The council has ruled there will be no public consultation with the re-development application currently before council, although the developer is seeking to use a sizeable chunk of public land and part of the beach. And there have been ambiguous suggestions about the future of the beloved banyan trees. So while the project seems a welcome boost to the village’s flagging economy, some are wondering at what cost. Will private interests take over public foreshore land? And who decreed it was code assessable (no public input) and not impact assessable? The Magpie pokes around.
Troy Thompson’s spiteful petition to Parliament seeking the wholesale dismissal of the Townsville Council has been unceremoniously turfed out by the government. But it achieved its real purpose for the con man. And we have found exactly the word to describe his strategy.
The usual headline silliness of the punning Townsville Bulletin takes an unpleasant turn. And it also runs a disgraceful and legally dangerous story on the fatal Strand shooting last weekend.
And in the US, the Mobster President is looking more and more like a just-landed fish flopping about desperately on the deck of the trawler ‘Epstein’. Could Lolita Airlines be about to crash land on the presidency?
The Magpie’s Nest remains ever free, with no ads to ensure its independence, but it still costs money to put out. Any assistance you can offer to help support this independent voice for Townsville will be as much appreciated as it is needed, especially with new financial year demands rolling in. The link to donate is at the bottom of the blog.
How The Townsville Council Has Made A Feel-Good Story Into Another PR Nightmare.
The TCC has just advertised for a Communications Officer, and boy, they don’t half need an experienced, proactive professional as a conduit of council activity to the public and the media. But the pay on offer – around $85k – for someone ‘with at least three years (ffs) experience in a similar role’ suggests this is just a glorified PR gofer position. This job has been advertised just a couple of weeks after a previous ad closed for a senior communications officer carrying a salary of up to $100k. Did they find a suitable candidate and now want to provide an offsider to help out … or did they fail to attract suitable applicants and have decided to downgrade the position anyway? Either way, you won’t get anyone senior or well experienced for that kind of money.
So it likely won’t be someone who could have spotted the latest looming PR debacle, or someone with enough authority to warn of such an obvious pitfall, regarding what should’ve been a win-win exercise all round.
The council cock-up revolves around what is ostensibly a great story for the hitherto neglected plight of Picnic Bay on Maggie Island. It has been in economic decline ever since the ferry service stopped dropping off at the jetty some years ago, following storm damage and deemed too unsafe. The TCC shiny bums are now assessing a detailed development application for five-stage rejuvenation and total makeover of the waterfront pub to create a resort and commercial retail hub as well as a high-end upgrade of the existing boozarium. This and the state governments restoration work on the famous jetty (to re-open to the public mid-August) will undoubtedly breath new life into the struggling community’s battered economy.
But residents and businesses are justifiably angry that the council has deemed this massive project as ‘code assessable’ – that is judged solely on meeting required standards with no community consultation. Islanders are now asking why this was not seen to be ‘impact assessable’, which would have public information/dialogue sessions before the final assessment comes before elected councillors for consideration. Concerns have been raised over components of the development plan that are ambiguous, and residents fear there may be some hidden and possibly damaging aspects. There is no suggestion that anyone wants to oppose the overall project, but they do want to know why the project isn’t impact assessable, and who decided that it wasn’t. And have that decision reversed.
There are two main areas of of concern that unclear. The request for the pub to able to serve drinks and food to patrons seated on a large area of the public mall, the banyan tree park and a section of the beach adjacent to the jetty (indicated by the red dotted line in the illustration above). It is not clear just what this will involve, and if the developer/publican will have some sort of exclusive (and exclusionary) rights if permission is granted. Exclusion of the general public would be certain to meet with opposition. But if it is similar to shared-rights arrangement that several businesses enjoy along the Strand here on the Big Island enjoy, it would mprobably not raise any major comment.
The other matter is the grand old banyan trees themselves. Again, the submitted plans are somewhat ambiguous on this point, and residents fear that some if not all the historically established trees could be removed by an out-of-touch council. It is clear that such a move would meet with strong resistance by both the locals and mainland conservation organisations. The divisional councillor for the island is acting mayor Clr Ann-Maree Greaney, whom The ‘Pie is told, many islanders do not trust to represent their views or interests.
Some of the trees at the far end of the mall have already been removed without any discussion, as pointed out by one Nest contact.
Now, neither of these issues appear to be deal breakers for the overall development, and just why the council are treating the local rate-paying residents and businesses as sideline spectators rather involved participants is hard to understand. But several The ‘Pie has spoken to do not believe that Clr Greaney will speak up for them. Here is one email received on the subject, very succinct.
I am a resident of Magnetic Island following your blog this week about the proposed Picnic Bay Hotel
development. You said it is some time since you visited the island, so I went down to Picnic Bay this
morning and took some photos to aid the discussion.
This is the view from the proposed bar if all the vegetation currently in place is retained.
There is nothing alarmist in expressed concerns for the safety of the banyan figs. A couple of years ago a copse of these trees disappeared at the eastern end of the waterfront. This used to be a shady public access connecting the houses with the beach. This is what it looks like now.
Under the council’s Public Tree Management Guidelines in 2021, councillors had to be notified of the impending removal of significant trees, but this plan was updated in March this year, so this may no longer be the case . The current document
would appear to allow removal of any or all of these figs on the order of the operations manager, Matthew Richardson, after consultation with an arborist. To the Nest reader who suggested a protest: you would not have time to organise any protest. And the Division 3 Councillor, Anne Maree Greaney might well plead ignorance of any such assault on the Esplanade. And time is of the essence, because the TCC has informed the island paper that:
On Monday, 28 July 2025, tree maintenance will commence across Magnetic Island following a recent inspection by Council’s Principal Arborist. This work will involve the removal of obstructive branches and foliage to improve visibility and safety along road and pathway corridors.The project is expected to take four weeks, with work occurring between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
THAT STARTS TOMORROW.
Following the events of the past eighteen months, such as the Amaroo fiasco and the harbour spoil
debacle in Kelly St, senior Council officers and Cr Greaney must know they have a long way to go in
winning back the trust of the island community.
And The ‘Pie’s Final Word On This.
It is noted the planned development (read the full application here) is over five stages, so this is another matter that needs to amplified, simply to inform the community not to have unrealistic expectations. We around this neck off the woods are well versed in the flexible nature of ‘stages’ … think concert hall, think entertain/convention centre (Hill promised that as the second stage of the stadium) the various iterations of The Hive, the aquarium and that failed real estate development, Magnetic Views, at Pallarenda. No wonder the Picnic Bay venture has given some locals stage fright.
Another Loss Is Another Victory For TwoNames
So much for the least surprising news item of the week. But if the Astonisher saw this as some sort victory or vindication, shaming this con man, they would be dead wrong … but the Astonisher being wrong would be the second least surprising news of the week.
KAYFABE.
There is a wonderful word, born in the colourful but shady world of side show and wrestling promoters, which began life with a very specific meaning. That word is kayfabe and refers to the practice of maintaining the illusion that professional wrestling is a real contest, despite the fact that it is largely scripted and staged. Basically, that it is bullshit. It also takes in the fact that the fans know it is fake but also play along with the illusion. Kayfabe is thought to be a secret carney variation on pig latin involving a rearrangement of the letters for ‘be fake’, but as Merriams tells us, the term is now used in other contexts where maintaining an illusion of reality is important.
Enter Troy Thompson.
Our fake mayor knows there is zero chance of him ever returning to Walker Street in any capacity, but he also knows he must maintain the illusion of that impossibility. He promotes the persona of a ‘peoples’ champion’ and pulls stunts like the petition (and two others which will shortly meet the same fate at the first one) which will gain him both positive and negative publicity. And he doesn’t much care which, because the illusion is that he is fighting the good fight for ‘us’ , that we ‘done him wrong’ while in fact, he is kayfabing a presence he hopes will pressure the government to eventually pay off just to get rid of him. He also knows he will never go anywhere near a court room, even with the backing of bodies like the LGAQ, so the kayfabe must continue at all costs.
As an aside, came across an interesting old item a few days ago, a Facebook post he made during the election campaign. Publicly, Thompson has pretended that The Magpie and his readers don’t exist and are no bother to him. He and his fake commenters to this blog have also tried to cast doubt on the fact that the ‘Pie has proof that he personally tried to get someone to sabotage the blog during his election campaign.
Then this popped up again.
This was a couple of weeks before the election, and raises a question of you, Krusty … if the ‘Pie was of no account to you, why did you ask your lawyer to sue for defamation, and he told you to pull your head in? The ‘Pie doubts you even had a lawyer – no solicitor would describe a ‘concerns notice’ as a ‘defamation of character’ letter. What are you, eight? This is all about the same time he tried to recruit a hacker, saying ‘he (The Magpie’) is really hurting my campaign’. Not enough unfortunately. And for the record, The ‘Pie never received any warning letter or email from any lawyer and never has regarding this sleaze bag.
So either you were lying, or your solicitor was. It’s a toss up.
Oh, C’mon, Bulletin, Really. We Mean, Really!?!
Again, we see no boundaries and no judgement from this bog fodder paper. As has been said in the Nest before, everything is a fucking joke to these chuckleheads … and we mean everything. A few thousand locals possibly about to be thrown on the dole queue … no worries, worth a laugh.
A convicted murderer has her sentencing delayed because of a hand injury she sustained when she heard she’d been found guilty of a cold, callous killing? Hey, let’s lighten up a bit with some clever humour, eh.
Even the front page is not immune, getting a truly pathetic and weird treatment during the week (it’s about a floating bar on Ross Creek).
But even when they have a real story and try for weird sensationalism, they get that massively wrong. The report on the shooting of a machete wielding man on the Strand was a disgraceful piece of garbage. And legally dangerous for the paper.
The man was shot by three officers when he apparently threatened them with a machete. But in his pants wetting excitement at having a real story for once, reporter Cameron Bates took low sensationalism to the extreme, basing most of his story on what an onlooker thought had happened.
Now Master Bates has been around long enough to know better, surely. Any eyewitness (brave? why?) to crime can give a version of the facts as they saw them, but authoritatively quoting an eyewitness on what was going on in the dead man’s head is dangerous and demeaning nonsense. Only coroners can decide if a person was suicidal in a situation like this. Taking a punt on Mavis from Mysterton (and her faithful hubby) is stuff for text the editor, not any serious news story. But hey, what a headline eh, better run with that angle.
Pretty disgusting Cameron, and you’d better pray god or Murdoch that no unpleasant contradictory facts appear as the investigation continues, there is the possibility that relatives may find grounds to sue you and the paper.
The Problem At The ABC IS Quite The Opposite.
The Magpie goes into spoof mode after watching an ABC Bulletin during the week, in which there were no less than four items that were preceded by trigger warnings.
ABC To Introduce Trigger Warnings About Trigger Warnings.
Shortly, all news bulletins and 7.30 report will begin with a blanket alert that ‘the following program will contain trigger warnings of possible distress for viewers on some news items, and they should avoid unnecessary discombobulation’.
The increasing use of such warnings has caused growing discontent amongst loyal ABC viewers. Some say they have developed severe blood pressure problems. “Wadda they think we are, a bunch of bloody fairies,” ,” said a furious veteran Neville Althorpe. “Trigger warnings, I’ll give you bloody trigger warnings, that’s what we gave the Nips back in ’43.’
Asked what prompted the new policy, the ABC said, ‘We have been constantly receiving complaints about the use of trigger warnings on certain news items. These have come mainly from a viewer demographic that is perhaps – ahem – not attuned to the sensitivities and emotional needs of the modern viewer. Since this demographic of over 65s comprises 90% of our viewing audience (the greens are the other 10%) , our policy does not allow us to ignore their distress.”
So all news programs will now carry standard warning” We advise viewers that the following program contains news items that require a trigger warning – if anyone is distressed by the constant use of trigger warnings, we suggest you switch overs now to re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond or Antiques Roadshow.’
“The ABC recognises its responsibility to protect all viewers from sudden distress at the reality of the modern world, so we will also be widening our policy of alerts to cover extra categories,’ the spokesman said.
The new list will include any graphic needle inoculation vision (flu, diabetes, and any drugs heated in a metal spoon), photo ops of politicians visiting factories, farms etc which may show people working which may upset the unemployed, vision of dole queues which may upset working people, and ALL politicians talking about ANYTHING. Welcome To Country ceremonies will carry a suitable warning, so viewers will know they can pop out to the kitchen to make a cuppa and grab a couple of Scotch Fingers.’
There is some discussion if, at the end of each affected item, viewers should be advised ‘if the preceding story has affected you in any way, you can get help from the number on your screen’ and provide the number of the nearest Dan Murphy’s outlet..
Asked when the new policy would come into effect, the spokesman said they would make an official announcement as soon as they had worked out how to break the news without alarming or distressing anybody.
Trump’s Amerika: Deals’R’Us
Please note: The following reads like another whimsical Magpie joke. It is not, it is the news of the past 24 hours.
Ever the businessman, it seems Trump has a new venture, toying with a changing the name of the US Justice Department to Deals’R’Us. The brazen nature of this buffoon’s flailing attempts to distance himself from his clear involvement with Epstein’s Kiddy Riding School now has him seeking to do a deal with Epstein’s procurer, the egregious Ghislaine Maxwell. This is not some conspiracy theory, there simply cannot be any other reason for the extraordinary move of re-interrogating – or more perhaps re-coaching – Maxwell about her evidence at Epstein’s trial.
Trump has hinted that a pardon is within his power in exchange for ‘100 or so names of various Democrats, including Bill Clinton, she has now provided . But The ‘Pie thinks that even he is unlikely to consider a pardon, or even a ‘time served’ release from prison. No, The ‘Pie reckons the deal is much more simple than that, one where Maxwell has no leverage at all – she is probably offered a ‘stay alive in jail card’ by exonerating the President with new testimony (or claims of mis-remembering) and in return, not receive a visit in prison from the same folks who visited Epstein’s cell, Trump’s ASS’s – Assisted Suicide Squad.
The Epstein matter has goaded the mobster president sufficiently to sue former chum Rupert Murdoch over the claim of a raunchy birthday card Trump purportedly sent Epstein way back when. The old pickled walnut’s Wall Street Journal published details that Trump claim are false. Our old mate Marina Hyde in the Guardian summed that up neatly.
Trump is furious with the WSJ owner, Rupert Murdoch, and threatening to “sue his ass off”. Oh please don’t, Mr President! His ass is 94 years old and incredibly wrinkled. Also, half of Britain’s political class still lives up it. Then again, perhaps Trump v Murdoch is very much the desiccated-dick-waving contest the world … wants? Needs?
Furthermore, the whole conflagration would once more pit a billionaire president against one of his billionaire buddies – exactly the kind of better world his supporters voted for, and a true testament to how truly, truly deeply he values them.
But perhaps a more important fact is slowly dawning on Americans …there is a growing theme starting to take hold across the United States about the situation that, oddly enough, mirrors Australia’s political landscape … the lack of opposition to the ruling party. While the ideologies are reversed, the Right (GOP) dominate in the US, the Left (Dems) completely adrift, whereas it is the opposite ideologies in the power stakes here in Oz.
ular American gallery this week sums up the yanks dilemma so precisely.
Finally …
Please note, Astonisher kiddies: A couple of punning headlines that really are funny … and appropriate. Both are from the Sunday Mail. The second one is really clever.
………………
Another week older and deeper in debt, as the old song said (well, almost). If you’re in a good mood and feeling benevolent, the link to assist with Nest finances is below.
Regarding projects built in stages, the Townsville Civic Theatre, as it is now is only stage one of three stages, I think. It has only been 47 years waiting for final completion. Original concept illustrations are on the wall in the foyer, or at least they used to be.
Good point.Makes stage fright even more apt.
Re Picnic Bay Development.
Just don’t understand why the developer is currently spending a few million on the existing motel which they say will be demolished in stage 4.
Unless it is in thirty years time.
That is the precise reason why The ‘Pie suggested there is ambiguity about the timelines. Given thos e works being currently undertaken, we may again see the old process of getting approvals for a site then flogging it off to another party who may or may not follow up on the concept.
Regarding the banyan figs at Picnic Bay: if you zoom in on the photo the sign says “Private Access Only.” How did this pathway go from being freely accessible to the public to being private?
If the figs on this site have already been removed, then who authorised that and on what basis?
When you think about it, might your source only be assuming, because they’re so magnificent, that the Picnic Bay banyans are even considered by Council to be “significant” trees. Is there an official register of significant trees and are they on it?
Clarabelle
The area which says Private Access is on private land not public space.
Ventured over to Picnic Bay yesterday, was saddened to see the lovely garden area had been cleared, not sure any of the trees and plants there would have been significant trees.
The banyans in the park, we should be asking for detailed information re landscaping and beach access.
There is a MIRRA meeting this coming Saturday- interested who turns up from Council and what they have to say.
IV
I think you will find this now private land used to be public reserve. Before the residential subdivision.
Which takes us full circle to the Delegations to CEO document exposed in the Nest two weeks ago. The CEO has been delegated to subdivide and transfer public land.
Clarabelle
I think you will find the CEO had very little to do with it?
Prior to the trees and gardens being removed there was always a sign‘Private Access’ which may not have been seen because of the vegetation?
Let’s just see what the council intends to prune around Picnic Bay in the coming weeks? Haven’t seen any notice of removal of trees just branches. The Picnic Bay Area is more than the foreshore.
If you are so concerned contact council or attend resident meetings!
The pruning starts tomorrow, and goes for four weeks. Hope you lot on the little island will keep us on the ‘un informed.
My guess is the pruning will be selective as normal.
Perhaps island voters can take that lead.
In fairness, IV, I can see that it is many weeks since you last contributed to the nest, so you may not be entirely on top of the Delegation to CEO document. But for Cr Robinson’s acumen, the current CEO might have received endorsement from Councillors to perform nearly 4000 actions without their knowledge. This was to include the subdivision and sale of public land.
It’s pleasing that you came down from Olympus Crescent to inspect the waterfront site at Picnic Bay where the clearing has occurred. There would be any number of members of the public who have accessed this site over the years and none of them were trespassing, because this was Council Reserve land. Certainly I sat on the seat Council had thoughtfully provided under the trees to allow me to admire the view. Banyan figs have a particularly well-distinguished form; none of us who saw them was suffering from delusional thought.
You are an incurable romantic if you think Council would pre-warn us of an intention to remove such magnificant trees. This is the same Council that failed to inform us it intended to turn our community land in Kelly St into a heavy industry toxic dump.
There are only two possibilities: either the owners cleared the site illegally or they obtained Council permission. Under Council’s Tree Management policy significant trees on public or private land can’t be removed simply to improve a view. I do hope Council isn’t intending to turn up at the MIRRA meeting with an arborist and attempt to convince us all the felled figs were faulty.
The Astonisher claims the new floating restaurant/bar planned for Ross Creek will be a “first” for Townsville.
Can’t remember the name, but there was a floating restaurant in about the same spot in the late 70s-early 80s.
It was a large boat converted into a restaurant and was so popular you had to book weeks in advance to get a table on Friday/Saturday nights.
The ‘Argonaut’ Doug.
Burnt to the waterline and sunk in Horseshoe Bay .
Your reasoning that the Maggie Island ferry service stopped dropping off at the Picnic Bay jetty “following storm damage and deemed too unsafe”, is a bit wide of the mark. The jetty was closed by the government and all landing steps removed so that it would not be functional, even in an emergency, on 1 October 2003 coincident with the opening of the new Nelly Bay harbour. Until that day and for some years later the jetty was perfectly intact and functional, just unusable as a boat landing.
There is also a serious complication to any plan to re-start ferry landings at Picnic Bay – desireable though such a plan may be. When operations transferred to Nelly Bay Queensland Transport effectively decommissioned the jetty and all its ferry landing, tie up and other facilities so that in the long term it would not need to maintain the infrastructure to the quite high standards required for a public (and vehicular access) landing. And thus avoided the expensive and regular maintenance costs. Then they handed over the entire structure to Townsville city – as a bare pedestrian and fishing spot – where it remains. Heritage listing came along about 2004 and some major repairs were necessary after Cyclone Yasi which, fortunately, the state paid for. It is highly unlikely the government would want to invest in new infrastructure to bring the jetty up to scratch for a part-time ferry operation.
Magpie, just to set the record straight the Nelly Bay harbour opened for ferry business on 1 September 2003 not 1 October.
Yes, was wondering about that, but didn’t want to embarrass you. Heh heh heh
Kayfabe is quite a funny term. Funny, but serious. The guy is single handedly ruining the reputation of Townsville. Hill did a good job of that, but now this muppet is doing it ten fold. He is nothing short of a conman looking to make quick dollars from litigation. He is an absolutely greedy grifter and the sooner the state government gives him the sack, the better. However I believe his stench would remain because his non-stop public social posts and his unnatural obsession with council will never end. He is a demented psychopath.
So you wouldn’t vote fo him, I’m guessing.
Gofer ????
What is the question?
If you’re querying the spelling, it is correct, for an underling (go for this go for that). The ‘Pie was surprised to find it as a Wordle answer, and was doubtful, so checked it out. It’s legit.
Interesting shift this week Magpie. Last time it was sabotage and hacking, now it’s just kayfabe and a Facebook message.
So the big ‘proof’ of Troy trying to sabotage the blog has turned into… a screenshot of him mentioning lawyers?
That’s a long walk from criminal accusations to pro wrestling metaphors. Feels like the outrage got quietly rebranded.
Still, if Troy’s as irrelevant as claimed, it’s wild how many words he’s been getting lately.
Thanks for engaging again, Troy.
As much as you might hope, that is not the proof previously mentioned, which is a direct request from you to a third party to illegally nobble the blog. And yes, you are irrelevant to the governance of this city, but you are not irrelevant to the spiteful and wildly deranged damage you are doing to Townsville.
You are a disgraceful person.
This one’s not Troy, maybe Michelle. Not enough commas for Troy
Don’t agree but no matter, one of his tinfoil proxies is much the same thing. All dingbats.
You’re a gutless turd Troy. The Magpie has called you out and you don’t like it. The way you elevate yourself above everybody else shows how pathetic you are. You happily agreed to giving Ralston a big payout because you were planning on bringing in a supportive mate as the new CEO. How did that plan work out champ? Yes mate, you got outplayed on that one didn’t you? Joe McCabe has your number and you can’t handle that. So funny. You are an absolute dope and will never again be in a position of any prominence in this town so just pack your bags now and bugger off. We don’t want you.
Great blog Magpie. It was all going well until KayFakeWatcher stopped by to make a comment. What a dumbfuck. Twonames and his koolaid drinking mates can’t stand this blog, or any other public avenue that exposes him and his cohort for who they really are. I thought he might have been busy doing renovations on mummy’s house or out cruising the streets in his new set of wheels, but obviously he still has time to keep an eye on the Nest.
Pie I could be wrong but I think it’s the state governments planning act that determines whether an application is code or impact based on zoning and intended use.
Good to see the petition go so easily, hopefully it’s the same fate for Troy bags soon. November is coming fast
I am wrong it’s tccs local planning scheme that determines but based on zoning and use still. So if a pub and accommodation is expected in this site it won’t be impact
A pub, a 300% increase in rooms and a venue that inter alia has pokies and a TAB, doesn’t deserve any impact assessment? The ‘Pie’s got news for someone.
Mr. Magpie,
The original Picnic Bay Hotel complex which was built in 1970’s after cyclone Althea destroyed the Hotel Magnetic, it was never completed – it was supposed to be 3 storeys in height – the late Roy Spottiswood was one of the builders.
There is also Banyans Resort complex which building stopped on that development when the owners the late Bill & Lorraine Carnell both passed away within a year of each other, in the early 2000’s.
The current owners have been busy since aquiring the property, cleaning up what basically was a building site. So the overall development site has been through several TCC development assessments over the years.
Not sure if this is the reasoning behind their making the current proposal Code Assessable?
One thing is for sure our Cr. Metermaid Greaney and Major Matt have not been forthcoming with any answers.
Look you nesters, stop picking on Twonames. He has been busy with Operation Talisman Sabre in his role as a SAS Commander. So far, he has peeled 20000 potatoes to keep his men fed.
Lab rat, if Troy told you he has peeled 20000 potatoes that will be a standard embellishment of the facts. It is more likely to be 20 potatoes. And he peeled them in his mums kitchen, not at Shoal Bay.
The fact that Troy and his cooker posse jump on here and make negative comments proves that the magpies nest is hitting a nerve. Well done magpie. Keep sticking it to the obnoxious sociopath. He is a total embarrassment to the region and the more diatribe he posts on line, the more that people are sick of him and hate him. I’ve heard local businesses say that he is toxic and bad for business. The man is damaged goods and nobody with any business sense or brains wants to go near him. Give it up Troy, time to relocate to a town far far away from Townsville.
There’s another town you hate that much?
The town of Cracow would be a comfortable and welcoming address for a man of Threenames calibre.
How about Thompson relocate to Queenstown Tasmania. That place is an absolute shithole and it has had consecutive clusterfuck councils. The perfect place for Townsville’s lying and deceiving stood down mayor to move to.
Al,
Be kind. There are good people, I assume most are good, living there, great natural, and unnatural scenery, and a wonderful steam train. Be kind to Queenstown.
Are you still there Al? Cracow would suit Threenames. Al, it is a bloody ghost town.
On a personal note, I hope your sense of fashion has improved since 1975.
Take care.
I’m guessing the Picnic Bay redevelopment proposal went front page on the Bulletin. I don’t buy the paper.
Never seen it on the local news which is strange, given its big news for the island and Townsville, and indeed bigger than someone opening a plate smashing business or a new donut shop.
I reckon when the TCC bureaucrats sit down to plan projects, someone has a thought bubble and the rest say that’s not stupid enough, surely we can come up something more unfeasible than that. Fair dinkum, they must have studied to be idiots to to so consistently snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The latest building fiasco on Maggie proves this.
Sorry, what building fiasco? The development is a good one on all accounts, and unlikely to face any serious opposition. It is the TCC bureaucracy shutting out local comment, or even giving locals the courtesy of a full briefing on the major life-changing development in their community, that is the problem.But even that isn’t a fisasco … Thompson is a fiasco, this is just arrogant oversight.
Mr Magpie,
The redevelopment of the pub is much needed here on the island and has much support.
There are 3 main issues- taking public beach, sewerage and the removal of any trees.
It is brewing as another TCC public relations disaster and they need to communicate with island residents.
The TB has not touched this story probably waiting for the ok from council.
Perhaps Carabelle and a few mates who appear to be all over the show, could chain themselves to a couple of the banyan trees in front of the pub.
Might take a while but eventually someone will see them, the TB may even come over and take some pictures, they might even write an article?
Reasonable points but let’s be clear on them.
The section of beach where the pub requests to be allowed to serve food and drinks appears to be an ambit claim, and The ‘Pie is unaware of anywhere in Australia of any similar arrangement. For the council, considering its insurance obligations, this is likely a risk v reward debate coming down heavily on too much risk … including possible pollution of the water (yes, I know, that’s a stretch, but that’s the councils and the GBRMPA think).
SAs far as the ‘Pie can see, the plans clearly show the sewerage and water plans envisaged by the project. The head costs will presumably be met by the developer. And the state and federal governments woukld be most interested if there was even the threat of polluting the islands surrounding waters.
The matter of the banyans has been raised in this blog simply as a warning for concerned people to be on the alert. Nowhere is there a suggestion that these trees will be touched beyond necessary pruning. Anyone who believes the veracity of any developers ‘visualisation’ drawaing … any where … needs a reality check against what was eventually done.But given previous sneak removals at the far end – whether justified or not, it appears it was was done with consultation or warning … so any concerns over the possibility of further such vandalism are reasonable and prudent.
But while we’re looking at the council, all this could’ve been avoided… and still can … if the developers themselves unilaterally call a public meeting and/or do a letter drop to give their version if what is happening, and what they hope to do. Just dumping a massive project like this, as positive as it may be, is more than a bit high handed. And since they have to exist in the community, why not take the initiative and get the locals on side with factual information.
So far, it’s been pretty one-sided, as in ‘code assessable’ with councillors and the community locked out of any decisions, which is the way blokes like Major Matt like it … the ‘public as mushrooms’ ploy.
This is a fucktangle of the TCC’s own making. No sympathy from this quarter at all.
Mr. Magpie,
the sewerage issue is a complex one.
The Picnic Bay water treatment plant is no where near to running at capacity, however there is a problem with the excess water.
The council has a permit to release the water on the lot adjacent to the treatment plant, but has faced opposition from environmental group who claims it will be detrimental to the habitat of the area?
There have also been rumours that council did a deal with the green group that no further development would take place on the western side of island, in return for the new transfer station location?
The local golf course does not need any extra water- perhaps the water could go to watering the old dump area?
The situation has been at an impasse for years, any new approvals for housing etc have had to install costly and inefficient bio cycles.
It is another mess that Council seem incapable of fixing…
I believe there is currently a controversy about similar public beach bars on the Gold Coast.
Barfly, FYI, The ‘Pie made no reference to the residency of any of the developers, he was referring to the development itself.
Last time I went past the old dump in Picnic Bay there was waste water irrigation spraying all over it, and has been for years. If locals like Island Voice can’t be relied on for accurate local information what use is their gossip and “rumours” about patent council intrigues?
Alas, IV
I no longer have the goods to carry off the kind of bondage pictorial spread you’ve created. But thank you for the cute thought.
Jeff, I thought I was sitting in on meetings from ABC’s Utopia when I was at TCC. Some of the arse lickers and incompetent people were unbelievable.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-28/four-townsville-police-shootings-in-seven-months-call-for-review/105580500
I wholeheartedly support an inquiry … that is, an inquiry into why law and order has failed in this town requiring the police, the under-resauced thin blue line, to use such necessary force to, (a, protect the public, and, (b, allow the responding police to return home to there families safe and well. At least as well as can be expected after having been cornered into using lethal force.
Stop! Listen? Is that a jet engine starting up or the predictable whine of the Bleeding Heart Do-gooders Choir?
“…under-resauced”? You mean they’re not drinking enough?
Well, the Bulletin made it look like at least two people were happy about the situation.
Seems the police got what they were after “Wanted, man in critical condition”!
JWB, what’s the problem? A couple of grubs/anti socials get capped by the coppers. Why is that an issue? The cops are protecting Townsville’s good people from criminals and nut jobs. That’s a win win. A little lead poisoning to protect the greater community is fair and reasonable.
Not quite the way The Magpie would have expressed it, but the basis for Gunny’s swaggering, big swinging dick comment is valid. Dangerous people being taken down for our protection, and those who do the job on our behalf are made out to be the villains by pursed lipped wankers in silk boxers who would soil themselves mightily if confronted with so much as a chained barking dog.
The ‘Pie is yet to be convinced that cops go out hopeful they’ll be able to plug someone … as gung-ho as some are (are you listening, Gunny?) taking a human life, even unintentionally, would be a burden on any sane person, no matter how justified.
And BTW, as the great coach Jack Gibson once said, you don’t a hold a committee meeting out there in those situations.
We can all criticise the way the game was played after the siren, but we weren’t players , we weren’t there and we don’t know.
I certainly don’t advocate for the killing of innocent people under any circumstance. But if a copper, or a member of the public, is backed into a corner then they need to exercise their right to defence even if that involves killing the guilty party. Criminals view life as cheap and meaningless. Therefore, their life becomes cheap and meaningless and every dead criminal is another criminal off the street. You live by the sword you die by the sword. Kudos to our coppers who bravely defend the public’s rights. They should be applauded, not vilified.
Oh, dear, Gunny, you poor mutt … and you were doing so well until you started presuming to know that ALL criminals view life as cheap and meaningless, so they regard their own lives as cheap and meaningless. You ignore the fact that the criminal class covers the entire spread of society, and there is a hierachy on the Heinious Scale of Offending. So if the more violent ones live and die by the sword, should shoplifters be, let’s say, choked to death when force fed Mars bars? Or do we save time and just deliver some .303 caliber justice from Gunny’s scattergun?
You don’t really think about things much, so you, mate?
SGH,
We are singing from the same song sheet. Please read my comment again.
If there is to be an inquiry it need not be into the police but into why there are so many snots and grubs roaming the streets.
I’ll say it again, this time with less spelling errors I hope: The police do a very good job with what they have got, and at the end of their shift deserve to return to their families safe and well.
This is brilliant … a spellbinding example of the English art of reasoned disparagement at it’s calm, witty and insistent best. The visual is a bit irrelevant, but the words are a clinical dissection of one of the most dangerous men in the world today, every bit a threat to how we want to live as much as Netanyahu, the mullahs and Putin.
https://youtu.be/ejKWhWfvcxI?si=Dij4NVCmn1E8JmYT
Brilliant it is Pie ! Who else found themselves silently wording the speaker in a Ronnie Corbett theme ?
Clarabelle
Just for the record I don’t live and have never in Olympus Cres.
Just because I don’t comment in The Magpie’s Nest on a weekly basis I have been part of the Nest community for a few years, always look forward to seeing what Mr Weatherup and his followers have to say.
As for yourself you are the one who appears to be a Johnny come lately. Certainly when it comes to island issues.
Now, now, you two … go and was wash your hands, dinner’s almost ready.
Agreed.
Hilarious
You write about the “Amaroo fiasco” as if ratepayers should somehow be pissed off with TCC. The body corporate at Amaroo was diddling TCC via a planning scam. The court threw out various complaints by owners and tenants and upheld TCC’s interests. Ratepayers should be thankful that Council withstood the confected outrage and cooker-led publicity and went the legal distance.
Bob
Your creative genius should earn you a job in the legal department at Council; if you don’t already have one.Council spent well in excess of half a million dollars of ratepayers money to achieve precisely nothing.
The planning and environment court has no power to evict a legal owner from their own home; the relief Council was seeking is not available in law.
Before we hear further calls to sack David Sewell, I’d suggest that the executive structure at the time the case began suggests it was conceived by the now long gone Tony Bligh. Mr Sewell has certainly been left holding the baby.
Meaningless twaddle. Amaroo has pulled its house into order and everyone is complying with the court’s instructions. The cost to ratepayers was unavoidable unless you think TCC should have just rolled over.
You keep teasing us, Bob, without telling. What was the big scary threat Council faced that could only be resolved by spending hundreds of thousands of ratepayers money ; threatening legal owners with eviction; and needlessly persecuting aged pensioners?
The rumours you hear in Walker St must be different to the rumours we’re hearing on the island. We’re hearing there’s a class action against Council brewing.
If only you had heard the judge in the Planning and Environment Court eviscerate the errant owner and tenants-without-standing who had been led to believe a bunch of twaddle. TCC didn’t have to say anything although they did have to listen to an amateur hour of propositions from an out-of-their-depth complainant. You can’t have been there, you don’t know what was said and you haven’t got a clue.
Conspiracy theory
What if a council simply uses legal cases to shift money in and out of a council bank account to help pay off people ? Its one big happy family, a council pays money into the bank account of legal firms to get favours done elsewhere? Somewhere else the legal firm does work for a mate at a cut-price rate ?
Another example, imagine if a council pays 1 million dollars to build a toilet block and the contractor does work elsewhere .
Christ, and there was The ‘Pie thinking he was good nat whacky conspiracy theories!! The ‘Pie dips his lid.
Gotta laugh at “KayFakeWatcher” still clinging to the idea that Troy’s sabotage stunt is some misunderstood metaphor. Bloke, you practically signed it with “T. Thompson, Esq.”
The petition to sack the council was an epic fail, torpedoed by the minister before it even got rolling. And now we’re back to Facebook posts, cryptic oneliners, and shadowboxing with The ‘Pie.
Troy’ thinks he’s draining the swamp but he’s paddling in circles with a custom number plate and a cracked paddle. Absolute clown show.
But Bob,
You may jest re gossip and rumours but a ‘deal’ was done between council and the environmental group on the island.
Heard it straight from the former Mayor Mullet’s mouth in October 2015.
So 10 years on we have treated water every where and no place to but it…
First it was “rumours that council did a deal”. Now you claim to have heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. In the movies they call that plausible deniability. I call it bullshit.
No bullshit Bob,
The original site Council wanted to build the new transfer station was none other than the current site the council want to dump the harmless ‘fairy’ dust known as dredge material – 55 Kelly St.
The Green group on the island were against the current location, where the transfer station was finally built, claiming it was pristine wetlands. Still have photos of the area which was full of dumped vehicles. They were against all the way, a deal with council was done.
Bob are you saying the former mayor told pork pies?
Whoa, what a slur on Her Majesty!!
No IV, I’m saying that your claim to have heard it straight from the mayor is unbelievable. You say she told you personally, that she made a deal to allow no further development to take place on the western side of island, in return for the new transfer station to be located down the road from the golf club in Picnic Bay. Talk about a verbal. I suppose there’s a Mayoral Minute on the books to that effect?
Bob ,
Are you the new kid in town?
Start digging and look back a few years prior to 2015!
In fairness to Island Voice, Jenny Hill’s contempt for island residents is legendary. And she had a lot to say about just about everything. It’s entirely plausible that she said that.
In fairness Clarabelle,
Having obtained the Final Court Orders
of the Court case TCC and the body corporate Magnetic International ( Amaroo )
Your claim of a ‘ pending class action’ appears to be based on a lot of hot air…
You might have the wrong end of the stick, there, IV. I wouldn’t know; I’m not a lawyer.
From what I hear it’s more about issues arising from, rather than the order itself. Conduct of public officers, a barrister’s first duty is not to his client but to the Court. That sort of thing.
Anyway if you have read through the final orders then you should be able to confirm an unusual escape clause the judge included. All Council needs to do to completely override the order is to correctly define Amaroo as a Resort Complex. Under state planning law, there is no restriction to short term residence within a Resort Complex. As I pointed out to Bob, a transcript shows Council’s barrister defining Amaroo as Rooming Accommodation, which is not only absurd, but misleading to the Court. Maybe that’s where an action might be grounded?
As an aside, imagine the chaos within the judicial system if all judges did that. “These are my orders, but if you change your mind you can over ride them”.
This is an interesting article relating to a Councillor’s misconduct, including his use of social media to bag out his council. Councillor Thaler also refers to ‘democratic process’. Sound familiar? Although this has taken place in NSW, there are some striking similarities to the issues with Twonames. I can only imagine that our state government is busy behind the scenes getting all of its ducks in a row before it drops the hammer on our suspended Mayor.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-30/snowy-mountains-councillor-andrew-thaler-suspended-again/105586932
Well PR, dropping the hammer is one option but it could be messy, prolonged and expensive. Another option, mentioned here earlier, is extending the suspension as they did in the NSW case you linked us to. If the Qld CCC can’t find any ducks on the mayor or if the ducks they think they have just won’t get ‘in a row’ in a legally watertight fashion, maybe suspension extension is the least worst option. Sure would save face for the Minister and the Premier.
In all this, it is utterly unthinkable given his spiteful behaviour that this government woulkdnallow him to be reinstated. So it’s a choice now of payout or payback.
“This government” has followed the last government in doing nothing about Mayor Thompson. TCC is functioning, Thompson is neutered and apart from some squabbles in the peanut gallery there is nothing to see here. Why change anything?
BTW Pie
Council must have double- booked itself. No sign of the pruning crew in Picnic Bay but some major road repairs going on this week on the main road access.
The information said the pruning crewwould be on the island, don’t think it specifically said Picnic Bay … they are going over all the relevant areas of the whole island, it would seem. Sounds reasonable.
There was movement at the Station for the “prunes” had gone around!
Today 30/7/25 at around 120pm an Atlas Air 747 jumbo flew into Townsville Raaf/airport. No doubt ferrying US personel like the previous dodgy US Civil Reserve/CIA contractors, Western Global, Omni international and Kalita Air. Again, this mob too has been involved in rendition to CIA black sites and deportations.
Like the other mobs , many accidents recorded. And this mob has Amazon as a shareholder.
Website https://www.atlasair.com/
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Air ,
Amnesty on rendition flights https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr51/051/2006/en/
The question has to be asked again due to accident histories , whether they have an Australian Casa Air Operators Certificate https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/air-operators or whether they just get waved through by the CTH.
Have these mobs been allowed to transit deportees and prisoners through Australian bases?
I have previously reported seeing the other dodgy mobs in June and August 2023
If the Atlas aircraft is being used for military purposes and not standard domestic or international freight operations it isn’t subject CASA domestic and international regulations and procedures. Basically, they can do whatever they want. A pissweak Australian government isn’t going to do anything that upsets Uncle Donald.
When I heard these aircraft flying in i assumed they were being used to transport more Australian weapons to ukraine. Australia has recently sent troops to ukraine to fight Russia directly ( ostensibly a support mission on the other side of the border).
I think Australia has sent 2 billion in weapons/ logistics or more for the war in ukraine. The recent influx of million of migrants might be used to balance the books so more money can be borrowed to buy more weapons , AUKUS and the other recent schemes add up to 1 trillion of debt. You’ll need more migrants to take on trillions of new debt to buy more weapons.
Re Picnic Bay : Handing over public land to developers should have stopped with the devloper donations ban in 2016.
Neither the LNP nor Labor give a free pass. Thats because they have to send a message to donors that they will get what they want if they keep the money flowing . Its will be very suss if its approved or the long sought after privatisation of the beach at Radical Bay happens.
Bob
When you say I don’t have a clue:
Do you mean about the Amaroo court case or about who you are?
You obviously have a lot of skin in the game; you’re extremely bitter, probably because you lost your job and the other incompetents are still standing. It narrows the field.
You’re right, I was not in attendance in court. Have you not heard of court transcripts? There is one doing the rounds that portrays Council in a very poor light indeed.
If Council is going to end up back in Court, it might pay to select a barrister with care. The one Council just paid squillions to couldn’t tell the difference between a resort complex and a boarding house. He told the Court the Amaroo site under state planning law is defined as Rooming Accommodation. Oddly enough, the judge didn’t correct him. Or maybe he did on the day but edited it from the transcript so as not to embarrass the so-called planning expert barrister. It’s such a fundamental error in law I wonder that the CEO isn’t requesting the barrister return his fee.
Well the LGA have nearly all the law firms who specialise in local governments on their panel, so it is difficult for members of the public to fight for justice if needed.
The same goes for the state government.
The law in all these such matters is owned by the rich. Pettifogging around with oblique arachaic language is an art form that enslaves us all in matters involving our governance.
Exactly, Pie.
I thought it was a bit much for Bob to be referring to “amateur hour” during the Amaroo hearings. Council targets aged pensioners, knowing they can’t afford legal representation, then mocks their best efforts as unprofessional. Hubris or what?
Indeed, MM. That could be why some of the respondents are rumoured to be looking at a civil action against Council. Professional conduct complaints go nowhere. As you would know, Amaroo is a complex of privately owned units on Community title. It has a restaurant and bar; conference rooms,; a gym; a swimming pool and tennis courts. Under state planning law, that is defined as a Resort Complex. Council’s barrister brazenly informed the Court Amaroo is defined as Rooming Accommodation. Ie a boarding house. And he got paid a small fortune for doing that…
For those interested in taking action against a council, keep an eye on a matter coming before a magistrate in Proserpine on Monday. A ratepayer has had summons issued for criminal matters under LG regs against three Whitsunday Council people, one the mayor and IO believe at least one is a public servant with the council. All three have been issued summons to appear at a committal. The Whitsunday Council mayor. It might go nowhere, but on the other hand, it just might go KA-BOOM.
If you have a court transcript, share the link to it. If you can’t or won’t, stop making shit up.
The ‘Pie has a better idea. Let’s drop this thread altogether, it is going nowhere and has descended into a playground sandpit name calling fight. Nothing will come of it unless someone is going to take the matter further. Let’s talk about it then.
Until then, end of thread.
Cops nearly blow a blokes leg off at the Hermit Park United who had a bat https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-27/man-shot-by-police-at-service-station-townsville/7545318
Cops shoot bloke at Kirwan cop shop https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-07/cranbrook-man-shot-kirwan-police-station-alleged-knife-threat/104068488
Woman shot by cops at West end pub https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-10/west-end-hotel-townsville-shooting-police/105401334
Man shot by cops behind the Strand https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-19/man-killed-police-shooting-townsville-queensland/105550068
Man shot by cops at Willie’s loading dock Willows Kirwan https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-27/police-shooting-in-north-queensland/105579142
Last year the QCCL called for a royal commission into cop shootings in Qld and reaffirmed the need for independent investigations. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-28/four-townsville-police-shootings-in-seven-months-call-for-review/105580500
The cops have what is called ‘Use of force models’ which aren’t the law. Everybody else is put through the wringer see The High Court decision in Zecevic https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/HCA/1987/26.html
Good analysis and thanks for the links. Good to see the cops doing what they are paid to do – neutralising risks. They are upholding their sworn statements and protecting and serving the community. They shouldn’t be vilified for performing a task that is often negatively scrutinised in the public domain. As with our armed forces, these people receive little positive recognition for performing a task that is undervalued.
On the basis of occurrences the cops actually cap few people when compared to the amount of volatile situations that they attend day in and day out. If a bit of claret is spilled in the process of them protecting the community, so be it.
Christ, you know how to spoil a half-way reasonable comment, you drongo. Your whole mindset is given away by the casually callous reference to violent deaths as ‘a bit of spilled claret’. Would you use that phrase should a police officer be killed?
You’re really not a nice person under all that noise are you, bozo … even your chosen non de plume is a dead giveaway.
But your first paragraph makes a point, which yesterday, The ‘Pie would have argued with … there is a concerted push by both the police union and the force itself to make your point in somewhat less spittle flecked language, to counter unreasonable criticism of the police.
But today, after reading this truly disgraceful story – shimmering low yellow journalism on all levels – on the front page of the Townsville Bulletin, I won’t argue that there is unjustified shade thrown on police officers.
This story is nothing but a snide, sensationalised beat up chasing a headline. Even the protagonist’s argument falls to pieces by her own words, but the reporter Cameron Bates is hell bent on newsroom glory at the expense accurately and fairly reporting on a major social issue. It is almost worth reporting to the press council if anything was likely to come from that toothless tiger.
Now you might get a clue as to why you are justly called Master Bates, Cameron.
I feel that we have a bit of a love/hate relationship Magpie? But that’s ok, I expect the criticism and still like you for some reason. I do respect one thing about you, and that is you are the only honest and ballsy journalist in this entire fucking town. Fact. Respect.
Well, in all honesty, it’s easy to ballsy when you’ve got nothing to lose. Other journos have to follow rules that The ‘Pie doesn’t … that is, real and properly trained journos.
Here is the 2010 donations return filed by Obeid in the ECQ. It shows $5k to Tony Mooney contemporaneous with his 2010 run for Herbert. Mooney was on the GBRMPA board and is currently still the chair of the Townsville University Hospital Board
https://ecqgov.sharepoint.com/sites/publicaccess/Documents/Disclosure%20Returns/Annual%20Disclosure%20Returns/2010%202nd%20Half%20-%20Donors/Obeid-Corporation-Pty-Ltd.pdf?CT=1753907027359&OR=ItemsView
Why are you revisiting this? It was well known and publicised at the time. Did a fair bit of damage, too.
At least he declared it
But what’s the logic, what’s the argument? BFTP seems to nudge nudge wink winking that Mooney was somehow corrupt in accepting the money, and that he should pay some sort of penalty in regards to his current employment. Certainly there is an argument that since the seat is federal, that Obeid may have tried to call in some sort of favour, but five grand doesn’t really put on the merry-go-round to grab the ring.
This idea is simply crap.
Needs to focus more on the current suspended Mayor who tried to cover up a declaration from a developer. Declared it on TCC register of interest but not with ECQ.
The balancing act between the TCC, the developers of The Picnic Bay Pub and MI locals is complex. Developers are often given ‘permission’ to encroach on public land albeit not with actual buildings but in the Picnic Bay case, dining facilities/entertainment etc.
A smart developer seeking to be given such permission will usually have their PR team prepare plans/renderings/concept designs to engage the public thus providing an overview and reassurance that the planned works will improve what is currently there.
In the Picnic Bay case the developer could be planning to engage the public after initial permission is sought/gained from TCC to utilise the adjoining public land.
Planning department of council will most likely impose restrictions on what exactly the developer can and can’t do re structures on site.
Code or Impact Assessment will be defined by the current zoning and weather the developer wants to change the zoning or just bend the rules and to what degree.
Back in 2005 Citiplan was introduced to aprox 35 regional councils in Queensland including TCC.
The Citiplan structure gave councils substantial leeway and flexibility in their engagement with developers and final approvals of developments.
Some decisions raised concerns with the public but councils had Citiplan 2005 guidelines to fall back on in their answers to the public.
In the majority of cases councils would not overstep the mark however they definitely agree to flexibility if the developers concept had merit.
Picnic Bay development probably isn’t a land grab by the developer but more an opportunity to utilise neighbouring parkland to enhance general public appeal for the whole area.
The public land doesn’t become the developers land, there’s no transfer of title etc.
Parkland is Qld State owned (as apposed to National Park which is Federal Gov owned) and councils are usually given the management/usage of parkland in the publics interest. It cannot be sold or title transferred.
A good overview and information, Jatz.
But The ‘Pie has two major issues … timing and identity (not to be too la de da about it.)
The timing you mention, “In the Picnic Bay case the developer could be planning to engage the public after initial permission is sought/gained from TCC to utilise the adjoining public land.” is back to front. If the developer wants to behave as you suggest, wouldn’t they go to the public on the basis ‘this is what we are going to ask the council to let us do, and here’s why we want your support”, followed by skilful address to garner that support. Otherwise, once given approvals, the developer approaches the community with a big stick, with a ‘take it or leave it’ option in their approach to the public, knowing the hoops and hurdles the public would have to organise and fund to get council to rescind this or that provision … or the whole kit and caboodle for that matter. They would not be engaging in a genuine effort to bring the community along with them, because they already have an almost fait accompli.
The question about public lands being taken over is never really on the table in the way certain alarmist elements on the island suggest. What the developer seeks is no biggy, as The ‘Pie has already pointed out, it is similar to the use granted by the council to a number of business on The Strand, the CBD and various other areas in the suburbs (chair fees are a great little (big) money spinner for councils).
The beach is a different matter, and one that The Magpie personally would oppose on principle … no beach in Australia can be privatised, and his travels in Europe makes him solid in this resolve. Radical Bay has been mentioned in this regard, but the only thing that could happen there is land-based access being blocked. Visit by boating parties or rock hoppers could not be stopped or even policed.
The mentioned ‘identity’ part is that while you’re no doubt correct, you make it sound like an us-and them situation between the council and the public. In reality, it is a trio of entities involved, the behemoth of the council executive and staff backed by government legislation, the councillors who hold the power of veto in a diminishing number of scenarios, and the general public who elect those councillors to represent their views.
And frankly, it is the council hierarchy that is getting too big for its boots by the day, typified by Matt Richardson in his high-handed thoughtless little speech trying to justify Strand parking metres and his Kafka-like payment and timing system for it. This bloke and other of his PS ilk are so impressed with themselves they forget the core issue -as seen by the community – that they serve us, and we are not ruled by fiat by them.
That the crumbling theory anyway.
Well said, Pie. Although Jatz got the bit about National Park wrong. Magnetic Island National Park is under QLD state government control. Cheers.
Yes Clarabelle and Chasmac, you’re correct. I stuffed up there as Parkland and National Parks are State not Feds.
Pie re the ‘public support’ bit before or after approval, most developers these days employ a private town planner who will advise the developer of council guidelines and then go into several meetings/discussions/negotiations with the council Town planners.
The idea is to deliver an outcome that’s both workable and acceptable to council, the developer and public satisfaction. Plenty of approvals don’t necessarily pass the pub test !
I’m unsure at what level the plans/discussions/approvals are at Picnic Bay but I agree with you that it would definitely be more sensible for the developers there to enrol the public in their plans and approvals sought sooner rather than later.
The five stage plan outlined is an interesting one. Money may be a problem. Cash flow may play a big part in keeping the original pub going while the development happens around them.
Townsville developers usually have to jump through a lot more LVR hoops than their southern counterparts, when trying to raise development funds from banking institutions.
Councils in general need to improve their PR across the board however that may be a bridge to far.
I’ve read in the past that GC mayor Tom Tate copped plenty of flack over plans for beverage/food developments being trialled and allowed to operate on GC beaches.
A good question would be with whom and where does the future public liability lay with if the Picnic Bay project goes ahead as reported.
Jatz, what do you mean by “parkland”? You have not clarified your terminology which is critical in relation to the Picnic Bay pub and the space in front of it.
Charlie,
The Picnic Bay pub over many years has utilized the ‘Picnic Bay Esplanade’, and the paved area for various functions and events serving food and alcohol on the grass area under the big banyan trees. The famous Melbourne Cup afternoons springs to mind, Food and Wine Festivals, Music Festivals, weddings and the list goes on. It is a picturesque location which is currently under utilized.
Not sure if you were at the meeting where the former Mayor and the current A/Mayor stated that area in Picnic Bay was going to have make over. Encompassing the pub, the jetty, the new toilet block and they also mentioned the current Picnic Bay Surf Lifesaving building was coming to the end of life and council would be involved with the new building. They went on to say the whole area would be marketed for wedding and functions.
So there is a bigger picture to all of this.
No one wants to see the area turned into a concrete jungle and looking at the plans the owners of pub don’t want that either. With a bit of tweeking this development will go ahead.
Whether your environmental group wants it or not.
The ‘Pie cannot see any reason why the project won’t go ahead, but the time frame is the interesting thing, along with any efforts to bring the community along with them.
And while not wishing to enter into your spat with Charlie, MM, there is no conceivable environmental reason why the plans can’t go ahead, just so long as the trees and the beach front are preserved and available for public enjoyment.
Magpie, I agree that the re-development sounds terrific and like you ” . . just so long as the trees and the beach front are preserved”. However the Council might want to facilitate the development by allowing the removal of some of the overarching banyans – and replacing them with a structure and some other, perhaps potted, plantings, as indicated on the drawings. Have you noticed that? Would you be OK with that? Note how the white background of Esplanade and Yule Street in the concept drawings swings right around the pub and further suggesting a much larger area than just the pink dotted line will be thinned out. I’d like to see and hear some further public explanation about that, probably from our councillor.
You’re really desperately seeking something to get alarmed about, aren’t you, Charlie?
Visualisation of any project are only ever put forward as an indication of what an outcome may look like, and in reality, bear absolutely no resemblance to the eventually outcome. This has been proved time and again around Townsville. But such fancy stretched-perspective visualisations are of absolutely no weight in an application for approval, they’re just good faith window dressing to boost the sales pitch – and all parties accept that. In the reverse of the old saying, a camel may actually become a horse and paradise promised becomes in the end something more prosaically pedestrian (pun intended).
Mr Magpie,
At the MIRRA held on 1st March Major Matt addressed the 55 people in attendance. When the questions from the floor got a bit tricky for him to answer his comment was ‘ I have given up my Saturday morning to be here, I would rather be down at Alma at the surf carnival’.
It was an insult to all the people who had also given up their Saturday morning to hear what this arrogant bully who is on $440k + expenses of ratepayers dollars had to say.
McCabe was also present looking bored and a little grim, hopefully he may have had a chat to the Major after the meeting, because he is a public relations nightmare.
Yes, IV
when Greaney and McCabe and Richardson attend MIRRA meetings together they address us as if we’re primary school kids. Cameron Turnbull is the teacher and they’re there to inspect him; and to find out who the school troublemakers might be. They just don’t seem to comprehend that THEY work for us. The one positive outcome of their collective hubris is they’ve got the island community working together at last. Scott Stewart previously acted as third arm of that triumvirate. No one misses him in the slightest.
Jatz, I was following your line of argument with some interest until the last para:
“Parkland is Qld State owned (as apposed to National Park which is Federal Gov owned) and councils are usually given the management/usage of parkland in the publics interest. It cannot be sold or title transferred.”
Sorry, mate but this is completely wrong. National Parks are ‘owned’ by the state, not the federal gov. But first, what do you mean by that other category “parkland”? Do you mean a grassy place with kids’ swings and garden beds?In the case of the Picnic Bay pub do you mean the paved and treed area between the pub and the beach? If so, you are referring to the Picnic Bay ‘Esplanade’ – in effect a council-owned ‘street’. Cars and buses used to drive down there until it was turned into a pedestrian mall. It could be turned back into a ‘street’ if so desired, like the Flinders Mall was. In any case it remains a council street to this day. It is not “parkland”, whatever you think that actually means.
I read this Queensland Health vacancies section as meaning that applications are being all positions on Hospital and Health Service Boards across Queensland.
Is possibley the near end of the Mooney era in Townsville (just got to get rid of Liam Mooney at the next council election)
https://www.careers.health.qld.gov.au/other-careers/join-a-hospital-board
Bit of stretch, especially as Mooney and Crisafulli have a very respectful friendship across the party fence. His Radiance will be going only if he decides to. And as far as The ‘Pie knows, he hasn’t done anything to deserve the chop. The politics of personal spite cuts off the community’s nose.
Mooney was re-appointed to a 4 year term as Chair in March 2024.
These positions come up every couple of years. The positions are ALWAYS filled by party loyalists. In this case the LNP will be cleaning out Labor board members throughout Queensland and installing LNP faithfuls. There isn’t anything new in that as each party in power does the same thing, it’s just that currently it is the QLD LNP’s turn. And not just hospital boards, there is also ports, power and water boards! Oink oink pigs in the troughs.
And on a slightly more elevated level, the elevation of judges on to the bench or to a higher court is subject to some of the same sort of preferential treatment. Although not entirely, some track records speak for themselves and cannot be denied.
So in an open letter to this singer called Jelly Roll explaining (pleading?) why he should come to Townsville to put on a show the Bulletin firstly refers to Townsville as “The Paris of Queensland”. I’ll leave it to other Nesters to make the appropriate comparisons between the Townsville and Paris (penchant of locals to burn cars, general safety and security issues, river of questionable cleanliness running through them) but I’ve never heard of Townsville being referred to as the “Paris of Qld”. And neither has Google apparently as quick search says Gympie has previously been call the “Paris of Qld” after being featured in a couple of French fashion magazines back in 2024. Anyway, the first reason as to why this bloke show play a gig here:
1. Tattoos: Judging by your impressive array of body art it’s an art form you appreciate. It’s a well-known fact that Townsville has more ink per square metre of flesh than any other city in the country, Gold Coast included.
The second:
2. Paparazzi: It’s clear that one of the major drawbacks of being wildly popular and appreciated for your talent is being hounded by cameras wanting to take your photo at every moment. We are almost certain there is not a single paparazzo in Townsville – and there’s no way our talented photographers will have any interest in chasing you around all over the city. Partly because it’s not our style, mostly because it’s way too hot.
There are more reasons listed, but they’re not much better. So, come to Townsville – we’re covered in Tattoos, our local photographers are either incompetent or lazy and it’s really fucking hot. Got it.
You’ll note that this childish insulting drivel had no by-line, even it’s author apparently thought it best to remain in the shadows. The whole piece appears to be inexplicable.
But wait … is it inexplicable? Could it be that the Bulletin is in cahoots with TEL, and this B-grade ‘entertainer’ has already been signed by our new events supremo at the Dudley Do Nothings, with their ratepayer dosh to splash around on ‘events’ however they like?
Will it be the next ‘event’ after that last week called One Street One Day, apparently the first matter foisted on us by TEL’s Major Events Acquisition Team, whoever they are. How much did the marquee attraction Hill Top Hoods get paid for this gig by TEL? Whoops, sorry, C in C.
This is how TEL sees it:
The One Street One Day event is the first new event secured through this new model, supported by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Delivering on the 2024 – 2027 Townsville Events Blueprint, Townsville Enterprise appointed a dedicated panel in February to ensure community voices are represented in decisions about event partnerships in the region; independently assessing recommendations from the Major Event Acquisition team (MEAT).
Well, as the cliche has it, one man’s MEAT is another etc etc…. it would be interesting to know what data and what criteria are used by the MEAT heads to select what smooth talking oily agents will be approached to seek their talented clients.
The big question is how is a concert covered by Disaster Recovery Funding? Shouldn’t that be put toward roads, bridges and sewer upgrades in Wulguru?
Apparently bars and pubs suffered greatly during the rainfall event. So much so that we now must have concerts in public spaces in the hope that people will go to the bars and pubs after the concerts.
It’s delusional.
Yup, those pubs and bars themselves don’t have live entertainment any more, those spaces have been taken up with pokies for the amusement of the living dead.
Well, Paris actually smells of shit, much like parts of Townsville. Paris is also overrated, as is Townsville, and Paris has a lot of vagrants, same as Townsville. And let’s not forget that Paris has a lot of arrogant assholes living there, and dare I say so does Townsville. But, Paris doesn’t have one thing that Townsville has – Troy Thompson. Lucky them.
Cheers, Percy, bold of you to parachute in, slag off the city, and still somehow make yourself the most unpleasant thing in the room.
Paris might reek of piss and broken dreams, but at least it doesn’t have you standing on a milk crate yelling about how overrated everything is.
And if you think Troy Thompson is Townsville’s biggest problem, it’s only because no one’s handed you a mirror.
But thanks for checking in. I’m sure Townsville will recover from your disapproval eventually.
Re Chasmac comment regarding The Esplande at Picnic Bay.
Yes, The Esplanade is indeed a ‘Dedicated Road’ as per section 94 of the Land Act 1994 and this land remains vested in the State as per section 95.
It’s always been a bit of a mystery to a laybird like The “Pie how various municipal roadways are shared out between sate and council. Don’t doubt what you say, but around Townsville, there re some roads hat are not the councl’s responsibilty … but its hard to know which ones ae which.
Not that it matters, just sayin’.
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/travel-and-transport/maps-and-guides/queensland-state-controlled-roads-and-region-maps
Hopefully this link will answer all of your questions about which roads are State controlled and which are TCC controlled.
You need to find and download the PDF for the Northern District.
Be aware that Queensland Government contracts out the mowing and landscaping maintenance of many of these roads and in many areas that to local government. I believe that TCC has these contracts which is probably why the entrances to the city are overgrown, dead/bare of plants garden beds and roadside is littered by rubbish.