Now that the snow job attempted by TCC lawyer David Sewell ( and maybe CEO Joe McCabe) has been exposed, thanks to Clr Andrew Robinson and carefully checked by a special Nest contributor, councillors have nowhere to hide – they must publicly decide where their responsibilities lie … with the public or with the bureaucracy. This week, The ‘Pie follows up with more details and analysis on this issue so central to how we are governed.
Rubbing our noses in it … the egregious social pustule Troy Thompson flaunts his ill-gotten gains with a flashy, brand new ‘big boy’s toy’ sporting an ‘up yours’ vanity number plate ….
A spectacular piece of timing from our paper, outdoing it’s own unofficial motto of yesterday’s news tomorrow …
And Donald Trump’s version of trickle down economics proves to be more a revelation by urination, as he gives his MAGA followers a less than golden shower – that is, metaphorically, so no trigger warning needed for those with dicky tickers.
Sincere thanks to those who have helped out with Nest finances with some sorely needed support, as always, it is greatly appreciated. If you can join with these generous folks, it will ease a lot of the background stress of being able to put together this weekly missive. The link to help out is at the end of the blog.
Why Are We Even Discussing The Untenable?
Following last week’s exposure of bureaucratic adventurism in trying to wrest significant powers away from the elected councillors, The ‘Pie has received further expert advice that suggests it was not only sneaky but parts of the proposal may well have been illegal if the motion been passed.
A quick cap: councillors were asked to vote on what was called a Delegation List, in plain language, handing over (delegating) listed powers currently the sole province of the elected members to the CEO, allowing him to by-pass council on a number matters, including the approval process for property and selling off council assets without a council vote.
This is all the councillor’s were told prior to the meeting seeking their vote. Note the officer’s recommendation at the end.
This is an outline only of the original King & Co (lawyers) template, developed with the LGAQ, and used by most councils as it’s a paid-for subscription document. It is a standard tool, and used by most councils, including Townsville. But only Townsville took the template and built on top of it. All others cut it down to fit what they needed. Townsville used it as their starting point and built a more comprehensive document than the King & Co template.
The proposed measures, presented by TCC lawyer David Sewell, further removed the public from any authority by making any appeal process by councillors extremely difficult. The list that Sewell, with input from McCabe, cooked up, was no more than a clumsy and wholly undemocratic power grab, by the council bureaucracy. It all came spectacularly unstuck when some of the cherry picked powers Sewell and his team chose from a 550 page government document – which they expected no one would read – were translated into plain language by Clr Andrew Robinson. He had indeed read enough of the 550 dense pages of Sir Humphrey-like quasi-legalese to become alarmed.. Backed up by Clr Suzy Batkovic, Robinson’s argument against the motion was so convincingly put that the CEO and Sewell, quickly agreed to an amended motion that councillors should meet in workshop to discuss the matter before voting on it. So there – obviously in indecent haste, – ended the public discussion in council.
But not here in the Nest. I
In last week’s edition, an independent analysis highlighted the dangers that such a delegation list posed. This week, a further investigation from a seperate source made the case that what was being proposed may well contravene a number of Queensland Local Government laws. To the extent that had the motion passed, the councillors themselves, unwittingly or otherwise, may have breached a number of rules. The information was so closely researched the The Magpie decided to share it with the people most directly involved. And also one person who has totally ignored this vital story.
Delegation of powers to the TCC CEO
Inbox
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Fri 18 Jul, 16:53 (1 day ago) | ||
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Dear Councillors,
Perhaps you will find this independent analysis of the proposed delegation of powers to the council CEO worth some thought. (It is not by me, but someone with the legal skills to highlight some aspects). And someone who took the time to carefully examine the 500+ page document under discussion.
And one thing becomes clear … no matter what honeyed words and assurances you hear to the contrary, there may well be legal consequences for you all depending on how this matter is handled.
This is an astounding proposal to strip you of considerable decision-making powers. And there does not seem to be a viable or reasonable reason to do so. It is the extent of the proposed changes that make it a remarkable attack on the traditional council-level democracy (such as it is).
This is no small matter, and the question is why would you allow such representative powers be taken from you – and ergo from the voting public who chose you to be their voice?
This email is in no way a criticism of Mr McCabe, who appears to have handled a difficult year as well as anybody. But Clr Robinson has already made the valid point that CEOs come and go, and as our recent history will inform you, not always to the city’s benefit. I believe you must discover and interrogate the author(s) of this proposal.
I thought the attachments might be helpful for you when attending the ‘workshops’ to discuss the matter.
Sincerely,
Malcolm Weatherup | The Magpie, Townsville
0421 037 179 | email hidden; JavaScript is required
http://www.townsvillemagpie.com.au/
Twitter: @TownsvillePie
So it seems inescapable that Sewell was completely aware of what he was doing on McCabe’s behalf, and tried to smooth talk the motion through.
This is all murkier than first thought. At least the councillors are all now alert to the situation. The Townsville community will note closely how they vote on any final motion on this issue.
Wilful, Or Woeful? The Bulletin Snoozes On
The paper had a reporter at council meetings but this somehow has escaped the attention of our community ‘champion’ … although this is without a doubt vitally important and far-reaching council matter.
The only mention in its pages since Robbo uncovered the deceit came in todays Weekend Bulletin, penned by the well known former councillor Mark Molachino.
The ‘Pie is flattered to know Frothy reads The Nest … t is th eonly place that ‘just two councillors’ had readany or all of the document.
A Magpie predication – Frothy Molachino will be one of the Melbourne Cup field to nominate when a mayoral race is declared. Given the last year, we’ve endured we could do a lot bloody worse.
There’s One Prick Who Won’t Be In The Mayoral Race – No Matter What He Thinks
While all of Townsville just thinks he’s a prick, con man Troy Thompson thinks he is a big swinging dick. This from comments last Wednesday.
| Just saying
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Submitted on 2025/07/16 at 10:00 am
Just saw TwoNames at Willows, he parked beside me in a brand new ute, with the plates MYR047. I’m no Sherlock, so I asked the missus, she said it stands for 47th mayor of Townsville. FFS |
This prompted an outburst of wit amongst readers, with a variety of suggestions for a better suited plate, with some trying to verify the plate, which seems to be plate is registered to a GWM dual cab, which would be just big. enough for TwoNames to host a MyPlace meeting. But most were -surprise, surprise – outraged that this twister used his ill-gotten gains to give the Townsville public the finger.
As The ‘Pie pointed out, TwoNames obviously isn’t aware of the sometimes unwelcome attention that vanity numbers plates attract. Or this sort of derision, which turned up on the local site Townsvillians (sic)Blocked By Troy Thompson (have a look, it’s a lot of fun, great pisstake).
Whinge Of The Week
Reported in comments on Thursday.
They really are getting addled down at the Astonisher.
They want to gingerly scold the council – rightfully so – over the disgraceful new $100 a pop parking fines, but may The ‘Pie suggest, Editor Poulson, it might be better to pick an anecdotal story that doesn’t feature a whinger who is wrong and the council is right.
If you read your own story, Jill, you will see that the woman herself tacitly admits she was in the wrong. And surely your reporter might have looked a little further when told by the woman that, yes,. she had parked half on the grass and half on the road … although ambiguous about the exact location, it sounds a dangerous and selfish thing to do at anytime, and perhaps lucky she attract extra attention from the real wallopers.
The council’s explanation is quite clear and reasonable, even if the new amount of the fines is not.
Show a bit of gumption and be upfront, by starting one of your famous ‘all for us’ campaigns about the unjustified hike in the fines, rather than entertain such one-sided Facebook material (which is probably where you got it in the first place.)
And note to COS and reporter Josh Mercer. You were there, she was there, and her vehicle was presumably there. Why the fuck not take an explanatory snap to better explain the story, if you felt her case was worth bringing to us.
FFS, stop making yourself look like ninnies.
But of course, that wish quickly proved to be a triumph of hope over experience. …
From The Daily Astonisher’s ‘Yesterday’s News Tomorrow’ File
Only a real estate agent could have written this demented codswallop … and only a paper like the Astonisher would print it … eventually.
The Bulletin really outdid its ‘yesterday’s news tomorrow’ reputation last Monday … that would the Monday after the Sunday when the SuperPests done and dusted, run and won and leaving town. but apparently no one told the paper, because they ran this story …
Now, you’d think not even a demented real estate agent could try to hype a property’s proximity to the V8 track as some sort of desirable attribute, but you’d be wrong. As you also would be if you thought The Bulletin would check what it prints.
Only a real estate twat could write that stuff, and only a paper like the dear old Astonisher would print it.
Eventually.
Mystery Man. The Week’s Most Surprised Man Was Jack Cooper
And Astonisher readers – both of them – were the most baffled.
So who is Jack Cooper, you ask? Haven’t a clue, The Magpie replies. OK, but why is he surprised? Because of this.
After going through the story twice, The ‘Pie can assure you that Mr Cooper was not mentioned at all in Leighton Smith’s golden gushing prose as per media release.
Oh, well. the paper’s advertising people will be around as soon as they can find out who you are, Jack . They’ll try selling you an ad in the paper on the basis that, as per their normal practice, they’ve given you a freebie already.
The only consistent thing about the Bulletin is its inconsistence. A few weeks ago, they lifted this FB pic to have an indirect shot at their favourite arch villain TwoNames Thompson.
Then a week or so ago, this seemingly retarded ratbag. turned up outside the Walker Street offices of the paper, prompting editor Jill Poulson to use up serious editorial space with this.
Then on Tuesday, the ran with this story …
… which featured this mystifying line and photograph …
Claiming that his property interests would be hit with an up to a 54 per cent cost increase, investor Andrew Watts drew attention to the issue when he donned a Batman suit to protest in front of the Townsville Bulletin’s office last week.
So let’s see .. a twerp the paper called ‘batty’ and said he was a supporter of the paper’s arch enemy TwoNames Thompson, who then turns up outside their offices claiming the paper writes fake news (well done, Sherlock!) which attracts a tepid editorial mention, suddenly becomes a respected investor the paper trusts to give a credible and balanced critique of the council which he wants sacked … all printed in the paper he believes prints fake news. Well wattayaknow?
Oh, well, he was right on that last one, anyway.
Silliest Question Of The Week
This goes to a columnist in the Bulletin big brother The Australian, when the writer decided to huff and puff about the coverage of the Erin Paterson Masterchef extravaganza.
Err, Jack, old son, haven’t you been reading your own paper on this particular subject, which printed well over 150 articles on the trial Pattinson herself and the usual peripheral crap. Have you never glanced at the Daily Telegraph, the Melbourne Herald, or even -gasp – the Townsville Bulletin?
Violent crime as light entertainment has always been the central raison d’etre for, first, papers to attract readers, then radio to attract listeners, TV to shower nightly shock and horror on viewers, and now online. Talk about biting the hand etc. Idiot.
The Week In Amerika – A Time Of Revelation By Urination?
The greatest socio/economic hoax of the last century – and it ensures to this day – was the acceptance of the economic trickle-down theory,. This is an economic concept suggesting that benefits provided to the wealthy or businesses will eventually “trickle down” to the lower classes in the form of job creation, investment, and economic growth. It is probably frighteningly appropriate the it was a term coined by a comedian, the legendary Will Rogers to lampoon Herbert Hoover. Later economist John Keneth Galbraith revealed that the theory had previously been known as the ‘horse and sparrow theory’ the idea that feeding a horse a huge amount of oats results in some of the feed passing through for lucky sparrows to eat on the roadway..
Now Trump is openly reversing traditional ‘trickle down’ which this week was revealed not to involve horseshit but metaphorical piss. He finally has spelt out for the MAGA developmentally delayed (but I repeat myself) the truth of what Hilary Clinton called the Trumped Up Trickle Down.
In an extraordinary outburst on Truth social, this deeply disturbed and now panicked man/child has made it clear what is really contained in the trickle down product spraying from his economic bladder … higher prices, less choice and restricted freedoms.
“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!” he wrote on his Truth Social site. Indeed not, he thinks.
Trump was triggered into this open betrayal by some of his own supporters who insisted that the Epstein Files be released … they weren’t buying the sudden about-turn, from promising to publish the presumably sleazy pedo list of Epstein’s Frequent Flyer buddies, to ‘nothing to see here, there are no such files’. There is strong reason that Trump himself is on his former friend’s Frequent Flyer list for Lolita Airlines …. the second ‘F’ not always standing for ‘flyer’. He has now ordered the release of the files (it’ll take months) after nationwide rage at his reneging on his initial release promise, even saying there was no such document. It was this sort of pressure to which he succumbed.
But President Sleaze has other concerns that will more seriously upset his base and spell the end to the most chaotic presidency in history.
Of all the images generated in the 10 years of the Trump Aberration, it is these for some reason, that bring home the undeniable comparisons of Trump with Hitler and Germany of the 1930s.
The mental image, like some dystopian movie, of ICE-men, armed like the military, and masked, marching through the vast fields of plenty, America’s vegetable farms, arresting and bundling migrant workers into waiting trucks – many of whom had hitherto been legally in the US – somehow reinforces the enormity of Trump’s evil.
And stupidity. Americans have tacitly turned a convenient blind eye to migrants, legal or otherwise, working their agricultural fields because it has always been accepted that these workers are not taking jobs from Americans, they are doing jobs that Americans, WILL NOT do. And the term ‘trickle down economics’ – the illusory crumbs of benefit trickling down to the ‘proletariat’ from the Jeff Bezos’s of this world – is completely reversed here. Instead of benefits, the trickle down, Trump’s fascism will be the detriment felt by the end consumer. And when the dimwitted and docile of Amerika suddenly realise how they’ve been tricked, things will get really interesting. Everywhere. But maybe all too late.
Finally, Best Headline Contender
I has be reveaed that Trump has some blood circulation problems … unfortunately, trivial … but the good part is that it povided us with this in the Oz.
………..
That’s it for another week of 50 hours The ‘Pie never get back. Join in the commentary throughout the week, you can set up an alert for comments as they come in so you can reply if you like … under an alias if you want. If you’d like to help with blog costs, you can make a contribution by using the appropriate donate button below.
The TCC CEO delegation should be for new pencils & rubbers only. All other expenses and matters should stay with our elected members.
It might be time for the Executive, along with the Councillors, to engage in a ‘restructure’ of the legal department. Change Sewell’s title from Chief Legal Officer to Manager Legal, Governance and Regulatory Affairs, and show him the door and re-advertise for the new position. The redundancy package wouldn’t be too large as he has only been with TCC for 2.5 years. Just a thought.
Pie
In last week’s Nest you published Annexure A in full. This clearly outlines an intent to usurp the powers of our elected Councillors, assigning full executive development approval to the CEO. This can only be regarded as an act of sedition.
And the Chief Legal Officer, David Sewell, was the sole author?
And he tried to sneak it past Councillors all by himself?
If the current CEO, Joe McCabe, had knowledge of the existence of this document, it is a matter for the CCC. Mr McCabe cannot investigate himself.
It is inconceivable that McCabe had no knowledge of such a document presented to council that centred on him. One gets the ‘vibe’ that he and others (Richardson wouldn’t be too far away from these shenanigans) basically said let’s see if we can get this passed the dumbos. Which they may well have done but for Robinson.
Of course, the other side of all this is if the Sewell presentation and the Robinson interrogation came as news to Joe, then he is guilty of being dangerously asleep at the wheel.
The ‘Pie isn’t the only one eagerly awaiting to see how they try to squirm their way out of this one.
Mr. Magpie,
There is a lot of squirming happening at present in Walker Street.
Either Metermaid Greaney was aware of the power grab by McCabe and others, or she is way out of her depth as a councillor, let alone purtporting to be Mayoral material.
Her comment at the 3/7/25 meeting, ” Do you know that all the councillors who voted in this great CEO are sitting around this table?”, may just come back to bite her on her ever expanding backside.
Possibly more than a deeply embarrassing comment, perhaps?
David Sewell is proving to be a slippery piece of work. A person like that, drumming up a document that potentially removes power from the councillors, can be very dangerous. If I were a councillor I would be very concerned about the actions of this little rodent.
I have to question if Councillors know what delegated powers the CEO already holds. Perhaps its timely for all existing delegated powers held by the CEO and potential powers that may be delegated be work shopped with Councillors and a new document of all delegations be presented to Full Council for approval and that such a document be a public document.
Does anyone know if it is possible for the CEO to delegate any of these powers to other Council staff and if so how do Councillors and ratepayers find out about these delegated powers and what checks and balances are in place to prevent abuse of these powers
It was indicated by Robinson in the meeting that this was the first time the councillors had a list of delegations or at least a menu from which the list was chosen. I may have misunderstood, but what seems to have happened is that hitherto, there were stock standard, non-controversial delegated powers that were regularly waved through, but the new state government decided to make a 500+ page report of council powers to allow all 77 Townsville to tailor their list to local needs. Seems Sewell, and McCabe on supposes, jumped on this as an opportunity, and like kids in a lolly shop, grabbed everything on offer, whether it was necessary or not for Townsville (stock routes FFS??) It’s a wonder they didn’t grab Drop Bear Regulation in there.
But they’ve been found out by Daddy Robinson, and must surely be forced to return some of the purloined sweeties. And hopefully get a good arse kicking as a reminder of who are the grown ups in charge are around the place.
Insulting stuff all round.
I have said this before and will say it again. And I draw on my knowledge of the Commonwealth system, which is based in common law – no I have never stooped to becoming a lawyer.
The Commonwealth’s Acts Interpretation Act states “the delegation of a function or power does not relieve the delegator of the delegator’s obligation to ensure that the function or power is properly performed or exercised”. Also, “a delegation … while enabling a delegate to exercise powers in their own right, does not result in the power being removed from the delegator”.
Finally, the point I made earlier is that the exercise of a power by a delegate is deemed to be exercised by the delegator.
Therefore, the TCC Council when delegating one of its powers:
. is still able to exercise any power it has delegated;
. retains an obligation to ensure that the delegate has properly acted; and
. is accountable for the exercise of any power by a delegate.
Therefore each and every Councillor has to be across all Council powers and track the usage of those powers by its delegates. So, the 500-page document, if a surprise to them, will lead to a great learning experience. The proposed workshop is a very good idea. Also, would seem that the State Minister for Local Government at the time had been a little too casual, following the earlier elections of Councillors, in the approach to guiding Councillor re their duties. Perhaps the system for coordinating the management of local authority powers should be reviewed. Why not a law giving the ‘CEO/administrator’ of a local authority powers that relate expressly to the administration of a Council and its staff, with the CEO being answerable for the proper use of those powers.
There has never been any suggestion that the councillors will lose the powers they delegate, but how can they act on the second point about obligation if they don’t know about it? Same goes for the third point. And given you’re argument, answer this:what can possibly be the purpose of such delegation, which smacks of reasons closely resembling the civil area of power of attorney? The council isn’t either a gaga aunt who can’t handle her affairs, or about to drop dead en masse.
And I’m afraid your throwaway smug smirk about a jargon filled 500 + document being a ‘great learning experience for councillors’ is crass patronising, insulting, unrealistic and childish … Oscar Wilde you are not, and it’s a safe bet you haven’t read such any similar document of 50 pages let alone 500+. Have a try at reading this document in question and get back to us about your learning experience.
Councillors are for the most part ordinary folks that bring a variety of skills to the council, and certainly need trustworthy and intelligent analysis of matters that come before them, that’s why there is a small battalion of presumably competent and experienced bum polishers in the background. This exercise sadly raises the question whether all of them can be trusted.
What The ‘Pie would really like to hear is the reason these powers need to be delegated, and if such decision are, as you say, under the overview of the councillors, what the fuck is the point of all this?
And in your view, by extension, we may have the time wasting exercise of a lengthy process of councillors rescinding decisions that has been made unilaterally and without reference to the council in the first place? Time wasting make-work, wouldn’t you agree? And the danger of possible instances that invite expensive legal challenges. And more time wasting.
Re your last sentence, the CEO of any council in Queensland, including the TCC, already has those powers (it’s their bloody job description, FFS … council CEOs are a glorified ‘managers’, so they can demand bigger bucks.) It is the expansion into the other areas that properly belong ONLY TO ELECTED COUNCILLORS that makes this suggestion totally wrong and therefore totally unacceptable.
Your whole comment is upside down and arse about, Dorfus.
That Batman (Fatman) idiot Andrew Watts, really is a dipshit. Dressing up as the caped crusader and plonking himself outside businesses in a cheesy exercise of protesting is just lame and idiotic. Just like his puppet master Twonames, he needs to get a life and just fuck off.
Regards Thompson buying that new car, he is probably trying to stock up on purchases while he still has an income. The gravy train might end in November. Then again, the muppet is expecting a windfall from his various acts of litigation so in his mind money is no option.
P’raps knowing that he would be out of a job shortly, he went for the Chinese knockoff version of the Ford Ranger – half the price and none of the quality.
WM, 50+ years ago, some people opined that the recently arrived Toyota Corolla was a knockoff of a locally made Ford Cortina. Or that the Toyota Crown with electric windows would be a flash in the pan. Total tosh of course.
People are in a bit of denial about it how good Chinese cars are.
The ‘Pie well remembers the same situation in the late ’50s and the 60s about Japanese cars, but there was an emotional dimension in that animosity, as WW11 was still raw in the national memory.
Magpie, the “emotional dimension” and animosity to Asian engineering excellence is alive and well in Australia. GWM built in China and Ford Ranger & Toyota Hilux both built in Thailand, all have ANCAP five star safety ratings, are similar size and weight. If you took the labels and decals off a new one, White Mouse probably wouldn’t have a clue which one he was driving let alone the ‘qualities’ he was supposedly evaluating.
‘He’?
And anyway, there is little to support your idea of discrimination, since the days of shoddy products out of Asia is long gone, and China has never actively been an enemy of this country, like the Japanese who are now an ally.
The discrimination between vehicles, if The ‘Pie knows anything of the fiercely critical Australian motoring public, will be based solely on performance facts, especially fuel consumption and type, comfort and gadgets. Word spreads like wildfire now we have the internet, and rarely if ever includes ethnicity as a critical factor. The Chinese Haval is proving to be particularly successful, and one or two European marques, once the sole province of superiority seeking bearded, pipe smoking, elbow-patch wankers are now respected products, like the Czech Skoda.
And let’s not start a lengthy Cars Guide thread about things like which has the best frappel hose disseminator to cross flow into the Glammis receptor et al. Open those floodgates and there’s The ‘Pie’s day … and sanity … gone.
Ask a mechanic about GWM and be prepared for a spray.
Be prepared for the same reaction if you ask a Mercedes mechanic about ANY other vehicle.
Another TCC Director job up for grabs. What I like about these positions is that they are being advertised, and eventually filled, while the pustule Twonames is locked out. He can’t line up a mate for the positions, which ultimately diminishes his power and influence further. Great timing TCC, keep up the good work.
https://www.seek.com.au/job/85615386?type=promoted&ref=search-standalone#sol=13cf55a636985675e2aa4a844aadfcd76f16c5ad
Replacing whom? Who’s jumped ship?
And even if he was in office, Thompson would never command the influence of Jenny Hill, and given any situation involving him, a recommendation from him would carry the same toxic affect that a Magpie recommendation of a Bulletin journo. Most of his ‘mates’ would never get through a interview.
Great blog Magpie
It’s coincidental the Director of Planning position has been advertised while this delegation of power saga is happening.
Could there be a connection?
I can report the new million dollar toilet at Picnic Bay is near completion. They have used some honed sandstone style block work for the build and now the TCC has called for a local to spoil it with a mural.
If the result is similar to other murals around the island it will be disappointing.
I don’t understand why you would want to make a new building look old.
Yes Ms. May,
Picnic Bay is a hive of activity at the moment, other good news is repairs to the iconic Picnic Bay Jetty https://www.magneticcommunitynews.com/post/repairs-underway-on-picnic-bay-jetty
I do have to agree with you about the new toilets at Picnic Bay – they look good as they are. I wonder if the $900K price tag ( which was paid by the State Govt) included the payment for a second rate mural?
It will be a ‘welcome to country” style graffiti.
Honed sandstone style block work I should have said
You don’t say.
Just spent the past week in Brisbane. The Bruce Highway between Townsville and Gympie is utterly fucked. Funny how cars have to be roadworthy but roads don’t!! Anyway, if Threenames takes his new cheap piece of shit car on a few trips to Brisbane it will fall apart on him pretty quickly.
Pie
in answer to your question about the Delegation to CEO document- WTF is the point- look no further than the Picnic Bay Hotel redevelopment application. This is currently being assessed by TCC: Ref Number MCU25/0037.
http://eplanning.townsville.qld.gov.au/Common/Output/DocumentAccess.aspx?id=!!E53kTmlZCJEytI1GjL7FyhzE%2F7ntqqpUBVZO1A%3D%3DKRTf2w1I3Fly&ext=pdf
The planning bureaucrats have determined this is code assessable development, not impact assessable, so this major project is not even likely to be placed on public exhibition. (Code assessable meaning development that is to be expected in the zoning.)
I’m not sure the community expected to see a complex with 127 new accommodation units, three pools but only 15 parking spaces. The plans and concept drawings show the public boat ramp is gone, as indeed are the iconic banyan figs that would obscure the waterfront views. There is a structure that approximates the existing jetty. Although page 348 of the Delegation document gives Joe McCabe the power to remove the jetty’s heritage listing- the critical first step to demolition- should its retro charm clash with the schmick new hotel’s image.
A bit to unpack there but first:
the link doesn’t open ( well not for me anyway)…
and most importantly … please send a screen shot of page 348 to email hidden; JavaScript is required .
The ‘Pie doubts very much that McCabe would have any power to reverse a heritage order, indeed, it is doubtful once an order is place, that even the entire council could reverse it … that would surely have to a matter for the whacko’s in the Heritage bunker in Brisbane, as Heritage orders are made in the context of overall Queensland heritage. (If McCabe and the council does have such a power, they could do us all a favour and become wildly popular in removing any orders on the North Rail Yards and bulldoze the derelict tin sheds which are beyond useful restoration forthwith that are just an eyesore at one of the entraces to the city.)
And if the PB redevelopment is as you say, with the loss of the public boat ramp and those banyan trees (now there’s a fight worth fighting), and the general size of this re-development is unquestionably impact assessable. It sounds like a worthy project of great benefit, but at the moment it sounds like a ‘baby with the bathwater’ issue. Townsville development thinking is afraid of change to its mindset, where it is more radical to keep some things as they are than to ‘upgrade’ them in the name of progress and proits.
The ‘Pie thinks you might have things a little back to front regarding code assessable, which in plain language, means if a development application meets all the regulatory requirements in both the Townsville City Plan and LG regs, it CANNOT be knocked back by council. In which case, there have been examples where the council itself invokes an impact assessment itself, rather than be railroaded into what a majority would think an inappropriate development. So impact assessable is primarily a weapon to be wielded by the councillors themselves to oppose something, but does allow the public to request such if they think something is important enough (like parking meters on the Strand).
This is a matter for all of Townsville, not just Magnetic Island or Picnic Bay, it is an overall test of our city decides it’s built environment.
But worry not Claebelle, you’re in luck, having as you do a dynamic, community-driven champion as your division’s councillor.
Stop whingeing, it’ll be alright … until it isn’t.
Just to be clear, while there is a process whereby the council (NOT the CEO alone) can revoke a local heritage order, it is such that demolition of the Picnic Bay Jetty would never ever fly (although a cyclone might not fill out the required forms in triplicate).
Anyway, even if they were dingbats enough to try it on, the TCC and the CEO would have hard time justifying why they allowed the government to go ahead with expensive renovations and repairs.
Baillie says the repairs should be finished mid-August before the Maggie Island Race Week. The cost is not mentioned.
FYI:
Process for Removal of a Local Heritage Listing:
1. Nomination:
A nomination is submitted to the council, usually by the property owner or another interested party, requesting removal of the place from the local heritage register.
2. Evidence:
The nomination must be supported by thorough research and documentary evidence, such as historical records, photos, and expert reports, to prove the place doesn’t meet the criteria for cultural heritage significance.
3. Council Decision:
The council assesses the nomination and supporting evidence. If they agree, they may make a recommendation to remove the place from the register.
4. Review:
The Queensland Heritage Council may review the council’s decision and make the final determination on whether to remove the place from the local heritage register.
Key Considerations:
The process involves a thorough assessment of the place’s cultural heritage significance based on specific criteria outlined in the Townsville City Plan.
Queensland legislation governs the process and requires evidence-based decision-making.
Community consultation and engagement are important aspects of the process.
It would be a nail in the coffin of any councillor or bureaucrat who tried to have the Picnic Bay Jetty removed from the State Heritage register see link for hertitage status https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602231
If they tried we may just have to have another protest rally just like the one held on jetty on 2001.
Let’s not soil our dainties over something that simply is not going to happen. In fact, one would imaine the developer would be a the forefront of any oppositioin to remove it, should that occur.
It hasn’t and it won’t, so moving on to the other aspects of the development … the only one that would knot The Pie’s is any removal of those trees. Admittedly, The ‘Pie has been there for a while, but they are part of the enduring memory and charm that PB still retains.
Mr. Magpie,
I find it hard to believe they would remove the beautiful banyan trees from the foreshore park area? That would be enough to have a protest rally – it doesn’t take much for the folk on the island to get upset.
Just had a look at the development application it does say ‘Foreshore Upgrades’
and the Artists impression shows lots of greenery and trees – maybe they don’t banyan trees in there art studio kit?
No sign of the boat ramp, but don’t believe they would remove it?
The jetty is still there and it looks like they want to a space near the jetty for a licensed area on the beach – and why not.
Will watch this one with interest…
Well, it’s a matter of personal preference, but there are two questions raised if a section of beach were to be licensed. And that is only if the council can get its shit together with the state licensing board in the first place. Anyway not sure what beach area you’re talking about.
The first and most obvious is why, when there is a whole new sooper dooper boozarium less than 10m away?
And the second is if they do, it cannot be an exclusive area for pub/resort customers only (that’s not allowed anywhere in Australia thank god) but being licensed, it means that other non-pub/resort punters can’t bring a six pack or a chilled bottle of Kim Crawford pinot gris on that section. Because it is generally prohibited to bring outside grog onto licensed premises. And if it was, it may well have been bought at the pub’s bottle-o.
ny, its allpointless speculation at this stage, letn’s see what happens when the shiny bums start shredding the application and we see what is brought before full council (as it surely must, something like this CANNOT just be waved through.)
Yeah, I think Moggie is right – they probably don’t have banyans in their cgi assets and have plugged in some other trees. Not that removing a couple would be a big issue.
Pie the jetty is an asset of the state and owned by them, nothing to do with tcc
Of course it is, as demonstrated by the story featuring Baillie, but the TCC would have a strong say in any change in that regard.
Pie, Obviously this process was not followed when Gleeson trust wanted the Criterion Hotel taken off the heritage register. Particularly in reference to clause 2.
This comes up a lot on the blog – the banyan figs are not “iconic” … the only thing in Townsville that could be described as iconic is Castle Hill itself.
The word ‘iconic’ is not used by The Magpie unless something actually is, in the modern sense, ‘iconic’ i.e. widely recognised and known as representative of a place or person. Such an icon immediately mkes one associate it with a location, action or profession. ‘Icon’ gives ‘alleged’ a run for nits money in the most ignorant and annoying grammatically buffoonery of the Bulletin.
So, yes, Quarter Pounder, Castle Hill would fit, banyan trees at Picnic Bay would not.
It’s time that messr Sewell does the walk of shame. HR and Mr McCabe line him up and show him the door. Sewell is trouble. He is a power hungry person who will inflict damage on the councillors if he remains unbridled. It’s time to insert the pineapple, spikey end first.
Its a bit early to let Joe McCool of the hook in this matter. Hard to believe such a document could’ve been put together by Sewell and a ‘team’ without him knowing about it. Now we are in the unenvious position of not knowing who we can trust.
The list of who we can’t is growing by the minute.
I held out high hopes for McCabe. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking after all the other fuckwits we have had as CEO? But this power grab has hairs all over it. It seems that TCC fuckwittery continues unabated.
Great name and appropriate comment.
Indeed, a name much better than Eumonia other name, Horae, which in this day and age of dodgy pronunciation, might more accurately describe a lawyer like Mr Sewell.
And does our reader give a sly nod to one of the several meanings of Eumonia in modern usage, a traffic enforcement system.
The other meanings are the name of an asteroid, a butterfly species, a research and consulting firm, and a band.
Given Mr Sewell’s hop-scotching career so far, maybe butterfly might be best suited.
Having another go at posting the link to the Picnic Bay Hotel DA currently before Council:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://eplanning.townsville.qld.gov.au/Common/Output/DocumentAccess.aspx?id=!!%2FEu6vU6eQ%2FBtBPwEfzplt6TJtdVBIyYsR%2Fxh6A%3D%3Dndj%2BO8NeCEpf&ext=pdf
For the record, I’m delighted to see Picnic Bay getting back its mojo. I just don’t think a scheme of this scale should be approved without a public consultation process. For example, the Proposed Licence (sic) Area extends right down to the waterline. And where’s the existing public boat ramp on these plans? (Page 64 of the DA)
It’s good news that the jetty is at last under repair.
We’ll have to agree to disagree about code assessment. The original Light Industry subdivision on the Kelly St site was code assessable and look at the liberties Council has tried to take there.
Despite the false comparison between the two projects in scale of impact, your right that both should be impact assessable, but the PB one has potentially greater social implications. Council should’ve been more inclusive on both.
Wasn’t there a similar problem on the northern beaches with a proposed storage unit development?
No Pie, the Bushland Beach storage unit saga was a completely different kettle of fish. Council quite reasonably refused the DA to establish storage units in a low density residential area; residents had with good cause vehemently opposed the development (eg BB is a low density area and they all have garages and don’t need storage units.) The developer went to the Planning and Environment Court where the Judge determined that there was an unmet community need for these storage units in Bushland Beach so ruled in favour of the developer.
Since you brought it up, we do have an analagous DA on the island currently under consideration by Council. The house in Arcadia where Peter Lawson has had his gallery for 20 years has changed hands. The new owner wants to turn it into a restaurant. It’s in a residential zoning, so as established by the BB precedent, for Council to approve it, there must be a pressing need among local residents for a new “high-end culinary experience” on that specific site , 16 Marine Pde. In response to the public exhibition, Council received over 100 responses- probably not seen since the days of the Blight Point proposal- overwhelmingly opposing it. Most expressed concerns about the clearing of vegetation required and the impact of site debris on the adjoining creek, which flows directly into the GBR Marine Park. One enterprising local measured up the plans against the site to conclude the new car park is actually sited within the creek. This should not be all that surprising. The plans were drawn up by a firm of interior designers from the Gold Coast, more experienced in positioning sofas and mirrors than buildings and car parks. The acoustics engineer concluded the only way the development could be compliant is with double glazing. Who goes to a tropical island to eat behind double glazing? We’re all still patiently waiting for Council’s decision.
What about http://eplanning.townsville.qld.gov.au/Common/Output/DocumentAccess.aspx?id=!!%2FEu6vU6eQ%2FBtBPwEfzplt6TJtdVBIyYsR%2Fxh6A%3D%3Dndj%2BO8NeCEpf&ext=pdf
That one works for The ‘Pie. Going through the document now.
The link isn’t working for me
Given your chosen name, neither is something else.
It maybe the case that there are plans to bring the ferry back to Picnic.
I did see the Minister for Local Government on the esplanade with the head of Sealink some time ago.
That would be sheer common sense, so don’t count on it. But if this development goes ahead … and can’t see why not in some form or other … it seems inevitable that one or two services minimum per day would be arranged. However, that would no doubt require an army of shiny bums to design an elaborate structure from which to hang appropriate brand (chosen by tender) rubber tyres to protect their investment.
And as an aside, one imagines Peppers Blue on Blue won’t be too happy with this proposal. Hope they see it would a mutually beneficial arrangement in the medium to long term.
Re Picnic Bay Hotel Redevelopment
I am puzzled why the owners are currently spending millions of dollars renovating the existing motel units on site when they intend to demolish it.
I wonder what the time span is to complete this development. 30 years?
I’ve just read a bulletin story, and I’m a little confused, mainly as to why the story even exists.
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville-cbd-premier-jets-in-for-crisis-talks/news-story/4d66ca81c294c05c12f0549c83ae7df5
What was the point of the Bulletin story? What was the point of the workshop?
No plan. No outcomes. Just a lot of “listening” and a few moody photos. Looks like the Premier flew in for a crisis of headlines, not action.
The Bulletin filled a page. The pollies filled their day. The CBD? Still empty.
Sorry for the “blow by blow”. I’m catching up on the “News” as defined by the Bulletin. My immediate next challenge was this story:
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/239meter-floating-helicopter-base-becomes-largest-ship-in-townsvilles-history/news-story/a6a19001dae82d1a6bee8ba791a990d3
So let me get this straight — the Bulletin gave us a full story to tell us two things:
1. A big ship arrived.
2. It’s getting fuel and groceries.
That’s it? No mission, no context, no relevance to anyone on land. Just a floating base stopping for snacks. How is this news?
Not sure how many readers will be able to open the story, it is considered so priceless that it is paywalled. But SC makes his/her point anyway.
Ummm, they did mention that it was the largest ship in port since the latest dredging. And if you didn’t realise that Talisman Sabre 25 is on, then you must have been hiding under a rock for the past few weeks.
Under a rock is a good place to be when these fuckers are playing bang-bangs.
Both facts were noted by me. But only one seemed relevant and represented the Bulletin story. It was the “Biggest Ship to visit” point. The Talisman Sabre exercise would have been a good fact to add, for context. But was missing. I knew it, you knew it, but the Bulletin story as a standalone piece didn’t. And context matters. In a Garrison City these facts may be obvious and not worth mentioning. But the paper isn’t a news source just for locals. You’d be surprised, and quite frankly shocked, how it is often used by the out of towners to get a view on Townsville (I know a few ministerial advisers in Brisbane whose only knowledge of Townsville comes through reading the Bulletin, and they don’t always “get” what’s going on).
Sorry for my observational rant, but I’m just tired of the “News”paper not being newsworthy. And right now I’m seeing a downward slide in quality, turning into a sharp cliff. And we all know what happens when you fall off the cliff. (In a James Bond or Mission Impossible movie you have a convenient parachute. Not so much here.)
At least they didn’t call it a boat, like they did last week … the paper simply doesn’t think detail matters, it’s a policy of close enough is good enough.
But what a bloody whinger you are, SC, you wilfully overlook the value of our own Astonisher. Forget your Wall Street Journal, NY Times, SMH, Australian or Guardian, ONLY the Townsville Bulletin will bring you the news that you really want … like they did on page 3 last Monday.
Page fucking three for Christ’s sake.
Should’t be anywhere in a paper that is even vaguely interested in actual news. QED.
Bulletin Facebook post this afternoon showing photos of “HAMS Townsville” being moved.
Has now been updated to a bacon free zone.
Re Picnic Bay Hotel Development
It looks great but the proposal is over five stages. Whilst the housing market is good, development sites around Australia are been sold off because of high construction costs.
You can add an extra 30% for Magnetic Island.
These are only concept plans and with software like Archicad can be produced relatively quickly and cheaply.
I note in the proposal, the first stage involves restoration of the existing hotel whilst it remains open.
Part of the first stage of the proposal if approved, also allows them to immediately start using the beachfront all the way to the high tide mark.
Given that they are currently spending millions on renovating the existing onsite motel, it is puzzling that this motel is to be demolished later according to the DA
It raises the question. Will they ever complete the other stages? Or is this just a power grab control or occupy prime beachfront public land all the way to the high tide mark for the cost of an outdoor dining permit.
Think back to the front page of the bulletin when the developers purchased this property. They were reported as saying they would consult with the public. That hasn’t happened.
I also note the car parking policy for developments like this was recently changed. The tree management policy was recently changed. The rates were recently changed to to limit Air B&B
Another strange policy about recreational vehicles was introduced to Picnic Bay with the exclusion of the Esplanade.
Now we have this Delegation of Power policy. Another Executive leaves.
The Magpie burned the midnight Brent Crude last night and actually went through the 172 pages of this application.
He too was pulled up short when he spotted the ‘stages’ part of the application … with no timelines, start date or indications of intentions. And in the following introduction, note the highlight part, which includes the tell-tale light-bulb moment for The ‘Pie … the word ‘ultimately’.
Now, it makes perfect business sense to plan a prudent timeline on a complex development like this by breaking it up into sequential stages. But it does ask the developer to be open with residents and businesses about just what is intended. And while there is no suggestion of anything illegal or underhand in this matter – it actually looks like a very desirable and economic rehabilitation of a long neglected area – there is a major area of doubt about those intentions, as we know so well in Townsville. It’s a familiar scenario.
First, here’s the relevant bit in the application.
Around this neck of the woods, ‘staged’ projects start alarm bells ringing, especially when we have a lazy, anything-for-a-rosy headline paper depending entirely on media releases for some unsupported feel-good tomfoolery – think multiple bullshit headlines and blue sky stories about The Hive, real estate developments at Pallarenda, a water park at Cluden and of course , a concert hall/ entertainment centre, a highly questionable plan to redevelopment the sailing club near Mariners on the Strand.
The fact is that development applications are often just marketing tools for property, with the applicant having no intention of doing anything other than on-selling the pre-approved site.
So the question is whether this promised boost to bring Picnic Bay back to its former bustling economic health is some sort of 15 to 30 year plan? Nothing particularly wrong if that is the case, but decency always demands transparency. Businesses shouldn’t be allowed to just dismiss questions with ‘none of your damn business’. Where people already live IS their business.
And that is why we have councils that are empowered to make impact assessments.
The most likely path for this project would seem to be the problem that has dogged so many other schemes in Townsville … get all the approval through, maybe complete the first stage … then flog the whole thing to an outside investor attracted by the fact that the site comes with pre-approved conditions.
Perhaps it is time to tighten up the allowed longevity of approvals remaining in force – clear timelines and KPIs for things to happen, before a costly renewal is required.
It will be beyond disappointing if the TCC aids and abets the Townsville Bulletin’s continual selling of false hope. The ‘intent’ of this project goes well beyond bricks and mortar, and those who will be affected have a right to know what is planned. Ultimately.
You might just be on the money, there, Pie.
Where do you get this alarmist twaddle about the beach front and high tide mark? Show us where there is the slightest hint of this? Are just trying a for a disinformation campaign to rev up opposition to what on the face of it is a good thing for PB?
Not exactly “alarmist twaddle”, old mate. The Magnetic Community News has a developer diagram from somewhere showing:
“Proposed licenced area for serving food and drinks”.
Oh, it has it ‘from somewhere’, does it, Charlie? Well, that’s alright then. Not.
Let’s have a look at it then, shall we, before you start expressing what is clearly an opinion only.
But The ‘Pie has been through that application document looking for exactly that, and he’s buggered if he can find anything that remotely looks like this major intrusion onto public property. The proposal, on paper or in it’s wet dream ‘visualisations’, makes no such suggestion, which it would need to if it has designs on crossing the mall walkway onto public property. Both the council and the state government would be highly unlikely to allow such an expansion on grounds of unacceptable risk alone.
Could be wrong (it has been known) so over to you Charlie, as Twaddle Hunter In Chief.
You are an argumentative git and I couldn’t be bothered to do your work for you. Enough said.
Oops, so sorry, didn’t realise that argument wasn’t on your agenda (which will come a a big fuckin’ surprise to anyone with whom you’ve had even a casual conversation with over the past few decades). But we now know that the Word of St Charlie must not be challenged.
You don’t like being argued with, do you, petal, especially when your unsupported ramblings are challenged? And then you have the wankery to suggest that when you write in to this blog with vague crap and get called out, you rip up your nighty, pout and – thankfully – piss off.
The ‘Pie is now positively advised that this is a fake comment, in that it did not come from the established Chasmac name.
OK, went through the report yet a-bloody-gain and found this on page 62. It appears to a request for shared use of the space, which is not biggie. And it would appear to be more an ambit claim trying it on than any pivotal request.
Magpie, if you compare the just-discovered developer’s concept diagram with the vertical aerial images of the Picnic Bay foreshore shown earlier in these comments, and recall that they wish to remove a tree or two, it is clear the Picnic Bay pub wants to get rid of the wall of fig trees and raised garden beds that block their views and take up so much potential commercial space that they would like to have for their own. They are quite open about it, labelling the area inside that dotted red line that runs along the high tide mark as “Proposed licenced area for serving food and drinks”. Whilst you may see it as “no biggie” and say you are buggered if you can find anything that remotely looks like a major intrusion onto public property (like an actual public esplanade for instance!), others see it as deliberate overreach in a period of corporate capture of local government.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-23/usopc-bans-transgender-athletes-from-olympics-and-paralympics/105561928
This causes me a great deal of discomfort as Trump has done something with which I agree. (It is difficult, but there you have it.)
Keeping men, who live as women, out of women’s sport.
If these testosterone laden individuals want to play sport, play against other individuals laden with testosterone. They are called men.
Now, excuse me while I have a Bex, a cup of tea, and a good lie down.
Hands above the blankies, Benny.
Ha!
Couple of years ago outside the Coolum markets, it is all inside an old picture theatre, I lost a bet, resulting in a naked streak around the market.
Half way around I was stopped by the members of the Presbyterian Ladies Flower Guild. I had nowhere to go.
They gave me the award for the best dried arrangement.
RUOK?
Yep, I’m fine and looking forward to my next trip to Coolum.
Dear ‘Pie, hope you find yourself in a similar circumstance.
The tea and biscuits conversation following is most satisfying.
Then there was Canberra……….. . but confidences must be respected, but it was fun, and cold on the back verandah.
It’s strange this obsession with what’s in other peoples pants. A fetish disguised as concern perhaps.
There’s always a lot of concern from these fetishists about people born men, who now receive copious amounts of female hormones, competing in womens sport. (As if womens bodies were devoid of testosterone.)
But never a peep about people who were born female, now receiving copious amounts of testosterone and competing in men’s sport? Is it ok if they use men’s toilets? Do you think they might rape someone? Would you even recognise a trans man in the street?
This subject ranks in the top three most pointless, boring and irrelevant subjects that pop up in the Nest from time to time. This ain’t Facebook, this is a blog primarily concerned with informing Townsville of significant local matters that the Bullketin can’t or won’t tell us.
That the tiny cohort of transgender folk who don’t known if their Arthur or Martha face their own wrestles with mental stability, and The ‘Pie wishes them well, But around here we have other more pressing matters for the wider community. Most couldn’t give a rat’s arse about your private itches and twitches, and no reason why they should.
But we shouldn’t be surprised that such a small minority gets so much feverish media space, that’s the nature of our media in Australia. How else would it be that one of the top three social issues is the absurdity of taking seriously that three per cent of the population want to tell the other 97% how they should run the country.
Morrison mistakenly called them the “Quiet Australian’s”
D.N.,
You have missed my point.
It is all about fair competition on the sporting field, oh, and the safety of women competing against these brutes.
Brutes! You clearly don’t know anything about the subject!
The Magpie’s weekly tantrum about Troy Thompson is starting to feel less like journalism and more like a jilted ex with a grudge. So the man bought a ute and a number plate, clutch your pearls! Maybe he’s just doing what elected officials are meant to do, not play by your bitter little rulebook. Perhaps the real issue is that he doesn’t need your approval to matter.
Your comment (are we talking to Troy here, or just one of his tinfoilers?) says more about your moral derangement than it does anything about The ‘Pie. Whose money did he buy his truck with? Why did he think it smart to bilk ratepayers and taxpayers with this non-going rort and then jeer at them with a sneering, goading numberplate?
And other officials are not elected under false pretences.
And if Te ‘Pie thought he was talking with a normal person, he would point out that that sort of thinking is exactly what this sociopath is counting on to become a widespread community attitude. It won’t and he’s in for some rude shocks down the track. And, mate, you and your ilk are counting on The ‘Pie and like minded people will tire of watching his moves and that his criminal behaviour will eventually be seen as normalised as the new larrikin politics(straight out of the Trump playbook). It never will.
Maybe he doesn’t need The ‘Pie’s approval, but he’d love to have it … otherwise why did lamely attempt to solicit someone to sabotage this blog? I hold the proof of that.
Haha Pie the grifter couldnt help himself, youve obviously touched a nerve. The dirtbag wants us to stop and forget that he is spending our hard earned money on big-ticket depreciating assets. We see you Dirtbag! I don’t think he grasps how widely reviled he is in this city. Please keep the conversation live about this pos. At least until he is made to unlatch from the public teat. Then, he can fulfill his ultimate destiny, the final step in the grifters playbook and the only option left for him …hook up with some rich, lonely old widow.
Come on now, some one could get THAT lonely?
But of course the problem for the rate and taxpayer is this low-life will never be off the public tit, whether it be through nanny state cowardly payouts, or just as likely, spending a year or two getting a striped suntan, three hots and a cot at Stuart.
Wow, that escalated quickly! Appreciate the passionate response, it clearly struck a nerve.
And just to clarify, I’m not Troy. But it’s telling that simply questioning your narrative earns a diagnosis of moral derangement and comparisons to sociopaths. Bit much don’t you think?
And while we’re throwing around accusations, maybe you could share that proof you claim to have about sabotage attempts. Or is that going to remain filed in the same folder as the Astonisher’s ethics policy?
Thanks for proving my original point so thoroughly. Carry on squawking.
Hahahahha … as it is said so truly, every accusation is a confession.
And woulkdn’t your mob just love the proof of you .. sorry, Thompson’s … juvenile attempt to have this blog illegally hacked and sabotaged. Nice try, not.
Keep sweating.
Hello Troy, or should that be hello Watts? Or is it, nah, couldn’t be Hawkes as you’ve had a wee falling out. Anyway Civictruthseeker you are a fucktard and you need to go back to your cooker friends and keeping drinking koolaid while wearing your tinfoil hats.
Mr. Magpie,
Just a quick question; Have any of the nine councillors, you wrote to on Friday 18th July, acknowledged receipt your email?
Not even an automatic ‘got your whinge, I’ll get back to you if I feel like it’ from most with the exception of Suzy Batkovic, who actually wrote a non-automatic response, thanking for the information and hoping I have a happy weekend. (Which The ‘Pie did, thank you, Suzy, always happy on the weekend, ‘cos that’s when The Nest is written.) And also editor Jill Poulson, in the same non-committal but personally typed manner.
But The ‘Pie is thinking that not even getting the usually generic generated replies might mean they’re thinking about what has been put before them. Wonder if the minutes of any workshop will ever see the light of day.
It’s unlikely any minutes will be taken at the workshop. However you do make a fair suggestion Magpie by mentioning the taking of minutes. The Councillors could release a statement (again unlikely) that the document has been workshopped/reviewed/dissected, with a list of attendees also noted. This would instill some confidence in the community that the Councillors aren’t being hoodwinked by the executive and David Seawall (deliberate spelling mistake). Councillors need to take advantage of these types of opportunities to show the community that they are alert, active, and engaged… just my two cents worth.
Councillors ‘alert, active and engaged’?
Amusing. Sad but amusing.
Not all the public wanking is in our parks and toilet blocks.
From you community-minded newspaper.
That is simply offensive. The subject of this story was dubbed ‘disturbing’, but not disturbing enough to avoid a giggling ‘joke’.
Not funny, not clever and no doubt obscure to many not familiar with the TV sitcom Parks and Recreation. The online clickbait summary of stories is clearly left to pimply masturbatory children. Most of the frequent sniggering headlines do not appear in the news platform itself.
As I’ve said before
The only way out is for a purge of council management, a forensic audit of Council books ( to be made public), no more loans or “borrowings” , shut down all further money pit projects.
The current hoo-ha about the council trying to take more power from elected officials is a distraction, both councillors and management are in bed with each other – both agree on taking more unsustainable debt.
As I’ve said before, most people walking in to vote dont know or care so the situation will keep getting worse.
But if they don’t or don’t care, where’s the problem. One will only evolve if they vote THEN complain.
The pustule Mayor has had his electronic petition to have council dismissed, dismissed! The Minister has said it isn’t going to happen. Happy happy joy joy.
The fuckwit has spent all of his time and energy on a fruitless exercise. Well we knew that didn’t we. He will be like a volcano ready to explode. Watch him have a meltdown over this outcome. No doubt the minister and Crisafulli will now end up on Twonames hitlist of people to complain about.
Thanks for the entertainment Troy!
Think you’re 100% wrong there, Skidmark. Even a person of TwoNames limited acquaintance with reality was under no illusions about his petition, he knew this was always the way it would end up. It was his attempt to keep a public presence as his suspension became old news. Any foaming at the mouth about it being rejected will be with the same motive.
Looks like the (suspended) Mayor has had a moment of acknowledgement and recognition by the Crisafulli government even if it was only to reject his petition to have his own council dismissed. Today’s Bulletin headline says that Local Government Minister Ann Leahy was not persuaded by the petition. Thompson will be able to claim that at least she was forced to read it and announce a decision. With only three months of suspension remaining, the government’s next move seems to be wide open to speculation.
It is one of many disappointments that Threenames will need to endure. The next disappointment will be the dismissal of his paper petition once it’s submitted. Then when he is sacked by the government after the CCC has made its decision by November, he will be most disappointed. He will be disappointed that all his so-called supporters will abandon him after his failed attempt to be Mayor of Townsville. And after all of this, he will be disappointed in the performance of his new imported shitty car. Oh to be Threenames.
Firstly I would like to say that I don’t agree with what Thompson did.
But I don’t think it’s fair to insinuate he bought a car with rate payers money.
Why not?
Turn it up Barfly ! Where exactly do you think he got the money ? The Fuckwit has been living off the public (see ratepayers) teat for the last eight months !
Barfly, how else did he pay for it? Ratepayers are gifting him over $220,000 per year to sit on his arse. That salary pays for his vehicle. He really is an idiot for showing off a brand new car paid for by a job that he gained by deception. It’s no wonder why people are pissed off. The guy is a joke and a conman. Enough said.
Our mayor was at Bunnings Fairfield Wednesday,, must be doing some major renovations, a heap of timber and plaster going into his shiny new toy, the missus was ragging along too. Wonder when the CCC will be making a decision.
Hundreds of striking council workers are lined up along Woolcock Street (near the council depot) this morning waving flags and holding signs, including one classic that reads “WITHOUT GARBOS LIFE STINKS”
The fact that passing cars are tooting their horns at the workers should send a clear message to the councilors, all of whom recently accepted a huge pay increase.
Talk about double standards.
Agreed Doug, this is the sharp end of the massive mismanagement of this council’s finances over the past 10 years.
But a genuine question: do the councillors actually have much of a say in pay rates? Aren’t they primarily a matter between the CEO’s executive and the unions?
Strikes and placards, standard union tactics. The latest ploy is to engage in enterprise bargaining, cut a deal, put it on the table, then ask for more as the signatures are about to be signed. It’s taking place all over Queensland. Anyway, frontline workers are still doing it tough in a cost of living crisis while grubby executive managers get rewarded with fat salaries, bonuses and assorted treats. Fuck em. There are many in this council that are prepared to go to war with the executive.
Troy boy renovating mummy’s house while he gets paid by the ratepayer to stay home and do nothing. At least doing some building work might keep the cockhead off social media.
Another busy week or two in The ‘Ville that the Bully has totally missed/ignored most of what is happening. A big piece of Townsville’s past Education history was demolished several weeks ago. The former Townsville Teachers College has gone, everything, including the swimming pool and sports facilities gone. The College trained hundreds of teachers who spread out across the State for task of training future generations. Many friends went through and it’s sad that not a mention was made. That also meant there was no widely public info on what will replace the buildings. Noticing how run down everything looks out there, maybe the site will be sold for another housing development.
Have to agree with you. The former Teachers College trained hundreds of teachers from all over Queensland and the Townsville Bullsheet either didn’t know the significance of the College in Townsville history ond/ or choose to ignore it.
I doubt that JCU will be building anything on that site, no money and who knows what the government will do to make the tertiary sector more relevant to today’s world.
It would be ignorance of the fact as far as the paper is concerned.
When they sacked all the subs, they also sacked one of the paper’s most precious resources, community memory. We are now just one of many stepping stones in the News organisation for training of junior staff, as they themselves openly admitted in their own full page ad during the week.
No disrespect to Ms Fishlock, but this system would be fine, even admirable, if papers like the Bulletin had a backbone of properly experienced staff to mentor young talent.
It doesn’t, and cynically use often unsupervised youngsters as cheap labor so as to keep more of Harvey Norman’s dollars for themselves. The Bulletin nowadays is just a massive insulting finger to the community it is supposed to be all for.
Heard of doing a google search before having a whinge? The story was written in January.
Revealed: Massive demolition begins for 16 building at JCU
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/townsville-education/tertiary/james-cook-university-to-demolish-western-campus-buildings-and-sell-off-the-land/news-story/59e6c52db7addf75c3c4c0fa9a127a03
And:
Push to dissolve trust delaying JCU housing project
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/mundingburra-janelle-poole-and-jcu-working-with-attorneygeneral-to-dissolve-charitable-trust-to-build-more-houses/news-story/667f06955bcec045a5fbf29a0687217a
Fair enough, Leighton, nice to know you’re still reading The Nest. For news tips, no doubt.
Let’s see now, that makes the score, Magpie and readers 396, Bulletin 1.
And the point about subs and mentoring still stand … those are facts not suppositions.
I find it amusing, and refreshing, that the Temu mayor Troy Thompsons petition failed. It was inevitable though. I think he knew this would happen, however having the petition in the spotlight has given him, in his mind, relevance. He won’t remain silent and he will now focus on his other petitions and social media to keep his name up in lights. This bloke is going nowhere and won’t be silenced until he gets a hefty payout. In the meantime he will burn his fellow councillors, TCC’s workforce, state and federal politicians, the region and anybody else he can find that doesn’t agree with or support his narrative. This saga has a long way to go unfortunately. I just wish that this pest would piss off.