Severe doubts now exist about Taylor’s persistent, unhealthy and vindictive obsession with using his legal office to attack The Magpie. And as with his past efforts, his latest venture – described as ‘insane’ by one local solicitor – saw him yet again cut off at the knees by the Court of Appeal. But how it came to that is a tale in itself, which The ‘Pie is duty bound to keep – public.
The question of RUOK might be posed to our mayor, too. In the past months, but particularly in the last couple of weeks, she is coming across as a spoiled brat who has chucked a tanty because she didn’t like the icing on her birthday cake (it was Liberal blue instead of red with tinges of green).
And high time the high jinks of a Queensland judge were called out … the pompous self-regarding Sal Vasta is being sued for his disgraceful jailing of man appearing before him for no valid reason and just through personal pique. But what we really need to know will this clearly emotionally deficient law officer remain on the bench? And if so, why?
Plus two must see videos that lay bare the illusion of the USA ‘greatness’ myth … from within their own society. And no, it has nothing to do with Trump – for a change. But there are clear alarm bells for Australia in the stark messages.
But first, time for a cuppa, here’s an ad break …
A reminder that your support is sorely needed to help keep The Nest going. The ‘Pie expects nothing for the time – about 50 hours – he chooses to put into this weekly effort, but he is, as Roger Miller so famously said ‘a man of means by no means’, and Telstra, Optus, NBN, various registrations (Domain Name this week) and operating requirements keep demanding their due. If you think this alternative voice for the city is worthwhile – and worth a smile – your support will help make the task easier. The Donate button is included at the end of the blog. The Magpie sincerely thanks those who have already shown their support. Thanks.
Now ever onward
Mayhem Central: Even By Townsville’s Standards, It’s Been An Extraordinary Week
When the Townsville Bulletin can legitimately devote seven pages to the crime spree over the week, how far away is the breaking point? And just what will that entail?
‘The police, who daily and nightly are asked risk their lives are getting no real support, either on the ground, in the air, or in the courts hamstrung by nancy legislation. And if we were still in the days of real honour, where public shame counted as a powerful, indignant sentiment, all three local state members should have resigned months, if not years ago. Or kicked out.
Adding to the tinder dry fuel of community outrage is the raw frustration of threats of violence to weasel-worded politicians.
The Magpie does not condone or endorse those angry, frustrated sentiments (which, Mr Butcher, are probably illegal and you may be getting an unwelcome knock on the door – or an equally unwelcome message from Facebook.) That said, the helplessness that leads to that sort of thing is palpable throughout the community. Something is going to give soon. But what?
Bentley isn’t beating about the bush on this one.
Perhaps if we concentrated as much on another key factors as on the little thugs might work. It was welcome change to hear a senior police officer to finally call a spade a spade and ask the question everybody else has been asking seemingly forever.
Only problem there is that many of these kids, losers from day dot are said not to have functioning parents. And should not be treated harshly. That’s according to the bleeding hearts whose very selective organ fails to bleed for the victims of theft, serious injury, fear and insecurity.
Meanwhile The Bulletin makes a sporting list of it. Just how they think this is responsible reporting is impossible to fathom. Indeed it just provides bragging rights for the little snots to feel important.
The Boys In Blue See Red
And no, that’s not sexist, indeed it goes to the heart of a matter which is not just stupid and highly (and possibly illegal) discrimination, BUT IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS TO PUBLIC WELL BEING. This is the Scandal du Jour. The Queensland Police Service hiring protocols for the past few years can be summed up in four words – wrong, wrong and bloody wrong. And possibly illegal.
And – you won’t be surprised – faster than you can say ‘knotted knickers’, the Huff’n’Puff crowd were in full cry. One of them was a massive case of self-interest, a former police boss caught with his pants at knee height.
His stance – that the CCC investigation was based on an incorrect premise and should not have happened – just goes to show that the police hierarchy – everywhere – are really no more than Mr Pooters From Accountancy – just everyday executives, often the beneficiaries of the Peter Principle.
This ‘woke’ policy is a snooze-fest undisturbed by decency, fairness and public security. Even current boss, who just happens to be a Dickless Tracy, Katarina Carroll, very carefully tip-toed through the eggshells by demanding a review of current hiring practices. What? Like she didn’t bloody know. C’mon FFS, Katie. Other were hitting nails the head left, right and centre – well, probably not left.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said there was no room for quotas in the police service, saying it was a “stain” on the QPS.
“We are sick and tired of these woke, pandering, pondering exercises in relation to quotas,” he said.
“I believe we need to look at those (200) people and reassess them and if they are still fit and proper people, they should be given the opportunity to join the Queensland Police Service, because they were denied by a corrupt system.”
Mr Leavers said those involved in the process should be “dealt with harshly”.
As aside: Mr Leavers frustrated words about being sick and tired of the ‘woke, pandering pondering (?) exercises’ could and should also be applied to the handling of this kids. Because they are unfortunate will not make them better off if they make us to equally but differently unfortunate.
Only those socially removed boofademics and acadils in the mud daub towers of universities (ivory towers now being unacceptable to protect Dumbo) made some unconvincing noises, but it cannot be denied that hiring women who don’t pass the required (and reasonable) physical and psychological assessments over men who do is wrong on every level And 50/50? Why this arbitrary figure?
It is this wilfully catatonic, dangerously twisted ‘quota’ agenda that is again showing this government is in the thrall of the ultra woke … and that’s puts us all at risk.
An Object Lesson In Why Party Politics Has This Town In A Christmas Hold
It is now indisputable that Mayor Jenny Hill puts ALP party politics ahead of this community she is supposed to lead.
When the much vaunted and long debated reinsurance pool was announced, our Mayor Mullet comically demanded that she wanted to see details of the arrangement – this from the person who demanded $50m for her Lansdown Eco Park ‘baby’ but providing only a glossy vague one –page ‘flyer’ to back it up.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison – love him or hate him, he is the leader of this country – came to Townsville to announce shake-up within the various emergency services, covering, flood, fires, cyclones and droughts.
Two things about this visit stand out. The person who is putative head of managing disasters in this city (no jokes please) is Mayor Jenny Hill, and she merely made a brief appearance at the Prime Minister’s announcement. And then she left early, saying she had another engagement. What? What sort of other engagement trumps talking with leading Federal figures about Townsville’s situation – which she did not do, nor did she delegate one of her councillors to stand in for her. FFS woman, this is the PM, the man who holds the Canberra pursestrings! This is – and you can bet was seen – as insulting behaviour from a provincial ego maniac, an action which affects us all eventually. And imagine her having a ‘prior engagement’ if it was Albo or Anna … her lips would’ve been firmly glued to their nether reegions until the minders pulled her away to let them get in the car to leave.
And afterwards when The Bulletin asked what she thought of the planned boosting of these crucial services, offered the opinion that amounted to a sour-sounding ‘we’ll see’.
But she gets quote of the year for when she delivered her churlish take on the federal budget’s infrastructure splurge – she said she didn’t think it was a big spending budget – which would come as a surprise to economists and political journalists around the country, if they could care what a financially incompetent hillbilly mayor thought. Then, this …
… from the woman who won votes by spruiking an ill-thought-out kerbside rubbish collection, promised a café on Castle Hill, North Rail Yard renovation, a swimming lagoon on the Strand etc etc etc.
TEL CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith
Compare that with the more stateswoman-like, diplomatic words of the new TEL head, Claudia Brumme-Smith – the contrast is stark.
“This was one of the most important federal budgets in our history, focusing on supporting businesses and communities through the pandemic as we move into the next phase of Australia’s economic recovery plan and our path forward.”
“We are encouraged by the continued measures to support all Australians through infrastructure investment, essential services, skills development, extensions to tax relief initiatives, and boosting digital connectivity, with the overall aim to continue to grow jobs.
“We await further detail on the $1.2bn digital economy investment as we firmly believe a strong digital connection is critical in how world trade and services will be delivered, and we have a forward-looking focus on ensuring North Queensland is at the forefront of these opportunities.
“There were some welcomed announcements in this budget with extensions on the aquariums and zoo funding, business tax incentives, amendments to student visas to help with workforce shortages and $14m towards GBRMPA,” she said.
“This is also off the back of more than 12 months of industry support – JobKeeper kept our businesses running during the height of the pandemic and the half-price flight subsidy has generated a boost in interstate visitation for the region.”
Now that sounds like the words we would like to hear from our mayor. Given Ms Brumme-Smith’s refusal to take on Patricia O’Callaghan’s handmaiden role to the mayor, and may start demanding that TEL become more independent, The ‘Pie is eagerly looking forward to when the gloves some off – as they surely will be. Jenny particularly doesn‘t tolerate female competition – just ask Adele Young.
Bazza Taylor Comes A Cropper …Yes, Again.
During the week, The Magpie received hand-delivery from a court bailiff … since Lotto do not use that delivery service, it is never a sign that something good is in store. And oh what joy and rapture unforeseen, as G&S used to say.
It was Emanate Legal, the firm headed by legal foghorn Barry Taylor, demanding that because of a court ruling that The Magpie had not, until the arrival of the letter, been privy to, that he remove certain parts of a previous blog.
Although the sender was some down-table gofer for Emanate called Anthony Douglas, there was no mistaking this was Barry Taylor’s latest attempt to intimidate The Magpie and hide his own shortcoming from his adoring public (Townsville adores him now he’s lives in Noosa). But here’s the sad tale from this side of the fence.
It all revolves around a civil judgement made in court a couple years ago, when the judge gave Emanate, Taylor and gormless solicitor Vanesa Gleeson (yes, wife of) a free character assessment that resulted in Emanate settling a case out of court. The ‘Pie duly reported this in his usual colourful manner, and thought that was the end of that, especially since Big Bazza did not make any complaint to The ‘Pie. But unbeknownst to the old bird, the judge had made a technical error, and revised some of the wording of his somewhat forthright opinion because he had made the error of ‘referring to content not in evidence‘ – and then tucked the revised version out of sight of the public (they do that sometimes, judges, for a variety of perfectly good reasons covered under the catch-all of ‘proper administration of justice’). Now Bazza of course knew this revision existed, but The Magpie didn’t – so, to paraphrase a favourite court saying, in an abundance of ignorance, the material stayed on the blog, when the revised matters were tucked away from public view, and not to be published so technically, this old bird was unknowingly in contempt of court. The Emanate letter did not specifically state that Taylor’s firm has been totally exonerated of the judge’s initial harsh words, and no one has any way of knowing.
But did Barry Taylor advise The Magpie that he was now in some sort of breach and to remove the material tout suite? No he did not, because he thought he saw an avenue to continue his personal vendetta against The ‘Pie which started when The Magpie was at The Bulletin more than 15 years ago, for reasons unknown to the writer. Perhaps it was for revealing his almost bully boy tactics in drumming up money for Mooney and later Jenny Hill from the local business community.
So Bazza went of to the Court of Appeal, seeking that they issue ‘a warning’ or even summon The Magpie for contempt, all without the ‘Pie knowing or being given the opportunity to be heard on the matter.
The Appeal Court judges emphatically told Barry to bugger off – it was clear that what he sought was way too Kakfa-esque to be agreed to, summoning someone for something that was wrong but he wasn’t allowed to see why or what it was. Of course, the judgement was never couched in such undignified terms, just the last couple of lines of the 19 page judgement will provide the flavour of the outcome.
[81] The interests of justice do not, in the present case, warrant the Court issuing a warning in the terms sought by the appellant. Conclusion [82] The appeal should be dismissed. Given the respondent did not take any active part in opposing the appeal no orders as to costs should be made.
That means that Barry Taylor lost in court even although the respondent (that’s me) didn’t take part because this failed smartarsery kept him in the dark. And has costs Mr Taylor that which is closest to his heart – money.
The upshot is several fold. The Magpie, as is his wont, dug up and read the entire judgement, and believes he could almost hear the judges sighing ‘WTF’ – or some polite judicial variation – as they penned their ruling.
Now, to save time, for the record, The Magpie has removed the pieces that would constitute contempt of court, because he holds great respect for the courts of this country, and not because of a letter from Barry Taylor, for whom he holds none.
And Mr Douglas – he fashions himself a legal ‘consultant’, a word which always raises an eyebrow around this town – has been very selective in his interpretation of the judgement, to the point of misrepresenting the judgement verging on the deliberately deceptive – indeed, The ‘Pie is taking advice as to whether it is worthwhile bringing this letter to the attention of the appropriate authorities. This view is mainly prompted by the fact that Mr Douglas names four blogs that he says contained ‘the offending material’ – a good description of anything involving Taylor. But the point is, on checking, only ONE – maybe a second one depending on your point of view – has anything to do with possible contempt and this case in any material way. Now it seems was Mr Douglas’s turn to be a smart arse, trying it on to bluff The Magpie with this judgement as a requirement to remove all mentions of Taylor and Emanate from archived blogs.
However, despite the widespread community belief that The Magpie, like the Pope, is infallible, if Mr Douglas would care to copy and email the offending passages, with an explanation of their connection to this judgement, he will consider the matter further.
Which ain’t gunna happen in one instance, sport, since it details the cowardly and unforgivable behaviour against my completely uninvolved daughter in a different matter, an (ultimately unsuccessful) action taken by Taylor and Venesa Gleeson after prevailing on Rabieh Krayem to sue me over nothing at all. They saw my daughter, a mother and principle family breadwinner, as a means of punishing me. Hiding behind the highly technical legality of the law does not for one minute disguise the low ethical and moral standards of you two in this matter.
So Mr Douglas, nice try but no cigar … you’ve already had an exploding one.
There Are A Couple Of Other Come-Uppances Around The Courts
It is a rare occasion that judges can sued for their actions and decisions on the bench, but seems these are rare days.
The details of this matter have been reported in a previous blog, but suffice to say, the whole legal establishment was appalled by this latest unprofessional outburst by this pompous goof, but somehow not appalled enough to sack him, just sent him off to mentoring. Hope he goes down for the lot. (Best bet: confidential out-of-court settlement)
Barrister Roger Griffith
Unfortunately, mentoring might be among the options facing former Townsville prosecutor and criminal (ironic) barrister, Roger Griffith. He has pleaded guilty to a whole raft of drug-related charges in Cairns, to wit: one count of drug trafficking, one count of money laundering, two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice and one count of possessing property obtained from the proceeds of trafficking.
In his days as a prosecutor, both here and in Cairns, such an array of naughtiness would have had him sternly calling for the miscreant to get a striped suntan, so it will be interesting to see what he gets for his little adventure.
The Magpie knew Roger when court reporting, and quite liked the bloke, although our socialising was restricted the occasional raucous legal lunch or two. He was good company, and an able lawyer. He once told me a story of his visit to the old Boggo Road when he was working in Brisbane. He was accosted by an old lag, who asked him what he was doing there. Roger replied he was there to see a couple of clients and have lunch with an officer. To which the prisoner said ‘ Well, you always did the right thing by me, Mr Griffith, so I’ll give you a bit of advice in return – at lunch, don’t eat the banana custard.’
Ah, Roger, loved the sinner, hate the sin
He is on bail at the moment, and will learn his fate in Brisbane on August 12.
Interesting Business Stuff
The ‘Pie is told Lozza Lancini has off-loaded his old Woolies building Centre Point bounded by Sturt and Walker Streets, but he’s sticking around town. The word his he’s lined up a $5million renovation and makeover extension to his City Lane development, the money earmarked for when the Australia Post lease is up on Sturt Street. A financial spy says yields are better in Townsville than Melbourne and Sydney CBD especially if you have Government tenants with long leases. That’s why there is some sales movement in the area.
During the week in comments, there’s been some debate whether is as bad a news as it looks on the surface … opinion is divided.
And there’s an interesting crowd, often overlooked crowd the scene, the Townsville and North West Queensland Regional development Corporation. They do a pretty good Quarterly Economic Outlook, and it is headed by our old former TEL head honcho, Glenys Schuntner . The ‘Pie wondered how this particular carnival of experts, who appear competent, overlay the turf supposedly covered by Townsville Enterprise. And here’s a funny detail The ‘Pie spotted. Note the address.
Yup that’s Wishing Well House, which the council has apparently renovated after pretty serious flood damage… but while the RDA is on the top floor and there is a commercial tech tenant on the ground level, Townsville Enterprise remains in rented Flinders St CBD digs … at an unknown cost to the ratepayer. At Wishing Well House, the Dudley Do Nothings were on a peppercorn rent.
Anyone care to explain?
‘Chinese People Are As Serious As A Prison Fight …’
‘… and Americans are a silly people.’ Bill Maher is described as a comedian, but after you’ve had a laugh at his colourful turn of phrase – always backed up with solid facts – the smile quickly fades as the hard truth, and bleak possibilities, set in. Have a look and see if you can handle this truth.
And then on the same theme but some years earlier, this riveting scene from TV series The Newsroom, newsman Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels who won an Emmy for the role) brutally lays out the facts for a young audience. Cruel but compelling.
Far from cruel but just is compelling is Joe Biden’s stewardship of a damage country trying to refind its feet. The honeymoon is nearing an end and the inevitable cross fire all presidents attract is starting to crackle and ricochet. But the Republicans are unwilling or unable to make use of the real ammunition, and are continuing to fire off their cap pistols – an interesting mix in this week’s gallery.
And Finally …
No reason, just because The Magpie laughed, he figured you might too.
One of the fads which has now … ummm … died down is cryonics, freezing bodies so that when technology overtakes them, they can be jumped started again. Walt Disney was a fan, but it still leads to some confusion.
………………..
That’s it for this week, lots of stuff didn’t make it in, and much of that will bob up in comments during the week. Join in and let’s know what your take is on anything you like.
If you’re of a mind to, the Donate button is below.
Another great blog pie . Whilst you are on Council property T.C.C.s annual 2020 report has Councils buildings increasing 26 % in value in total . Building level 2 + 39 % , special purpose building level 3 + 34 % which has property professionals in the Ville shaking their heads asking how ? . The annual report doesn’t have page numbers but it’s under the heading “ notes to financial statements “ . Can any Magpie followers with financial expertise have any idea how ? .
Ian Leavers deserves a medal! Solid work in calling out this Governments shameful act of discrimination. While good male police candidates missed out, they hired females who didn’t meet the standards, all for the sake of meeting a female Premiers ‘women first’ ideology. This is disgraceful.
As for Ian Stewart saying he did nothing wrong, what an egotistical and proud weasel. He knows what he did was wrong and he, and the Premier and her henchwomen, should be investigated by the CCC. The sole purpose of a Police Commissioner is political and each Commissioner is a political animal hired by the Premier to be a spokesperson for the Premier’s wants. Bob Atkinson was a pathetic footstool and after him came Ian Stewart who was also a pathetic brown noser. He actually goes down in the record books as one of the most hated Qld Police Commissioners. Just ask the people in blue. That brings us to Katarina Carroll who wasn’t even a police officer for the 5 years prior to her promotion by Palasczuk into the girls club (I’m sure the interview process was transparent!). She is willing and active participant of the ‘women first movement’ and she also has very little respect of the good people who wear the blue uniform.
Make no mistake, this relentless and obsessive drive to fuck men over and promote only women WILL come crashing down eventually. Some would say the fracture has commenced. Society claims that it wants equality and equal opportunities and I couldn’t agree more. But this primitive and pathetic action by the Premier is counterproductive. In fact, this is the same Premier that let the mining industry go without a safety committee because she wanted more women on the panel. Over 12 months without meeting, meanwhile accidents and deaths escalated within the industry. She is pathetic. Bring on the next State election.
There may also be a big push by the ‘old guard’ of senior male police management doing whatever they can to get rid of the current female police commissioner who is trying to clean up ‘the boys club’ mentality. She does want change. She does want female police officers treated better and female victims of DV treated much better too. I await the next ‘headline’ targeting her. Trust me there is more to this than meets the eye.
“Come away, Jake, it’s only Queensland.’
Bentley, I like the way your mind works, especially where the lady reporter has the word PRESS.
Press……… oh if I must.
Oh you misogynist DoK, girl power rules!
It’s funny, but you just can’t stand the titters.
This one is for all the Townsville’s drinkers. Cheers
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfzxesxk_Yo
An old 10 second one liner than takes 2 minutes to tell, re-tell and tell again. But worth a laugh.
What a mess Townsville has turned into.
Jenny and her band of puppets (has anyone seen or heard of the basketball champ since she was elected? Hello, are you out there or still shooting hoops?).
And then there’s Mooney’s son. What has he contributed for the money we pay him?
And what about our two so-called independents? What, if anyhting, have they done to expose the goings-on behind closed doors in council?
Our city has become a joke.
Sad, but true..
Yep, but that also means that we, the people who live here are a pathetic joke as well, and I don’t think anyone really cares anymore, they really don’t. I spent the last week down south and when you travel around a bit you realise just how much people in other places expect and assume life will get better, but in Townsville the years of failure have killed expectations of anything better, people just exist and hope things don’t get any worse, the place is fucked.
That is the danger of ‘acceptance’, the down market cousin of ‘complacency’.
Ff, it would be interesting to know what you believe your own divisional councillor has ‘done’ and how you arrived at that conclusion. Does your councillor attend public meetings with constituents? Do you? Just because the local rag doesn’t report something doesn’t (for one minute) suggest that nothing is happening.
Absolutely correct but that last line would as well read ‘Just because the local rag doesn’t investigate something doesn’t (for one minute) suggest that nothing is happening.’
True, ‘Pie but the issue was about seemingly slack councillors not the obviously slack local rag. In my division the councillor, often accompanied by the mayor, regularly attends public meetings where they are grilled on every subject imaginable. They also receive plenty of correspondence from people with all sorts of axes to grind, bitches to report and projects to be funded/approved/rejected etc. I can’t complain about the councillor’s engagement with the electorate but none of it is ever reported in the media – you have to be present to have a clue. Apart from yourself, ‘Pie, I’m not aware of any reader of the Nest who has ever attended a TCC Council meeting so it’s not surprising that no one seems to have the slightest clue about what councillors actually do. How can they change this? Councillors love opportunities to meet with constituents but probably find it quite difficult to get constituents to come to the places where they can meet – which is not entirely their fault. You can’t make people participate.
Are you telling us the mayor goes to public meetings to be ‘grilled’? An unlikely occurrence, even after she makes her hallmark ‘fashionably late’ entrance. But send in some pics and The ‘Pie will eat his words.
And one suspects there will be a few readers who may challenge your assertion about council meetings.
When you say “public meetings” do you really mean “ALP Branch meetings”?
(Edited)
That is the biggest load of horseshit I’ve ever read. You have definitely outed yourself as a current or ex Councillor, a relative a or very close friend of a Councillor. Only someone up their ass or with a vested interested in Councillor matters would own that shit. Don’t slam the door on your way out.
Prince, you will see that while the essence of nyour comment remains – and they all your words, none inserted – the rest was pointless and needlessly and personally strident.
To all commenters, make an old man happy (like L.J Hooker on TV) and employ a bit of wit and humour – one guesses wisdom would mostly be too much of a stretch – even in serious subjects.
Thank you.
Pie, my comment was aimed at NMD. Cheers
Phew!!!
Gees, Rollmop, why the ignorant outburst? At the last public suburban meeting with the local councillor that I attended (earlier this year) there were about 50 local people. The councillor gave an update on a couple of local street upgrade and stormwater projects (there was a TCC engineer on hand), had a crack at several questions asked and hung around for a while afterwards to continue the discussions. This is standard fare in my division. Does your councillor attend public meetings or are you so well informed that you don’t have a clue?
Hey, Barely (an Engineer), you say you work in the shop so why not ask your divisional councillor where their next public meeting will be? Or are you too important to be seen at a public meeting? Long ago, when I gave a fuck, ALP branch meetings were not open to the public.
In my division, we don’t hear from the councillor until the next election rolls around. If he’s organising public meetings, the public are being kept in the dark about them.
Oh you have cut me to the core Mr Needs More Dredging. I’ll pack up and go home taking what looks suspiciously like an Honours degree in Engineering with me.
As you claim expert knowledge of “the shop” you’d obviously know that there is supposed to be a separation between staff and executive. Unless you are an ALP toady then all doors are open and all bets are off.
Engineer, oo ah, touched a sensitive nerve did it? Well your suggestion that I might be attending ALP meetings cuts me deeper. But don’t let the separation of powers keep you from meeting your divisional councillor – if you are in the slightest bit interested.
NQ Gal, the public meetings I attend are not organised by the councillor. They are organised by ratepayer, sports club, P&C or other community groups who simply invite the local member or councillor to attend. Most politicians are only too happy to turn up although from what I’ve heard on the grapevine the Townsville Residents and Ratepayers Association may have difficulty in that regard. Not connected to any community group? Well, only you can do something about that.
The is apropos of nothing, but I feel the need to mention the fate of the TOWNSVILLE MUSEUM Inc. This Organisation and what it offers is of great (and necessary) value to Townsville City and yet the Council seems happy to almost ignore it and its needs. It is of extremely great importance to the City by preserving Townsville’s history with artefacts, books, documents and photos and each year they provide tutorial service for high school students who are doing history as a subject. Their collections are extensive but unfortunately unless the Museum relocates to bigger premises, these stored artefacts will never be seen.
They are extremely poorly funded by Council with little chance of that improving. They also need new premises – just as badly – and that also is proving a massive stumbling block. One would love to see our history tastefully and impressively displayed (not that it isn’t presently under trying circumstances), but a little help from the “parents” (TCC) would go a long way. So much is stored because there’s no room for anything more and this in itself costs a “motza” because rooms have to be air-conditioned to just the right temperature to preserve historic items, and those units are running 24/7/365!
Did you know that (1) Townsville is the ONLY city/town in Australia that does not actually own a museum? And (2), in most other towns/cities such as Cairns, Museums are managed by the Council with paid staff and the Historical Society members just work there as volunteers and that is the best outcome for any Museum. Oh, that we could claim NOT to be part of the first statement, but definitely part of the second.
Our Heritage is just sooooooo important because after all, IT IS WHAT WE ARE!
The Cairns Museum is managed and operated by the Cairns Historical Society Inc with operational support from the Cairns Regional Council and other sponsors. See website link below.
What you haven’t said is the the Townsville Museum does receive operational funding from TCC and has a peppercorn lease on the building that it occupies and most maintenance is carried out by TCC.
The Townsville Museum needs to take a look at how the Cairns Museum operates and take some learnings from the Cairns Museum business model and apply to Townsville Museum. Places such as the Townsville Museum need to become more of a self funded organisation that is not continually reliant on TCC funding.
https://www.cairnsmuseum.org.au/
Your point is valid … up to a point. The location is a crucial factor. Any rail yards site is not practical from an overall point of view, but you know where is? Enterprise House on the Strand … a location like that, seen by tourists, day trippers, and those staying at the ‘Ville – plus easily accessible for school groups, would go a long way to making the Museum self-funded.
The Townsville Museum has “taken a look” at how Cairns Museum operates to the extent that a couple of Historical Society officers went up there for that exact purpose. Their findings were basically ignored by Council.
And I did say they received funding from Council: “They are extremely poorly funded by Council”. And just as well they have a peppercorn lease because they could afford naught else. And regarding maintenance, I know that vollies do a lot of the maintenance where they can because Council assistance is not the easiest to come by.
Also, Mr./Ms. Critical, how does the Museum become “more self-funded”? All suggestions gratefully received. They need big money, not chook raffle stuff!
Doxie, Now here is a chance for Therese Smith to hand over the Criterion to be restored and turn it into a museum. I’m sure the state and feds could cough up some funds to assist.
That’s a bloody good idea. But there will be a couple of hurdles to overcome. Some carnival of experts has decreed that it’s not genuine heritage material, while the heritage acadils and boofademics disagree, so stand by for a gabfest of egos. But being almost adjacent to the genuine heritage worthy Queens Hotel, this could become a major visiting strip AND could help the Musum becomne more self-supporting on a day to day basis..
The ‘Pie is aware that the very straight talking Ms Smith reads this column (not sure about comments) and The Magpie would be delighted to print any reply she cares to offer.
How about it, Therese?
Heritage has nothing to do with condition of a structure, but more to do with its significance historically architecturally socially.
That is exactly what is question about the Cri, from the developers side. he ‘Pie hasn’t evidence one way or the other. Anybody?
A point worth remembering is that the Criterion Hotel was Heritage Listed so it met the criteria as a Heritage Building.
gawd, don’t inflict a heritage listed building on the Townsville Museum. They won’t be able to put a screw in a wall without a ream of approvals and ongoing maintenance would be a nightmare.
Hmmm, actually, you have a point there. The ‘Pie well remembers the costly and unfair delays the Pooterish Heritage people caused the re-development of the old TGH into swisho apartments in North Ward over windows for the refurbishment … they had to be double glazed because of the noise from busy Eyre Street but no said Mr Pooter, that was the original design. Eventually, something was resolved, no idea what but that’s the unreasonable drag anchor of pettiness that the Heritage mob can be.
But if it turns out that there are no heritage restrictions, then the outer shell could be retained for historical reference with the inside suitably re-done – even perhaps extending along the vacant block next door.
But The Magpie has always been good at spending other people’s money … just ask Barry Taylor.
Wonderful idea, Alahazbin. I know Therese well. Will speak with her.
Therese will have The Magpie’s support if she likes the idea.
The ‘Pie knows that she has had advice that the heritage standing of the Cri is in question, but the developments that are most discussed, photographed and are in line to be an icon within 50 years are those that include usual features that break away from the bland sleekness of much second rate modern architecture.
Well Pie, Lilac House in Wickham St between the Queens and Tattersels is heritage listed. Go figure.
Actually, a mate bused to live there and The ‘Pie can see the value in that building. As for the Cri, haven’t seen anything personally to suggest that it should not be preserved, but the devlopers apparently have other advice.
The Cri is certainly well worth restoring and repurposing,although it would make a fantastic micro brewery the location is perfect . Would be a great project for someone like the owner of the Ville ,someone with vision . Don’t knock down this old icon . Save the Cri
The Cri was never on any official heritage list other than a building of interest by some tosser in the TCC some years ago, fires, damage and general work on the building over many years eroded any value at all. It is a festering shithole and should be bulldozed, even a vacant block of land would be more appealing.
C but happy
It would have been on the local register then . I don’t agree with your take on The Criterion. I have seen far worse than that . If we all thought like that we wouldn’t have to many old buildings left .
Just checked the plot at the Belgian Gardens Cemetery. Worth a visit friends as more than a few diversions and quite overgrown. The Cemetery Trust / Council are installing power and water big time, centre of the asphalt ring road. By the enormous effort being made and size of that pipe, residents and visitors will be well provided for. Is it for deep cleaning of those flower vases and power for street lights for getting around at late night visitations or to assist in avoiding ghosts? Maybe a recharge point for those battery cars while standing around on that big day? A quote from Dave Allen, ‘In the name of the Father, the Son, and, into the Hole he goes’. One thing for sure, plots will now be a hell of lot more expensive.
Haven’t heard any of the residents complain.
Ever notice how all the cemetery residents are straight parked? I reckon if they angle parked we could fit more in.
Touché!!
I am with Ms Hill. Why listen to Scummos announcements. He is the worlds greatest announcer. He knows how to make an announcement but not to actually do what he announces. All window dressing for an early election. I think that there may be some more news coming on Sex Scandals in Parliament coming this week too. Word is that a Minister or two may be left with egg on their face by a whistleblower. It may end up being too hot for an early poll.
Sure that’ll be egg on their faces?
LD – seriously, Bro. You need help.
You are with Ms Hill? I thought you were Ms Hill, scary to now know there are two people in the world that ignorant.
I hope everyone has opened (and absorbed) the links highlighted in ‘Chinese as serious as a prison fight’. So much of the content likewise applies to Oz. Well done ‘Pie. The best read of the week. Thanks for your contribution to reality.
Looks like the Mayor’s favorite battery factory is finally fucked as high-profile executive director James Dack’s departure is the latest in an exodus of senior appointments from Magnis Energy Technologies.
With all the money Magnis’ has going to projects into New York and zero into Lansdown we wait for the Mayor to spin her way out of this one.
Just another dud the Mullet has backed, will she ever learn. Probably not.
Now that is what The ‘Pie calls spooky timing, Battered (Sav or Barramundi?). The ‘Pie was in the process of publishing the following on the very same subject, and yes, it looks like Jenny has left the stable door open and the unicorn has galloped off – to Newcastle, NSW, after some heavy lobbying by the NSW Govt over the past year.
That’s the reliable word floating into the Nest this morning, and a couple of small but significant pointers recently back this up. First there was a three page paid spread by a semi-government crowd spruiking renewable energy in the Bulletin two or three weeks ago, talking up Townsville’s credentials … the battery factory got a three or four word mention, while the other Lansdown tenant, Pacific Metals, got a third of a page and pic. Then there’s the ABSOLUTE silence of Mayor Mullet on this subject for some time now – not long ago, it was a couple of mentions a week. So Jenny, how about some of your famous transparency and tell us not only if it is true that the battery backers are heading south but more importantly, how long have you known there would be no battery factory? Like, did you know of its loss (if it ever really was coming) on those occasions you were demanding federal money for the Lansdown precinct, and famously threatening to ‘cut’ anyone who stood in your way? That would make you a … ummm … let me just get my thesaurus … sorry just too many words to choose from. If it turns out you lied, guess who the Feds are going to ‘cut’?
The final thing is this, this morning’s stock exchange chart on Magnis shares.
That spike in April could have been caused by two things – the announcement of Newcastle was leaked to a few insiders who pumped in a few speculative bucks … but no, otherwise why would the price have slumped straight back down from the high 0.423 cents on April 17 back to a dismal .035 cents today. No, The ‘Pie’s bet is that the spike was due to the unannounced but planned departure of James Dacks, pumping up the price with an injection, to allow Dacks to cash in before he packed his bags. This has been the scenario just before two other directors left.
Why the mayor thought it a good idea to do business with a blue sky company like this is unknown, but what is known is that it is looking more and more like an irresponsible, failed political stunt by this destructive mayor whose self interest trumps all else. Peddling false hopes of jobs in exchange for votes. You are a piece of work, madam … a shoddy one at that.
This morning we had Mr Stewart telling us he supports the development at the proposed Hive site, is Mr Stewart in the same government that has a certain dr Miles as deputy premier who did not turn up to a crucial meeting to discuss this very project that will see some of the $195m of Federal money spent, who on his F/B site is walking around with a metal detector looking for the said $195m while at the same time telling us that $50m has to be poured into the unicorn battery factory. Mr Stewart and the other 2 imposters should immediately resign.
Would love to know what Little Boy Called Smiley knows about the battery factory apparently moving to Newcastle. And if he knows not of that, then perhaps he could use that metal detector to find the $195M his boss so grandly rejected from Feds but promised to fund the second pipeline.
Talking of “clues” Dredger, how would you know who attends every council meeting?
Are you a councilor in disguise?
Methinks you have dug yourself a hole.
Ff, I made no claim to knowing who attends council meetings. I had a guess based on the observation that in the few years, on and off, that I have been reading the Nest not a single person has made a remark about something THEY PERSONALLY observed at a council meeting. On top of that I can’t recall anyone remarking about something said by any councillor at a public meeting out in the ‘burbs – which they directly observed rather than reading about it. It’s no big deal. If people don’t want to engage with their local member – council, state or federal – that’s not my problem. But if you want to know about what’s going on in your division you won’t find out from the media. You have to front up in person and find out for yourself.
Seems like NMD has dug “himself/herself” the deepest hole yet!! Will NMD ‘disappear’ the same way ‘Not The ECQ’ disappeared? Perhaps there will be a ramp up in comments from Elusive Butterfly and Last Drinks? The writing and contents of its posts are amazingly similar.
I am not a Butterfly, I am a human being. Anyway NMH, we are not gullible to believe the crap that comes out of Scummos mouth. The 195 Million is just an announcement. Nothing will ever come to us. Thompson has not got the good sense to see that his leader is playing him.
Now now Lost Drunk, don’t be like that. Yet again you follow the same pathway and make another anti-Liberal comment which shows your love for ‘all things Labor’. Jenny Hill obviously has you on speed dial or chain Ed to the leg of her desk on a short leash.
Woof woof
I shook hands with Jenny once but don’t know her. Not a Labor party member. Do Voter Labor mostly. By your reason, anyone who likes Scummo is a Liberal stooge. Dont think thats right either. Scummo is a pathological liar. Makes announcements but doesn’t do anything. His Vaccine roll out is a farce. He has been dragged kicking and screaming to closed borders when he saw it may win an election. Remember when he backed Clive Palmer in a law suit against WA to make them open up their borders. He still hasn’t come good with his Bushfire money for NSW.
Scotty from Marketing.
FF, You do realise we are talking NMD.2 here. Charlie on the island got a bit arthritis and can’t type any more.
I remember the TEL breakfast recently where the Managing Director of Magnis appeared by video link, couldn’t remember basic facts about the Townsville project. It was deadset amateur hour and just plain embarrassing.
Meanwhile at the same breakfast the CEO of Qld Pacific Metals presented – well spoken, knew his stuff and comes from a “transparent”, reputable background with a history in metal refining.
Wonder why the Mayor isn’t supporting a resources company that can bring real jobs to Townsville.
Well, we have to be fair even if she doesn’t usually deserve it … mayor Mullet does support Pacific Metals wholeheartedly …. how could she do otherwise? perhaps she doesn’t talk about them all that much because she had bugger all to do with them coming here. And their presence in Lansdown is far from certain, because the whole project has quite a few question marks hanging over vit. If one were to offer any advice to Pacific Metals, it would to make immediate inquiries about the State Government’s SDA area right next to the Port. cannot see how the economics of the two sites compare.
FF, Don’t they stream council meeting now? NMD is probably sitting in a dark room ready to hit the keyboard with his sticky fingers.
Alahazbin, you don’t know for sure if council meetings are ‘streamed’ or not. You have never tried to find out. You haven’t got a clue.
Messageblank Walker was on Seven News this afternoon commenting on the use of trackers on serial kiddy criminals.
“We will be watching,” our memory challenged State member said.
No surprise there – that’s all he and his two fellow drones ever do, watch.
… why? He won’t be able to remember whatever he sees.
Mal, this might be a bit long for your blog. An obituary printed in the London Times. Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend Common Sense who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be rembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as. Knowing when to come in and out of the rain. Why the early bird gets the worm.life isn’t always fair and maybe it was my fault. Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies ( don’t spend more than you earn ) and reliable strategies ( adults not children are in charge. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but over bearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a class mate, teens suspended for using mouth wash after lunch and a school teacher fired for reprimand an unruly student, it only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teacher’s for doing their job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their under unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Churches became business and criminals received better treatment than victim’s. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little bit in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his Wife Discretion, by his Daughter, Responsibility, by his Son Reason. He is survived by his 5 step children, I Know My Rights, I Want it Now, Someone Else to Blame, I a Victim, Pay Me for Doing Nothing. Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone, if you still remember him, pass this on if not join the majority and do nothing. Sad but true, Take Care, Ralph.
Thanks, Ralph. Actually used this a while back – or an edited version, yes, a bit long, but hey what the hell.
The coffee thing is an urban myth – the woman suffered third degree burns from coffee served significantly closer to boiling point than usual as a matter of company policy.
In the face of all that is contained in that comment, THAT is all you’ve got, Steve? Really? That’s all?
I mean, it’s all bullshit for simpletons, starting with “published in the London Times”, but the coffee thing is particularly egregious.
Good to see you read College Humour, too, Steve. It was a very interesting article.
Maybe things are changing in the USA.
Common Sense wins as US Supreme Court backs carbon based Energy Companies in Climate Case.
https://thefederalistpapers.org/us/common-sense-wins-supreme-court-backs-energy-companies-baltimore-climate-case
Townsville Magpie – a new meaning for HIA.
A rare comment on Rugby League:
Whoever devised this ‘get tough’ issue that ruined a what was meant to be sport’s showcase weekend should be sent to the board room for an HIA injury (HIA being Head In Arse).
Given this massive nanny state over-reaction requiring refs to crack down with send-offs for the only penalty-worthy infringements, what happens when in the first 20 mins, one side has say four send-offs. How many fans left by the end of the ‘game’ and how will Vlandy feel about overseeing a sport that boasts scorelines of 120-nil. Now tell me why this couldn’t happen?
Every single penalty, sin bin and send off justified over that weekend of football. Didn’t ruin the spectacle if you go to watch quality football rather than watching players getting their heads smashed in. I want to continue to see the best players have long careers. Vlandy made a statement that can’t be ignored. His timing was perfect.
The great Jack Gibson once said ‘you don’t hold a committee meeting out there’, and that goes double for the pace and athleticism of the modern NRL.
No argument with the penalties or the sin bin – the sending off is the problem. The word given to the refs was ‘get tough on anything about the head and don’t take into account unintentional or accidental’. Clearly thuggish, deliberate head-high action certainly deserves an early shower, but several of the send-offs on the weekend didn’t merit such immediate action. Not by a long chalk. And let’s not forget modern players aren’t ‘muddied oafs’ anymore (well, most), they are smart blokes coached to be smarter, including the skill of ‘milking’ – oh, yes, that is coached. If many of the offenders had stayed on the field – even after sin binning- and then given a suitably increased sideline holiday by the tribunal, that would not only serve justice, but protect the paying public from a sub-standard match. How you can describe 11 men against 13 ‘quality football’? Sounds like you’re more interested in ‘quality netball’.
This argument, for and against, could be enhanced if anyone out there has a count on how many Captain’s Challenges have been successful since the idea was introduced.
‘Pie, found this online today:
“Early data [8 April 2021] from the 2021 season suggests clubs are becoming more judicious with their captains’ challenges. In the first season of the new initiative [2020], there were 262 challenges in the reduced 169-game season, with just 109 successful for a 41.6 per cent success rate.”
Interesting, thanks for that. That in essence says that ref’s made the wrong call 41.6% of the time. So in the interests of fairness, it is a worthwhile mechanism, which, because of large on-ground screens, doesn’t slow down the fans engagement in the game and even adds to the experience.
But let’s not ref bash – to repeat the great Jack Gibson’s dictum – ‘you don’t hold a committee meeting out there’ – and the basis of that sentiment of fast decision making goes for referees as well.
If players and their coaches are as smart as you imply (and I disagree with you on this aspect as most are young boofheads with yet to be fully formed brains that target the rare smart and creative ones fans go to see), they will fix their tackling technique within a game or 2 or they will lose their careers, and I include coaches in this comment. We’ve been seeing blowout scores all season before the crackdown last weekend.
Headshots have to stop and it’s about bloody time that the nrl walked the talk.
Well NMD has had its head up the Mayor and Councillors asses for years, so it must work!
Bazza Taylor vs Magpie needs its own YouTube video like Lillee vs Miandad (can you believe my shameless and utterly un-Australian ‘spell check’ doesn’t recognise Lillee or Miandad?). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxLX0vzoUUc
Now here’s a little marketing test for you old codgers and codgerettes out there … but make sure you’ve glasses on.
Look closely at the below ads from a news site – it is reproduced exactly as it was on the site, one above the other.
QUESTION: Products are identical in function, so who is the right company to buy from?
Send in your answers to be in the running for a Magpie special t-shirt which, depending on the answer, says either ‘I may be old but I’m not a fucking idiot’, or conversely ‘I am old, and I’m a fucking idiot.’
Do you have a shirt that says “I’m not all that*old, and not always a fucking idiot. Just sometimes”?
Only for very fat people who can provide the necessary printing space.
Sorry, sorry – not fat – just easier to see.
The first one coz it goes on your wrist, which is why its a tenner more expensive. The other one has to held and pointed at.
Love this weeks thread. Particularly enjoy watching the Labor loving footstool of the Councillors, NMD, squirm while under attack. Ha! You silly old twat. Nobody knows that much about Council departments, Councillor gab fests and all the other shite that involves Jenny and her team of lackeys, unless they are very close to that group. Give it up NMD, you are a moron.
“Watching” eh? Not doing, not searching, just watching. There’s none so blind . .
Oh dear me NMD, I believe you have had a nerve hurt. Poor diddums. I am enjoying ‘watching’ this thread, however I am always ‘doing’ something in our local community, for the community. You can’t call that into question because you have No F#@king Idea (NFI might be your new user name?) who I am and what I do locally. And my interpretation of ‘doing’ does not include engaging in favours, dodgy deals, collecting brown paper bags from elected representatives and cleaning Councillors cars for free on weekends.
The Magpie is MOST interested in that last line. Got any details (on the detailers haw haw haw)?
Well, one does not need to look to far.
Names, matey, name!!! And a oic or two if possible including number plates for proof.
From Gung-Ho! To Huh-Oh
Talk about re-shoeing the unicorn!
The shape shifting proposed battery factory at the proposed Lansdown Eco Precinct looks further from realisation this morning, on two fronts.
According to the Bulletin story today, the project, initially touted as a multi-billion dollar project employing 2500 workers, has been scaled back to a never-before-mentioned importing and assembly project employing maybe 100 people.
And even that won’t be at the Lansdown precinct, according to Magnis technology chairman Frank Poullas, it will be at ‘one of Townsville’s existing industrial sites.’
This is a dramatic down-grading of this greatly ballyhooed project, which Jenny Hill used as one of her several vote-winning myths.
Not that you’d know this from the story in the Bulletin, which began and ended with the standard ‘rainbows out of your arse’ nearly-there tripe, and the major change was more a throwaway in the middle of the yarn. And even then, the language from the Sydney-based Poullas was less than convincing.
“Speaking on behalf of international venture Imperium3 Townsville who were driving the project, Magnis Energy Technology chairman Frank Poullas said they planned to establish a battery assembly plant at one of Townsville’s existing industrial sites.
Receiving batteries produced by their New York factory (which opens in nine months), the Townsville plant would employ 100 workers who would assemble the batteries with software into a battery pack before selling them throughout Australia.
“We’re looking at it being sort of like a two stage process, one getting into production with assembling these battery packs in Townsville, and then concurrently going developing our project in Lansdowne that will produce these lithium ion batteries down the track,” Dr Poullas said.
“We’re looking at how can we get into production as soon as possible and start creating jobs in Townsville as quick as possible.”
He said they were working closely with the Queensland Government, Townsville City Council and a number of private enterprises towards securing enough battery sales contracts
“We’ve got major interest from financiers, and we’ve had chats with the top four banks – there’s a lot of interest there,” he said.”
If ever anything sounded like hokum from a huckster being made up on the run when caught off-guard by a reporter’s call, this would be a text book example.
Vis ‘…being sort of like’ and ‘… down the track’ is language which would get a knuckle rap in high school English class (do they still have them?) And ‘major interest from financiers’ and ‘…chats with the top four banks – there’s a lot of interest there’. Putting aside the ironic unintended joke about banks and interest, it’s been what 3 or 4 years, this twaddle has been peddled around the business world, so we’re asked to believe in a different sort of ‘long term interest’.
And although the Astonisher is eager to paint him as some sort of industrial Caped Crusader saving Townsville, you can take it from The Magpie, Frank Poullas has exactly ZERO interest in creating jobs in Townsville, his only interest – and quite rightly – is the bottom line of his 30 cents a share company. Which right now seems to be some what lower than the bottom of Mariana Trench.
But full points to the Bulletin’s cheery outlook aimed at lifting our spirits. This is how they greeted the news that the 2500 promised manufacturing jobs had suddenly become 100 for assembly line workers of an imported product.
Poullas has also admitted that this great steaming load of insulting crap is a ‘build it and they will come’; leap of faith, because rather than secure customers BEFORE making such a racket about this racket, he is ONLY NOW seeking them.
And a final kicker – if it doesn’t come about, it will be our fault. Quote: He said they were working closely with the Queensland government, Townsville City Council and a number of private enterprises towards securing enough battery sales contracts.’ Enough to justify your boast of a $2 billion project?
So if TCC, the Qld Government and local businesses don’t pony up for take-off contracts, the whole thing folds and we will be to blame. This interpretation is confirmed by the pathetic little free ad kicker at the end from the Bulletin article.
To quote the great Marina Hyde, ‘Can you ducking believe these aunts?’
It’s hard to fathom the level of gullible fuckheads in this town that lap this shit up, there must be some sort of syndrome that is in play in Townsville, that makes people so ignorant and wanting of something positive in their dismal worthless lives that they actually believe the endless streams of shit that this council and newspaper put out.
Perhaps it is something in the water … we’re good at that around here.
Cantankerous, you’re probably right about the syndrome and it’s at least 50 years old. When Joh and Thiess and those American industrial construction shysters foisted the Yabulu nickel plant on us and we stayed sucked in to this very day – that must have been a sickness. Unfortunately, none of us appears to be immune.
A tiny bit of research shows:
The New York “factory” is some leased space at a commercial tech park: https://www.magnis.com.au/batteries-gigafactories/new-york-usa
Magnis is a Birmingham University startup with no real backing: https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/796/binghamton-university-start-up-moves-to-huron-campus
The 1.6 megga-multi-hoosie-watts of production is a hoped for annual output based on some second hand gear they just bought from another failed company: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/MNS/02370536.pdf
If only the Bullsheet has access to the internet!
Or allowed the one or two journalists capable of real investigative reporting the time to put things together.
And this is where future political aspirants or contenders for future local elections need to immerse themselves – deep within the failures, broken promises, weasel worded proposals or outright bullshit and lies of current elected representatives. Start a bloody running sheet and pull the thing out during the next election campaign. Show these grubby lying political pretenders up for being who they truly are – deceitful, incompetent con artists. I mean, seriously, your election campaign for the next election is being written every time Mayor Shill breaks a promise or gets outed for churning out a load of verbal manure so she can be re-elected. The ‘battery from hell saga’ not only shows up the Mayor for being a halfwit but it damages the reputation of our town and our ability to attract LEGITIMATE business to our region. We, as a community, already have plenty of ticks in the boxes with some really clever local people and businesses, plus we have an environment that is ideal for investment. But the lack of capable elected leadership is stalling things for the entire lot of us and this is no longer acceptable.
Your accurate plea falls at the first hurdle, Moping One … the real problem now is not the myriad problems that exist … it is the problem of getting competent honest people to stand as candidates. There are a number of people around the place who have those qualifications, but all, it appears, have a fatal flaw … they all have successful(ish) local businesses which might be put at risk if they went hands-off-arms-length as Belcarra would require; they’ve been drinking the Kool Aid for so long, they have grown a taste for a mediocre business climate, where good home grown ideas quickly disappear south, because here is no effort to get them to stay.
Pie, that is a spot-on assessment of the so-called movers and shakers in this city – with only a couple of exceptions that would not get votes anyway. Privately, to a man (and they are all men), they hate the Mayor. But the gutless pricks keep their mouths shut and hands firmly clamped in their deep, TCC fed pockets hiding behind Balcara as their excuse as to why they can’t help credible candidates.
Having spent so long in the tent (mainly skulking in dark corners) the other issue is the vindictive venom Mayor Shill (I like that name) would direct at anyone who dared oppose her. If people did not win they would be hard placed to earn a living in the town. Remember Jane Arlett – where is she now beyond being some sort of small time “business mentor” whatever that is.
Jane was/is a very good business woman, and she sold her Tootsie Footsie or whatever her podiatry business was called, one would imagine she made a tidy sum. One can also imagine that seeing all the political backbiting from every direction – and the redneck homophobic element in this town – she’s probably very happy about how things have turned out.
The 100 jobs at the assembly plant would be in addition to the 2000 promised for the battery factory. Apparently the “ad” worked with “major players” making contact about the project. You can all try and talk it down but a project that could hire four times the number of workers that were laid off by QNI is hardly deserving of this scorn.
Making the fairly safe assumption that that is Leighton Smith, one of the battery-hen reporters at the Astonisher, and author of the quoted article, allow The Magpie to address your points directly.
Don’t know why you put ad in inverts, it was exactly that, an ad for a company seeking to monetise a promise. And nothing wrong with that per se. But how to you know ‘major players’ made contact about the project? Poullas tell you, anybody sign up as required? Oh, well, then, sorry, can’t doubt a totally unbiased and independent chap like that can we? Us reporters, you know, we gotta believe someone sometime (but Jenny always).
And it may just be your take on language analysis, but The ‘Pie is not ‘talking down’ a project that ‘could’ hire all those workers, he would love to see such a positive development come to Townsville, which it apparently has been for the past several years – he is talking down the hidden agendas of grifters and self-centred politicians seeking a benefit for themselves out of flimsy, unsubstantiated and very-light-on-detail projects. that on all available evidence have fuck-all chance of happening, although the bullshit will increase around election time. That’s kinda what reporters do … or are supposed to, but your journalistic curiosity apparently has short boundaries, seems you get to a point where you just say ‘Ah, fukkit, that’s good enough for a story’. For instance, you allowed Jenny Hill to give her stock standard booster-waffle that said precisely nothing new and nothing about this sudden new development. Why didn’t you ask for any specifics which may be of interests to your readers, where was the assembly plant likely to be – Webb’s Bohle precinct or perhaps even the SDA near the Port – like what would the jobs actually entail, what skills will be sought for the 100 lucky ones, what is the council doing to facilitate this new venture? Even if, as is almost certain, Jenny declined to go into specifics, that worth a line ‘The Mayor declined to go into specifics.’
You must get some points for digging up the fact of the now ‘two stage development’ but you clearly didn’t know the story you had got. Leighton, if you were a miner, you’d throw away the gold and keep the rocks.
Here’s a bit of uninvited advice, Leighton, which you might like to share with your battery hen colleagues. The sage words were from Fleet Street chief of staff: ‘DOUBT EVERYTHING YOU HEAR OR READ – THEN GO OUT AND TRY TO PROVE YOURSELF WRONG.’
If only.
If we pull apart the construction of a factory and consider how many jobs (even if we individually count every warm body that goes on site – including the pie-cart lady) we could end up with something like
20 civil works guys
10 plumbers
10 sparkies/fridgies
10 concreters / tilt up crew
20 steel fixers / roofers
50 varied council types wandering in
50 consultants
50 random people who got lost
we still come up with about 10% of the magic 2000.
Go back and look at the Total Tools Stadium – as a bloated government job and one significantly larger than a glorified shed with prefab machinery – the Minister of the day could only rustle up about 1500 souls who had been on site at least once. I’m happy to have helped with that number, having had a wander round twice.
Lies, damned lies, statistics, and worse still job creation estimates.
Leighton, you have a severe case of Mullet Syndrome, your brain has gone soggy mate. In all this time of putting together this story together did you not ask yourself where the fuck would you find 2000 people willing to come and work in Townsville, we would have Buckley’s chance of finding people with the skills required who would want to live in this place, absolutely no chance. This is where the underserving scorn you refer to comes from, the complete ignorance of commercial realities, that without some sort of substantial, long term government subsidy, no one with half a brain and any sort of credibility would be looking to invest this sort of money in Townsville. All these people are doing is trolling for an ignorant gullible sucker to con into investing in their dreams and schemes, and up pops Jenny Hill, the most ignorant gullible sucker of them all, wake up and smell the coffee mate.
Let’s not forget the astounding government first with Magnis, to whom Anna gave 3 or 4 million for a feasibility study FFS … a fucking feasibility study? NO ONE in the private corporate area gets government money to find out if they want to do something in the market – except in Queensland. And these blue sky buggers are probably still hanging around because Jenny Hill ‘gifted’ them ratepayer owned land at Lansdown as a carrot. Be interesting to see if Magnis is just waiting for two or three tenants to take up Lansdown leases, and then try and flog the land either back to the council or on the market generally. Normally, a deal like that would have various caveats on it which would prevent that sort of rort, but hey, who knows, there may be an unrecorded deal where they can do this for all the help the company has given in the local elections. Welcome to Jenny Hill’s Townsville.
“NO ONE in the private corporate area gets government money to find out if they want to do something in the market . . ”
Hang about, ‘Pie. Last year the Morrison government handed someone near Collinsville $3 million for a feasibility study for a new coal-fired power station. A complete bullshit proposal to keep Matt Canavan and Nats on side.
Then, a couple of days ago two power stations down south were handed $2 billion (yes, billion, by Morrison) over a few years to keep going when they get old.
And right here in Townsville there was a concerted push a year or two ago to get government money to extend the manufacturing capacity of either plastic or steel pipeline makers for the Haughton duplication. Common as mud I reckon.
One out of three ain’t bad, and The ‘Pie takes your point but the last two don’t count, those matters are not feasibility studies, which is what the comment referred too.
‘Pie, I’m pretty sure that the pipeline industry did the feasibility studies and built the costs into their final price for delivery from Adelaide – paid for by the QG.
Then you take The ‘Pie’s point – highly unusual for upfront money for feasibility studies, which is very different to claiming the cost back in the final deal.
And as always, NMDipshit pops its head up like an unwanted haemorrhoid and tries to deflect attention from the bright spotlight being shone on Mayor Shill and her team of shysters by dumping on the LNParasites. NMD, there is no barrier known to man that could prevent you from smooching ALP ass. How anyone with the brain of a crazy ant could even remotely believe that this Council isn’t up to its eyeballs in cow dung is beyond comprehension. Every day brings a new event that paints our regional elected members the colour brown. As for me, I am totally unbiased as I think all the political parties are crap.
What day is it today? I’ve been so busy that I haven’t noticed if Prince Ralston is about town today. Has he flown in yet, for his couple of days work? What about his new buddy from Emerald Council, Mr Mason, I am eager to find out whether he too will be a FIFO executive!
Mr Magpie, I made a concerted effort not to use the ‘F’ word, just for you.
Thank you for your consideration, ducking big of you. But a question: ‘unwanted haemorrhoid?’ You mean some are loved, cherished and wanted?
Nice work Mr Magpie, once again your blog has shined a light on the BS that floods this town and caused the spin merchants to go in to overdrive, recruiting the Mayor and the paper to cover arses.
What a pity Mr Pullus hasn’t told the ASX of his plans to build only part of the battery work in Townsville, with the rest in New York. I think the ASX expects to hear things first, not read it in a dodgy regional rag.
Oh and good to see the paper fucked up Frank’s email address, I am pretty sure it’s Magnis. Well done Bulletin Fucktards keep up the shitty work.
MEMO LEIGHTON SMITH
TOWNSVILLE DAILY ASTONISHER
Astonished is the word, Leighton, mate. You say that apparently the “ad” worked with “major players” making contact about the project.
How did they manage to get in touch …. you fucked up the email address … it’s magnis.
You bin fibbin’, bro?
Mal, I’ve been reading all your posts for awhile now, as well as text to the editor and I’m now well and truly convinced that Steve from Belgian Gardens is a confirmed Patron of the Pull. Take Care. Ralph.
I’m not even sure what that’s supposed to mean?
Figures.
Let’s be honest
The only potential area of employment growth In Townsville is juvenile corrections and that potential is going to be crueled by a delusion state government and various community coat pullers
The Engineer said he likes the name “mayor shill”. I reckon “mayor shiv” could be alright also. Watch your back Phil, and many others. Especially our Magpie
Jenny loves The ‘Pie, always keen on a game of darts with him.
Given that Harpic was so involved in the discussions on euthanasia, let me be the first to nominate him for the first trial. We have to be sure it works properly.
What planet are these morons from?
Quote in The Oz re the mouse plague: not to kill the mice, arguing the rodents should not be denied their “right” to food because of the “dangerous notion of human supremacy”.
The comments came from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) during the height of the devastating mouse plague.
Wonder what PETA’s take would be on our kiddy crime wave … ‘They should not be jailed or punished, these kids should not be denied their right to other people’s property because of the dangerous notion of human ownership.’
PS Achilles … please stop insulting 8-year-olds … that is the intellectual and emotional age of people declared as morons.
I’m a member of PETA. People Eating Tasty Animals.
Hang on a minute Dredger.
They said it was a “pre-feasability” study.
I worked in the industry for many years and never, ever heard of a pre-feasibility study, only feasibility studies, which were always paid for by the company.
My take of this “pre” prefix is that it was done on the back of a serviette during a long lunch, paid for by we taxpayers.
A “pre-feasibility” study would also suggest that it was an intentionally informal document, so designed to ensure it never had to be produced.
Well, if the State Government and Jenny Hill have any respect at all for our taxes/rates, they should be demanding this :pre-feasibility” study be produced and made public.
After all, the public paid for it.
One legged tap dancer, very good pickup. In over 40 years working within areas that regularly undertake contracts, provide scope of works and do feasibility studies I too have never heard of a ‘pre-feasibility study’. I would be surprise if there is legitimately such a thing . And if I am wrong, well I am happy to learn something new. I think that wording is either a big grammatical screwup or it is an open admission of dodgy activities.
As The ‘Pie said some time ago when he first heard of this gift to Magnis, it was a feasibility study to see if a feasibility study was feasible. the ‘Pie is now seeking public funds to do a feasibility report on whether pre-feasibility reports are in fact feasible.
Not sure what OLTD and PR have been doing all their lives but prefeasibility studies are real and common occurrences.
That may be so, but some smarty out there deficit in language skills but great on important sounding spin (crikey, it wasn’t you, was it Steve?) invented this tautology.
Feasibility
Feasibility study, a preliminary study to determine a project’s viability
prefix
pre
before (in time, place, order, degree, or importance): preadolescent | precaution | precede.
In other words, pre-feasibility is a preliminary preliminary.
With this logic, it could go back ad infinitum, allowing any number of government hired consultants to buy new spinnakers for the yacht.
‘Pie, it’s called lots of things, more often than not a Scoping Study. Like others, I’ve never heard it called a pre-feasibility study except by Government. Its purpose is to see whether there are significant aspects that render the project likely not to succeed, the assumption being that if you are doing this you already think the project is a good idea.
Douchebag
noun
a name used describes a tosser from the suburb of Belgian gardens. Often applied to a man named Steve. (e.g. Steve from Belgian gardens is a complete wanker).
Sorry, Oltd, who is “they”?
Leading with your chin again Dredger?
Read this and weep:
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/study-to-speed-battery-plant/news-story/b5cbcdc2eaf63ceac3e5989a93cc2a16
KEY QUOTE:
“CONSTRUCTION of a $2 billion battery factory in Townsville could start within nine months, with members of the consortium behind the project signing off on a pre-feasibility study.”
Townsville Bulletin,
July 21, 2017
.
We’re now four long years down the track, so what happened, Leighton? A time line on the obstacles and delaying factors would be most welcome.
Oltd, I looked up Australian Mining (2013) and found that there seems to be some jargon in the mining industry that goes like this:
“The feasibility study process is critical in mineral exploration as it is the best opportunity the project owner will have to define what the project could, should and will be. In my previous post, we looked at the scoping phase of the feasibility process and how it is responsible for answering the question: “What could the project be?”.
The next phase of the process is known as the pre-feasibility study and addresses the question: “What should the project be?” This is arguably the most important study in the feasibility process for any organisation. I will explain why I hold this opinion, but let’s first define the practicalities of the pre-feasibility study.”
Got a link?
Ask Google about “Australian Mining pre-feasibility studies”.
Why? We’ve all already agreed the word – a bullshit word that goes against language logic … a ‘tautology’ – has been adopted by corporate and government spinners. No matter who uses it, it does not make sense in terms of English.
Why did I post a link to the Australian Mining article about pre-feasibility studies? Because you specifically asked for it. Have a nice day.
For context: ‘Why’ do they use it?
I guess the whole process starts off with a rush of blood to the head . . . . . of some entrepreneur with some inside info and a couple of contacts. They piss in each others pockets and come up with a one-pager that lights up some politician’s dashboard who says – sketch me out a few more details (especially about what’s in it for me) and I’ll toss it around me mates – we’ll call it a pre-feasibility study because, if this thing ever gets up a bit we’ll have to do a real feasibility study to make public. Imagine how much pre- pre- pre- went into getting Australia to buy 12 French submarines. Someone, somewhere knew a couple of people and had a bright idea.
Deary me, little Leighton has much to learn and certainly hasn’t earned his spot in the big boys sandpit yet. What a knob jostler, writing such absolute dribble littered with incorrect information so amateurishly. Is Craig Warthog your personal mentor? Ey, c’mon mate you can tell us, we keep really good secrets around here, trust us. Leighton, do yourself a favour and take a job writing up the winning Bingo numbers at the Brothers Leagues Club (I know, writing the numbers on a whiteboard is a little old school, but so is growing pubic hair!) It is a job meant for you old son, it has your name (incorrectly) written all over it.
Could Leighton be Jens new simpleton?
Absolutely no leadership from Anna and her Labor government continuing to play politics with people’s lives, intentionally keeping vaccination numbers low.
The Premier and her useless Chief Health Officer admitted on the news last night they have not had the COVID Vaccine despite being eligible https://www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/smart-living/premier-cho-yet-to-receive-covid-vaccine/vp-AAKbG2l
Wonder if the Bully has asked our local pollies if they had their jab. Empty words calling for the Federal Government to support the tourism and agriculture sectors when the leaders aren’t leading.
Oh yes indeed, the two femme fatale fools allegedly hellbent on protecting Queensland’s borders from this raging out of control people killing virus….haven’t bothered to get vaccinated. What an abject embarrassment and a display of incompetence. Palasczuk won’t get rolled over this but the CMO should be sacked.
How these inbreds can call themselves ‘leaders’ in this instance is palpable. The so-called amazingly robust ‘must have’ answer to all our health concerns, the lauded vaccine, hasn’t even been taken by these two idiots. Absolutely lame and pathetic. And let’s not forget these muppets last year flying around QLD and electioneering prior to the election. Yeah, COVID is ever so dangerous isn’t it, unless you are a politician or bureaucrat it would seem.
What a fucking farce. Palletchook and Dr Jeanette Dung have admitted that they have not yet been COVID vaccinated and they provided some bullshit excuses!!! It goes to show that the ‘threat’ from this virus isn’t as bad as Government makes out, otherwise these two muppets would’ve been first in line to take the vaccine. Fucking unbelievable…
If the motive to not be vaccinated is a failed attempt to show brave, unselfish leadership, the ploy is a demonstrable dud. Wouldn’t it be far more important for the key decision makers to be protected from a virus that might sideline them mid-program, even kill them? We’re only talking a handful of people here, so the woke wowsers howls of ‘discrimination’ wouldn’t get much traction.
There is also the hope (sorry “potential”) for the jab to give them blood clots and kill them. We can only hope.
Just typical of these disgusting low life’s running Qld, what they would be worried about is they missed the Pfizer jab, so they would have to jump the Pfizer queue and look like the complete arseholes we know they are or take the Astra Cloteca one instead, I bet they jump the Pfizer queue, fucking hypocrites.
Just remember one thing, our esteemed premier with a small p, if I remember correctly had a photo shoot with her getting the jab, the cap was still on the pointy bit. She should just resign over this.
So Jenny Hill and Anna Alphabet donated $3 million of our taxes/rates to Magnis to enable them to find out what their project should be?????
Wow, there’s an opening for a bright young man.
You just have to think you might want to build a project, then ask Jenny and Anna for a few mill to explore just what it is you should build.
Then if you find out what it is you’re going to do, you go to the Fed Govt (NAIF) for a low interest loan to build it.
In the meantime you ask for expressions of interest from private investors to help fund it.
What a wonderful arrangement.
How do I get a pre-feasibility application form Jenny?
OLTD, you will need a pre- application form to pre apply for a pre-feasibility study grant, then once you find out what you should build then you can apply for the feasibility study grant in order to pre-qualify for the NAÏF loan.
But with all of these things you first need to pre-qualify with Jenny our pre-eminent stateswoman who has the power to pre-vent anything you want to do event without a pre-view document.
Ask Magnus.
That u should be an i, dam it.
You talkin’ about me, or u talking about you and I.
And that would be damn?
unless he is trying to hold back a large quantity of water
Has Mullet Head had the vaccine yet? What about the bar room brawler Messagewank?
Townsville’s “giggle rag” is at it again!
“UPDATE: Townsville police have lunched a homicide investigation after the death of a woman in Condon last night.”
