There was a lot of sooking going on this week. The thwarted boss of the Hilton project next to the stadium tossed the toys out of the pram, the Townsville councillors remained stonily silent when they thought they were being asked if they approved the return of the fraudster mayor to the chair, and Townsville identity Stephen Lane seemed on the verge of tears when he confided his concerns to The Magpie. The ‘Pie was was no doubt he was concerned, because the letter (email) he received from Mr Lane was headed: Concerns Notice. The Magpie sets the record straight.
Will the widely unpopular and unwise council decision to infest the Strand with parking meters prompt a revision of the recently announced city budget? There is a particular problem for the council if they choose to try to undo this rash decision – if they want to revisit the particular issue, why not revisit other measures that have been equally criticised? No story on that, just that statement.
And a brief visit to Pommyland to take a peek at the comprehensive carnage of the despicable Tory government at the general election, before we pop across to the US for our regular gallery of yankee fuckwittery.
The ‘Pie once again notes a rise in the cost of oil, and is therefore his smell from the oily rag with which he runs this blog is need of a bit of friendly bolstering. You can help if you visit the Donate button at the bottom of the blog.
Conman The Barbarian Returns To The Hermit Kingdom To The Sound Of One Hand Clapping
The legal god’s have temporarily fallen on the side of our wife-abusing, serial-lying, valor-stealing fraudster mayor, Troy TwoNames Thompson, allowing him to return to Walker Street council meetings and whatever he thinks he can do the time in between, until the findings of the CCC investigation into allegations of fraud are examined and decided. Given the CCC generally moves all the alacrity of a croquet game, bookmakers are divided as to which will come first , their decision or the Olympics.
Thompson showed his true colours from the very moment of resuming the chair, with his dictatorial and unexplained (let alone justified) ruling. that the media be thrown out. This juvenile and pointless act showed that all the vindictiveness and petty power playing didn’t depart Walker street with the political demise of Jenny Hill . TwoNames added to his insult to the public of this arrogant and unexplained directive by making a remark that everything would still be transparent, because the media could watch the live stream of the meeting. That statement of the bleedin’ obvious begged the question of why exclude the media in the first place? What was its purpose, especially coming from Mr Transparency himself?
The opening minutes of the live stream of the council meeting (click here) graphically demonstrate what this abomination of the mayor – and citizens- can expect in the future. It is clear councillors have found their independence from the chair. Use The ‘Pie’s notes to skip the procedural stuff.
First go to the 12.45 minute mark, and listen to Clr Robinson’s remarks regarding Thompson’s return (although he doesn’t say that directly). Robinson makes it clear – and it is clear he is speaking for the whole council … that the only reason Thompson is back is because of legal reasons.
Then skip to 14 minutes 35. The following is The Magpie’s reporting of the stream in those crucial moments of the disgraceful opening remarks.
After all the bureaucratic palaver of Thompson regaining the chair, Thompson sits in the chair and his very first words after thanking Paul Jacob are: “I might ask the CEO if it is now possible for the press to leave the room now, if that is possible?’ CEO Joe McCabe replies” That is up to you, chair.’ ‘Thompson: ‘It’s transparent because. we get it recorded, they may watch it at any time.’ And then a cameraman and reporter are seen to dismantle equipment and leave. But this bargain basement little Caesar declined to have the courtesy to explain to either the press or the councillors the reasons for his dictat. And none of the sullen councillors asked why Thompson found this necessary, and they appeared under the impression that the meeting was about to be closed.
It wasn’t.
But, although somewhat ponderous as these things are, bear with it and keep watching until Thompson starts speaking at 15.48,.
Because when Thompson tried to get seconders for the first couple of motions, there was confusion caused by the convoluted language of regulations, and it is indisputable that councillors clearly thought they were being asked to vote to agree to Thompson’s return … and not one councillor raised their hand. Suzy Batkovic then clarified that that was not what the vote was about, it was just a pro forma move to basically re-set things as they were just before Thompson was given a unanimous no confidence vote at a previous meeting. The motion was then passed.
It seems The ‘Pie and readers here are not the only ones that believe that Troy Thompson’s ambitions to be Townsville’s Donald Trump writ small. I have reliable information that Thompson intends to sue the councillors and the council itself for abuses under human rights laws. Open your wallets folks, at the very least no matter what the outcome of that swindle, it will be a lawsuit in the tens of thousands of dollars. Guess who’s footing that bill?
This is an intolerable situation, and Brisbane must step in quickly, and stop the usual foot-dragging by the CCC.
And The Magpie Explains One Matter Which Has Confused Some Of The Less Attentive Observers
The Nest has received multiple claims from commenters claiming that Thompson has been cleared by the Office of the Independent assessor (OIA) of any major breaches of LG media protocol claimed a multiple complaints against him, and that he is, in the clear as far as any investigation is concerned.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The OIA did not dismiss certain charges of fraudulent behaviour during the campaign, but said because they only had jurisdiction after people had taken office, they had passed on matters in that campaign period to the CCC. And those matters remain under investigation and judgement. As regular Bester Nester Grumpy explained.
The OIC did look at his social media behaviour whilst Mayor. Decided that he acted like an idiot, advised him to read the rules and gave him a mild admonishment. The more serious stuff is with the CCC, and is still under investigation. Thompson then went on to used the same social media to misrepresent what actually happened by writing that the complaints was dismissed. About which I seriously considered making a further complaint to the OIC.
So a judgement day one way or the other is awaiting Thompson …. and us.
The Hilton Project Is KO’d, But Will Some Councillors Go Down For The Count With It?
Late in that live streamed meeting last Wednesday, the vision stopped as the council went into secret mode and, although agendas usually openly list the subject matter, this time it didn’t . We do not know whether it was during this closed session, or the one at a previous meeting that council approved council officers’ request that the Hilton project next to the stadium on council land be dumped. The reason given was that too many times had the company involved sought extensions and revisions of its project’s scope, and had been clearly warned some time ago that further extensions would be NOT be granted … in other words, developer Focus Pacific’s boss Michael Graham was told that after seven years, he had to put up or shut up.
He didn’t, so it won’t be.
Predictably, Focus Pacific CEO Michael Graham was not a happy camper.
Guess we can put it down to angry disappointment that Mr Graham made the silly statement that Townsville’s loss was Toowoomba’s gain“We are likely to now exit Townsville completely, and instead, we will fast-track our plans to deliver a Hilton Garden Inn in Toowoomba, which will be a huge win for Toowoomba and a massive loss for Townsville … and it didn’t need to be the case.” A strange comparison of cities to say the least. And note the use of the word ‘likely’. Mr Graham and Hilton will go where they can make a quid, but maybe Mr Graham nis more upset that what seems to be a sweetheart deal brokered initially with Jenny Hill has gone up the creek … Ross Creek in this case. And it is the very possibility of irregularities in that deal that has two groups concerned. One a number of current councillors who were around when the development deal was launched, concerned that, like a pregnant hooker, they may have been naughty but negligent. Questions still remain unanaswred by the process or lack thereof which granted Focus Pacific the land in the first place.
The other group is some staff at the Townsville Bulletin, chief among these would be reporter Leighton Smith, who may as well have sat on Michael Graham’s knee as he took dictation from him with nary a raised eyebrow. Same with giving Jenny Hill a regular foot rub before transcribing her pearls of wisdom on the project. (It arrived in town as a 5-star rival for he ‘Ville, but stead ily spiralled down to the final entity of a ‘no bar fridge, no car space and make your own breakfast in the hotel canteen’ operation. One suspects the Hilton back room boys did their research better than Mr Graham. None of the progressive downgrades stirred a ripple of a question across Mr Smith’s investigative pond. Interesting that he has since become the paper’s quasi ‘business editor’ a title bestowed on the unlucky journo who has to do the advertising advertorial manager’s bidding.
The other person in the Bulletin bunker is, of course, editor Gas Carvey, who is evidently. if Saturday’s editorial is any guide, still thinks the Jenny Hill mafia will do herv a mischief if she thinks for herself.
Ms Garvey lands clearly on the side of the old Jenny Hill nexus, because it’s a fair bet Mullet Whisperer Dolan Hayes, Mr Graham’s mate and former business partner, had been on-passing Hill messages/quasi orders to Bulletin management. The inference is that a group of whingeing accommodation locals have blocked the Hilton project for selfish non-competitive reasons and the council had been spooked by the group. Which is utter bollocks and obviously so. Ms Garvey then highlights that TwoNames Thompson had backed out of a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the start of work, but it never once occurred to her this might be a clue to a problem … mayors, especially a fake one like TwoNames, don’t back away from this sort of publicity for no reason.
And It’s Taken Our Federal Member To Again Make The Running In Our Civic Affairs
Despite constant, reliable information being posted in The Nest ever since the election, not a single effort to even acknowledge that there might be some suspect selective reporting about pipeline costs and progress, with ratepayers likely footing the bill. Until member for Herbert Phil Thompson revealed whistleblower information including these details in a parliamentary speech.
A key quote: “Adding further insult to injury, I also understand a costly consultant has now been on the books for almost a year to identify ways to mop up Labor’s disastrous mess – which includes putting out the begging bowl to the Queensland and Federal Governments for an additional $146 million.
“I urgently call on the Townsville City Councillors, State Labor MPs and State Labor Government to explain to the people of Townsville why they should not resign immediately, and a full investigation be conducted.”
Suddenly, Facebook had provided the Bulletin with another hard won investigative story. And Ms Garvey, have you ever wondered why a TCC whistleblower would approach the FEDERAL member instead of the city’s only newspaper and major news platform? Could it be to do with your political bedfellows and a complete lack of trust in the paper’s trustworthiness and integrity?
It’s been said here before, but you remain a major part of Townsville’s problems, only selectively doing proper reporting when it suits you.
The ‘Aww Diddums’ Post Of The Week.
Is there no end to the workload this bloke takes on.
This Man, Stephen Lane, Has Serious Concerns
Former independent candidate for Thuringowa and later LNP activist Stephen Lane is very concerned about Magpie mentions of him in The Nest, specifically in relation to his unconfirmed involvement with and support for Troy Thompson. So concerned that Mr Lane, who over the years has contacted The Magpie by text, sometime friendly banter, (one of the more recent texts suggested should The Magpie vacate the Nest for some reason, he would like to take it over … good grief!!) at other times sometimes not so friendly or coherent, has decided in this instance to practice what he can remember of his law degrees and, rather than get a solicitor, to pen an impressive sounding Concerns Notice.
Now, normally, The ‘Pie, who has been the recipient of one or two of these missives over the past 14 years would have – as the new vernacular has it – ‘reached out’ and settled things privately,, and one hopes amicably, with the poor distraught chap. Which would’ve happened but for two factors in Mr. Lane’s quasi legal mewlings.
The first factor is item 8. which states:
8. The means by which the defamatory statements were published were:
a. your blog post ; and
b. comments on your blog post.
This clearly implies that Mr Lane will, if possible, will take issue with certain Nest readers who have made reference to him in comments. Now this puts The ‘Pie in a bit of a pickle, and any suggestion of a pickled ‘Pie is what got News Corpse into court with the old bird, but that’s another story. The problem is that Mr Lane, who appears to have a lot time on his hands and no appreciation of the limited circulation of the Nest blog, does not understand until now that The Magpie does not know the identity or email addresses of all but a handful ( maybe 4/5) of old friends who are readers.
So since the concerns letter may involve persons other than himself, he feels duty bound to let them know that they may become objects of Mr Lane’s urgent need for money to assuage (at the moment, Mr Lane may be of a mind to hire some gun hackers) his claims of damaged pride and business reputation. (His personal reputation could hardly suffer damage, this is after all a man who tried to manufacture a false situation with Les Walker, which ended up being chucked out of court, in part because Magistrate Smid said Mr Lane ‘was not a credible witness’ – which is court chat meaning ‘is a liar’. and had crated a storm ina teacup, wasting the courts valuable and crowded time.)
So with all that in mind, and aware that the Concerns Notice is headed Private and Confidential but since it private and confidential to me, and therefore, perhaps wrongly, I assume it is my property to do with what I choose, you may read of Mr Lane’s angst here and be warned. But if you haven’t ever mentioned Mr Lane, The ‘pie expects you o be decent people and not read it … it is private and confidential.
The second factor is a bit different. It was this bit.
24. If you do not make an acceptable Offer to Make Amends within the next 28 days,
I will take such further action as is necessary to protect my reputation. This will include
commencing legal proceedings against you and/or others involved in the Publication for
defamation seeking damages in the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
($150,000) and to seek an injunction to restrain you from publishing the same or similar
comments in the future.
That tended to make the old bird’s neck feathers bristle, because that is this goof’s inept and futile attempt at legal bullying. Nothing gets the old bird’s dander up than being bullied or seeing others being bullied.
The way these things work is that someone gets a threat like this concerns notice , even if the claim is, like this one, complete bollocks, it is designed to coerce capitulation, because a legal defence (unless. you have loyal and principled legal friends) is likely to cost as much as a settlement. It is a legalised swindle operated under laws that make litigation such a blood sport in Australia, second only to the United States.
Just in case the Magpie’s personal situation is one of the many things Mr Lane is apparently unaware of (his own pompous arrogance is another), let The ‘Pie do him a favour and explain: I am a 79-year-old recovering cancer patient who lives solely on the Aged Pension (which is quarantined from civil actions such as you suggest). I am a renter, I own no property and have no relevant assets (except a 1997 Corolla which, when I’m not in it, the value is gone). I am content to live modestly and no one else has any interest or connection with The Magpie’s Nest. (Barry Taylor tried that one on, attacking a totally uninvolved relative – it didn’t end well or cheaply for him … loyal legal friends again.)
But look, neither of us need all this palaver, so I’ll make you a deal, Stephen. I will suitable adjust any reference to you that you have mentioned, and if you forward me the relevant comments that have wounded you, I will also remove your name. On top of that, to show my sincerity not to harm you, your reputation or your future political goals, I am happy to sign over not just my 1400 Coles Frequent Flyer points (mate don’t scoff, that’s about $7.50) but I am also willing to let you have my 30 Coles cookware credits in their current special offer – that could get you a Curtis Stone small ceramic baking dish. They’re bloody brilliant. I tell you.
Should you not accept this very acceptable offer within the next 24 days, the cook ware credits will be useless, the promotion ends on July 31. Up to you, mate.
Hopefully, The Days Of England Waiving The Rules Is Over
While Britain rejoices in an electoral outcome of a Labour landslide, with the same sort of ‘anyone but’ glee we celebrated the demise of Jenny Hill, The ‘Pie took great personal satisfaction in this:
This louch festering remnant of the British class system has been turfed out. Poms will no longer be subject to his vicious scorn and self-entitled posturing.
The Conservatives defeat was more than comprehensive, it was of such magnitude, there are questions whether the changed face of Britain’s population … light to dark beige contrasting besides the unhealthy pale traditional faces … will ever allow the Tories to regroup and survive at all.
From The Weekend Australian
Sir Keir Starmer now has the Herculean job of cleaning out the Augean stables of the filth left after a decade and a half of decadent, anti-social conservative rule.
It’s Back To The Future For America, With Echoes Of Nixon This Week
The country was mesmerised in disbelief this week, when Trump’s personally appointed Supreme Court jugheads ruled that President have immunity for official acts made as part of presidential duties. There are some restrictions on the ruling, but not enough to stop it being a whole new ball game. But while it throws Donald Trump’s pending criminal trials for sedition further on to the back burner (he will no doubt argue that a coup attempt and incitement to riot against the Congress was part of his official duties) some ‘illustrative commentators’ think it cuts both ways. On the one hand ….
… but then on the other ….
A couple of things to close with …
This article from the Mumbrella site will strike a chord with many, and not just those of a certain age. of a certain age.
Amnd another thing … for a moment, The ‘Pie thought his old mate Ray Dickson had become the Bulletin’s council reporter. But no, just another one of his intelligent and informed reviews of local thespians.
And let’s repeat this one, an oldie, but its truth never changes.
…….
Another week gone, and so has The ‘Pie – Away to his virginal couch, he’s buggered (no, smartarses, as in tired). So please forgive the lack of a final sub, will fix mistakes later. But, hey, get into comments, lots of good info flowing in … usually well ahead of the Astonisher. And have your say, it’s free and runs 24/7. If you’d like to support The Nest, the donate button is below.
Two monks were arguing about the temple flag waving in the wind. One said the flag was moving. The other said the wind was moving. They argued back and forth but could not agree. The Sixth Patriarch said, ‘It is neither the flag nor the wind that moves, but your mind.
AND, B. Sac? Related to what issue(s) in particular covered by The Pie this week, OR, are you just showing off???
In respects to the current issues, but mainly just showing off.
Having sped read previous posts, I saw a suggestion that a multi level car park be built in place of the stadium hotel. Great idea. Have to be cyclone proof and above flood, tide and storm surge levels though. You would definitely have to make sure nobody with a Mooney name goes near it and sells it to mates too. It would have to be publicly owned and run. You could build a couple of them for people to use when floods are forecast too. That should take the money in . You could double the fee on game nights and set up RBTs to pick up the drunks driving from games too.
It took Phil Thompson to flush out Council blowout on Haughton stage 2 after writing to acting Mayor Paul Jacob ( no reply ) . media and Parliamentary Privilege to flush out $274 mil budget signed off by Team Hill 2023 had blown out to $420 mil in just a year . Ratepayers picking up 1/4 Bil and thats just the Haughton . The response from the Hilton developer ” Townsville Council see themselves immune from acting commercially collaboratively ” . I thought this arrogance finished when Jenny , Mark , Prins departed . Claims 25 emails not responded to and Council wouldnt met a $60 mil investor .
You would be aware, Mike, that we never get the full story. From either side, in this instance.
Engaging blog as always Magpie, I hope the concerns notice isnt disturbing your much needed sleep too much. I think your offer of settlement is more than generous and if he does’nt accept the cookware credits I would be happy to take them off your hands.
I received a similar, albeit I think more professionally prepared, concerns notice from McCullough Robertson Lawyers in Brisbane, no doubt a very expensive 20 pages not unlike the threats i received from TCC some years ago when I challenged the Adani Airport farce (as detailed in your blog) This one on behalf of Whitsunday Regional Council which received a similar response from me.
It is claimed that I have committed the “Tort of Injurious Falsehood” “False Statements” and “Defamation” and insisted on 4 actions to avoid the threatened court appearance. They are:
a) remove the Website; ( I refused http://www.lovewhitsundays.com.au )
(b) remove the Post from the ‘Whitsundays Noticeboard’ Facebook page and your Facebook page; (I refused)
(c) give a public written retraction and public apology; or (I refused)
(d) give a written undertaking that you will immediately cease and desist from making, and will not under any circumstances publish, further statements of a similar nature in any capacity about Council, any Councillors or any Council employees. ( I refused)
I then encouraged the council to please take me to court, as yet 7 months later no further correspondence
Stay the course Magpie
Gosh, The ‘Pie is humbled – being of a concern by a real, live COUNCIL is far more impressive than giving an individual the sulks.
When I was at uni and we were doing election shenanigans up on the Cairns Campus, I got a cease and desist letter from now barrister Ryan Haddricks father’s lawyer which must have been pre -written as whatever I had said had only minutes previously passed my lips. Daddy was making sure his boy was alright on the campaign trail.
I remember I handed it back to him and the words I would have mentioned would have been what they could do with it.
I regret not keeping it and framing it cos Haddrick went on the be Howards campaign manager later on.
He did? Anyway, Ryan is now a very successful barrister in Brisbane.
Even someone as thick as Mr Lane should remember from first year law studies that truth is a complete defence.
In civil action, the first rule is that there is no point in suing someone who has no money.
And another thing Mr Lane has not understood is the Streisand Effect.
I’ve seen some of Stephen’s facebook public comments in the past. He has shown a bit of demagoguery, but he’s definitely the type to he overly proud of himself and unable to see past his own ego. I’d love to have a chat with him some day just to see how long he can hold a normal conversation for before the mental paradigm inevitably finally breaks free and he starts ranting and raving about how much he hates Les Walker. I reckon he’d last about 5 seconds. I’d hate to be this bloke’s barista (let along barrister) at whichever cafe he angrily cycles to each morning.
All this is IN MY OPINION. So settle down, Stephen my little, pedal *ring ring*.
You do realise you are now on Mr Lane’s list, don’t you?
Hopefully not. Speaking of which, someone did ride past my place this early morning and put something in my letterbox. Bit odd to receive mail on a Sunday. I was woked by the angry jittering as the swooping local magpies chased him off.
yeah, sorry about the disturbed sleep. Kids, eh, what can ya do?
Please add me to Mr Stephen Lame’s hit list. That photo of him looking like a flower pot man from the rock band Devo is ridiculous. What a lame fool he is.
It was the only pic I could find that didn’t make him look like Peter Dutton.
This receiving correspondence from individuals who are miffed by a few observations and truths certainly sounds like fun !
Am I on Lanes’ shit list if I pass comment like I think he’s far too fragile for public life, has too much time on his hands (or something else in his hands) and is basically a bit of a total dick head ?
Consider yourself listed.
Please supply name address, financial details, bank, and sexual preferences to save Mr Lane time.
And Jatz, ‘yes, please’ is not an acceptable answer to sexual preferences.
On the subject of the now rejected Hilton ‘shit show’.
I have no objection of Hilton coming to town, but come through the front door. 7 years for Christ sake!
Mr Graham, be like other corporations and developers and purchase your own block of dirt to build on. Here are some sites you could research.
The Wintergarden theatre site on Sturt St, I think owned by a Cairns business man.
The Buchanans Hotel site on Sturt St, possibly owned by the same Cairns bloke.
Dimmy’s Arcade on Flinders, been dormant for years. Owned by the Chemist Warehouse lot.
Or crawl back to the council and see if they will sell that bit of freehold land attached to the ‘North Fail Yards’.
The ‘Pie’s point exactly … while he supported the accommodation group’s views and complaints about council’s total indifference to there concerns from the start, The ‘Pie would welcome a Hilton to town if built under the circumstances you suggest. And the group would not be able or even want to object. But their fair question in the Hilton set-up was whether the TCC offered unfair advantage, including the highly questionable lack of tender. A suspicion that is yetb to be verified.
And Ala, you may notice a slight edit at the end of your missive … just to be on the safe side.
What about the site of the old Surf and Turf on the banks of the river opposite Northtown, you can view the stadium from there and bring plenty more business into the CBD.
OT, Forgot about that site, Mooney/McCraken little deal.
Yep, and as any seasoned developer knows, or old mate should know, if you’ve been knocked back by councils etc you regroup, make sure the local media sees the cruel crusher of your proposal and then try and extract an amended golden deal to your advantage.
That all went pear shape as Jenny tried to work out a way that the rort wouldn’t expose her sneaky hand but couldn’t !
Don’t let the door hit you on the arse on the way out to Toowoomba fool !
Small piece of information Phil Thompson left out:
The business case for Haughton Stage 2 was accepted for evaluation by Infrastructure Australia on 23 October 2019.
Feb 2020 they decided not to fund it because:
“The proponent’s business case found that constructing the Stage 2 works would not provide additional water security to Townsville. Furthermore, residential water bills could increase by up to 8% per year and non-residential customer bills by up to 9% per year to help fund the project.”
Feds were never going to fund it, because it wasn’t deemed viable. This was before the GST debacle.
https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/projects/haughton-pipeline-project-stage-2
https://infrastructurepipeline.org/project/haughton-pipeline-duplication-project-stage-2
Just a small point of clarification, the review of Infrastructure Australia was to decide if it would be included on IA’s priority list of projects – not fund it. As you correctly point out, IA went on to tear the project apart. In fairness, so does the detailed business case undertaken by Jacobs completed in May 2019 that was paid for by the Feds. This was the business case Jenny said was a waste of time and money. I guess she was being honest, she didn’t give a shit if it stacked up or not.
One of the questions that we should be asking is how the hell did the Council decide to proceed with this project after both reports said it was a dog with fleas?
If the TCC (a.k.a Jenny Hill) had owned up and said, this project just does not stack up at that point, we would not be in a $420M hole. Let’s not forget, the immediate water crisis had passed. The dam was full and Stage 1 was completed so pumping could occur if needed. Still hasn’t been needed.
The only reason that anyone has ever identified why Stage 2 needed to be built now as opposed to down the track, was to save $55M. By the time the TCC decided to sign contracts for the project in Oct 2021, the project had already blown out by $79M so there never ever was any saving or need to build the bloody thing!
PLEASE EVERYBODY HIS NAME IS JACOB. NO ‘S’.
Annoying.
Jacobs is the engineering consultancy
As noted in a previous reply, but the fact remains that many commenters – and in the beginning, The Magpie himself – said Jacobs for the man – but now with his return to prominence, best we get it right.
Jacobs is the Engineering firm, not Jacob the Deputy Mayor.
Oh.Good point to be aware of.
Amanda, you wrote: “The dam was full and Stage 1 was completed so pumping could occur if needed.” You have missed one significant detail which is at the centre of the fumbling over costs for Haughton 1 and/or Haughton 2 – the Clare Weir to Haughton River irrigation channel. The original 1980s pipeline and pump station was tacked onto the end of the Haughton irrigation channel which had sufficient dimensions and capacity to supply the 450mm Townsville pipeline with up to 130 ML per day. However, the new pipeline, at 1800mm diameter, had capacity up to 364 ML per day, way more than the Haughton irrigation channel could supply without significant augmentation – said to cost $55m. Also, although the Haughton 1 pipeline had been built it could not be switched on until a new pump station was constructed. The whole ‘business case’ scenario was about whether to build a standalone pipeline direct from the Burdekin River at Clare with one pump or to upgrade the Haughton irrigation channel (including the pump that lifted water into that channel) and then a second pump at the Haughton River to push the water to Townsville. One way or another the scheme had to be completed. As far as I know, TCC had little input into which scheme would be adopted or who would pay for it. State and federal governments seemed to have indicated initially that they would share the costs, neither has explained now why there is a costs blowout.
Jenny, I need to correct a few things that you have said as they are incorrect. You either haven’t read the Jacob’s Consulting (for the Magpie) Detailed Business Case (JDBC) or you have and you are being deliberately misleading.
The full JDBC is available online but has in my humble opinion been hidden. The link to download the document, all 240 pages of it are here.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjj1-_v7ZaHAxWyh1YBHeAfB7QQFnoECB4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.infrastructure.gov.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmigrated%2Fcities%2Fcity-deals%2Ftownsville%2Ffiles%2Ffinal-stage-2-haughton-pipeline-dbc.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0gSAyXsFI5aIEMQRUNdNkr&opi=89978449
The JBDC considered 3 options against a Base Case.
Base Case: Utilising the existing supply capacity of the Haughton Main Irrigation Channel after the conclusion of stage 1 pipeline.
Option 1: Doing stage 2 concurrently with Stage 1
Option 2: Doing Stage 2 in the next 15 years and
Option 3: Adopting water tariff reform to be undertaken to develop and implement a two-part tariffs for residential customers.
SPOILER ALERT: Sorry to everyone that wanted to read the report, but Option 3 of bringing Townsville’s water pricing system (after the Stage 1 water efficiency implementations) in line with the rest of the country, was going to cost the government at all levels next to nothing and have the smallest impact upon residential water bills.
JBDC Report page 196 – Neither option 1 of building both stages together or Option 2 of doing stage 2 in the next 15 years, had a positive CBA. They did not stack up.
The JBDC is literally the Zapruder Film of this whole sorry saga. The Report debunks the following myths (lies) that have been and continue to be trotted out by Council.
1. Stage 2 of the pipeline is necessary to guarantee water security for the future of the city. LIE – JBDC page 10 “Under the base case all the combined activities undertaken recently to secure the water supply to Townsville have been highly effective in reducing the estimated frequency of water restrictions for Townsville. Townsville will have very high water security for at least 60 years.” Stage 2 not required at all. It was a nice to have not need to have.
2. The pipeline is necessary to power future growth in industry. – LIE, JBDC identifies only marginal increase in agricultural activity if the TCC no longer requires use of the HMIC – approx. $3M per annum increase.
As for the cost blowout and delay, the JDBC spends countless pages identifying risks that will likely cause delay such as the environmental issues, land acquisition, native title, clearance, engineering issues relating to multiple road and creak crossings and the big issue, the fact that the project does not yet have access to a pump out of the Burdekin river.
So Jenny, I reiterate my comment to Ducks Nuts and I guess the whole of the city. How did the Council, armed with the JDBC from May of 2019, decide to keep going with the project?
Another little factoid, the report predicts that the supply issue leading up to 2019 had been alleviated (via the stage 1 water package remediations) to a point where the risk of needing to actually actual use the pipeline was 0.14% (being 1 in 520 years) (JDBC page 58).
Jenny in your post you state “As far as I know, TCC had little input into which scheme would be adopted or who would pay for it”. On the TCC Project website, you can download a timeline that they have prepared. In September 2021 the entry states “Recommendation report to Council. Council acknowledges costs and agrees to progress.” Their document has that last sentence in bold. Someone was leaving breadcrumbs for us. Which of our current Councillors signed off on that call?
Then we have the Mayor and Premier making an announcement via media on 21 October 2021, about the Council agreeing to the state funding.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/93651
Jenny your defense of the TCC decision to proceed and lock us into this shitshow, holds less water than Stage 1 or Stage 2 of the pipeline.
If this was a public company, these clowns would be facing jail time for the negligence shown.
Even if we give Council, the benefit of the doubt about making a shit decision because they got shit advice, THEY LIED AND HID THE COSTS!
Nesters, please don’t take my word for it. Download the JDBC. Download the Infrastructure Australia Review of the JDBC that is linked above in Ducks Nuts’ post and make your own mind up.
If the Council has reports that refute both of these documents, why have they never come forward and made them public? We know why. It suited Jenny and the Three Knuckleheads to play fast and loose with the issue to try to win some political points. Fuck the costs, let’s make some shit up and pump a headline or two because we will be dead before we pump any water.
Sorry wrong Link. Full copy of the Jacobs’ Consulting Detailed Business Case for Stage 2 of the pipeline can be found here.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjj1-_v7ZaHAxWyh1YBHeAfB7QQFnoECB4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.infrastructure.gov.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmigrated%2Fcities%2Fcity-deals%2Ftownsville%2Ffiles%2Ffinal-stage-2-haughton-pipeline-dbc.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0gSAyXsFI5aIEMQRUNdNkr&opi=89978449
I hope…
Amanda, when you wrote: “The dam was full and Stage 1 was completed so pumping could occur if needed”, you imply that a new enlarged pump is already connected to the new 1800mm Haughton 1 pipeline and no augmentation of the Haughton irrigation channel was being contemplated. Is this what you meant?
Magpie, it is tiresome to have to correct the record of Amanda’s correcting of the record about the Haughton scheme which as I said way back when contained a “fumble” about funding. Amanda claimed that at the time of TCC’s decision making about Haughton 2, Haughton 1 had been “completed” and was ready to start pumping if needed. In the Jacobs study (Executive summary, Amanda) Haughton 1 is described thus:
“As part of the Stage 1 project, the existing Sunwater channel would be upgraded to supply water from the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme (Burdekin River Scheme) to the Haughton Balancing Storage.
The combination of this duplicated pipeline and the upgraded Sunwater channel will allow for 364 ML per day (125,000 ML per annum1) to be transported from the Burdekin River to Toonpan, at Ross River Dam. This new infrastructure, which is currently being constructed, will result in very high water security for at least 60 years.”
The existing Sunwater channel was never “upgraded” and Haughton 1 was never “completed” such that it could be put to use to deliver 364ML per day to Ross River dam. The rest of Amanda’s pitch, whilst not a LIE, is irrelevant.
Ducky, if you are up to speed on Haughton stage 2, as I suspect you are, can you let us plebs know if the spur pipeline going down Majors ck road probably under the highway and into Lansdowne has been costed in the project?? If not this will cost a motza again for the suffering(ME) ratepayer, Drive It is not affected they have a bore, the water was for the BIG bizness that was pouring ( pun intended) into the precinct, there’s a dam etc. as well, the cost of such will be staggering if not in the original plans.
Hondaman, details of the connection from the Haughton pipeline into the Lansdown project are here:
https://epbcpublicportal.awe.gov.au/_entity/sharepointdocumentlocation/37041d14-b66a-ed11-81ab-002248156004/2ab10dab-d681-4911-b881-cc99413f07b6?file=00-2022-09383%20Referral.pdf
From the 2024-25 Queensland Budget:
“$15.3 million as part of the $26 million for the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Estate Precinct construction of a 13 kilometre raw water pipeline and pumping station connecting the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct to the Haughton Pipeline, and a water reservoir.”
Does that mean that the TCC (i.e. ratepayers) have to stump up the other $10.7million? Genuine question, Jenny, not trying to be smart (it always gives the ‘Pie a headache when he does that).
Dunno. That slightly ambiguous quote was the full extent of the item in that particular QBudget media release. I think some of this work has gone out to tender so there would be detail in some other place. Also, that was then (it looked like the Queensland government was going to pay for the infrastructure, not ratepayers). But this is now – a month goes by, “cost of living” goes up, an extra nail or pipe has to be purchased and suddenly there’s a ‘cost overrun’ and ratepayers are up for some of it after all.
And look who’s in charge of Major Projects.
Jenny, that appears to be the same documents I viewed at the Aitkenvale Library some months ago. I am a layman, not an academic versed in legal jargon, and I think Magpie has answered my question of who is going to be holding the baby if the proposed pipeline to Lansdowne is built. And then of course if water is not required for Townsville from the 1.8m pipeline from the Haughton who will pay for the pumping to Industries ( is the Nickel plant actually happening?) in Lansdowne, and can the said water be pumped independent of through the main pipe? There are a lot of questions needing answers! Maybe Magpie was right years ago when he said Councils should not try to be property developers!
That’s always been The’Pie’s view, but especially so when you have fiscal incompetents like Jenny Hill seeking glory and some sort of legacy. Her political jealousy of His Radiance – Mayor Mooney to al you newcomers to The Nest – drove her to the stupidity the results of which we all now have endure.
Hondaman, whatever the ultimate cost of duplicating and upgrading the Haughton pipeline to “secure Townsville’s water supply”, it was unavoidable. The city had no choice after the 2016 ‘drought’ and the 2017 Water Taskforce but to find and adopt a solution, pronto. It was always the case, and still is, that the squillion dollar infrastructure investment could lie more or less idle for decades like its predecessor, costing more millions in maintenance, like so many desalination plants in other parts of the country. We’re stuck with that.
I’m no apologist for the Jenny Hill council or any other council for that matter, but in principle and in the bigger picture is it a mistake for TCC, in bipartisan cahoots with State and Federal governments in the first national CityDeal, to attempt to diversify its options for use of the very expensive Haughton water? It has 2000+ hectares of land available with road, rail, gas, grid electricity etc nearby only needing a bulk water supply to become the next development zone for the city. And critically, with full financial support on offer from government to carry out road upgrades, rail overpass and now a raw water spur line and reservoir onsite – apparently at no cost to ratepayers (although that remains to be seen). Most recently the Albanese government is falling over itself to fund hydrogen projects that could be located there.
One other thing. I notice that the Acting CEO is trying very hard to hand the bill for the Haughton2 cost blowout back to where it came from:
“Mr McCabe said while Council is committed to water security for the community, Council is unable to contribute any further additional funds to the project above the $79 million.”
“Pestiferous tugger”. That was quite hilarious actually.
Deal of the century … take the cookware, S.Lame!
Phil Thompson’s revelations regarding the pipeline cost blowout raise some interesting questions about the Team Jenny Hill members who remain on the council.
Ann-Maree Greaney, Suzy Batkovic, Kurt Rehbein, and Liam Mooney surely knew about the massive blowout before the election so why didn’t they inform the public?
And by not coming clean on the blowout prior to the election, did they do a “Troy Thompson” and mislead the voters?
And if the blowout had been revealed, would they have been re-elected?
Finally, why shouldn’t the coverup be referred to the CCC, same as Troy’s lies and deceit?
Same goes for the Hilton Garden Inn debacle.
Surely Greaney, Batkovic, Rehbien, and Mooney know what deal was brokered between the council and the proponents regarding the land, so why aren’t they informing the public?
Perhaps our fearless editor Cas Garvey can get us some answers.
Nah, its Townsville. And the Townsville Bulletin.
First issue, whether the four councillors could be held to the same standard as Thompson, the answer surely is no. Doubt in a political campaign you can face official censure for NOT saying something … the sin of ommission would be hard to propve anyway. But if like Thompson you bsay something that is a lie, that’s a different kettle of rotten fish.
The second matter about the Hilton arrangement, yes, they’d know the details because of closed meetings, but those details were shielded behind highly doubtful Commercial In Confidence claims. The ‘Pie again asks … for about the 100th time … if this council believes in transparency, at the very least in broad, terms and not giving anything sensitive away, explain publicly why certain details of a matter … and matter … cannot be revealed. Intellectual property is a laughable reason, but giving operational financial details away certainly could be sensitive and reasonably subject to CinC.
But giving council land to a developer at whatever rate and lease arrangement without tenders called would be commercial in confidence only because it is preferential treatment and almost certainly illegal.
Those details should now be made public. And while we’re at it, how about producing the ‘consultation’ records about Strand and Gregory Street parking, eh?
Magpie, I think you’re getting the raw end of the deal giving away the Curtis Stone cookware/flybys points.
The ‘Pie is nothing if not generous.
Shady only got his law degree two months ago. He still has a lot of work to do before he is entitled to practice. Even then, someone may object to his admission. Like all new graduates, there is no limits to his sense of self-importance. They are usually brought back to ground within six months of actually getting a job in a law firm. An old lawyer once told me that the most likely times to end up being sued for malpractice is within the first two years of being admitted and again after thirty years from admission – at both points you consider yourself to know everything and that you don’t have to bother yourself with actually checking the law.
Seems to fit, that gap would between Stephen and Big Bazza Taylor.
BTW, did anybody note that when he went on about not giving legal advice, not a solicitor blah blah blah, he DID NOT disassociate himself from Thompson. The ‘Pie is happy to accept his assurance that he is not anything to do with MyPlace, but being in the Thompson camp, if he is, is enough to make him a figure worthy of public comment.
Hi, Pie. Can you please repost the Concerns letter again? The main link seems to go no where.
OPK this end. Try again.
It’s not working for me either Magpie
Now published elsewhere in comments, have a scroll.
You’ve linked to a Gmail object. External parties (eg your readers) can’t access your Gmail. You’ll have to put it somewhere else to share it.
Ok, here it is.
01 July 2024
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Malcolm Weatherup
0421 037 179
BY EMAIL ONLY: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Dear Mr Weatherup,
RE: PROTECTION OF REPUTATION CONCERNS NOTICE UNDER SECTION 12A OF THE
DEFAMATION ACT 2005 (QLD) NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CLAIM DAMAGES
Concerns Notice Page 1 of 5
This Letter is written as a “Concerns Notice” under section 12A of the Defamation Act 2005 (Qld).
If you have a lawyer, I suggest that you provide them with a copy of this letter on an urgent basis
as there are time limits that apply to you under the Defamation Act 2005 (Qld) and the
equivalent provisions of other defamation legislation in Australia. In particular, an Offer to Make
Amends cannot be made if more than 28 days have passed since the date of service of this
Notice upon you.
1. I (Stephen Lane) am a self-employed professional holding a Bachelor in Laws (Employment
and IR Law), CertIV in Workplace Health and Safety, ICAM LEAD INVESTIGATOR, and other
relevant qualifications. I conduct work for private clients in the field of WHS, HR, MEDIA
and POLITICAL ADVISING and CONSULTING, and a PROFESSIONAL CONTENT/MEDIA
CREATOR/PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER.
2. I am well regarded by my peers and my clients for my professionalism and high quality of
work.
3. I am not a legal advisor or a lawyer/solicitor and do not hold myself to be one in any way.
4. I do not provide legal services and I do not represent any client in a legal manner.
5. I am not a member of or associated with the MY PLACE (group) in any way.
6. I have never been charged with any public nuisance breaches.
7. You have published a series of defamatory statements regarding me, in relation to the
Mayor of Townsville.
8. The means by which the defamatory statements were published were:
a. your blog post ; and
b. comments on your blog post.
9. The defamatory statements which you have made are outlined in the balance of this letter.
The Defamatory Publication
10. On the below dates you said the following about me (the Publication).
11. The Publication contained five primary defamatory and disparaging statements made
concerning me, each of which are expressly denied. These statements were namely:
June 21, 2024 at 6:33 pm
“More foam flecked thinking from Stephen Lane, apparently appointed as ‘legal advisor’ to
Thompson, writing responses for him while pretending to be legally competent.”
And talk about loopy spin … if the OIA, as Thompson/Lane claim ‘provided further
clarification to the mayor on what would be advisable to post and how to conduct himself
on line according to the conduct lines’ that is clearly a reprimand for some of his posts. So
Concerns Notice Page 2 of 5
now Thompson/Lane wish to take on the OIA itself by suggesting he’s always compliant
with the rules – despite the OIA clearly saying he hasn’t been and has had to remind him.
Seriously, where does this clown show see this all ending up. The councillors don’t want
him, CEO doesn’t want him, the Premier and the Opposition leader don’t want him, and the
clincher, the people of Townsville don’t want him.
The arrogance is staggering, second only to the derangement.
Seems Thompson’s MyPlace Foamers Have Themselves A New Flag For Protest Matches
Probably borrowed from America’s Republicans.”
June 26, 2024 at 9:25 am
“But keep it all going, Troy, along with that arch-drongo Stephen Lane and all you
intellectual hunchbacks of MyPlace, you may in the end be doing us all a favour … if by
outrageous fortune, you are returned as mayor, the outcome will be such chaos and
chicanery by you lot that an administrator will have to be appointed. And that would not be
a bad outcome – except for Jenny, when the books are examined forensically.”
June 27, 2024 at 10:15 am
“Dunno about that, Doug.
Strand parking aside (BTW it will NEVER happen, talk about political suicide notes), seems
there may be more turmoil ahead.
Have a go at interpreting what this means, replete again with weird third person allusions,
no doubt courtesy of the pestiferous tugger Stephen Lane.”
June 29th, 2024
“With a droning background static of Troy Thompson’s demented caterwauling and
equally that of his ‘ legal’ chihuahua Stephen Lane (spare me!!), the councillors swiftly went
back into the opaque mode of the past, waving through a city budget that was largely
fashioned by the repudiated ex-mayor Jenny Hill and some of the current councillors who
survived the election. It was no surprise that there was a swingeing rate rise, and a lot of
obscure word salads about things like the Haughton Pipeline and Lansdown.”
June 29th, 2024
“Our shortly-not-to-be-our-mayor Troy Thompson has been posting some weird, desperate
shit on social media, aided and abetted apparently by legal wannabee and pest-about-
town Stephen Lane.”
12. The Links to the publications are:
https://www.townsvillemagpie.com.au/as-political-suicide-notes-go-at-least-tccs-was-brief-we-
will-introduce-paid-parking-on-the-strand/
https://www.townsvillemagpie.com.au/what-the-hell-tel-the-dudley-do-nothings-do-nothing-for-
their-members/
13. The natural and ordinary meaning of the words used by you in the Publication meant and
were intended by you to mean that:
a. I am a legal practitioner;
Concerns Notice Page 3 of 5
b. I am making myself out to be a legal practitioner;
c. I am incompetent in my line of work;
d. I am committing or have committed crimes;
e. I am committing or have committed public nuisance breaches;
(collectively, the Imputations).
14. For the avoidance of doubt, each of the Imputations are vehemently denied by me. Given
my standing among my peers, the damaging effect of the Publication on my personal and
professional relationships has been significant.
15. In addition to the defamatory meanings conveyed by the Publication itself, I note that I
have received communication from friends, colleagues, and clients asking about my
involvement in making myself out to be a legal practitioner. I put you on notice that I will
hold you liable for any further harm caused by the dissemination of the Publication to a
wider audience.
Publication and Damage
16. The Defamatory Publications have been posted to your blog online to a wide audience of
Townsville locals (and have thereby been published to them) in Queensland.
17. The Publication was made by you to your readers with the intention to lower their opinion
of me causing serious harm and damage to my professional reputation.
18. The Publication by you and each of the defamatory Imputations that were carried by the
Publications have caused and are likely to continue to cause serious harm to me and my
professional reputation, in addition to my professional credibility and future professional
opportunities.
19. Further, the Publication was made maliciously with an intention of:
a. causing me shame, embarrassment and humiliation;
b. causing my existing professional reputation to be diminished;
c. causing friends, colleagues, clients, companies, other potential clients and all other
interested parties to discredit or avoid me;
d. causing all past and future promotions of me or my work to be viewed with negative
bias;
e. causing fellow colleagues, clients, friends, and others to shun and demean me.
Concerns Notice Page 4 of 5
Demand
20. I have suffered, and continue to suffer, considerable embarrassment, shame and
reputational harm as a result of the Publication.
21. The defamatory statements made by you, and their imputations, are wholly untrue and, in
the circumstances, have been made maliciously without any concern as to their veracity.
22. I demand that you cease and desist from publishing defamatory statements concerning me
to any website, to the public, or anyone who seeks to use my services as a professional
advisor, or a professional consultant, or a professional media advisor, or a professional
photographer.
23. Notwithstanding the serious harm already caused to my reputation and standing, I would
consider a suitable offer to make amends by you to me and would involve the following
action:
a. A written retraction and apology to me, published to your blog, in terms agreed
between you and me;
b. A written retraction and apology made directly to me.
24. If you do not make an acceptable Offer to Make Amends within the next 28 days,
I will take such further action as is necessary to protect my reputation. This will include
commencing legal proceedings against you and/or others involved in the Publication for
defamation seeking damages in the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
($150,000) and to seek an injunction to restrain you from publishing the same or similar
comments in the future.
25. I look forward to receiving confirmation of your willingness to make an acceptable Offer to
Make Amends within 28 days.
26. I reserves my rights.
Yours faithfully
Stephen Lane
ESTABLISHED PHOTOGRAPHY & ESTABLISHED BUSINESS CONSULTING
email hidden; JavaScript is required
0421656965
If anyone can find the online reviews of Stephen’s photography business, let us know. I remember reading them on Google and how they appeared as random posts in some of the townsville facebook groups a few years ago following his services at weddings. Most of the reviews have seemingly disappeared from the internet. Without commenting on the content of the reviews here, I’ll suggest at the least that it shouldn’t be hard to find witnesses to attest to his true character.
“I am well regarded by my peers”
Oh come on Stephen! There is evidence to suggest otherwise.
Stop this now before you look even sillier.
Is Stephen Lane, the town’s resident serial sook? He seems very busy juggling his concerns and grievances. His legal threats are almost as convincing as his political ambitions. Maybe if he spent less time penning emotional missives and more time on self reflection, he might realize that not everyone sees the world through the lens of his fragile ego. But hey, Stephen, keep those letters coming! They’re the highlight of the week for everyone craving a good laugh.
HA HA HA that is a seriously funny letter from Stefan Tame. Seriously mate, you are saying that little old Magpie has caused you all of this pain and suffering and damage to your business? Fucking pull the other one. I bet you you cry while watching Sleepless in Seattle. Stop being a sook and pestiferous flog engaging in tautological nonsense. Grow a set mate.
There are issues and inadequacies which stand out. The letter feels a tad unprofessional and repetitive, lacking the straightforwardness and brevity that one would normally receive from a professional lawyer. Stephen spends a lot of time listing his qualifications, which doesn’t really add much to his defamation claim and seems unnecessary. And he talks about the harm to his reputation but doesn’t provide specific examples or evidence, like lost clients or damaging inquiries.
The complaints of professional reputational damage are a straight ‘cut and paste’ pro forma in these sorts of letters, using the stilted and intimidating language to make the recipient feel they on the social level of someone who tortures puppies for fun.
And then there is this:
13. The natural and ordinary meaning of the words used by you in the Publication meant and
were intended by you to mean that:
a. I am a legal practitioner;
Concerns Notice Page 3 of 5
b. I am making myself out to be a legal practitioner;
c. I am incompetent in my line of work;
d. I am committing or have committed crimes;
e. I am committing or have committed public nuisance breaches;
(collectively, the Imputations).
In order,
a. The ‘Pie has never made the truly damaging and demeaning suggestion that you are a legal practitioner – damaging to the legal profession that is (giving legal advice is legally open to anyone, The ‘Pie himself indulges frequently, and he certainly is no legal practitioner – it’s quality of the advice that is the pivotal question).
b. The Magpie has done no such thing. (See 1).
c. The Magpie has absolutely no idea what your ‘line of work’ is – a very vague catch-all – and has therefore never to his knowledge commented on it. And if you are not a legal practitioner, then anything The Magpie says about your legal advice to anyone cannot be a reflection on your professional ability.
d. The Magpie has never suggested any such thing, beyond a reasonable interpretation of your dishonesty in the complaint against Les Walker (subsequently dismissed with a flea in your ear as an unreliable witness – magistrate talk for ‘fibber and fabulist’). But Stephen, best be very cautious with this one. Anyway, you most certainly have committed crimes against humility. Do they have a separate court in The Hague for that?
e. Your kidding, right? When you constantly inject yourself into public life, it is The Magpie’s view that you are nothing but a public nuisance, but while The ‘Pie is entitled to hold that view, he has never suggested you to have been officially breached for them.
Bravo, Magpie. You dissected Stephen “Serial Sook” Lane’s Concerns Notice with masterclass. It’s like watching a skilled chef prepare a roast. And our Stevie boy was roasted to perfection. Keep those laughs coming!
Stephen, you really outdid yourself this time. It’s truly impressive how you managed to highlight your own inadequacies so thoroughly that Magpie didn’t even need to try that hard.
Now, on your bike, and scuttle back into your hole to lick your wounds and let this blow over. Otherwise, you’d better stock up on ice packs because you’ll need them if you decide to go a few more rounds with the Magpie.
Magpie,
Be careful when you talk about not having any legal issues when you clearly identify commentators by posting their IPv4 address’s publicly.
As shown below, this person isn’t even in Townsville and is using state government proxy to access your website so this tells me this person is full of shit and in fact works for fraser coast council which all traffic is decrypted and one call/request to their IT department, I could tell you who it is.
Disgruntled TCC employee and ratepayer (60.241.103.102 – webvpn.frasercoast.qld.gov.au)
Interesting tech information.
Although this is beside the point, one would hope that a local government entity – or any corporate entity anywhere – would not be giving out names callers requesting such information. In fact, it’s a fair bet they don’t, under the legal privacy regulations. that doesn’t mean that certain folks couldn’t find out, though. As to whether DTCCE is offering unreliable information (as in ‘full of shit’) that is not necessarily so just because they are elsewhere. Chosen comment names are meaningless.
But not worth wasting time on that side of the question.
Back in 2000 the former CJC put out this report on police illegally accessing and selling data https://www.ccc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/Docs/Publications/CJC/Protecting-confidential-information-Report-2000.pdf
It kept going https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/27/queensland-police-breached-privacy-of-domestic-violence-victim-by-leaking-her-details
And going https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-12/queensland-police-employee-suspended-allegedly-sold-dv-details/103700480
And going
And here is the 2020 report https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2020/5620T326.pdf
Around the time of that CJC report , I was in court for what I won in the UNHRC for, Bligh’s barrister mate ($3k an hour hired by Mooney) tried to allege previous protest activity. But he wasn’t a cop prosecutor so had to use devious means to access police computers. So he had his cop mate in the Brisbane cop come center fax it to him. He left the fax terminal address and time stamp on it. When that was spotted he had to backtrack. That was referred to the then CJC who only did that copper for a breach of discipline.
If it’s a government address refer it to the CCC.
Why be a scumbag taddletail? As soon as anyone starts dobbing, people will be reluctant to share information. Who says the information is not true just because it came from a non TCC IP address?
As always, an informative blog and bang on with accuracy. In regards to the pipeline, it has been quoted as blowing out to $420m. When was the cost analysis done? Because each week that passes and the project stalls, the costs rise higher. If the project runs late and there are further technical issues we might see a $600 – $700m project.
Looks like Phil Thompson is really leaning into the Nuclear option.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/DZCnk2xe6FGwoKh8/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Grab the popcorn.
The Superpests have to go, Mr. Pie.
The noise in West End is deafening and intolerable.
God knows what it’s like in suburbs closer to this untenable event?
And let’s not mention the traffic chaos over two weeks.
All on the whim of Jenny “I’m gonna wear my tight blue jeans” Hill and a few car dealers.
Fifteen fucking years of this pathetic excuse for entertainment!
The ‘Pie has been watching it for 5 or 10 minutes to check the crowd … and by the looks of things, its pathetic. Be interesting to see how the Astonisher spins it.
And Townsville “Empty”prise’s silence on this fiasco has been booming up and down the Bruce Highway.
Maybe they have finally woken up that this event is a hindrance rather than an asset?
BTW my two dogs have had enough, they’ve left home for somewhere quieter!
If TEL is getting $650k + $1.5M more, what are they delivering for it, seriously, it’s time to cut them free and Smart Precinct off, in tough times it’s sink or swim, not give them more, time to be like all other businesses, if they can’t exist without council funding it’s time to leave. Mooney gets the TEL board role, Ellis the Smart Precinct, no coincidence, mates supporting mates. And Ellis gets a council paid trip with MITEZ this week for the perks with powerlink, nothing to see here,, all that’s got bigger is Ellis’ waistline and bank account. It’s time to look at every council funded trip, & investment. Too much for a car race with little return, $700k + $1.4M in kind is far too much.
Yeah, Ellis left his family at home so he could spend 8 hours in the back of a bus to Hughenden and back to sleep in a donga without soap or hot water. Glamorous lifestyle no doubt. Same with those volunteer positions on the boards he helps out on. He’s out of control
The ‘Pie hasn’t the faintest idea what you’re on about … or what you’re on, for that matter.
Pie, They announced 167,618 over the 3 days.
116,618 as Hee Haw stated.
For when? Are you saying Hee Haw is incorrect with his 116k,000 figure?
My mistake Pie, it was 116,618 for the 3 days.
V8 Supercars attendance figures started off with over 168,000 down to 116,818 in 2024.
But isn’t there a bit of sleight of hand in that … the impression given is that 116,000 different people attended, whereas in fact, one would reasonably believe a large percentage of spectators – especially the few out of towners the event attracts – would have attended more than one day, some of them, all days. This is important to the calculation of value for money to the ratepayers and the traffic disruption for a week or more.
Absolutely sleight of hand Pie, not only is a cumulative number across the three days with a single 3 day pass classed as 3 attendees but it would also include everyone through the gates including contractors, staff and so on. All I am saying is the official (which could be open to interpretation) is 116,000 down from the heady days of 168,000.
May have been year 3 or 4, there was an issue raised that the attendance numbers were actually gate movements; ie: one spectator going in and out through the gate twice a day gets counted as 2 attendees.
What was glimpsed on TV this afternoon (Sunday) was very sparse.
$2.1m of ratepayers money for 116,000 people, really. These councillors need more pressure, this ‘in commercial confidence’ rubbish needs to end. Our money, our decision. Imagine what $2.1M could do for community, 420 community grants, money better spent. The only thing is the grants are approved by council staff, at their discretion. How corrupt can a council be?
Magpie, in all honesty, what does it take to have a royal commission, I know a lot of people who would go fund me with cash to have the TCC accountable for the past decade
No idea, but we shouldn’t have to. Existing authorities should have enough integrity to dig through this murk. Maybe.
I think you’ll find there are other factors which play into attendance figures. Cost of living crisis comes to mind. People are simply lowering their discretionary spending at the moment.
The ‘Pie doesn’t buy that as a factor, Jeff, but if there is an element of that involved, best to remember that part of the cost of living ‘crisis’ is the whopping rates increase that the council imposes and collects in order to continue to prop up a private enterprise that has lost its value to the city.
And just while we’re on the COL ‘crisis’, it is not a crisis, it is diminished expectations for 90% of the population – even living in your car or emergency shelter is not a cost of living matter, it is a housing matter, and being able to pay rent or even buy property but cannot find anything available, that IS a crisis. The media prefer to quote extreme instances to encourage us to think it is a norm, but there are always hard luck stories out there, to be exploited for political purposes.
“Townsville athlete Tori West confirmed for heptathlon at Paris Olympic Games
A fourth North Queensland athlete has officially punched her ticket for Paris, after qualifying for the Australian Olympic heptathlon team. We spoke to her exclusively from Poland:”
Nic Darveniza
Sports editor
Follow
@NicDarveniza
2 min read
July 7, 2024 – 4:50PM
News Sport Network
What’s that good looking rooster Nic doing in Poland Mr. Pie?
Funny place to be reporting from!
Typical of someone from the Bulletin, not knowing whether they’re coming or going.
Stephen Lane’s feeble attempt to muscle the Magpie is laughable. The bloke has done a Cert 4 in WHS, big fucking deal. Consulting his way around town pretending he is a big shot while in fact he is a two-bit player. Grow up Stephen. You don’t have enough money to litigate against everybody who lines up to call you an idiot or a wanker. Seriously, by your threatening a 79 year old pensioner you show yourself up to be a bully, a sook, and also a coward. Why don’t you ‘cease and desist’, dipshit.
I would like to tell the organisers of the V8 one thing. If I say this openly I’ll get into trouble. if you want large crowds you need more local involvement in the race. I think local support is greater with locals providing more services. I know many do but I also know a lot are no longer involved. if this means lower site fees it could be good for crowd numbers. What you lose on the Ferris wheel you pick up on the rounderbouts. More local food vendors, caterers and waste management. Also cowboys game should of been Friday not the night of the concert, people are paid to sort this out. Also, the Sunday race should start 2 hrs later. JMO
Hey guys and Gals, I understand the banter, but can we ease up on Stephen Lane a bit.
I know Stephen and he’s actually a good guy. You’ll know he’s quite passionate if you’ve ever seen his FaceBook posts, and he truly means well. He’s trying to make a go of things as a local businessman and the Magpie is misrepresenting his character, it’s quite unfair actually so it’s no wonder why he’s had to post this letter. He’s quite a talented photographer too. He’s genuinely just trying to help out and make a positive impact.
All I will say is be careful what you post, just have some decency for a friend is what I’m asking.
What is happening with Stephen here is happening because he decided he wanted to bully and intimidate The Magpie and readers of The Nest.
Normally, many of the comments about him might not have been published despite him making himself a public figure over the years, but perhaps it salutary for him to know how Les Walker and his wife felt when he pulled that appallingly low, dumb and manufactured stunt in Palmer Street … and he wasn’t even smart enough to think there might be CCTV coverage of the area. It’ll all die down in a day or two, but not sure Stephen’s misplaced self-regard is smart enough to let it go. So if he wants to keep going, that is entirely a matter for him.
Really, Dale? In my very limited dealings with him, I found him to be arrogant, deliberately rude and impossibly full of himself. Loves the sound of his own voice. Doubt whether he has ever had an original thought.
Phil Thompson is not letting the TCC staff or councillors get away with what sees as corrupt behaviour.
Poor TCC, they need their chief legal expert Tony Blight to come back and provide robust assistance. Come back Tony, Council needs you. Maybe you can get legal wannabe Stephen Lame to assist you!
Hit them hard
Just a query on all the comments re the water supply – we drive over a fair bit of this city during the week and we see what looks like the pipe sections bought for this project stashed at the new facility on Colinta Downs site on the Port Access Rd and on a yard on Shaws Rd. As they are fibreglass construction, how good will they be after long sun exposure?
Do you mean these at Shaws Road, Molly? They still there? The Magpie took this pic in January 2023, and they’d been there for at least a year before that. This really is a scandal.
What would be really handy to know is how far the installation of pipes for Haughton2, which started around October last year, has actually gone? Are they halfway, only a couple of kilometres to go or what? Not that the scheme is needed right now (for Townsville or Lansdown) but it seems that the longer it takes to complete the more likely further cost blowouts. And what about the new pump station at the Clare weir, and the once mentioned or touted solar farm which could be used to power the pump?
Crikey, Jenny, we’re suddenly agreeing.
So Jenny, is there any truth that some of the pipes popped out of the ground?
Ala, couple of options here. You could go to the other end of the bar and ask the bloke who started the rumour. Or you could ask yourself, did those pipes fall out of the sky? I haven’t got a clue. If only someone from the ‘Nest could take a drive to the worksite down in the Burdekin and actually look at what they are doing and have done in the last nine months. Is anyone even there?
Have you? Why don’t you do so?
Nice comment Jen! Having a few days off the pipe?
Unless you are the editor of the Bulletin, then it does not even rate a mention. Nothing to see here, move along. Has anyone ever seen Jenny Hill and Cas Garvey in the same room at the same time? Perhaps Cas is actually Jenny…
That, on every level, is the best two-way insult of the day.
Were there 5 weeks ago
The Water Services Association of Australia make the following comment regarding the resistance to UV degradation of Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) pipes, as used in the Haughton project.
The Haughton GRP pipes have been stored above ground in the open at both the Shaw Road and the Port Access Road sites for well over 12 months. As far as I see when driving past both sites, no end caps have been used to protect the inner lining of the pipes from UV light as per the WSSA recommendations for storage of the pipes. (Although I will check again when I drive past tomorrow).
Hopefully the lack of end caps has not impacted on the integrity of the pipes.
Thank you, Stephen Lame, for the convenience of summarising all the hilarious comments and quips the Magpie made about you in your letter. Now I don’t have to go digging through his blog to find the gems about the ‘legal chihuahua’ and the ‘foam flecked thinking’. Your Concerns Notice is like a greatest hits album of your own public ridicule. Much appreciated!
I also watched some of the V8 Superpests races on tv over the weekend and whoever came up with the 116,000 crowd figure must have been using a supercharged version of the Cowboys crowd calculation formula from the bad old days.
Makes you wonder just how many millions of taxpayer and ratepayer funds are propping up this dying event.
Perhaps the council whistleblower who exposed the pipeline cost blowout can do the same with this waste of money.
Ratepayers shouldn’t be paying for this, I’d prefer the spending on our community, $2M is too much!
A Magpie chum in the property game sent in the following:
As of this morning Prins Yarrawonga house advertised for sale at $1.750M
A long way for his $2M expectation.
Truth is, if he had been realistic from the start he would have attracted qualified, well informed buyers to sell a lot earlier !
This has already got the hanky wringers out in force.
KEY QUOTE – AND ABOUT BLOODY TIME:
The policy adds to the LNP’s previously announced changes to the Youth Justice Act which will be rolled out before year-end, including, removing “detention as a last resort”, and enshrining in legislation the rights of victims ahead of offenders’ rights.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said Adult Crime, Adult Time would bring back consequences for actions and send a clear message to youth offenders they will serve serious time for their crimes.
https://debfrecklington.com.au/media/state-news/2024/07/08/lnp-announces-adult-crime-adult-time-plan-for-youth-crime-reform#:~:text=The%20LNP%20would%20amend%20the,other%20offences%20should%20be%20included.
He has my vote
I see in the Guardian today that Queensland’s prison system currently holds 140% of the number of people it was built to accommodate, with many inmates sharing cells in bunk beds. Asked how the LNP would accommodate extra children for longer behind bars, David Crisafulli said his proposed policy would mean less people in detention centres, due to its deterrence effect. Interesting position given that most professionals suggest that threats of draconian punishment do not provide deterrence. But I guess we’ll have to rinse and repeat as always.
Box of tissues, dearie?
The WHOLE point is deterrence … a variation on scared straight (which doesn’t work either, but that involved visits to big boys’ prisons by wayward juveniles, which in most cases became unscheduled family reunions.)
Rather, Magpie, than pulling a hanky out of my pocket, ultimately we will all be pulling out our wallets and paying for more prisons. Which is OK as long as we all make the connection. A typical research paper on deterrence will conclude something like:
“There is overwhelming evidence that youth detention does not work to deter crime, rehabilitate, or make communities safer. In fact, the experience of being incarcerated increases the likelihood of children offending. 30 Jan 2023″
I appreciate that the new LNP policy has other mechanisms which address some of the issues around education, health and home conditions that are precursors to offending and re-offending but the main public thrust from Crisafulli and Frecklington is the ‘get tough’ aspect which they hope, and I expect, will resonate with our particularly aggravated community. Whether it makes an impact on the crime statistics in due course is pretty much irrelevant.
If the incarceration isn’t in the lax, holiday home conditions of detention centres for a risibly short time, boosted and supported by self-entitled, hidden agenda ‘rights’ groups that encourage offenders se themselves a sthe victims, if incarceration involved serious time in a serious place, The ‘Pie will guarantee it will bring down reoffending rates.
And even if you’ve just made up that faux conclusion, you and the real researchers have ALL declined to suggest what WILL work, what alternative paths we should follow to make us all safe NOW. And of course, we pay taxes for roads, for clean water, for keeping our public spaces clean and hygienic, so of course we can reasonably expect to have to pay taxes to keep ourselves safe.
And BTW, let’s stop calling it detention, that’s what used to happen after school hours and that’s the level of seriousness these young kids see it.
FFS Jenny. Once again – if you are trying to sound learned and credible by putting up self serving word salads in quotes – let us have the source.
Jenny, you’re worried about a slight tax increase because of new prisons? Would you rather just have them running around committing crimes? You’ve obviously never been affected by the sounds of it.
I”d welcome a new tax to keep these little pricks off the streets. Can you imagine the already tens of millions that individuals have already spend on youth crime, directly and indirectly? Examples like, insurance increases, people spending on cameras, beefing up home security. INcurred costs from damaged items or loss of income that insurance didn’t cover. What about the millions spent on training and putting on extra police. These extra costs, which I”m sure I’ve missed a few, would have easily paid for a new prison by now.
Nosey, the other half of you will go limp when you click on the link Jenny sent in with her latest comment, and scroll through the member organisations of PeakCare Queensland, leading advocates of pillow plumping for the vicious little criminal snots who are apparently the real victims of society. All funded by the taxpayer (including the church involved, they don’t pay taxes so they are supported by the public) with a large number of groups from the ineffective aboriginal industry.
Grumpy, here’s that source:
https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/com/YJRSC-6004/YJRSC-54D8/submissions/00000102.pdf
It’s just a single example of numerous similar statements. Let’s be clear. The LNP is putting up a law reform without revealing a skerrick of evidence. What ‘studies’ or ‘research’ or practical experience does Crisafulli or Frecklington or anyone in the Opposition base their plan on? Is it the ongoing Don Dale experiment from the NT? Is it the Katter “Send ‘em out Bush” mantra? Or is it some ‘gut feeling’ political posturing to appeal to aggravated suburban victims of crime, regardless of cost, effectiveness or practicality? Here we are in an era of demands for TRANSPARENCY in government (shouted over and over in the Magpie’s Nest) and yet we are being offered, and apparently hailing, completely opaque policy.
Boy oh boy, does that comment from you, Jenny, and that document, need to be challenged on several fronts. But that deserves more detailed reading and considered response than a flippant statement of the bleedin’ obvious from The ‘Pie.
But right now, he will call you out as a callous, deeply biased, and insulting commentator on this issue, as evidenced by just two words in your selective scenario. … you casually dismiss the trauma to both adults and children to have vicious, armed juveniles, possibly on glue, invade the sanctity of your home, terrorise you and steal a vehicle which is one of the core items of your modern life, merely as ‘aggravation’ is quite simply disgusting. And the sneer with which you use the word ‘suburban’, as though this is a lesser breed of whingeing, materialistic morons making unreasonable demands for safety, marks you down as a wholly compromised commentator on this issue. The Magpie will view your subsequent comments here in that light.
Magpie, you advocate for incarceration that isn’t in the lax, holiday home conditions of detention centres for a risibly short time, where inmates are boosted and supported by self-entitled, hidden agenda ‘rights’ groups that encourage offenders to see themselves as the victims. You reckon that if incarceration involved serious time in a serious place, you will guarantee it will bring down reoffending rates.
I’m sure you remember the disgusting scenes from the Don Dale detention centre in NT – a place that not only brutalised the inmates and totally failed to change their behaviour but most likely corrupted and traumatised the hapless public servants who ran it. I suppose that would meet your standards for a “serious place”? Well get used to it because even before there’s implementation of the LNP’s proposed tough-on-crime policy the detention/watchhouse/jail system for juveniles in Queensland is in overcrowding crisis:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/09/concerns-over-13-year-old-in-queensland-watch-house-ignored-days-before-alleged-sexual-assault?CMP=share_btn_url
The Opposition leader reckons there will be fewer prisoners under his policy because the threat of ‘serious time in a serious place’ will act as a deterrent. Yet the evidence from Don Dale shows quite the opposite.
It could be helpful if you did not try to put words in The Magpie’s beak, Jenny.
Let me introduce to a word probably new to you and many others – eristic.
Eristic is a more succinct version of sophistry, and means a statement is eristic if it aims at winning an argument but not necessarily finding the truth or progressing a debate. You say it’s ghe $10 word for false point scoring.
Your suggestion – I won’t say insulting, because that would offer you a position too high for you do not hold in The Magpie’s esteem – that The ‘Pie approves of and would like to see a Don Dale regime here in Queensland is typical of your overreach and time-wasting debating style. And yes, that statement of ‘meeting your standards’ is eristic and meant to be a moral smear.
Just so you get the message, let’s reverse the process. You disagree and are appalled by the Don Dale methods, including of course, spithoods. Now were The ‘Pie go down the eristic path, he would then say that ‘Oh, I see, Jenny, it is obvious you agree with inmates spitting on their warders’.
Now, I certainly don’t believe you hold that view, but I’ve injected it into the argument to avoid actually addressing and expanding on what you really think.
If you have trouble understanding what Then’Pie or anyone else here has to say, reread and think before going off like a frog in a sock.
Magpie, look at this the way the Queensland media dealt with it back in the day when the newly elected Newman government went feral with its tough-on-crime policy:
“Courier Mail 14 September 2013
STRAPPED taxpayers will fork out an extra $60 million on prisoners this year as the state’s jail population explodes.
The Newman Government’s tough-on-crime platform has left state jails and detention centres bursting at the seams.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-27/fact-check-qld-crime-rates-newman/6009168?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
https://blogs.qut.edu.au/crime-and-justice-research-centre/2015/05/20/the-legacy-of-the-newman-governments-changes-to-youth-justice/
David Crisafulli was a minister in that government along with his chosen A-G Jarrod Bleijie. They know roughly what will happen to crime stats, jail numbers and costs to taxpayers when (if they are elected) they introduce their proposed regime. They’ve been there before.
You go on and on, but not a hint of what solution you recommend.
When our society/community has been digging the same hole into the same earth with the same blunt shovel for 200+ years and found nothing, stop digging. Just stop.
Deterrence presumes that criminal decisions are being by made on a rational basis after a cost benefit analysis.
This is not the case, therefore there won’t be any deterrence. So how will Crisafulli house skyrocketing numbers of children in prison?
Deterrence presumes no such thing. Sluggo and Big Bubba sitting around doing cost benefit analysis before knocking liquor store?
Deterrence presumes that the if the little snots have the ability to break into houses, steal cars and create road mayhem, they therefore have the ability to understand the increased penalties for doing so. To think they don’t is soft cockery at it most damaging worst.
But one addition to the suggested new laws … a ‘two strikes’ you’re out scenario, where the first time an offender fronts court under the new sentencing guidelines (no matter what his/her previous is), they should be made to understand that whatever penalty is imposed in their present case, NEXT TIME THEY WILL BE GOING TO JAIL FOR THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF AN ADULT, NO QUESTIONS ASKED IF THEY APPEAR AGAIN AND ARE FOUND GUILTY.
You have a problem with that?
Why put them in prisons at our expense, how about home detention? but no internet, TV, grog, free food et al.
Then the delinquent parents and siblings who all think its not their fault can take an equal share of rehabilitating their dear little misunderstood brat.
Probably 3-4 weeks should do the trick!
Fanciful. And you police this how? (Don’t bother answering. Not One Of your deepest thoughts, Heel.
Well gee Jenny ! Are you forgetting so easily that prisoners are there for a reason ?
Like, you know, bashing defenceless people, steal vehicles, conducting home invasions, killing people etc.
Anyway don’t forget….morning sex is wonderful…unless you’re in jail !
A few warders in the Women’s section would disagree.
Jenny, have a look at magazines on architectural design and housing shows and they’re are building some fantastic homes out of shipping containers. Wouldn’t be too hard for the government to buy and refurbish some shipping containers with a toilet shower, desk, bed and airconditioning for low security prisoners. It’d just be a matter of locating them with the secure grounds of existing prisons and youth detention centres. Vola, prisoner accommodation problems solved to a large extent.
Crits, shipping containers! That what I thought when Hilton changed their plans for modular construction.
Thank Christ they got punted.
Oh, the horror of spending an extra $60 million on prisons. Never mind that people are already forking over way more on extra police, home security, higher insurance, mental and physical trauma of innocent productive tax paying victims, and lost income just to name a few, thanks to crime. If cracking down on crime actually reduces these costs and makes communities safer, who cares, right? And let’s completely ignore the possibility that David Crisafulli and Jarrod Bleijie might have learned a thing or two and could propose smarter policies. Clearly, focusing solely on the $60 million without considering the broader benefits makes perfect sense. You really are a trollop, Jenny. I seriously hope you become a victim of these awful crimes. Then you might understand how the young woman and her 5 week old baby felt today when they were victims of a traumatic car jacking.
Doughnut, the Newman government’s tough-on-crime scheme did not work. Their youth ‘bootcamp’ up behind Ingham was an expensive failure. Why is it that you have no desire to check on the KPIs of past interventions to see what works? And what is demonstrated, over and over, to not work? I know, you don’t care. You just want the government to get tough. Fine by me. Spend the money, blow the budget. But don’t expect things to get better.
Jenny, you keep telling we misguided mortals what WON’T work, but The Magpie is tempted to look with judgement on any more of your commentary UNLESS you tell us what you believe WILL work. And allow that to be part of the debate.
Magpie, you keep telling the world (Americans in particular) that they’d be dumb to elect Trump president. I agree with you. But what is the alternative? Well, for Americans at this time, the advice is rinse and repeat what you did last time. Which is no alternative unless you are prepared to upset the whole democratic process and plunge into something new and unknown. Same with Australia and youth crime. We’ve toyed with it, fucked around with it and got nowhere. Last year Aboriginal Australia asked us to TRY something new and unknown, to upset the applecart and go down a different, chancey path called the Voice. We decided we didn’t want to do it. Too much risk, too many unknown unknowns. Personally, I was prepared to take the risk. Most people were not. It is what it is. Rinse and repeat.
Of course you were willing to take the risk. But Then ‘Pie and a thumping majority of Australians had more dignity … or perhaps it was more. indignation… than to have 3% of the population having an unfair say over the other 97%.
And the USA? Ifyou eant to know the depth of The Magpie’s feeling oin that matter, here’s how extreme it is … he would prefer Jenny Hill as President and Troy Thompson as Veep to Trump and whatever knobgobbler he appoints as his #2 gopher. They’d do less damage to the world that the mobster would.
Jenny, I get your worries about Queensland’s overcrowded prisons and whether tough on crime policies actually work. We all want a safer, fairer society, but there are a few things you’re overlooking. Crime costs us more than just building prisons. Think about the higher insurance premiums, security measures, and economic losses for our communities.
Sure, tough penalties alone might not fix everything, but combining them with rehab programs can really help. Some places that have mixed approaches have seen lower crime rates and better outcomes for former inmates. We need to protect our communities now and help people turn their lives around.
You’re right that we need evidence, but it’s also about practical solutions. What would you suggest to keep our communities safe and reduce crime? We can’t just say what doesn’t work, we need real alternatives.
There have been successful reforms where strict penalties were paired with education, job training, and mental health support. These approaches balance punishment with giving people a chance to change, saving taxpayers money in the long run.
At the end of the day, we all want the same thing, safe/strong communities. We can find smarter more balanced solutions that work for everyone. It’s not just about being tough on crime, it’s about being smart on crime and making sure our taxes are used effectively.
By hanky bringers, I’m assuming you mean human rights watch?
The ‘Pie means those who put the rights of criminal juveniles who know exactly what they’re doing and know at th moment they can laugh at feath-touch penalties above those of devastated and traumatised victims.
Is that what you meant?
I mean, the state has already overridden the Human Rights Act, its a slippery slope from here on in.
https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/media-releases/national-childrens-commissioner-slams-shocking-new-qld-youth-justice-laws
https://www.qhrc.qld.gov.au/your-rights/prison-or-detention/Human-rights-complaints-by-children-in-detention
That’s not an argument, that’s the same old propaganda that demands that the impressive sounding darling of the extreme left, the Human Rights Commission, is beyond reproach and has inalienable rights to wisdom and social enlightenment. A crowd that finds blame to be shared by everyone, parents, police, courts, a consumer society, everyone that is except these lawless juveniles themselves, who we are told, are the real victims.
That goes down a treat in suburban Townsville.
Well fuck that, common sense has been on forced leave but is about to be reinstated in Queensland society.
If a bunch of teens were to stab and car jack me at a set of traffic lights, then I’d be fine with an adult penalty being applied. Make it tough so it is actually a deterrent.
Oh dear, a Crisafulli story. Stand back and watch Elusive Butterflog explode with anger!
Strand parking metre petition currently at 9,705. I hope it tops 10,000.
Keep spreading the word.
If you go to the townsville chamber of commerce Facebook page, one of their posts has a link to this petition
https://epetitions.townsville.qld.gov.au/petition/view/pid/60
This is the petition i was advising people to go to online on Sunday , when people were signing my hard copy petition ( I put it together in a hurry a few weeks ago) when the disaster was suddenly realised.
I’m telling people to sign and get involved and start writing letters individually.
Ps when you sign the official council petition be aware – you will be sent a confirmation email. If you don’t open and click it – it doesn’t get counted.
If you get a list of petitions going on your page I can also direct people to your site here so they can find the links sign and click. At the moment I’m advising the Facebook site of the chamber of commerce – if you create a list of petitions I can easily send people here too.
Sites such as the magpie can be harnessed to gather resistance and direct it.
What??
Welcome to the revolution magpie
Revolution? You couldn’t turn around in the shower, Guy.
Bit inaccurate about a bloke who keeps going around in circles.
Gather resistance. Is this the Guy that run for division 8? Mate, you were in the hunt at election time, instead they got a left favouring public servant in Andrew Robinson, the bloke worked with Armstrong , he was seen with TJH the whole time on the 2 weeks. Shame you didn’t get up mate.
Guy, you are cut with the same cloth as Twonames. You are a mentally disturbed cooker and political wannabe.
Good old guy Reece 4 time loser.. what are you trying to gain here mate. But you quite happy to call your councillor mates when you want to have a chat. Give this guy a wide birth
You seem to wish his mother did, but the rest of us should perhaps give him a wide berth.
Mike,
Don’t feel bad.
Over the very many years the ‘Pie has gently and lovingly corrected my spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation and logic.
I am a better wordsmith for his guidance, as can all Nesters if we all openly embrace his caring guidance.
Yeah, right.
I am nothing if not persistent
Guy, you spelled “pestiferous” wrong.
I love the smell of troll comments in the morning – smells like victory.
Guy, to you it would smell of victory, but to the rest of the world it’s just more of your disjointed rambling.
And you’ll bne on a council hit list, should a Jenny Hill (or a Troy Thompson) be in ascendancy in Walker Street.
I doubt I’ll be on a hit list magpie, I’m very much someone with very little sway and no powerful “friends”. There’s other people annoyed with the council , I’m not the only one. I’m just tired of the crazy shit coming out council and affecting me directly.
Roughly 25% of TSV population is children, so that 10,000 is getting pretty significant.
I can’t support the ALP, yes they are throwing all the lollies out at the moment, but seriously, who pays for it? Us! Then there’s Crisafulli, at least he’s talking the talk, but we know one spends, the other saves. KAP is ALP, we all know it, so for Townsville, my thoughts are: Marr, Poole, maybe Bailee, but I’m not convinced Stewart will be beat! Tough election ahead. For all intents and purposes, I think you Bailee is a good guy, very inexperienced though. Marr will be a minister. As far as Clynton Hawks, decent young kid, but 0/2 is not good, think he’s waiting for the mayor to be gone, then if not making a late run at state. I don’t think he’s got a hope, just an attention seeker at best.
Sorry if I’m late to the party, we always decamp to Cairns or somewhere south on V8 weekend. Stephen Lane, yeah never heard of him till the weekend and I’d say I’m not the only reader here.
I have had 2 dealings in my life with lawyers, both potential civil matters that I was considering instigating. Both weren’t worth chasing, one of them I was on rock solid ground but wouldn’t even covered the retaining fee so into the bin it went. The second ended up with second the lawyers letter which added to the losses but headed off a trip to QCAT & I got partly recompensed. That was about as good as I was going to get and left it at that.
If I’m getting this right this escalated from a few readers comments to a concerns notice off the bat?
Wow why not try to settle this at the lowest level by an email or phone call from the get go? Or even getting in amongst it to put his side in a comment like other public figures do here?
I could have just imagined the hapless solicitor trying to talk him out of this.
Stephen is depending on his law degree for a DIY action.
But you have named the nub of the matter about the thermonuclear escalation. As I mentioned in the Nest, Lane and The ‘Pie have communicated over the years, mainly text, some amicable exchanges and so on, others not so, but to receive a concerns notice without so much as a hint of displeasure I saw immediately as an act of a bully. An attempt to intimidate and be cowed a frightened silence when this fucking boofhead pops his head up to occasionally massage his ego. I also saw it as a sign I had hit on some unpleasant associations Mr Lane may or may not have with at least one conman crook.
I have information about Mr Lane having form in this area, information I bound not to share with anyone at anytime, but the truth of it is rock solid. And it involves a female.
Privately and as a journalist, The ‘Pie has always reacted badly to bullying, either of himself or others. Coming from a half-baked bush ‘barracks room lawyer’ might make it funny but no less annoying.
Wonder if Mr Lane, who is careful in his wording that he does not provide legal advice, would be willing to let us know if he knows and supports known fraudster Troy Thompson … perhaps even has a chat about strategy with him.
Stephen you arrogant thumb sucker, I have only ever talked about you when you enter the public arena. If your claims about non-involvement are true, why not just tell me so I can set the record straight? Or would that have not garnered enough attention to assuage your relevance deprivation syndrome, Mate?
You mentioned you’ve had amicable communications with him in the past, and I assume he reads your blogs. But did you suddenly start bagging him out on your blogs which he wasn’t expecting? Maybe he took it as some type of betrayal of your past friendship.
We were never friends but were civil and amicable in our occasional texts. And The ‘Pie does not ‘bag’ anyone ‘suddenly’, simply gets what he believes is a fact and uses robust and usually (he hopes) amusing language to offer his view.
And The ‘Pie is absolutely sure that Stephen Lane never regarded me as a friend, or that we had any kind of friendship.
If he is fool enough to have a crack, go for Security for Costs. If he has a lawyer, make him or her disclose who is paying their fees.
So I asked you all to nicely stop your banter about Stephen, and yet you still continue. You will all regret the legal action once it commences. You were warned nicely.
Thank you, Dale, most considerate. BTW what’s it got to do with you?
You arrogant old fuck. I tried to be nice but niceness is not part of your personality. Life has obviously fucked you over and left you as a sad and bitter and twisted whinger.
Now, now, Stephen, no tantrums.
I think Stephen is not the mayors support, one holds a camera, the other a rifle… or football.. or degree… forget about it, let them all in, the city’s gone to rot from team Jenny and her mob anyway, 4 years of crap ahead of us.
If the law, the legislators and quasi-independent organisations like the CCC allow Thompson to remain in office, there is a lot of crap ahead for the whole state.
banter
noun
the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.
“there was much good-natured banter”
Similar:
repartee
raillery
ripostes
sallies
swordplay
quips
wisecracks
crosstalk
wordplay
badinage
witty conversation
witty remarks
witticism(s)
joking
jesting
jocularity
drollery
bons mots
kidding
ribbing
joshing
bants
persiflage
verb
exchange remarks in a good-humoured teasing way.
The Magpie rests his case.
The antics of the untouchables made it to the headlines and main 7 News bulletin in Perth over the weekend, with the footage of nine (?) of the darlings falling out of the car they had just stolen . More negative vision about Townsville.
Could not pay me to go back.
Regular reader, first time commenter.
First and foremost, I have to applaud your dedication to your blog, you have certainly created a great following.
I have a question for the Magpie (and as a delicate sole I mean this with no disrespect, so please don’t come for me in the comments).
Obviously you didn’t like Jenny, and you are certainly not a fan of Troy either. I believe I recall some positive things about Fran, and many of the current Townsville Councillors have been featured negatively.
Out of interest, what current councillors are you in support of? Who should we be cheering on?
Also have you ever had the opportunity to meet Troy in person?
Concerned that you’re delicate sole, but there are foot creams for that.
The Magpie hasn’t given himself a brief to like or dislike anybody, he simply reacts to things they do and say and things they don’t do and say. The Magpie supports or opposes particular issues on their merits, gives his reasons and accepts (most) feedback so an issue – and not necessarily an individual – can be discussed. And it most certainly NOT The ‘Pie’s role, or anyone else’s, to tell you who you should be ‘cheering on’, that decision should be based on your own knowledge you have of the person in question and their behaviour, past and present.
And no, The ‘Pie has never met Thompson, nor have had either the desire or opportunity to. Are you suggesting The ‘Pie might change his view of a wife abusing, valor stealing, lying fraud and rorter if exposed to some honeyed words from a conman?
This bloke is trashing the city The ‘Pie loves, and this old bird won’t give him ‘a go’ because any such suggestion is ill deserved and in itself a con.
And no, not aiming that at you, just The Magpie’s mission statement.
But The ‘Pie does have a question for you, Tinkerbell. Did Peter Pan ever get into your pants?
As expected, a half arsed reply from you with a dash of humour thrown in at the end. Yes I’ve met Troy Thompson and he is a hard working dedicated Mayor. I think that you are jealous of the Mayor and that is your main issue, you envy his role and you wish it were you wearing the mayoral furs. How sad.
Amazing how easily to discombobulated buggers give yourselves up.
C’mon Pie, give it up, your Thompsons dad aren’t you? Were they your medals?
The ‘Pie would be proud if he were …. Phil that is.
Tinkerbell, I’ve met him, he’s not a bad bloke in person. He has a big fight to stay in power, it’s not untenable yet, but the council and councillors are doing all they can to make it look that way, throw in the media, and it’s made to look that way. He needs to reach an agreement with the minister or the department. He has shown he will stand to he is removed, and in a period where everyone else did not take on Jenny he did, every other person was too scared of her, and what she could do, you only have to look now, her fingerprints are on everything directed at him. Personally, I hope the whole council is dissolved, the executives all sacked and administrators bought in, the cash balance says it all, they are allegedly trading insolvent. Stephen Lane is not the person writing for him, he’s ok too, but they are complete opposites, it’s coming from down south. Don’t get caught in the politics Tinkerbell, Townsville is a holding ground and the big players are asserting their control.
That comment is garbled, confused and unsupportable rot, start to finish. You haven’t a single clue what you’re talking about, except accidentally hitting the nub of the matter …. council’s financial quagmire.
Townsville right now does not need that sort of garbage. But it is published to put the readership on alert as to the future worth of anything from you.
KAP need to understand they are not a concern, they will retain their positions, but that stature will be the same, short on substance. Damettos only good move was removing wannabe Hawks. Loves a crowd and the attention that came with it, LNP will win with a majority, Rob, Nick and Shane will need to go cap in hand to get anything, unless they wholeheartedly support the opposition. Crisafulli is if nothing else, a survivor, and good strategist. Those who know KAP, know Pugh and Ryder are on a hiding to nothing. Both live off the events space of Volunteering NQ, using a charity to maximise exposure. KAP is ALP light, we all know the deals they’ve done. Time for the state elections to begin, popcorn at the ready, but will our mayor get more paper time, seems state candidates get nothing when he’s about! Or is it the $$$ TCC pay in advertising
Thompson is an immediate problem about which there can be no back and forth discussions among sane people, he is a regressive conman no one wants, whereas the state election is still three months away and lots of debatable interactions are to be expected … and it’s not an either or situation. News outlets aren’t restricted in their coverage and one issue does not cancel out another.
Tinkerbell, I have met Troy personally. Through business associates I was aware of some of his background but didn’t know he was lying about his ADF history and Uni Qualifications. On those two points (lies?) alone I urge him to do one good thing and stand down as Mayor. It’s really not much to ask.
Our illustrious leader and full time charlatan, Twonames, hasn’t been posting his daily diary of activities on his Facebook page since returning to the big chair. Why? I miss my daily laugh as our illiterate Mayor pads out his workday with 13 hours of fuckwittery. Please Mr Mayor, post your daily bullshit so we can have a good laugh.
The diaries are long gone. Thompson has kept very quiet, and if my friends are right he now has a few well positioned advisors within local government down south. He has avoided using LGAQ, which is wise, now that Rehbien is on the board. His own in house counsel was used against him, and the acting CEO McCabe will soon get the tap on the shoulder. The motions of councillors will be rejected and all councillors were reported. Illustrious, maybe not, but I’m thinking he has a few moves to play out. Best thing to happen is he is paid out, the minister is in a difficult position, OIA found nothing, he might be an idiot, and has clearly not been completely honest, I think all the hunting by media may end up in a civil claim. If CCC comes back with nothing to answer, or even a wrist slap, their will be compensation, it’s a good time the Wild Government goes to the table and pays the bloke out, otherwise the risk losing all three levels of government leadership. No one amongst the councillors is trustworthy, so unless Fran puts her hand up, it’ll all go to a by election soon enough.
FM, RUOK?
And now we start to see an increase of comments the fuckwits who support the lying conman Twonames in his quest to hang onto his $250k Townsville rate payers support package. Do these clowns even have any idea of the history of damage that Twonames has created and walked away from over the years ? Or how his lies have offended the likes of the ADF whose members understand loyalty, discipline and courage.
I love seeing them come out on the Nest in support of this despicable conman and then get ripped apart for their blind following. I’m pretty sure Ivan Milat was a good bloke when people first met him too, but that didn’t end well !
One of the tricks of mobs like MyPlace is multiple names for just a few people who infest social media (and this blog) with hogwash, and try to create the impression of claims of mass support for their favourite crook.
The OIA found nothing? Are you lot complete idiots? At least try to inform yourselves. Retards.
Don’t take the bait, Griumps. Good chance DD and Tinkerbell are TwoNames or someone else whom The ‘Pie cannot bring himself to name for fear of legal retribution.
The stupid is strong this week
Is it just me or have other people noticed that since Hill was booted out we have had a rise in the amount of unhinged cookers around town? Thompson, Lane, and an abundance of Thompson supporters all supporting our troubled mayor and verbalising their support of him. It’s like every day is a full moon. Maybe our water supply has been tainted with PFAS and KoolAid? I’m seriously concerned. Townsville r u ok?
Looks like Twonames, our democratically chosen Mayor, is starting to fight back against those Councillors who pineappled him (his latest post is contained below). It is going to be fun watching the Councillors and Mayor trade blows on a regular basis.
MEDIA RELEASE – URGENT TRANSPARENCY REQUEST REGARDING HAUGHTON PIPELINE 2 PROJECT:
Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM MP has raised serious concerns about the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 Project. According to documents he revealed last week in Federal Parliament, the initial budget of $179.6 million has ballooned to over $420 million. This significant cost blowout has been attributed to delays resulting from political manoeuvring by the Labor party and Team Hill councillors prior to this administration.
I believe Phillip Thompson’s OAM MP call for transparency is warranted, especially given that the blowout figures were concealed from the public and removed from the publicly released budget last week.
It’s essential for elected officials to be accountable and honest about ratepayer’s funds.
Townsville ratepayers deserve clarity and openness regarding how their money is being spent. Phil Thompson OAM MPs’ request to councillors for self-reporting to the OIA underscores the seriousness of the matter.
Yesterday, I have written to the councillors seeking an explanation on why they chose to omit the true figures of the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 Project from the publicly released version of the budget. I was locked out of the budget at this stage and would have fought to ensure transparency was upheld on this matter.
Let’s hope that transparency prevails, and the residents of Townsville receive the answers they deserve regarding this cost blowout and the actions of their elected representatives.
I echo the sentiments of the member of Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM MP in seeking an explanation from the councillors on why they should not stand down due to potential serious conduct breaches regarding this issue.
The public deserves to know the truth about the Haughton Pipeline Cost Blowout.
That’s a pretty obvious Jhnny-come-lately leap onto a bandwagon you could ever hope to see. A populist move on the coattails of the real man for this community, Phillip Thompson.
Townsville ratepayers also deserve clarity and openness on who they were electing as mayor. How can anyone trust a single word you say, Thompson, just parroting other people’s revelations and requests is not leadership, it is snivelling pleading for us to ignore your lying and duplicity.
He did put it out, no doubt get in trouble, but we need to sack them all. Not one councillor adds value to Townsville.
As we near the answers for the diabolically managed Haughton pipeline. We need to start asking questions about Lansdown, Northern Rail yards. I’d like to understand how Mr Rosel is being paid, how much, what has council put in and what do they have to put in. Given Brad Webb and State government are $35M in each, what is TCC doing and what cost? No use asking a bulletin journalist, they seem too distracted by our city leader. The community deserves answers
“Need to start asking questions about Lansdown”? You really must be new to The Nest, for years now The Magpie and Nesters have been doing exactly that. The ‘Pie kicked it off almost 10 years ago when he sniffed the rodent in the malodorous Frank Poullas of Magnis fame. Jenny had a wide-on for him from the start.
FYI
Media Release
Haughton Pipeline project – Council update
Townsville City Council has addressed the status of the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 project, in response to recent speculation surrounding the project.
Acting CEO Joe McCabe said Council has allocated $79 million to the project, including new funding of $45 million in its 2024/25 Budget and Operational Plan.
“Information regarding Council’s funding commitment has been publicly available since its announcement in 2021,” Mr McCabe said.
“In early 2023 it became apparent the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 Project was forecasting to exceed the approved budget of $274 Million, which is $195 million committed by the State Government and $79 million committed by Council.”
Mr McCabe said, since that time, Council has been working with a specialist consultant to conduct an in-depth review of the project, specifically focusing on how to reduce the forecast cost to complete the project.
“The consultant identified several reasons for the cost increase to the project with the single biggest contributor being the cost escalation associated with construction following the Covid19 pandemic,” Mr McCabe said.
Mr McCabe said a confidential update was presented to all Councillors, including Mayor Thompson, in Chambers on 17 May 2024 providing a full briefing on the current status of the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 project.
“To date – Councillors have been unable to publicly address the project status, due to the confidential nature of the report provided to them,” Mr McCabe said.
“Council will complete its review, identify solutions and engage with State funding partners and other critical stakeholders to endeavour to ensure Council provides the community with a low-cost secure water supply via the Haughton Pipeline Project.”
The Haughton pipeline aims to achieve greater capacity to provide raw water into the Ross River Dam to “top up” water levels for the Townsville community and industry during periods of very low rainfall.
Mr McCabe said while Council is committed to water security for the community, Council is unable to contribute any further additional funds to the project above the $79 million.
The current forecast cost to complete the project is $420 Million.
Interim TCC CEO Joe McKoolaid must be regretting the day he took on his acting role at TCC. What a dysfunctional shit show he has inherited. Not to mention that he is not on Myaor Cooker’s Xmas list. I can’t wait to see who will be appointed full-time CEO. They will be in for years of infighting, woeful finances, and factions to contend with and navigate around. Jenny and Prins have a lot to answer for.
If this was presented to councillors on the 17th May 24 then TwoNames would have been present therefore equally accountable for not disclosing this to the public. He certainly did not need to wait for Phil Thompson making the information public as he seems to be claiming.
Probably gave it to him
Yep. Every councillor had the info from the 17th May. The mayor went on leave on the 5/6/24. Budget released 26/6/24. So… the question is why did the deputy lie to the bulletin, when asked directly, that’s serious misconduct, I think the CEO is in on this too, sack the lot, get insolvency in and go after the past government, all of them and the operations team.
Great
Millions being spent on the pipeline and strangely parking meters and rate rises proliferate.
TCC is obviously shitting itself now that the finer details of the pipeline project blowout have made it to the public are arena. The media release is a panicked response to being caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Kudos and top marks to Phil Thompson and the TCC whistleblowers who have outed Council for gilding the Lilly, so to speak.
Don’t worry TCC, even though you and your Labor lovers have completely fucked up the cities finances, I imagine that Phil Thompson will once again come through on behalf of Townsville and secure the necessary funding to complete the project.
How do you expect him to come through exactly?
Can’t even complete a water pipeline but now we are going to start copper string? In the meantime Bowen Rd is a shit show of road works and in my letterbox today is a notice they are starting the new bridge. I’m thinking maybe a good time to leave TSV for a couple of years holiday and come back when it’s all finished !
A couple of years absence? The pipeline will have still not started and estimated costs will be north of $2b
It wouldn’t surprise me.
At point do you STOP and say : we can’t afford this?
Can’t wait to see how the Councillors, especially the former Team Hill Councillors, get their way out of this coverup. Well done Phil Thompson OAM, you hold these bastards to account. TCC Councillors you should be ashamed of yourselves. Sneaky underhanded cu#nts. Caught red handed.
Check out Mayor Troy Thompson’s latest load of bullshit. re his latest FB post https://www.facebook.com/MayorTroyThompson/posts/pfbid07wVx7vLdCN58W19DaJNZyaHVVgYRS2FQirjyZ9DwZvKDeXBw8R7vXAvSkc8oV19rl
His tale about the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 project is a masterclass in contradiction. He claims he was “unlawfully locked out of council” and couldn’t voice his budget concerns, yet he was deeply involved in pre-budget talks. He decries the lack of transparency while conveniently breaching confidentiality himself. His reliance on a whistleblower to reveal the issue, despite having the information all along, is the cherry on top. It’s almost as if he’s forgotten how his job works. Bravo, Mayor Thompson, for turning responsibility into an art form.
Fuck this blog is funny. Love the comments. Now, that shitogram from Stephen Lame was pure gold, and genius. A compilation of one-liners from the Magpie! Funny as hell. Hopefully Mr lame will send a cease and desist letter to the Magpie every week containing more of the Magpies comments, just for our reading pleasure. Totally entertaining.
Pie, I was trawling the interweb to see if I could find old reports of the corruption brouhaha that festered at the time of the strand construction. Seeing pictures of his highness dragging up his awesomeness got me searching. There were allegations about certain businesses being provided favourable tenancies at certain spots on certain headlands because they did work for the council.
I’ll keep looking, I digress. Anyway, this issue of the Nest popped up in the Google search.
https://www.townsvillemagpie.com.au/the-townsville-city-council-is-under-investigation-by-the-ccc-says-who-you-ask-the-ccc-itself-thats-who/
Not sure if this was the first story you did on the double tree? Pretty sure it won’t be the last.
It’s amazing what you get in the search when you search corruption and TCC.
Well, we know what is gonna be the Bulletin’s Page One lead tomorrow, don’t we, Mr. Pie!
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-townsville/vandals-deface-townsvilles-iconic-herveys-range-heritage-tea-rooms/news-story/05a7956341dbe78b93accddaac890ce1
And “Nick the Dick” Dametto can’t help himself… engaging his mouth before he engages his brain.
This is all over News Ltd. Australian sites you idiot, and, you say this:
“Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto was shocked to hear the iconic tea rooms had been defaced.
“After a weekend of carjacking, break and enters and stolen car escapades conducted by Townsville’s youth crime cohorts, this is the icing on the cake,” he said.
“Imagine being a business owner struggling to keep up and having to wake up to this absolute garbage painted across your heritage-listed building.”
Gee, Nicky, I thought it was Townsville’s most important weekend…the V8s and the thousands that pour into the city to watch and listen to the “event”.
Apparently not!
“Car jackings, break and enters and stolen cars” is how you depict this city to the media and the world.?
Your’e just another failed businessman, sitting on the political gravy train, folding your arms to looks serious and important…and…doing nothing but opening your mouth to change feet!
Wake up to yourself!
Agree with you there. KAP have no substance, 3 members is not a majority Mr Dametto, perhaps sit down and answer when spoken too. Ridding yourself of Hawks was a good move, he’s proven he has no loyalty, follows the popularity, now he’s councillor Ellis’ cuddle toy. Anyway, schools back in, sit down and wait your turn Nick, don’t interrupt the teachers
If the cost blow out of the pipeline to nowhere isn’t enough, we now have one of the architects of the failed scheme, one J. Hill as a director of Powerlink, who the other day were trying to get an easement for a 132kva line to power the invisible pumps at the Clare Weir site.
We hear our councillor has complaint after complaint lodged against him. The bloke is not fit for the role, a brawler at best. He’s enjoying our 4 year payroll, his growing silence is clear he has no voice, just a follower of the mob. Ask him why he doesn’t want dam use, he doesn’t represent the people. People didn’t want team Jenny, but this bloke is embarrassing,.
How do we wind up TCC, is it time the people took it back, put it in administration and start digging up the poor decisions. Jenny, Prins, TJH councillors and executive should all face serious misconduct and a Fitzgerald type enquiry. How do we achieve this Pie?
Get evidence and make a complaint to your choice of watchdog … which will depend on what evidence you claim to have.
Thanks Pie. Done and submitted. Townsville will be out of cash in bank before the rates pick up, it was easy enough to demonstrate. I’ve also submitted a CCC complaint on Cr Jacob, for not being honest when asked directly about the Haughton he lied. Said he’d have to consult, Jor McCabe sealed the misconduct when he released the timing of the known debt, Mr Jacob has a lot of explaining to do.
But didn’t ALL the councillors know, didn’t they all get the little booklet with details of 9 projects?
What an interesting blog! I googled Townsville and amongst other links this appeared. I was expecting it to be a fee-pay service, but no, it’s a freebie. Not many of those left in this world.
G’day to the team who put this together! MM
The team is comprised of citizen journalists who need an outlet for information, whistleblowing, well deserved derision of arsesoles and a few laughs. So the Nest readers thank you for the compliment and welcome. (Yes it’s free, but let that hinder your obviously generous spirit from making a donation.The appropriate button is at the end of the blog.) Heh heh heh … never misses a chance, the old Magpie.
Yes Pie, a nice compliment from MM however all ‘Nesters’ should remember that this weekly blog is put together sometimes on a shoe string and usually always a wing and a prayer that the IT systems keep holding up.
I know we become used to the weekly ‘advertising’ by you Pie for any spare loose change as a donation but the fact remains that your multi millionaire status is regularly under threat of this blog not making it to the finish line due to ongoing rising costs.
Pie won’t like me saying this, but the ‘donation button’ always loves being pressed…. bit like an old girlfriend I once had !!
I noticed a post by TEL on their LinkedIn page that basically says that Coppersting has kicked off after 10 years worth of TEL advocacy! What a crock of shit. This mob of useless Dudley do nothings are only good at advocating for more morning tea breaks. What a load of folly.
At the core of the Copperstring project.it has been 10 years of hard deal-making by Bob Katter to enrich his family with government grants … The Nest has already reported on the boardroom link. Nothing whatsoever to do with TEL that we know of, but on the other hand, we really don’t of anything that TEL has done or claimed to have done for sure.
God help us all
they have put The Mullet in charge of the copper string project…
Let’s see how she can fuck this up. $5billion project will it end up the same way as the Houghton pipeline fiasco???
Will be a seamless transition..
“Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick lauded Ms Hill’s strong commercial and analytical skills with a 20-plus-year career in local government.”
A frightening judgement by the man who is the holder of the state’s pursestrings. Says more about him than it does about her … but says volumes for Labor’s Employment Agency For Loyal Footsoldiers.
Saw a campaign poster up for Janelle Poole on my way to work this morning and got to thinking about the Mundingburra candidates. This is an election all about law and disorder.
ALP candidate Les “Basher” Walker is famous for being knocked out during a nightclub fist fight and giving a “Forensics for Dummies” bat the Police Remembrance Day.
KAP puts up Michael Pugh who was convicted of break and enter as well as stealing with violence.
LNP puts up a career copper.
Not my electorate but it would be great to see a candidate debate on tougher sentencing. Roll on October.
And no one has dared to mention the persistent story doing the rounds that Walker was sacked from the now defunct Town and Country Club at the showground for stealing booze. (This is not new, The ‘Pie has reported on this strong rumour before. Les’s well known fondness for a tipple or ten doesn’t do anything to discourage belief in the possibly true story.)
When was Walker supposed to have worked there?
Not sure, but more than 20 years ago … and there’s no supposed about him working there, he was doing bar work.
Walker isn’t someone I remember from there. And there were a lot of dodgy fuckers who used to hang around at the Town and Country Club and the Show Society. AND I don’t remember anyone ever getting sacked for stealing (a lot of cash was stolen) partly why the Society was in debt.
Policies were pretty lax, the show Society manager was behaving fraudulently, noone was sacked for fraternising with management (the bar manager and the show society manager) or being arrested for burning down buildings. So stealing a bit of booze wouldn’t have been a sackable offence.
Les is a stupid old fucker, but this doesn’t align with what I know
Th ‘Pie was at pains to poinbt out a lack of evidence, but the persistence of the allegation, from authoritative sources in two instances, was sufficient smoke to hint at fire. The issue was revisited simply because Walker is a public figure who has shown himself in other matters to be reckless and irresponsible. (This town seems to attract that sort like flies to a BBQ).
And you yourself, Ducky have made an allegation (edited out) without any supporting facts, so bit nof pot/kettle there, mate.
And since when has stealing anything as an employee not been a sackable offence. In fact, instant dismissal.
Hope you don’t own a business and your employees get to read of your honesty policy here.
“The persistence of an allegation from authoritative sources.” Did your authoritative sources work there or just frequent the bar and gambling facilities?
Sorry reasonable question The ‘Pie’s fault, should’ve read ‘authoritative confidential sources’. In fact, the information was conniving in confidence.
Walker vs Poole vs Pugh.
Surely it can only be Poole, Les is a brawler, Pugh a known bully, so it’s up to an ex police officer and Rotarian to lead. KAP has made a huge mistake with Mr Pugh, talk about a backward step.
Poole would make a great representative. An opinion not just based on her competition, but she seems to have a much needed perspective on the job. Her life experience dovetails with representing this city, too.
So Jenny Hill has been appointed to the Board of Powerlink.
“Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick lauded Ms Hill’s strong commercial and analytical skills with a 20-plus-year career in local government.”
Strong commercial and analytical skills? Jesus Christ.
Labor’s employment office doing more sterling work.
Copperstring was her payoff for withdrawing as a senate candidate.
Powerlink (aka QLD government) must be desperate if they want the incompetent and bullying Mullet on their board. It must be a reward for something that she has done for Labor over the years. What a fucking joke.
Worry not, Pickled Herring, she won’t be bullying anyone on that board,m it’s a job-for-the-gal position, she’ll have fuck all to say and have nothing to do but implant lipstick on colleagues bums. It’s the way of all bullies. And she’s way past the stage of getting favourable treatment by holding out the possibility of a discreet pronging.
C’mon Pie, you are slipping. It is more than gender balance. I am sure that the appointment has nothing to do with Jenny making a point of running for Senate when there were virtually no suitably qualified candidates, aka females from that faction of the Party.
Jenny was never going to win, but she would have made it messier for whomever Blocker Bullock anoints. So here is a thank you for being a Team player.
We are just Lucky that the Governor still has a few years left in her payoff for the lock down we had to have.
Sorry, Citrus Reticulata, but while your comment is accurate, The ‘Pie doesn’t recall mentioning gender balance anywhere in connection with this. But when it comes to her drinking habits or the TCC’s books, balance is not a word one readily associates with our ex-mayor.
The Mullet must of been recommended by Prins who was or still is on the Powerlink board.
The 2 of them left TCC in such great shape.
The Labor Machine just keeps doing as much damage as possible
Roll on October
“Strong commercial and analytical skills” is political code for “shithouse rat cunning”.
The band is back together. Dr Pins Ralston is also a Board member of Powerlink. Surely this is set for release on Netflix – “Water, Power and other people’s money. “
Hey you didn’t post my comment?
What comment? Resend. (Your chosen name doesn’t bode well for it’s publication, but we’ll see.)
Thanks. My chosen name was an accident sorry. My keyboard slipped when I was typing. I’ll choose something more appropriate next time.
Where was your keyboard at the time?
Premier Miles, minister for bad teeth, was posing for photo shoots in Thuringowa today. Triple chinned Batman Harpic, member of parliament and part time crime fighter, wasn’t far behind him. I expect there will be ongoing announcements about funding for various local things, and plenty of footwork as they try to derail the LNP’s growing popularity in our neck of the woods. Labor stinks and I can’t wait until Crisafulli takes Queenslands reins.
Mopsy, you have been informed before there is only one Magpie around this nest. Besides, calling the premier Magpie Miles is remote reference very few would get. Comment edited accordingly.
You run a tight ship my feathered friend. Respect!
Interesting that this media release on the opening of the Townsville Youth Foyer that is been built behind Cowboys House on Hugh Street states 40 units but is silent on the number of youth that can be accommodated here. Does anyone know this number.
If you live in Pimlico or a neighbouring suburb then you really need to check your property and personal security.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100791
Bit unfair and premature, these kids are ‘homeless’, not ‘crims’. Benefit of the doubt … and general support … is merited, Crits.And to answer your question, the girl Emma quioted in the release mentions ‘ my own unit, I don’t have to share with anyone’. So 40 sounds like an answer.
They are one bedroom units you miserable fuck. And youth who are given a place will be provided with a youth worker and must have employment.
This is a very worthwhile initiative that should be above political motivated criticism from disappointed little voices. It doesn’t matter who instigated it, it is a model with every chance of success. Pulling the crime fear card is neither helpful or moral.
BTW instead of all the happy snaps for the pollies, it would have been nice to have a look at the actual accomodation we are providing with our money., But the Bulletin was too busy arse-kissing to think of that.
It’s a fantastic initiative. Should be more like it and will help give youth who have had a rough start in life a chance.
Further to this, they will have to pay rent, and will be given assistance and lessons on managing their own own. Something that kids transitionining from group homes and homelessness may not have learned previously.
I know a lady who has just commenced working at the Youth Foyer and she has told me it is a great facility that will really help those who want it. As pointed out by our feathered friends you either need to be earning or learning to be get a spot there. Good on you Magpie and Ducks Nuts, for calling out the fear mongering bullshit being spread about this initiative. In terms of the government, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
DPR
Pie, While others on here have made suggestions as to who ‘Jenny’ is. May I take a stab at it’s either Steve from Belgian Gardens or Spell-chequer. Similar research methods and terminology.
The ‘Pie has long given up on that game with regulars *with the occasional exception of TwoNames plants), but you’re welcome, go for your life. But if others wnat to join in, as they so often do, use Alah’s comment as a template …. no abuse or free character readings.
It’s Steve from BG. We’ve had him in staring at the rotating dryers and occasionally mumbling ‘Jen, Jen, Jenny’! Poor sod, we feel sorry for him, but always leave him to it!
Ala, you have outdone yourself by putting the words “research” and “methods” in one sentence.
Thanks Steve.
And both are fuckwits
Miles and the three Labor glove puppets were all starring in photo ops today. Standing in a line, nodding and grinning. What a bunch of complete arsewipes. Wow to Townsville.
I for one am glad the first sod has been turned at Copperstring. Let’s get this fargin party started. We need more projects to be approved and we need TCC to focus on attracting industry to our town.
Michael Mouse my arse! MICKEY MOUSE, get home now, where have you been all day and just WHAT do you think you’re doing playing with a Magpie???!
So the acting Council ceo and Mayor confirm that Counsellors were briefed confidentially on the $150 mil required to finish the pipeline 26 th May . If that $150 mil isn’t in the Council budget what other blowouts are there to justify 10.1 % rates increase , and millions losses projected the next few years . Councillors have signed off a budget that lacks transparency and details of projects which seems to not comply with local Government act .
Very, VERY, good questions, Mike. And the other question that arises is does Joe McCabe’s statement that TCC contribution is capped at $79million, which has long ago been announced, does that mean that the pipeline stops mid-project. Thus providing a political football in a game where the only losers are the people of Townsville, current and future?
Mr McCabe gets $150k per quarter, doesn’t matter what he does, throw in a car, a phone, flight home to GC, $1000 a week housing assistance, extras allowance, he’ll be ok. I’m hearing the councillors have all signed off on the pipeline, except one, though he wasn’t there at the time of adoption, coincidence, I think not. Our mayor has avoided the crappy end of the Hill stick on this one. I’m hearing locals who’ve spoken to the mayor saying the mayor disagrees with the whole budget adopted, is there anyway we can force his opinion on this? If he’s not on board, and the 10 councillors are it says to me ALL should go. I noticed just now he isn’t listed in the preface, the budget commentary was from the councillors and Mr McCabe, seems convenient. SACK THE COUNCILLORS, MAYOR & EXECUTIVE, ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO HAPPEN!
We will be looking at that very issue in this week’s pearls of wisdom in Sunday’s Nest.
But no point in asking Thompson anything, he will just tell whichever lie is convenient, he has already demonstrated a willingness to go back on things he says.
Let’s get something straight here. The only reason Two Names wasn’t there for the budget adoption is that he is a complete sook and he squibbed it.
At the Council meeting where the motion of no confidence was moved, Troy elected not to turn up and face the music. Instead, he sent an email to the CEO saying that he was “taking a leave of absence for mental health reasons.” These were his words, no one else’s. Had he attended the meeting, he would have had to remove himself while the vote of no confidence took place due to his conflict (the motion was about him). Once the motion was voted on, he could have returned and resumed his responsibilities of chairing the meetings, etc. Once he used the words “mental health” coupled with his statements about epilepsy and his purported 100+ concussions, the CEO had no choice but to exercise his primary duty of care to ensure that Two Names was not placed at risk of illness or injury in the course of his duties.
In preparing the budget, there were more than 20 budget workshops, most of which Two Names attended. I’m told that his input in these meetings amounted to sweet FA and definitely didn’t include any opposition to the proposals being put forward by staff.
It is very convenient for him that he wasn’t in attendance; had he been, he would have voted for the budget in its entirety. He now wants us to believe that we would have had a very different outcome, which I find extremely hard to believe.
Being familiar with the budget process, I am somewhat sympathetic to the Councillors when it comes to the construction of the budget. The real problem here is the bureaucracy. Councillors rely on the bureaucrats to provide them advice and solutions to the financial problems that the council faces. Unfortunately, those bureaucrats couldn’t give two shits about how their proposals are going to be received by the community. Their only concern is the Council not making decisions that will make their lives harder or result in them having to actually do something.
However, my sympathy for the Councillors only extends so far. Having been made aware of the significant financial challenges this city faces, they need to address these issues and look for serious budget repair initiatives that don’t just involve higher rates, fees, and charges passed on to the community. Before coming cap in hand asking for more, they need to find serious operational efficiencies. Here’s a tip: start by looking at the significant increases in management positions under Prins or the HR and Safety teams growing to nearly 35+ staff in each team.
That’s not true. The email in draft for the CEO & chamber, was written by the chief legal counsel stating leave of absence for health reasons, as was minuted at the meeting.
Thompson was at the early phases of budget discussions, but the adoption was left with councillors to sign off on with CEO. His name is not in the preface of the release booklet.
Perhaps some questions of the mayor would be appropriate as he is talking out in public about not agreeing with adoption of the budget, the TCC plane is crashing.
Since the Commonwealth government’s only contribution to Townsville’s water security project has been pin money for a business case, perhaps it’s time for the federal member to step up to the plate? Phil Thompson knows all the issues, has been all over it from day 1 and has so far done nothing for his hapless constituents except point out the inadequacy of our state and local politicians ie. our stupidity in electing them.
Now you’re just being a silly little girlie with that sort of baiting, Jen Jen. Cameron ‘By Name By Nature’ Dick knocked back federal funding ($170m or something like that, wasn’t it?) on a spurious unproven reason diminished GST allocation.
And just what is it that Phil has not done while in opposition that gets your panties in such a bunch.
Let’s not forget Phil has been busy trying to get the state government/feds to even let him spend and keep the remaining $195m in Townsville! Remember Steven Miles who was the state minister for Townsville City Deals at the time and now Premier blocked that money being spent in Townsville with their BS argument of GST clawbacks. Literally the feds sent it to their state counterparts coffers and the QLD GOVT sent it back to Canberra. You can’t make this up. I’ve been following this story for a long time. Phil found a way to get around the state govt and the feds committed $80 million of that money on Reef HQ (because that way the money didn’t need to change hands to the state government to be handed to council to be spent like every other infrastructure project in the country) because Reef HQ is a federal government asset. Then Albo got into government they changed the scope of works on the project and now it needs more $$$. Let’s not forget there is the other projects such as the concert hall and royal flying doctors that got a piece of the $195m pie. The state government tried with all their might to do nothing but block Townsville getting that $195m spent here. Shame on the lot of them.
Don’t be foolish and call Jenny a “silly little girlie” – it might be a cock in a frock, you never know these days. Whatever it is, it is definitely a crab I’d throw back. BTW, “silly” and “little” are spot on descriptions.
Magpie, Townsville ratepayers should not have to shoulder responsibility for another, say, $100m (on top of the $79m) for the Haughton water supply scheme. Yes, I know, our state and local political representatives let us down and not all the $195m in federal funding diverted towards Townsville was spent for whatever reason. Did we ratepayers ask for that? Should we have to fork out for whatever political chess game fuckup our elected representatives got us into? If yes, then I ask you, why should we? Are you happy to pay? I’m not. And I’m looking for some level of government that has not made a significant contribution to Haughton to come back to the table. Have you got a better idea?
Hmmm, how can The ‘Pie put this delicately … what the fuck are you talking about? When did The ‘Pie remotely suggest we should foot a new $100m bill for the pipeline? Why ask The ‘Pie why should we? Then suggesting The ‘Pie is happy to pay.
I have absolutely no idea what you’re foaming about … and, one suspects, neither have you.
If there is a major cost blowout in the Haughton scheme – a blowout that cannot be ‘blamed’ on Townsville ratepayers – then I think the Federal government should pick up the tab. Is that clear enough? And who is best placed to make representations to the Federal government on our behalf? Our local council is not in good negotiating shape right now, our state representatives are hamstrung by an impending election (and have paid almost all of the costs of the Haughton scheme so far) and our federal member is, according to all reports around here, the best informed person in the field. What’s left to say?
Well, you could answer my fucking question … when did I suggest the things you seem to seem to think I recommended.
For a while now, The ‘Pie has been aware that you are just winding us all up, and it’s been fun. But it’s becoming tedious.
Magpie, there isn’t a reply button on the gst sham comment below.
The reference to Reef HQ scope of works is complete BS. There was a section of the place being refurbed. During works, it was found that the reo bar in the structure was rusted. Concrete cancer in a giant fish tank cant be ignored, so the place had to be demolished. This was PM Turnbull/Morrison era. $80M was promised but won’t rebuild the place.
Only mention this because of all the BS fairy stories all over social media.
No big secret either; it was all in the media at the time.
Have you got a link to any of those stories? Not doubting you, but The Nest likes its readers to be backgrounded as much as possible.
Magpie, we seem to be at cross purposes. This thread started with Mike D saying “the acting Council ceo and Mayor confirm that Counsellors (sic) were briefed confidentially on the $150 mil required to finish the pipeline 26 th May” (BTW no explanation for the cost blowout but presumably C-in-C). You responded “And the other question that arises is does Joe McCabe’s statement that TCC contribution is capped at $79million, which has long ago been announced, does that mean that the pipeline stops mid-project.” My response to that proposition (that construction might stop if someone doesn’t put up the extra money) has been that if $100-150m NEW money is required to finish the Haughton project, that money should not be coming from Townsville ratepayers. So, if we don’t pay, who should? In my opinion, the Federal government should step in as it has so far only made a tiny contribution.
Read my last response carefully … you haven’t responded to it specifically.
The ‘Pie agrees with all the above, while disputing your previous description of federal money as ‘pin money’ when it offered $195m for the project only to be knocked back by Queensland, who blustered that they’d do it themselves.
Given Hill’s history with dam gates, I hope Powerlink keeps her well away from switches.
The back pocket deals continue. Prins and Jenny on the board of Powerlink, get ready for extra costs, project timeline blowouts. There’s a reason they were ousted, another out of touch decision by state government.
Harpic is busy again on Facebook with 2 new anti-Crisafulli posts and a new post with him posing with Steven ‘bucktooth’ Miles at the town hall meeting. Our caped crusader really has nothing better to do with his days. I imagine that he still has a half-mongrel after doing all of these photoshoots with the Miles and the other two Labor duds. Lame fucks.
Want to rid of the two face mayor click this think and share. The more signatures we get hopefully he will get the hint
https://epetitions.townsville.qld.gov.au/petition/view/pid/61
A different subject of which I have spoken about before. TwoNames also boasted of being a volunteer for 14 years at Camp Quality. He said from 2010 to present. I know a few volunteers at Camp Quality and no one can recall him. Plus given that CQ sold their NQ headquarters (I read it in the Astonisher) and went Statewide a few years ago, I wonder where he volunteered, or is this another porky pie?
Consistent with his other claims in the SAS and Uni Degrees, maybe he had a ‘standing offer’ to volunteer that Camp Quality was not aware of?
Troy is still attending my place meetings he was there last night. Saying how the council has done him wrong.. blah blah blah
You know this how? You were there? Why? You a member?
Informers mate no not a cooker
I wasn’t there, I can’t help confirm this information sorry.
Interesting tidbit regarding the MyPlace meeting. It would be interesting to know what is on their meeting agenda and what the action items are. To have a Mayor who is a MyPlace member, and to already have mental health issues, is of real concern. Who knows that these cockheads are cooking up.
Mopsey, you say “a Mayor who is a MyPlace member, and to already have mental health issues” but you repeat yourself.
The latest from our democratically elected Mayor:
OPENING THE DISCUSSION – TURNING ON COMMENTS / COMMUNITY CONSULTATION:
Dear Townsville Residents,
As your democratically elected Mayor, I am committed to representing your ideas and community needs. It is my duty under the Act to ensure you are represented properly to Council.
To facilitate this, I plan to conduct a series of Facebook posts seeking your input on relevant and important topics.
In order to make this happen I will be turning on the comments section in future posts. There will be rules applied to this which are simple.
1. Do not post anything defamatory to others
2. Do not post vulgar or explicit material
3. Do not bully or harass anyone
4. Do not post irrelevant material or comments
5. Be respectful and kind to all
Without notice, I may remove your comment, or you, from this page if you breach anything above. This is not anti-democratic, this is ensuring the content on my page remains compliant and respectful at all times.
I invite you all to share your thoughts respectfully and considerately.
Remember that everyone’s point of view is valid, even if it differs from your own.
Thank you for being part of our wonderful Townsville community!
Sincerely,
Cr Troy Thompson – Mayor of Townsville
Number 4 is a doozy … this means our arrogant little autocrat will most certainly deem irrelevant any questions about his past, and in fact, any comments he doesn’t like, which we will not know about because they haven’t been published.
And a question Mein Fuhrer reegarding number 5: does that require you to also be respectful and kind, and therefore does it include the media which you have so greatly disrespected and hampered the public’s ‘right to know’?
Anyway, The ‘Pie got in early, replied o a commenter on his post and took a screen shot before it died the inevitable and instant death.
And no, this fraudster in no fighter, in the armed forces or in civvy life. Witness the fact that he won’t answer even polite questions about his past and his motivations and most importantly, in his criminality in behaviour, even if not convicted (yet). This sort never misses the chance for a dishonest quid.
Did that really happen ‘Pie? Could be a breach of the Public Records Act if TwoNames or the Squeeze delete your comments.
Wonderful little presentation by CCC at the following link:
https://www.ccc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/Docs/Publications/CCC/Council-Records-A-guideline-for-mayors-councillors-ceos-and-council-employees-March-2024.pdf
Could represent some real issues for those that like to Delete. And I personally don’t consider “Drongo” to be offensive language.
Two announcements today suggest there may still be life in the QPM Lansdown nickel refinery project. The mining.com.au newsletter trumpeted that “Queensland Pacific Metals (ASX:QPM) has been awarded an $8 million grant from the Australian Government to advance the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) Project. The grant was received under the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program. Queensland Pacific, which has a market capitalisation of $83.18 million, says the funding will be put towards completing the TECH Project’s validation work . . “
Meanwhile the Townsville Bulletin has come to the party today announcing that “Queensland Pacific Metals is set to receive $8 million made available by the state government to assist in the preparations of the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) project, matching the Albanese government’s recent commitment of $8 million.”
Good news, have always thought QPM was a good tenant once Lansdown became a fact.
But Jenny, pedantry, I know. but that’s only one announcement. Bulletin just playing stenographer again.
So why is BHP suspending all it’s nickel mining operations until 2027?
Because the bottom has fallen out of the market.
Old tradie, good pick up. Nickel prices are down by around 70%. A lot of countries are now sourcing it from Indoensia, a cheaper alternative. The quality isn’t as good as the Aussie product but the auto industry of who buys the lions share, don’t care. It’s now a dead industry with plenty of miners to be redeployed or unemployed
And Jenny, BHP have just announced they are suspending nickel production until 2027 due to an over supply of nickel putting 3000 jobs in jeopardy.
So how in hell are QPM going to get a start?
Mayor Mullet was on top of it … someone ask her.
Classic clickbait from the Astonisher..
She was sacked not hacked.
As Eddie Maguire would say – ‘boned’. Channels 7, 9, 10 are laying off people to save costs. All of them are losing money on their free tv networks. Free tv is a dying industry. They should shut the doors on channel 10 as it is the most fucked station of them all.
Pie, Trained by the late Rick Anderton at NQTV in her early days as was Samantha Kume.
Whoops! …”axed”…
They could’ve at least tried ‘blown away while at the hairdressers’.
Or ‘waved goodbye while at the a hairdressers’.
Or in financial parlance, the blunt ‘she got a haircut while getting a haircut.’
The ‘Pie will stop now.
Jenny, you really should actually read these media releases carefully..
The key words are “to advance the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) Project” and “the funding will be put towards completing the TECH Project’s validation work”.,
Reminds me of that $3 million taxpayers stumped for (back of a beer coaster) “pre-feasibility study” on the Magnis Battery Factory.
It has since been scrapped, so I’ll believe the TECH story after it has been “validated” and construction actually starts.
IOn the same vein, what happened to that sparkle arkle entry lane arch for the Total Tools stadium?
Doug, $16m government money keeps the sign up out the front for a while longer. If they are as clever as Adani they’ll have someone build the plant and find a market for them.
And maybe an airfield for Lansdown. Oh, wait … isn’t there one there already?
Twonames throwing his fellow Councillors under the bus over the Strand paid parking decision. Good work Twonames, hell hath no fury like a scorned Mayor;
DISCUSSION – PAID PARKING | THE STRAND & OTHER PROPOSED AREAS:
Dear Townsville Residents,
As the Mayor, I am dedicated to voicing your ideas and championing them to the council, aligning with the community’s collective perception of essential matters. It is my responsibility, as mandated by the Act, to ensure your proper representation to the Council.
To facilitate this, I plan to conduct a series of Facebook posts seeking your input on relevant and important topics to help me understand your views and represent them to the council going forward. These are my own words and do not represent council as an organisation.
One issue that has been raised with me by members of the public is that of Paid Parking on the Strand.
The budget was voted on by all councillors except myself, and every councillor voted in a unanimous vote for paid parking to be on the Strand and in the other proposed areas.
Unfortunately this item saw limited community consultation in the lead up to the budget vote.
I note that the Riverway precinct was originally planned with paid parking. In that case the community said a resounding NO to paid parking during the consultation stage, and Riverway remains free parking to this day.
Based on issues raised with me, I am seeking the following discussion.
Please comment on the following and feel free to add your own ideas:
1. Do you support this idea of Paid Parking in the proposed new areas?
2. Is there need for paid parking on the Strand?
3. Would local businesses benefit or suffer by putting paid parking on the Strand and other new locations as passed by councillors.
4. Would paid parking make you skip a visit to the Strand in future?
5. Would paid parking increase the cost of living for you and your family?
6. Would a period of 1hr Free be a feasible idea similar to the 15min Free in the city?
7. Would paid parking on the Strand make you use public transport more?
I invite you all to share your thoughts respectfully and considerately.
Remember that everyone’s point of view is valid, even if it differs from your own.
Thank you for being part of our wonderful Townsville community!
Sincerely,
Cr Troy Thompson – Mayor of Townsville
Bandwagon jumping at its most opportunistic.
What a hypocritical cretin. It was in the budget when he was involved in discussions and briefings. No matter what anyone says, Troy Thompson is not to be trusted. he will suddenly change his mind if it suits him.
Ahh.. Facebook… the most legitimate medium for public consultation.
What a fucking knob gobbler
In fact, The ‘Pie is wondering if he’s in error re-publishing that regular dose of pap. While the old bird has the utmost confidence in the intelligence and rat-detecting ability of 80% of Nesters, passing on this guff – especially the positive suggestions he has latched onto and is spruiking as his own – may be assisting his cause.
This is unnecessary. All Twonames needs to do is to consult the Councillors as my divisional Councillor knows EXACTLY what I think of Strand parking meters.
Note to the ‘Pie, please consider republishing the link to the petition in tomorrow’s blog, making it easier to find. B.R.
OK.
I don’t mind the questions. It’s pretty clear no one wants an increase in parking fees, nor do they want extra meters, revenue raising is not the way to go. It will cost at least $2M for these new meters, signs etc. cashless will hurt us pensioners.
It’s the fact that TwoNames has framed his questions in such a way that they will lead to answers that will help him in his fight with the rest of the Councillors. He has very much followed Sir Humphrey Appleby’s approach in framing questions.
https://youtu.be/ahgjEjJkZks?si=2f_GkfJbhu-mw4Fx
If anything, it proves without a doubt he has got some ammunition, perhaps that was the agenda, one up man ship. They should all be listening to the community.
If anything, it proves without a doubt he has got some ammunition, perhaps that was the agenda, one up man ship. They should all be listening to the community, paid parking is not a solution, it’s a money grab
Cr. Dirou is labor through and through, is close friends with Aaron Harper, a unionist, and now a councillor at Townsville City Council. I thought we were moving away from the left. Greaney, Batkovic, Mooney, Rehbien, Phillips, Robinson, Dirou, and Jacob, all left, all public servants previously, well played Labor, well played. Ellis is LNP, Price, Thompson as independents. This just gets worse.
No words, just WOW!
How did we not know that Phillips and Robinson were left leaning too and have lived off the public service, talk about the wrong stuff, sorry but this is not going to get better, these are career public servants, wouldn’t know a days workload past 87.5 hours!
7.5 hours a day that is, 9 day fortnight’s, wouldn’t know work if it knocked them down
As was the case in 2008 with milk powder we can now expect to see hordes of Chinese stripping supermarket shelves of cooking oil and sending it back to China.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-13/cooking-oil-contaminated-china-scandal/104089686?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
Droopin Willie,
The problem is not the Chinese, nor any other mob, its the pathetic Morons of all stripes who claim that they are managing.
Whereas they are always too late with a finger in the dyke (no offense ladies) At all levels from buying submarines to a packet of chips.
It’s a bit late to submit a comment on the blog, but Astonisher 13/07/2024, p5 – “West End dramatic arrest” screams out for comment. Three journalists (I use the title lightly) managed to write 14 paragraphs telling the reader almost nothing. They only interviewed witnesses/bystanders/locals who didn’t know anything. We were told QPS declared an emergency exclusion zone (why?) and a man was arrested an unrelated behavioural matters.
On second thoughts, maybe it was written by three school kids on work experience.
You took the words outa my mouth, Jeff.
I think the “report” was upgraded (for want of a better word) three or four times and still told us nothing.
It smacked of journalistic tardiness, disinterest and amateurism!
Looks like Albo didn’t read the Tea leaves, after has pronouncements that we were now going to start manufacturing instead of exporting our raw materials.
Does that move by Indonesia mean if we are to going into manufacturing aluminum products then we’ll have to import the Aluminum from just up the road a bit.
Maybe some full employment in Indonesia for all those alleged asylum seekers over there. Problem is they’ll then have the skills to make their own boats instead of trying to make it to Oz on barely upgraded planks of wood.
Just saw this on social media and thought – yes, made the grey matter work – that this would be excellent advice for just about every person mentioned by The Nest.
”
A father used to say to his children when they were young: —When you all reach the age of 12 I will tell you the secret of life. One day when the oldest turned 12, he anxiously asked his father what was the secret of life. The father replied that he was going to tell him, but that he should not reveal it to his brothers.
—The secret of life is this: The cow does not give milk. “What are you saying?” Asked the boy incredulously. —As you hear it, son: The cow does not give milk, you have to milk it. You have to get up at 4 in the morning, go to the field, walk through the corral full of manure, tie the tail, hobble the legs of the cow, sit on the stool, place the bucket and do the work yourself.
That is the secret of life, the cow does not give milk. You milk her or you don’t get milk. There is this generation that thinks that cows GIVE milk. That things are automatic and free: their mentality is that if “I wish, I ask….. I obtain.”
“They have been accustomed to get whatever they want the easy way…But no, life is not a matter of wishing, asking and obtaining. The things that one receives are the effort of what one does. Happiness is the result of effort. Lack of effort creates frustration.”
So, share with your children from a young age the secret of life, so they don’t grow up with the mentality that the government, their parents, or their cute little faces is going to give them everything they need in life.
Remember ????????
“Cows don’t give milk; you have to work for it.”
”
Remember – there were double parenthesis at the start, an so must have them to finish.
The ‘Pie takes it that you are referring to quotation marks, ((which are not parentheses, double or otherwise)). See what I’ve done there.
‘Tort’ – a wrongful act other than a breach of contract that injures another. LNP Ellis is out to cause disruption, a radio jock trying his best to take control, only he’s not as popular as he believes he is. He is the whistleblower and probably has breached ever conduct rule there is, parliamentry privilege has got his back on this occasion, but he’s now in the spotlight.
OK, thank you, Captain Well Duh … the question is how does ‘the tort has begun’ work in the original comment? What are you actually saying? Doesn’t really make sense … except maybe in Klingon.
Thanks Pie. Saw the mayor out and about in the city often talking to people last week. The only thing I like about him is he isn’t going to the silver service events, instead, he has been seen with a lot of business people around the place. That said, I’m still of the opinion the whole council needs to go, the executive, bring in the administrators. Our city deserves better, not a single councillor is doing the work we’d all hoped for.
The ‘Pie will hold off on agreeing fully with that judgement for the moment, there were a bunch of newbies in the chamber when things were waved through. Let’s give them a bit more time to buck up and get going productively. And we need to distinguish between the rearguard actions of some over past indiscretions and new issues properly and fairly debated where decisions have been made, even if the outcome isn’t to our individual liking.
Are you softening to the councillors. I have zero tolerance for any of them, they need resign. It’s clear they acted illegally and should be punished with the CCC. Its misconduct, and if not reversed, means every mayor can be overthrown by the councillors, that is not democracy. Let CCC do their job, and let’s hope it results in a dissolution of council.
The ‘Pie reads the situation as it evolves and changes. Your zero tolerance is a matter for you and your puffed up sense of moral entitlement, but on the issue you feel is worthy of their mass resignation, all of them acted on PS legal advice. Or do you think all sat around a bubbling cauldron, tossing in eye newt and a flipper of a dead mullet and deciding to gang up on this fraudulent pestilential confidence trickster.
And anyway,just what would be wrong with councillors being able to depose a mayor by unanimous vote?
(This comment purports to be factual in much of it’s detail, which is not supported by any evidence or anything that has been published anywhere to The ‘Pie’s knowledge. Therefore it published as an opinion, and should be read as such, it’s recommended that its content not be construed as fact. The Magpie.)
So the council have a motion of Wednesday raised by Kurt Rehbien, even though he voted for it in the first place in the budget to do with parking. Word is he and all councillors are getting so many calls, texts and emails that even the council phone system has serious delays. It would appear the people have spoken. Though I was privy to data from PSA consulting in 2022 that was presented and all council are doing is buying time, they all still support the revenue raising. Sadly, our accountant, councillor Robinson is pushing for more inspectors to get more revenue, he’s all about the money, not the community. Ann-Marie has told the councillors to not backflip and stand firm against the community, stating is a behavioural change that is needed. Could it be the mayor has the vote if it’s split. I’m thinking Rehbien, Ellis, Price, Jacob and Dirou vs AMG, Phillips, Robinson, Batkovic and Mooney,, so whose side does the mayor pick. Does he still owe Rehbien a favour, as AMG has reported him to OIA on a conduct matter. Something to think long and hard about.
The whistleblower is Ellis, he’s LNP, he’s chummy with Mooney & Batkovic. His arrogance gets larger, as an outspoken man child. For proof, one only needs to read his edited comments, he’s friendly with Lane, same party, he attends all of Crisafullis functions, perhaps he’s being groomed. Phil used parliamentary privilege to put the documents from this councillor up. The tort has begun, LNP Ellis is cocky enough to think he can do the job..
“The tort has begun”???. What tort? Mate, do you even know what tort means?
I reckon the whistleblower is definitely Ellis, he’s trying to appear non bias, but his big mouth keeps getting him in trouble. Conduct issues continually and reported by people he thinks he can trust. Isn’t advertising sponsorship through his business on a councillor page a no no too, not too bright this kid, and he has a big mouth.
Interesting to see Cr. Dirou was at Mr Harpers Christmas in July party, and Cr Jacob’s daughter, a left supporter, supporting it too, shows how deep the TCC people are invested in the member of Thuringowa’s next tilt. Same faction, yes, speaks volumes for the ALP and its attempts to maintain control over local government, one would suggest if Thompson is ousted, and Crisafulli and Dutton get in, Labor still hold the council and city to ransom.
I don’t think you need a deep investment in someone’s reelection to go to a Christmas in July party.
Agree, quite the opposite, good chance to spike the KoolAid.
At what point do the Bulletin move away from the local council issues and onto the State election. We all know of the Bulletins dislike for Thompson, but all it will do is lead to defamation down the track. Garvey, Burns, Bates and co need to pick a new target, it’s starting to become obvious that they are in fact aligned to Labor. Why not ask why Pugh is even in the race, there’s a darker side there, or why Ryder gets a shot given the local community said goodbye to her loud antics. Harper and his clown suits, Walker and his penchant for photo ops, and Stewart grabbing a squeeze of Claudia at every opportunity. Then there’s the little bloke who loves up to media with nothing but noise, c’mon Nick surely it’s time to have a rest, you’ll hurt your vocal cords. Marr needs to start punching holes, she was heavily targeted by Thompson in 2020, and lost momentum, time to step up. Can someone tell me when the local and state are going to sell the childcare centres they have, there’s surely enough to cover the strand bills.
SACK THE COUNCIL, SACK THE TCC EXECS AND PUT TCC INTO ADMINISTRATION