flouride is considered not hazardous by safe work Australia, but Chlorine is considered hazardous.
Think that’s a bit of an oversimplification, Ding Dong.
Just watching on the ABC (no surprises there)
“Reserved Seat holder representing Taungurung Land and Waters Council
Marcus Stewart”
Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation
Piously telling us that this fantasy “Truth Telling” nonsense is somehow beneficial to the indigenous. His gravy train is parked just outside!
He needs to learn that truth telling is not all one-sided, repetitive drivel, by people who choose to be offended and dream like Lotus eaters that all was always so wonderful and remains so if you don’t open your eyes and ears.
Indigenous FFS!!!!! he’s blue eyed, red haired, white skinned, where/when will this bloody nonsense cease. It’s a bloody insulting pantomime, of course the critics will accuse and abuse me with non words such as the ever flexible racist.
This bloke (and his acolytes) belong in the asylum along with other mentally self deluded Napoleons, Churchill’s et al.
https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/members/marcus-stewart/
But but I just want to know more about the rainbow serpent that inhabits every waterway that is slated for commercial development.
A,
Listening to the ABC Hour today was a ‘Aboriginal Activist’ quacking on about deaths in custody.
I will cut to my main impression from this ‘activist'; incarceration is a normal part of an aboriginal child’s life and the whities are duty bound to make it safe and comfortable.
At no time was it suggested that the best way to not die in jail was to live a good life, be nice to people and stay out of jail.
At no time was there any mention of perantal responsibility to love and guide their children.
At any time there was a suggestion of measures to increase community safety the kick back was, this is targeting black kids, which (FFS) is a barefaced admition that black children are the purpotrators of crime.
And finally, and this to me is the demonstration of the total failure of the nonexastant aboriginal leadership, this person on the wireless this afternoon was an ‘Aboriginal Activist’, not a leader or role model.
Why does the ABbloodyC give the one eyed government funded racists air time?
Fun fact.
A bit of decorum if you please. Those gentlepeople of the night who check our recycle bins for naughtiness and we call ‘lid lifters’ are – do you mind? – ‘waste auditors’. One supposes those who drive the trucks are garbologists.
In reverence to sensitive feelings, then, perhaps the boys in the front bar should stop calling those of – ahem – an alternative lifestyle ‘shirt lifters’ and instead refer to them anal auditors.
Did I read last issue that Twonames, Michelle, Max Tomlinson and Jill Poulsen had a not so private meeting? My friend saw twonames and Max at Mello a favourite of the suspended one too. What’s going on? It looks like the media is shifting, are they protecting themselves or just lining up for the finale?
All mischievous bullshit by pro-Thompson whackos, to which you have added your two bobs worth. ‘my friend’ indeed, and a pathetic ‘Did I read …': can’t you come up with anything better than that?
Photos next time or don’t bother.
That said, right wing misogynist Tomlinson is dabbling away around town, seeking a relevance he never had. He worked on Fran’s campaign before pulling the plug and moving over to the Thompson camp, which raised suspicions that he was a plant in the first place. Now he’s trying to get David Kippin up as a mayoral candidate.
Saw a piece in the Astonisher a day or two ago about Comrade Albo’s latest payrise taking him up to just over $600000.00 pa and I had a little chuckle.
Our TCC CEO wouldn’t get out of bed for that.
Smoking Joe gets $700k+ car and rental allowance, 4 flight home a year and any incidentals, the last CEO was on $600k, when he received his payout and car lease payout.
Ha ha ha Tomlinson, Kippah, Thompson…..who is next to join the team – Harpic? Lane?
Just noticed that the TCC meeting expected today is actually tomorrow, Thursday 3 July.
Yeah, The ‘Pie was caught out too. Always thought meetings were on Wednesdays but suppose the day of the week isn’t mandated.
The local media should do investigative reporting on the negligent, false and misleading and fraudulent practices of north qld real estate agents.
The first thing you do is compare the address to the flood risk and zone data on the net. Is it in the advertisement ?
Then check inside the roof for leaks . Is it in the advertisement?
Check for previous break in damage. Have security improvements been made as they are known to return? Is it in the advertisement?
If not check with the ACCC about the ads and the cops for attempted fraud.
All you have to do is pose as prospective tenants.
It’s not clear if your concerns are for renters or npeospective owners.
But in both cases, unless deliberate lies have been told, it is always caveat emptor.
Council to investigate a request for a dog park on Magnetic Island. If the TCC is looking for a suitable site, how about Kelly Street?
Too many cars.
Thank you for getting into the spirit of the comment.
Can’t the whole island just be an off leash area? Its not like they’re going to escape to anywhere
It already is … for backpackers, the lucky dogs.
If you are wondering why it’s cooler this week in the deep north, it’s because the bosses have gathered , their cold dark hearts beating as one, like a reverse heat island effect, to plot how NOT to give workers the benefit of the fairwork commission pay rise of 3.5%. Cos they aren’t smart enough to think it up on their lonesome.
Colourful. A Labor clarion call down the ages.
Sure is cool, Joe McCool. He and his posse are making loads of money so they couldn’t give a fuck about the real workers and how tough we are doing it. This so-called Labor council are a mob of c#nts.
Nothing like a constructive comment … and this is nothing like a constructive comment.
Toerag it is hard to accept that Townsville has a “Labor council” when less than half the councillors and neither the mayor or acting mayor are members of the ALP. You might personally be “doing it tough” but ordinary workers employed in Queensland local government will receive a 3% pay increase, effective from the first full pay period on or after July 1, 2025, along with a one-off bonus.
The 3.5% increase only applies to the minimum wage rate. There is nothing that guarantees every worker not on minimum wage gets an increase every year.
Maybe (haven’t checked that your claim) but almost all do.
This morning our illustrious council had three employees near the Rock Pool end handing out “Have your Say” leaflets regarding improvements to the Rock Pool, when I asked them who was going to pay they politely said the State and Federal governments, I told them this is just a distraction for all the failures of the council, especially losing the AFCM to Cairns and not being proactive in demanding that our Aquarium be refunded, they politely told me that this was not the case.
‘Not the case,’ as in ‘fuck off, mate’.
It was good to see that the Bulletin did a decent article on the funeral of the late Brention Webb (Webby) and an editorial on him too
Webby you’re going to be missed by so many people in so many ways.
Vale Webby
By all reports, a genuine loss to the city and to the QPS.
“Yeah we pineappled the Maggie Islanders, but we should have sent lube as well”
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/townsville-city-council-ends-transport-subsidy-for-magnetic-island-pensioners/news-story/f9e52f8e9914cd36d27736493c5cc622
Can anyone confirm if the Maggie Island tickets are subsidized by Brisbane or is she lying as well as uncaring?
Well, the lease to the lucrative run is handled by the state government, so who knows?
The TCC Pensioner Transport Subsidy Scheme has been discontinued. This information is hidden amongst the information in this budget sheet.
https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/corporate-information/budget-2025-26/understanding-your-rates-and-utilities#:~:text=Pensioner%20Transport%20Subsidy%20Scheme%20will,pricing%20on%20the%20SeaLink%20website.
TCC have advertised, through an executive recruitment company, the position of General Manager capital delivery. Maybe they are wanting to address the supposed 40 year multi billion dollar projects shortfall? I see this as potentially a positive move by the executive and the councillors which flies in the face of the rhetoric that Threenames Thompson is spouting.
The advert states:
“This includes oversight of the Major Projects and Project Management Office teams, and accountability for driving delivery performance, embedding a project management framework, and building internal capability. A reform program is already underway, and this role offers a unique opportunity to take it further, introducing transparency and accountability mechanisms to shift to a high performing, delivery focused culture.”
One wonders what happened to the project management framework that was previously embedded and the very capable PMO.
And why isn’t there transparency and accountability already? These are fundamental requirements under the local government principles.
Maybe not. The ‘Pie touches on this in tomorrow’s Nest. Your comment suddenly makes another bit of the puzzle drop into place.
Your comments on Boomerangs, I thought they were telephone calls between Kangaroos!
You stayed up nights working on that one, didn’t you, Rolf?