When the biggest and best performed investor in Townsville pulls the pin on a massive investment in the CBD, will the landbanking owners of languishing properties nearby follow suit. The ‘Pie examines if an exodus is likely … and whether that’s necessarily a bad thing.
It’s pretty obvious Albo will come to the party with money for the Bruce repairs and some upgrades … but it’s still a political bandaid solution to a disgraceful situation. It needs nothing less than long term vision from Canberra and Crisafulli. Anything else is just pissing money up against the political wall.
Unpleasant as it is, one reader’s reaction to Troy Thompson’s latest sycophantic brown-nosing post sums it up: “Hold my hair back, I want to vomit.’
How Donald Trump has trumped himself – it’s not a theory but a foreseeable fact. And it’s nothing to do with his avalanche of destructive executive orders. That story leads our bumper weekly round-up of Americans view of themselves through bitingly funny ‘toonists. (The ‘Pie has chosen almost as many ‘toons as Trump has Executive Orders.
The Nest carries on through thick and thin and comments provides you a voice on pertinent issues 24/7 throughout the week. Jump in to have your say or join a conversation. The Nest suffered a couple technical setbacks this week, which resulted in a couple pricey computer make-goods. Any help with a donation to cover this and the on-going of The Nest will be greatly appreciated, the Donate button is at the end of the blog.
Jenny Hill, Thompson, Floods … And Now This.
Will we ever catch a break? We already have floods, parlous council figures that suggest insolvency can’t be far away, and the government’s requirement that we pay the thieving shitgibbon Thompson a handsome ransom. If that wasn’t enough, we get this blow to rejuvenation hopes in a half-page ad the Australian during the week.
The South Rail Yards parcel of land, long recognised as a significant site for Townsville’s future, is the package gambling baron Chris Morris and hospitality industry mate Errol Stewart bought for $18.5million in 2021. They have now put it back on the martket.
And there were grand plans from the billionaire with a proven record of doing rather than talking, said at the time of the purchase they would now work with the council and the community on plans for the site. From The Bulletin at the time of the purchase: “We will work now with the council and community on plans for the holding, and and further expand on the city’s tourism and hospitality facilities,” He said along with mixed residential, retail and commercial spaces, he was open to the idea of a wave pool, which he said “would become a major attraction for the North. ”
Mr Morris hasn’t said why he’s decided to sell, but does he really have to. A decade of a double dealing mayor, an uncooperative and inexperienced council staff, the serious doubts over the viability of the whole council and the on-going spiteful vendetta by a criminally-inclined suspended ended mayor just might have had something to do with it. Despite the half page ad in The Australian, the Bulletin seems to be blithely unaware of the move – funny that, eh? – but may tomorrow may ask Mr Morris to send in a media release. Hope he answers the question as to whether he hopes to recoup the $18.5m smackeroonies he forked out in 2021.
But when a savvy businessman like Morris decides to up stumps, just the act in itself can be reasonably expected to have a ripple effect. Because it is a clear vote of no confidence in the local economy and the fair dealing with local authorities. . Real estate contacts tell The ‘Pie that while there has not been any remarkable movement in CBD property sales in the past year or so, the Morris move could trigger an exodus of landbankers deciding to list and cut their losses.
That has the unusual prospect of both an upside and a downside – the downside is it’s a buyer’s market for CBD properties – back in 2021, the real estate bloviator of the South Yards deal said he had had nine expressions of interest from around the country, which The ‘Pie guesses means he had a few phone calls from a few tire kickers. Even two or three serious inquiries this time around would surprise. And the upside? Well, anyone who buys into the Townsville CBD will probably not be speculators, sitting on an empty asset, instead they may more likely be people may have a specific researched plan.
And the other upside is that rather than just have preliminary dealings with uninterested council bum polishers, they will be able to get a realistic assessment of both current and potential possibilities from a truly independent new group of local business owners, UpTownTownsville. These folks, allied to the Chamber of Commerce, are not only tired of the inept scattergun efforts of the TCC, (they would never say it quite like that, they will sooner or later have deal with the Walker Street wankers) but they are not just blowing off steam – they are putting their money where their mouth is. Led by Craig Stack and Debbie Rains among others, they putting up their own money to fund the group. Last informal report was that they had pooled at least $20,000 to run the campaign to collect ideas, formulate strategies and plan approaches to public authorities and different levels of government.
If you have any constructive thoughts that may help, you can submit ideas to https://form.jotform.com/250201268278858
or get more info here
https://form.jotform.com/250201268278858
TwoNames Thompson Drivels On With Some Regurgitative Rhetoric
Our conman thief of public funds, suspended mayor Troy Thompson rarely gets a mention here anymore, as he flounders around for some sort relevance. It is difficult to understand why he continues to post well known facts as though he has just exclusively unearthed them …on that score, he would be a great candidate for a job at the Astonisher. The reason why it is so unfathomable is that he hasn’t got a handle on his agenda at all. Thompson believes he will win hearts and minds by stating he is against certain situations, fiscal policies and policies of the TCC, while never once putting forward any original strategy to alleviate any of the situations he chest thumps about. But here’s where he departs from reality …, his continual calls for the council to go into administration is a strong possibility, an when that happens, he immediately loses his ticket on the gravy train of legalised theft, his $4k a week robbery of the public purse comes to an abrupt halt. But the really mystifying thing is while all the councillors are out in the cold with him, he believes all his utter tripe on FB will mitigate any penalty he is finally adjudged for. But even if that were so (it won’t be), here’s the thing: does this galoot actually think that the people of Townsville will see him as some knight in shining armour, and, in full knowledge this time of his background, vote himn As mayor when the time comes? A mental health intervention is seriously needed.
In the meantime, he posts toe-curlingly syncophantic drivel like the following, all delivdred with the same deep sincerity of that woman who thanks you cfor shopping at Coles. This prompted one Nester to comment“Hold my hair back, I want to vomit’.
Christ, he’s like a kid playing with his toy soldiers, commanding and commending them ‘well, done that man’ ‘Good effort there, private’, when everyone knows he’s in charge of no one, he has no authority, and has done nothing. Here’s reality check, you goofy doofus … your patronising of Clr Robinson is chuckworthy in itself, especially your lordly and insulting “I ask you all to be patient, Clr Robinson is doing his absolute best’. Fuck me, no one would blame Robinson if gave you a steel blue to the balls.And then there’s the no doubt overstated if not fictitious calls for you to return to lead your city out of this … and that final thrust of the proboscis up the anus ‘we are blessed with to have a federal member and Premier who are from NQ. Blessed!?! Now you’ve got a Jesus complex. You really are a mentally disturbed cunt, mate. And The ‘Pie believes quite dangerous.
But you qualify for a job at the Bulletin … fyi is should be ‘Michelle and me’ , besides which the whole sentence is upside down,… which is strange for a university graduate.
Laughable if you it so tiresome.
How you see yourself, Troy …
… and how the rest of the world sees you.
A Ray Of Sunshine In The Present Cloud Cover?
Wonder if this 2011 view of Queenslanders’ attitudes to perennial floods is still relevant.
As oft said, timing can be everything in politics, and also in the fortune of others.
So our current flood disaster is lucky in its timing in one way, in that a Federal election looming. Albo is desperate for Queensland votes, we are the keepers of the keys to the Lodge here in the (sometimes) Sunshine State. So Albo’s promise of swift and generous action, to provide funds for quick rebuilding, highway improvements and flood proofing is sure to be forthcoming lickety split but there’s a trick in there if he dares pull it … the funds must be election-proof, and guaranteed over a short time frame that cannot be tampered with by a change of government. Crisafulli has ramped up the pressure with his pledges, and given they are party opposites, the chances of better than previous bankrolling of upgrades are looking good.
But it seems the message is still not getting home, a message that has been sent down on high for the past 50 years.
It is the interests of the entire nation, with petty regional rivalries put aside, that Brisbane and Canberra agree on a non-partisan vision – nothing less than a 30 year project for a largely four-lane highway from Brisbane to Cairns. The cost at current rates of between $3.8m and $5.4m per kilometre lane (building in rural areas is much cheaper than metro freeways) would be between $6 and $8billion. A four decade time frame mean an overall cost $240m annually. (We’re only talking build cost here, not maintenance, but a good deal of that cost is already costing taxpayers.)
he Queensland Government component on the 80/20 split is a piddling $48m each year Yes, it’s piddling when you consider the ratepayers of Townsville were conned and bullied into coughing up $80m for a failing Jenny Hill thought fart hub in the scrub. And our council can carry $480m in debt and interest payments ( well, it is at the moment).
Already The ‘Pie hears the snorting and harrumphing, but alleviating somewhat the eye watering costs is the fact that this would be have a work in progress benefit … as the road snaked north from the SE corner, new areas would be progressively opened up to industries and projects not now. It would take on an aspect of ‘how the west was won’, as populations follow the highway, and feeder roads suddenly become conduits to other inland communities, land and possibilities. The benefits to government would be enormous, with the state starting to leap in further national prominence.
And to the snorters and harumphers, know this: as difficult and as problematic as such a bold vision is, unless something like this is initiated, north Queensland will forever be at the mercy of a patchwork quilt highway that regularly continues to cut the whole region of from southern markets and services.
As for the state share, a good start would be for Crisafulli to dump Anna’s egotistical folly of the Olympic Games. And The Kid has one great advantage over Dan Andrews and his similar action: Andrews was in power and signed up for the Commonwealth Games before deciding he’d made a disastrous cock-up and cancelled them. Crisafulli had no hand in foisting this ruinous and corrupt circus on Queensland, he just inherited the poisoned chalice. Any cost of cancellation would never be as great as the cost of continuing ahead down this financial black hole. He might be surprised how popular such a decision might be.
Queenslanders do not deserve this regressive venture.
It Doesn’t Take Much For A Good Reporter To Lose Direction.
Apparently, all it takes is a move to the Big Smoke.
Well, in this instance, that the case for Chris Burns in this instance. Today, from Burns’ new lair, the Courier, we get this.
Four people … just four … apparently passed a state verdict when they briefly stopped sucking their thumbs to give a unanimous thumbs down to Crisafulli … and look where the four – yes, it really was just four – come from – Margate, Redlands Imbil, and Wavell Heights – nothing north of Gympie.
Four outstanding moaners from the ‘instant everything’ cohort with an infantile sense of of entitlement … and all while their reviled premier was spending an emotional days offering encouragement and pledges to the flood ravaged of north Queensland. This was a massive finger to anyone north of Rocky (well, Gympie actually) from the Courier Mail. And on past performance, we’re were entitled to expect better from Chris Burns.
So The Magpie who was feeling the need for a useless gesture, send off the following to the comments section of the Courier
And so the Courier Mail acts as midwife to the birth of a new CWA … the QWCA which has bugger all to do with the venerable Country Womens Association. The Queensland Carping Whingers Association. Did the paper not find anyone … not one single person … to see anything positive about Crisafulli’s steady progress in starting his promised agenda. Not helpful, Courier, especially here in the north where the premier has been front and centre and taken immediate action to assist flood victims.
Needless to say, it wasn’t published.
Then There Was This Interesting Exchange early Last week
This popped up in the in box Monday morning.
The ‘Pie normally gives spam the flick without looking too closely, but the opening line got his immediate attention. “Hope you had a nice weekend.’ FFS. So he was moved to ask the sender a question.
These thingzs usually go unanswered, or offer some weasley justification, so in fairness, Ms Smith handled the matter very professionally, for which she gets full points from The Magpie. Troy Thompson could learn a thing or two about media relations from this lady …
The Difference Between ‘Shot’ And ‘Shit’ In America Is One Letter And 250 Years
Grabbed this out of our American gallery to kick off our Report USA this week, because it sums up the dumbfounded state of the world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous phrase ‘the shot heard round the world’ refers to the first shot fired in the American Revolutionary War, 1775, at the Battle of Lexington. 250 years later, not far from Lexington Avenue in Washington, this week we witnessed the shit heard round the world – in the form of Donald Trump declaring he was buying Gaza. The ins and outs of this impossible lunacy, rejected by just about everybody have been well canvassed elsewhere, but it was a great boost to the international war criminal Benjamin ‘BiBi’ Netanyahu, who appears hell bent on beating Hitlers record of six million killed simply because of their race. He’s got a ways to go, but 45,000 Palestinians – half of them children – is an encouraging start. And teaming up with the White House degenerate was a surprise boost.
(An aside while we’re on this subject: A small comfort for The ‘Pie this week, when an authoritative voice confirmed his belief that being anti-Israel is NOT being antisemitic . And that suggesting that is is nothing more than attempt to ban free speech. Apart from the deep satisfaction of watching Jewish Council Advisory Committee member Antony Lowenstein take apart a silly SKY bimbo who was in way over her head, he articulated exactly what The Magpie has been saying ever since the genocide in Palestine started. It’s longish and only for those interested in this issue.)
Back to Trump.
All the hoopla about Trump’s whirlwind wackiness of executive ordures (no typo) has not given time to fully examine the most alarming mistake this murderous goof has made … in the near future, he – and America, and one supposes the whole world – are going to find themselves hostage to the very allies that Trump used to get back to the White House. … the Tech Bros.
See, here’s the thing. Trump courted the likes of Musk, (Twitter X), Zuckerberg (Meta), Bezos (Amazon), Altman (AI) Tim Cook (Apple), Jensen Huang (Nvidia) and Sundar Pichai (Google/Alphabet) because he realised that the old saying the ‘knowledge is power’ has been superseded by ‘the dissemination of information is power’. And the information didn’t have to be factual or the truth – as media pioneer Marshall McCluhan prophesied so accurately ‘the medium is the message’. ‘In his child like innocence, Trump the man/baby figured he was on a winner by courting and fluffing those who controlled messaging … and he was right. But he doesn’t seem to have thought beyond walking into the Oval Office again.
These blokes are the real Masters of the Universe, and it seems that they will now get whatever they want, whether Donald likes it or not. How is he going to tell this lot that something is not on? Effectively, he simply can’t. And these Tech Bros are all real businessman unlike the hokey silver spooned Trump, they can do whatever they want and if Trump doesn’t like it, he can whistle dixie. Trying to cross them would be the whimpering end of this brainless braggart. Welcome to group dictatorship fascist style.
Musk has already demonstrated this situation, making his native South Africa his updated invasion of Poland. There is a major confrontation going on in SA over land ownership, where the 7% white minority own 70% of the land, and a new bill in the black dominated parliament aims at some re-balance. Sth African-born Musk has called out the policy as ‘openly racist ownership laws’. Having the President’s ear, or more like his balls in his hand, Musk suggested he speak out against the law in a country that is none of their business. But speak out he did, referring to the law as a ‘land grab aimed at a certain class of people’. That would be white people. The Mobster President then wielded the big stick, threatening to cut off funding to South Africa until a “full investigation” is completed.”
Believe it, folks … THIS IS JUST THE START.
And the first to know the truth of the coming economic and ethnic holocaust Mark 2 will be the ASmerican knuckle draggers who unleashed this on themselves. Like this …
..
We End On The Quote Of The Week
You may have noticed this pic floating around during the week.
Celebrity pest Kanye West, famous for doing fuck all of value or interest (except maybe having the good sense to divorce out of the Kardashian family) tells us that he and his missus, the saggy bummed and spindle legged Bianca Censor art collaborative artists … which woulkd be true if the word bullshit was in there somewhere. Anyway, uninvited, they nevertheless rocked up to the Grammy’s red carpet, where Mrs Nitwit dropped her tweeds while Kanye remained clothed in all black, possibly to disguise a boner. Censor is officially described as ‘chief architect for Kanye’s fashioncompnay.’
Now you don’t feed a line like that to someone like the Guardian’s Marina Hyde with consequences.
Quoth Ms Hyde: ” Being the chief architect of a fashion company does feel a little bit like being the chief veterinary officer of a teapot factory.’
…………..
Hope you all survived another week of our wet season, stay safe … and stay on Nest comments, sometimes in formative, always fun. The donate button is below, if you’re interested.
Chemist warehouse ( now open across the road sturt st old anz building ) Dimmeys , Hilton Hotel , $bil businesses who operate successfully in towns / cities all around Australia . Very common ” why is it so hard doing business in Townsville ” . J. Hill thought she was the smartest Mayor in the room wanting Townsville Council to be modelled like Paul Pisasles Ipswich Council . Councillor cbd now acting Mayor Councils cbd plan ” will be the principal centre , highest level activity centre , the largest most important ” , J Hill stalled the Hives first development attempt committing Council library and Council taking up more space then pulled the rug because she didnt do the costings . Whilst Cairns / Mackay Councils are attracting investors Townsville Council is running them out of Town . How long Can Premier Crisafulli wait whilst Townsville Council / Executives continue to fail to meet their own signed off plans / strategies highest rates /debt ? .
@Mike
The council has been driving investors out of town for years. The Hive, ReefHQ, Concert Hall, Arena etc haven’t started as Townsville is dying a commercial death at the hands of council and TEL. The only way council can go forward is to have the Crisafulli government take on all the major projects, I can’t see that happening. I do think Marr, Pool and Bailee are overstepping their roles by doing the councillors roles for them. As for the LNP 100 day plan, it’s all paper shuffling, what has actually been done!
Wait… so you think a Crisafulli government needs to take on all major projects but you also think they haven’t actually delivered on the 100 day plan? Did you read what you wrote?
(Via Magpie mail.)
Councils borrow from Qld Treasury which explains why State Govt / local MP,s are monitoring Townsville Council, just the same as a lender (bank) would put requirements on a borrower they were worried about. Finance is clearly not one of Ducky’s strong points. It’s the $250 mil blow out on Haughton, Lansdown, and other CIC deals Council has done, not inflation.
Explain the “blowout” on Lansdown please. Council has spent bugger all there.
Please explain why the Haughton project blew out?
The word is the pipeline is unusable, leaking on all the connections. Keep spending on the pipeline by all means – no one cared in the election, no one cares now and come the future election no one will care when they vote compulsorily. The voting base is broken that’s why we get the worst “politicians” because they are a reflection of our own care factor zero – she’ll be right. Keep spending millions on something questionable whilst real things fall apart.
Knowing this its why I suggest plan B to people, try and get your own affairs in order and batten down the hatches its going to be a bumpy ride.
The fact is if you are rich you don’t care about rate rises, the rates could go to 10,000 a year and it won’t matter. If you are in public housing you don’t care either ( saying that people from public housing have helped me in past elections , they are the outliers , the very old help me , normally they have perhaps a year or so left) because you don’t pay the rates. Its human psychology, unless it directly affects you, you probably don’t care.
If anything the magpie page acts more of a documentation of theft of public funds.
Whose word? You’re just making things up if you don’t say so, Guy.
Succinctness is not one of your virtues is it Guy.
Ummm… so what are they?
Time magazine has an article on the shit show in the US. And you are correct in that it has only just started. It also has significant ramifications
https://time.com/7213409/elon-musk-us-government-trump/
Well Time would, wouldn’t it. Way back when I was much younger and doing my Post-Graduate Business Studies I was introduced to Time, and commenting on its articles was the subject of several assignments. It soon became obvious that it is majorly left-biased, and I have not opened an issue since graduating that course.
Easy to see how it appeals to you, though, Ducky.
Making that conclusion tends to suggest a fellow business studies student was Troy Thompson.
What Americans generally term left wing is basically centre-slightly left anywhere else. The biggest bogey word over there is socialism, which is used as a license to suppress and exploiut a class created by laws made to suit the wealthy. Bezos and Amazon is just one example. But you probably have warm wet dreams about Bezos, eh, Rusty? (And like Zuckerberg, maybe Mrs B as well.)
Russell since you have an MBA and are very smart, you’d understand the global political implications of shutting down USAID.
I don’t think he would as just like Trump and crew , being pure business men, do not know about politics, diplomacy, or soft power. Just hit them over the head with hard power and they will comply and make it into a business to collect some dollars as well.
Magpie, great blog again this week. I hope you weren’t knee deep in flood water while you were writing it! One small request if I may. I know it’s your blog and I have never asked for a single favour. But please please please can you cull the comments that some posters are making about dam levels? It’s out of control and it borders on obsessive. Enough of the hourly updates with stats about water depth, levels, percentages, and historical data. What next – water temperature, salinity and algae level reports? Maybe we will have lessons on the concrete mixture composition in the dam wall, or perhaps we will be enlightened by a some environmental report about the types of lillies and grasses that grow in the dam water. FFS enough is enough!!
The ‘Pie already culls comments on this subject already and has ended the thread about the 2019 debacle, – nothing to be achieved but allowed quite a few to let of steam (part of the purpose of the blog). But blanket banning of a subject goes against the grain, The ‘Pie only ends threads when they’ve gone on too long and an element of wild eyed zealotry becomes apparent. Perhaps a better early warning system that a subject has run its course might be a good idea, will ponder.
But keep in mind the truth – oh, god how true, doesn’t The Magpie know it -what Desiderata says: ‘listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their stories.’ Unfortunately, some of their stories rival War And Peace for brevity.
Rollmop’s request for a fact free discussion on the current operation of the dam is disappointing but not surprising. A similar thing is happening regarding TCC funding of Lansdown. Mike regularly advances theories of either expenditures or allocations in the multi-millions (was it $75m or $150m?) without any facts or evidence. Others keep asking about the TCC budget or debt or project costings without seeming to be able to read or understand explanations that don’t fit their opinions. Yesterday at the MIRRA meeting on Maggie Island the new LNP member for Townsville revealed that he and others are sticking their noses in the Council’s Nelly Bay dredging project without seeming to have a clue about the imposition the state government is loading onto local Townsville ratepayers. The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing because we are all stuck in a fact free quagmire. Go ahead, Rollmop. Bury your head in the sand. Or as I read in the ‘Nest once, piss, or get off the pot.
Maybe you have a point, but one thing that is inarguable … when a council is forced to admit that it has just nine weeks operating capital, and is living ratepayer cheque to ratepayer cheque, something is wrong somewhere.
I believe it’s the same thing were all experiencing Magpie. Cost-of-living increases. Doesn’t just affect the price of eggs, it also affects the cost of materials and the time it takes to procure them.
Jenny Kennett . Lansdown Council expenditure i quote is from Councils operating plan key project allocations released yearly . 2022/23 $80 mil . 2023/24 $55 mil which was 2/3 allocations meaning there should have been a further $ allocation 2024/25 . Council finance manager stated the project has been pushed back a year at the last Council meeting 2024/26 . Lansdown was Team Hills number 1 priority before April 2024 Council election . Lansdown is now CIC and no disclosure from Council . Why do you think that is ? .
Mike, just because council allocates money to an expected future project does not mean that money has been spent and contributed to the growing debt. The only thing I can see that TCC has done at Lansdown is build that internal unnamed road.
Just for the record (from The Magpie’s imperfect memory) the road is not unnamed, it has been referred to in at least one document and in the Bulletin as No Name Road. No sure if that official in any way, but not a bad name – could lead to some interesting outcomes for the coppers interviewing suspects.
“What street do you live on, sport?”
‘No Name.’
‘Hey, Sarge!!! We’ve got a smart arse here!!’
(Muffled thump)
Pie, Just like another road out that way that Thuringowa council named ‘Gunnado Rd’
Luv it!
What next, Kikakanalong Lane, Wheelabarraback cul-de-sac.
And of course, there are those streets and roads that no longer exist through ethnic sensitivities, chiefly Dragaginalong Road and Nokanabodown Close.
But we still have Urine Drive, which is misspelt Hugh Ryan Drive.
Nawww Jenny, don’t be like that. You go back to your dam data and go blind with ecstasy. I guess everybody needs to be aroused by something.
@Jenny the Stare LNP is busy sticking there noses into everything local, including all council matters, which demonstrates a shift to possible administration. With the current problems in council’s leadership, or lack thereof, they must be close to calling time. It looks bad that State are involved in all council issues atm, time for that circuit breaker.
Jenny,
What a dismal show from our A/Mayor and other council bureaucrats who did not front up at the island meeting yesterday.
If they had, they could of had a go at the Member of Townsville (who did care enough to attend), for sticking his nose in the dredging of Nelly Bay harbour.
From memory the former state member also stuck his nose in stating ‘The cost to send the dredge material to the mainland would be 8 times more than dumping it in the residential area of Kelly St Nelly Bay’.
Our miserable councillor didn’t even bother to send an update on the damaged Sooning Bridge which is part of the island main road system – but then who cares?
Seems the State Govt does, but council couldn’t give a fuck.
The reader who sent this in said only ‘Pollies visit island’. Bit hard to make out who is who, although one certainly looks like Foodtrucks … the other female could be Poole or Marr. The hi-vis guy could be Baille. Looking in hole isn’t going to achieve much, especially if locals weren’t aware of the love and concern.
Anyone know where this is exactly?
That’s the Sooning Street bridge near the school in Nelly Bay. Adam Baillie and the minister inspected last week.
What!?! And it’s not fixed already?
MM, my MIRRA informant tells me that the reason neither the Acting Mayor nor any TCC officers were in attendance last Saturday is that the Council CEO has informed the organisation in writing that due to the disrespect, insulting and potentially defamatory behaviour of some people at the December meeting of MIRRA, no Council officers will attend until further notice. Also, contrary to claims made in the ‘Nest about votes of no-confidence in Cr Greaney being made at that December meeting, which Greaney did attend, in fact no such vote occurred at all. The Minutes of that meeting show (in part) that:
“She [member of the public] then proposed a vote of no confidence in Clr Greaney. Vote of no confidence was not allowed by [Chair] President Cameron [Turnbull]. The President then closed the meeting wishing everybody a Merry Christmas.”
So, things are not quite as they seem in the state of Denmark. And some reporters to the ‘Nest are not objective or truthful, at least in that particular matter.
Not surprising from a CEO who by law must put the safety and well being of his staff first, and by all reports, the behaviour of some at the meeting in question is way out of order … BUT CLR GREANEY IS NOT STAFF, AND CANNOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY SUCH RULING BY A PUBLIC SERVANT. She has a duty to represent both the division she was voted to represent and the importance of Magnetic Island outside Townsville. She is obligated to initiate what might be called ‘peace talks’. Otherwise, are to believe that the oft bragged ‘Jewel in our Tourism Crown’ is going to be run by some sort of remote control.
A copy of the CEO’s letter would be useful, if for no other reason to shame those who cannot maintain a civil discourse … and a councillor who apparently hasn’t been listening to constituents grievances, adopting a ‘let them eat cake’ attitude like she did wsith Strand parking nmeters until she was crashed tackled on that regressive idea.
Magpie, you are “apparently” prepared to believe any tripe served up to you about Cr Greaney – by the very people who caused the CEO to shut down cooperation with MIRRA. Greaney was bullied and subjected to public abuse in a totally unacceptable way. The ignorant locals who made the unfounded accusations have aired their grievances sometimes for years – grievances that are not the personal responsibility of the councillor. Calling a councillor a liar and ganging up on them in a public forum with cameras rolling is out of order. Greaney is perfectly entitled to refuse to accept an invitation for a repeat performance. It was humiliating, offensive and undeserved. And not a soul in the meeting of at least 70 people stood up and called out the distasteful behaviour of a small number of members. It was as shocking as it was wrong.
You were there?
The only thing The ‘Pie can say to your opening line is can’t you fucking read?
Where did The ‘Pie say he was willing to believe what others were claiming? Once you get your remedial English lessons finished, read what was said again. You will find that it says exactly the opposite of what your spittle flecked claim as to what The Magpie believed.
Since The ‘Pie is aware of who you really are, we will be taking a large dollop of salt with anything further you have to say on this matter.
BTW and FYI, that last line need not bother you or anyone else … The Nest does reveal actual identities unless given the OK or commenters out themselves.
Magpie, you have been informed via reader’s comments that Greaney is a councillor who, you choose to believe, hasn’t been listening to [specifically Magnetic Island] constituents grievances. Yet month after month for the last four years, Greaney and Jenny Hill and lately Troy Thompson have fronted MIRRA meetings and heard these particular grievances over and over – about the Council court case against a body corporate, about an intractable neighbourhood catfight involving police, the saga of the Picnic Bay toilets and the endless wrangle over public access to the school pool. Sometimes, no amount of money or personal sacrifice or political acumen can make a problem go away. Sometimes people lose their tempers or post intemperate, intimidating video footage on Facebook or indulge themselves in a grubby public personal attack. Sometimes community forum managers leave a great deal to be desired. It all went west on 7 December last year and the chickens are now coming home to roost. The problem lies with MIRRA and its membership. There’s little that Greaney can or should feel obligated to do about it. Peacemakers are hard to find.
So, The ‘Pie repeats, you were there? On Dec 7th?
Greaney has no obligation to attend MIRRA meetings ever again given their behaviour – but she should be hosting her own meetings or town halls as a substitute.
Magpie, I was there and can confirm Jenny Kennett’s account of the meeting and unacceptable conduct by a small group of opponents. Like many I did not stand up or call them out for fear of being on the receiving end of a vitriolic spray. This is who these people are. They haves axes to grind with the TCC and they are relentless (Names omitted).
One (#1) of them is unhappy with the TCCs decisions on a neighbourhood dispute, an issue completely out of the Councillor’s hands. Due to the actions of the complainant, this dispute became a police matter.
Another (#2) of this group was removed as a preferred supplier to TCC several years back on account of repeated workplace infringements (fact). That same person has since twice contested and lost the race for Division 3 and in 2024 became a close confidant of TT, who is no doubt behind the scenes. In keeping with cat lady (#1), this person too has a criminal past with convictions, including assault of an off duty police officer (I am happy to provide the proof).
A third (#3) in this band of misfits is the sole remaining plaintiff against TCC in relation to the Latitude 19 body corporate dispute. All other owners have accepted the decision of court and the settlement offer from TCC. No surprise that the unit owner (#3) is being represented by disgruntled supplier (#2). These pair of knuckleheads and their small coterie of supporters have repeatedly charged Cr Greaney with not supporting any of the owners in this dispute. They are too stupid to realise that Cr Greaney has no capacity to intervene on what is a legal matter.
Another loud and obnoxious member of this group (#4) is not even an island resident but attends to back up friend (#1). This #4 is a full blown My Place/NQ Freedom Network/Troy Thompson cooker.
Magpie, sadly, the anonymity and latitude your blog provides allows for individuals like these to jump onboard, grossly misrepresent the mood of MIRRA meetings and the attitude toward Cr Greaney. All this talk of a no confidence motion is just piss and wind from a few disaffected residents. I can assure you, the Councillors status on MI is not as bleak as is made out by Maggie Maggie and Island Voice. Sure, her popularity has waned since 2016 but in 2024 she still got about 54% of the Island vote even with Jenny Hill factor. Don’t forget old bird, out of an island population of around 2,500 most MIRRA meetings attract about 50-60 people. From that 50-60 comes this small minority of loud, obnoxious, and rude vigilantes.
And yes I voted for Cr Greaney in 2024, but I’m also becoming tired of the lies and half truths coming from a few contributors to your blog. I assure you it aint quite what it seems.
Dear Up Skirter (work that one out) you say: Magpie, sadly, the anonymity and latitude your blog provides allows for individuals like these to jump onboard, grossly misrepresent the mood of MIRRA meetings and the attitude toward Cr Greaney. Well, yes, but as an indignant comment at the perfidy of this blog, you forgot to include your own real name as proof of what you say and what you seem to imply is the courage needed to have an opinion/version of what went on. On a logical basis, that lumps you in with all those ‘individuals like these’ who offer a different version.
Also two other points.
It is obvious who person 2 is and he is NOT a lawyer, (the thought is laughable) so how can he be ‘representing’ person three, the pissed off unit owner?
And most importantly of all, no matter the truth or otherwise of what you say, Jenny is obviously a mate of yours, and has no doubt prevailed upon you to send in that comment. SO THE’PIE’S ORIGINAL QUESTION REMAINS UNANSWERED: WAS SHE AT THE MEETING?
Pretty clear she wasn’t and The ‘Pie’s guess is that her original information came from … well, maybe you?
Magpie, I looked for my name on the 7 December MIRRA attendance record to prove my credentials and could not find it amongst the 70 listed in the published Minutes. But then I noticed that an actual attendee, whose name is mentioned elsewhere in the Minutes, was not on the official attendance list either. A Mr Batten, who had set up a camera and wanted to film proceedings “for his podcast”, somehow managed to evade the secretariat and impose himself on the community gathering without observing the usual protocols. There were other irregularities. I also note that no one named Maggie Moggie or Island Voice was on the attendance list yet they are accorded preferred opinion status in the ‘Nest without any question of their credentials. ‘MM on the Floor’ is right on the money. I would add a #5 to the interminable whiner tally. Always preceded by his reputation, his name is on the list and he was the last to speak before the meeting fell apart in disarray. MMoggie will back me on that.
FYI, #2 has been ‘representing’ #3 in court-ordered mediation. They were both at the meeting.
So let’s see.
You are a member of MIRRA apparently, otherwise why would you look on the attendance record ‘to prove your credentials’. One imagines MIRRA only keep attendance records of their members. Yet you haven’t disputed a claim that you don’t live on the island. Your job is certainly in Townsville, The ‘Pie has discovered. Perhaps you own property there, otherwise you do not qualify for membership of MIRRA.
But everything you say and all your defensive positions and your motives remain under deep suspicions of your unstated agenda for one glaring reason. Through all your hopscotching with language, you continue to fail to answer in a simple straightforward declarative way the question first posed: ‘So you were at the meeting?”
Why?
Sorry but you are mistaken in your fertile imaginings and ‘discoveries’. With MIRRA there are ‘members’ (who might be residents or ratepayers), there are ‘visitors’ and others – everyone and anyone is, or was, welcome to attend, unscreened, on signing the attendance sheet and paying a gold coin donation (for hire of the hall). That procedure was up and running for the past twenty years or more until last Saturday when all ‘memberships’ were terminated by a sort of presidential fiat and everyone made to apply anew (Maggie Moggie and Island Voice may not be aware of this development). Why did it happen? Because all sorts of people, including some ‘founding members’, had taken to abusing guests, disrespecting the Chair, secretly filming certain speakers and posting defamatory material online, and other unsavoury activities which the executive was having great difficulty managing, and which were bringing the organisation into disrepute, especially since the December meeting. I was at that packed meeting but my name is not on the attendance list. I have told you how that might have happened and I am not surprised. I have no idea who ‘MM on the Floor’ is but I can vouch for the veracity of their comments. I note that no one here is disputing them.
BTW, on the matter of the $900,000 Picnic Bay public toilets, I see in the Magnetic Community News that ratepayers have been relieved of the onerous expense of this “Public Amenities Renewal”. When it gets underway the project will be proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program.
So do we gather you were at the meeting (Christ that wasn’t too hard was it?) and you were a’visitor’ i.e. not an island resident and unless you own property there, not a MI ratepayer. Very civic minded of you, as someone who has now material interest in MI matters.
So why did you attend, it is a bit unusual for someone with ulterior motives?
On the matter of the toilets, you will recall the Magpie’s concerns then .. and now … was and is not who’s paying for it (it always end up with us mugs through some designated government financial wind tunnel, which is what taxes are for), but the cost. The ‘Pie cannot for the life of him imagine how such a project for a small public toilet block can cost more than two times the cost of a Townsville median house.
Magpie, you don’t “gather” and wildly guess, you play the ball. It’s not about me and my material interests (which are irrelevant) it’s about the councillor, the community group and the role of public forums in dissemination of information about governance. Facts matter, but they aren’t as juicy as opinion or crap from Facebook.
Of course it is, and your role in all the above. Without making any call on what information is accurate in this squabble, the fact that you are single minded and dogmatic on this issue that it would be reasonable to ‘gather’, ‘suspect’ and/or ‘surmise’ that you have a disguised agenda of defending Clr Greaney. And there is nothing wrong with that in itself, each to their own, but the continual dodging and weaving to avoid simple answers just heightens suspcions that you are perhaps a friend, a confidant or even an employee of our acting mayor.
Are you? A pointless question, one guesses, given your skittishness around direct questions and the inevitable and unavoidable denial.
Magpie, I’ll give it you straight: No, no and no. I have met Greaney a couple of times, including at a MIRRA meeting and a candidates forum (just as I have met Jenny Hill, Adam Baillie and both the Thompsons). I have not discussed this or any other ‘confidence’ with Greaney, ever. And despite your claim made earlier in this thread that my “job is certainly in Townsville, The ‘Pie has discovered”, I do not work for, with or adjacent to Greaney or the city council or in politics generally, in any way whatsoever. I have no idea what you think you have discovered and dismiss out of hand your ‘certainty’. I’m skittish because people make baseless claims, manufacture lies and attack unwitting parties with completely gay abandon around here. I don’t intend to cop even friendly fire.
Ah, the truth has set you free. Well done.
And ‘gay abandon’?
Don’t get me started.
Thanks Pie, another good slice.
The repair and upgrading of the Bruce is a worthwhile development, and the expense seems reasonable. Caution is the Gateway Motorway – this started as 2 to 4 lane wonder road but has been under continual upgrade ever since. A neglected road I have travelled extensively is the Gulf Development Road. The Development of the sealed beef road network in the 1970s was a magnificent advance. As a kid living in Cloncurry, I remember the smooth black strips replacing the rough dirt roads. But why do sections of this still exist on the Gulf Dev Rd, 50 years later? Sections of this 4m wide, sharp edged bitumen road around Georgetown do not even have sufficient widening to allow for safe viewing of on coming traffic or obstacles on the road.
The Katters have been North Queensland political representatives since 1966, and earlier if you include Bob1’s time in local government. How can they claim to be giving good and fair representation to their community when they allow such a road to exist decades after its replacement should have happened? The images of Bob Katter arriving by helicopter to the political gathering at the Ollera Creek bridge repair, by the army, are galling.
THIS! KAP is completely useless yet makes enough noise at appropriate times to get voted back in by those too silly to see they’ve done nothing substantial in the last 50 years. All KAP does is polarise North Queensland. Bob is particularly galling. Dametto is shaping up to be worse.
More or less agree, except to remember that both the quality of the opposition during elections and the general boofheaded bluster of the elec torate generally also has something to do with it.
You can’t continually vote in an idiot, unless your constituents agree with you.
As Townsville LG voters know only too well.
Exactly!
@Ducks Nuts, the KAP are only in the seats because of lack of good candidates, and the LNP didn’t go hard at them, which points at an under the table agreement of sorts. Nick, Shane and Robbie do very little, and make zero difference to a parliamentary vote. Is it any wonder their electorates get very little support. Hinchinbrook will, but that’s all Crisafulli now, Nick is suckling at that teat as much as he can.
I’m very aware they do very little. I’m.also very aware that the constituents aren’t demanding better.
Hinchinbrook is going to get a bit of limelight and then Crisafulli will piss it off to focus on big important boy things in SEQ
Good thinking regarding the Brisbane to Cairns highway. Were you thinking about building it up the western side of the Great Dividing Range? Lot less flooding and it would open up the west.
And yes, ditch the gravy train Olympics.
Fancy that, Clive Palmer himself making a comment. Oh, wait … misread Fact Hunt.
Brilliant Pie!
I remember the 70s and 80s. I was young and healthy. I played sport and pursued pretty young women- some of whom were interested in me. After work on Friday I’d head 15 minutes from my rental in Hyde Park downtown to Lowths and get drunk. Saturday morning was breakfast at a café in Flinders Street, then wandering around through the crowds with my mates. Then sleeping through Sunday.
I want it back.
All of it.
Nothing’s the same now. I’ve got arthritis, and a dicky ticker. The young shielas look at me pityingly. Lowths is gone, and Flinders Street is a ghost town.
Can I at least have the CBD like it was?
Nostalgia is a bugger.
Something tells me that it’s not coming back, and maybe that’s just as well. It’s not so bad. My body’s falling apart because I did not die young. The girls are not interested anymore because I have already had a beautiful family. And the retail, office space, and leisure and entertainment industries need to be close to their customers- who now live in Kirwan, Annandale and North Shore.
So what’s going to happen to Flinders Street. For a start stop wasting ratepayer money on trying to recapture the past. Hundreds of millions of dollars on Mall upgrades, stadiums, double tree hotels etc. The building stock has reached its use by date, and needs to be knocked down. What to replace it with?
It is close to the port, airport, and the old railway infrastructure. Maybe a logistics and transport hub. Warehouses, marine service companies, stevedores, railway workshops, light engineering.
I can see my fellow old farts shuddering. But we’ll all be dead soon, and the next generation won’t know any different. Let go of the past, and rejoice in the dicky knee and the walking frame. And the grandkids might get a job in the new Flinders Street Industrial Port Precinct.
Hmmm …
Anyway maybe you’re lucky to have a dicky ticker … much better that having a ticking dicky.
O.F. your comment reminds me of the little boy sitting on a park bench crying, when an O.F. trying to comfort him asked the boy why he was crying, the boy replied “I cant do what the big boys do”. The O.F. sat down and cried along with him.
Does anyone know what the ramifications of canceling the Olympics would be? Of course, financial penalties are the obvious ones. I’ve tried various sources, but I haven’t had any luck (replies).
It could be just worth it.
Whether you like it or not, the Brisbane 2032 Olympics will go ahead. And don’t blame the current government for it. It should never have been bid for by Puddleduck and friends. What the current government has to do though is make it work!
I personally think that the Olympics are and will be the best thing to happen for Queensland. And if the Crisafulli government win consecutive terms they will be in power almost up until 2032 which is a good thing. A big thumbs up from me.
Kenny – Puddleduck was under the thrall of that egomaniac John Coates – a smarmy grifter in the mould of Samaranch and Bach. Anna was too eager to jump on the WOC gravy train – remember when she defied her own and national COVID travel bans to travel to Tokyo for the announcement of who would get the 2032 Olympics? Brisbane was the only applicant city! She blamed Coates for making her go.
First things they should do is 4 lanes from Townsville to Home Hill ( incloding a new Burdekin Bridge) and Townsville to Ingham with a bypass of Ayr and Ingham included.
Repeat for 100 klms each side of major centres, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and Maryborough.
Then, proceed in increments of 20 Klms both directions of every road.
I just drove the Bruce Highway to Brisbane. They have bypassed Gympie and it is magnificent. Gympie used to be a hellsite for travellers. Don’t get me started on Tiaro. Worst road through a town in Australia. Makes driving in Bangkok a calming adventure.
Rant over from a Bruce Highway survivor.
Nope, disagree with your priorities … the first thing they should do is a 4-lane freeway between Belgian Gardens and the Rowes Bay Golf Course.
Right through the cemetary as homage to your non existant putting skills.
A quote you might like.
Attributed to a colleague of Kemi Badenoch (leader of Tories) on her first 100 days:
“All the things we thought she’d be good at, she’s not. And all the things we thought she’d be bad at, she is” – ex-minister
Given the cost of ongoing flood damage, Crisafulli has a genuine excuse for cancelling the Olympics.
We simply can’t afford it.
Townsville City Council should take a similar approach by stopping funding for the Landsdown white elephant, concerts and events and spending the money on fixing long-neglected local streets and roads.
As for the lack of council representation at the island meeting, acting mayor Greaney would need the protection of a team of bodyguards if she showed up.
Greaney is detested by so many within her division. TCC media team led by Danielle Wyvell attempt to cleanse her image in vain, she claims she is bullied by Thompson, Jacob and yet she is using new councillors like pawns in a game of chess. Garvey, Smith, Bates all trying to flip the positive narrative spin to be pro Greaney, and yet she supports Lansdown, Paid parking, Rail Yards, Haughton, TEL and all Jenny Hill initiated projects, this council needs a reset!
Who are Garvey, Smith, Bates? They’re not exactly household names.
If you’re going to chuck names around in accusatory comments, you’ll need to say who they are and what roles they are filling in your scenario.
Magpie you jest. The Bulletin team as listed by their surnames are pro Greaney, you know it, I hardly have to put positions to their names, you once worked for the same brand, when it was reputable, now it is a disgrace. Perhaps a step out of retirement would put some decency back in place.
When you make a comment, you are talking to a readership, not exclusively to The Magpie … including first names may have helped those not up to speed.
Just found this regarding financials on Paris 2024. Expenditure for both events totalled €4.45 billion (US$4.67 billion)
Public subsidies amounted to €204.1 million (US$214 million), and amounted for less than five per cent of the Organising Committee’s total budget
Context:
The organising committee initially began with a budget of €3.8 billion (US$3.99 billion), before adjustments were made due to inflation and higher cost projections, including a €400 million (US$420 million) increase in December 2022. When infrastructure costs are taken into account, the Games were estimated to cost around €9 billion (US$9.45 billion) in total.
The two events sold a combined 12.1 million tickets, which led to record ticketing and hospitality revenues. Paris 2024 was said to have exceeded its initial revenue target for both categories by €348 million (US$365 million). It also exceeded its target for domestic sponsorships by €150 million (US$157 million), reaching a total of €1.24 billion (US$1.3 billion). The financial success of the Games mean that Paris 2024 does not need to use a reserve package estimated to be cost €43 million (US$45.1 million) from public stakeholders.
Paris 2024 also was said to have reduced carbon emissions by 54.6 per cent compared to the average amount of emissions for London 2012 and Rio 2016, which was considered a major success by the organising committee.
Point of clarification, please: “The two events sold a combined 12.1 million tickets …” The Olympics was one event, what was the other?
Anyway, we take it your bottom line is that the Games will be a roaring success. Which ignores the Queensland Government funds directed towards thge infrastructure and organisation over the next seven years. At the expense of what neglected areas of urgent need elsewhere in the state outside the SE corner over those seven years?
But we’ll know soon enough, it’s only 2555 sleeps and an average 2.5 devastating floods and half a dozen bushfires away.
The ego of one woman and the cowardice of one man is going to cost us dearly.
Other event was Paralympics
OK, gotcha.
Your character assessment of our leader may be premature, 2 weeks ago I would have concurred, but watching his self confidence grow perceptively during this flood disaster has been inspiring.
Hopefully he’ll finally take the helm and do what has to be done and not kowtow to a few vested interests and egocentrics.
The ‘Pie’s comment pertained to the Olympics only and there cost connection to a proper solution to the Bruce.
But in a way, The Magpie has been unfair calling The Kid out for political cowardice … the Olympic decision is increasingly moving out of his hands as Dutton’s star rises (God help us). There is no way Dutton would nix the Games if elected, and he will ensure the junior partner in all this toes the line. But the Feds may come to party in a more substantial way.
Now do Montreal. And London (if you can find any believable stats on that one).
Regarding the cost of ‘’fixing’’ the Bruce highway. The Burdekin bridge at Ayr had an estimated cost was 1,500,000 pounds or $3million in 1947. It took ten years to build. Allowing for inflation that would be $124,812,375.48. today. They were big thinkers just after the war, unlike the election to election sooks we have today!
One estimate had the total cost of the Bruce Highway upgrade at around $100b to make it 4 lanes, build new bridges, put in center dividing strips and bypass pesky towns that the Bruce runs through. It’s a massive but necessary undertaking.
As for the Olympics, all politicians like shiny toys and distracting stories. That’s why councils like building pools and recreation centers and hold ribbon cutting ceremonies. The ongoing maintenance and operating costs can far outweigh the initial cost but councillors don’t care because it makes them look good. Things like new sewerage upgrades or water infrastructure barely rates a mention because it’s not shiny and exciting. Same applies to the Bruce, it’s not exciting and isn’t point scoring, so the government would rather waste billions on Olympic folly. Regardless of the waste of money. No country has ever gained any financial positives from holding the Olympics. All that’s gained for the region is increased debt, displaced people, and a rise in syphilis
It appears that Sydney has fared best – which means came out pretty well unscathed – of recent Olympic cities. But their only now recognised advantage was the redevelopment of the Homebush site.
It’s not in the least bit “necessary”. It’s never going to happen so the whole discussion is moot, but that $100 billion could be spent on much better projects that deliver real benefits to the country.
I went to the Condon bottle Return-It depot to cash in a couple of wine bottles. For reasons unknown, probably the rain, they have shifted operations to the rear of the building. All done manually from what I could see, and a largish crowd. I did not bother to hang around.
Those who use the facility have three options;
1. Hang around for a slow time consuming return,
2. Get overtaken by empty wine bottles at home, or
3. Abstinence:-(
Better idea, take a chair, a pack of cards and a nice bottle of plonk … which it seems you will be able to add to your empties by the time your turn comes. Might make a few friends, which sometimes around here, you sound like you need, Motorist .. heh, heh, heh, snigger.
The Wine Song by Cloudstreet. I think it would apply to many, including ME.
https://youtu.be/xzRRE9g_Exs?si=ZER53pJWVRgYLabV
A pleasant interlude … amusing lyrics and great little a cappella number.
Another loony lefty move by Albanese; all items sold by grocery chains must be at the same price whether in big Cities or remote stores out in the donga.
One of 2 things may happen, the stores simply won’t stock those items in remote stores, OR they may increase the price in the cities instead, thereby full compliance and a nice little earner too!
The third thing that will happen is we can kiss farewell to any idea of a free market economy in a democracy.
Besides, it’s a deeply stupid suggestion … the first rule of successful governments is to never pass laws that are virtually unenforceable.
How would you achieve cheaper prices in rural areas Achilles?
To answer Ducks’ question, the answer is I wouldn’t try, if you choose to live in a remote area then that’s your decision and you take the good with the bad.
The bad being, in many well documented instances, exploitative and extortionate individuals who hold a virtual monopoly.
One morning about 1am I pulled up at a roadhouse in the middle of nowhere and bought a hamburger and a coke. The price was about twice what you would pay in Townsville. When I recoiled and repeated the price I got an angry stare which turned into a belly laugh when I said ‘’If I lived out here and stayed open all bloody night for passing wingers I would want double that!’’
D.N.,
The long suffering tax payer will further subsidise these people who choose to live where there are no services, no real employment, no education, no commers or industry, but rich in hopelessness and domestic violence.
Ah, Sad Sack, what a master of cultural nuance you are, no wrinkle in the rumpled social fabric of our diverse society escapes your razor-like analytical dissection. So rich in hubris and dumbness.
RLW and Achilles, you do realise farmers live in rural areas. You know that saying, No Farmers No Food.
DN mate, I grew up on a remote station in SA (Arkaroola) I do know a bit about what I’m talking about.
The costs of everything had to be calculated and priced into the stuff we sent out. It’s very simple.
The notable difference between what I grew up with, is that it is not productive, this throwing money to people who choose not to acquire the benefits that can be made available are the rural/remote equivalent of city dole bludgers.
You are arguing that financial aid or support should be tied to effort and productivity rather than given freely to those who do not contribute. And yet farmers live in remote areas, as you yourself know, and they contribute. Your argument is redundant.
Make diesel cheaper
Diesel can be made by heating COAL under a vacuum , QLD has vast reserves of COAL.
the great thing about making diesel from coal is you won’t need to import it, the diesel won’t need to be shipped from the coast because it will be made in the regional areas.
Unlike overseas oil markets there will be little to no price fluctuations because the coal is always available and not much stops production ( assuming you aren’t halting production because of “lightning”).
This kind of making diesel is relatively straightforward, cheap and “clean” , you don’t need to build oil rigs or destroy areas of natural beauty ( the coal mines already have government permission to dig to environmental standards). You might even use a solar furnace to help the heating part of the process.
When you’ve made enough diesel the same process can be used to make fertiliser. From one plant cheap diesel and fertiliser can travel throughout the whole state.
The Germans used this process of making diesel from cosl during WW2 because they were unable to take over the resources of Russia. Like Britain, Germany had lots of two things – coal and water. With an abundance of power its why both had extensive industrial output ( like Russia).
Guy, if this process was cheaper, people would already be doing it.
And end in sight?
From the latest Severe Weather Warning from BOM.
For the North Tropical Coast and Herbert and Lower Burdekin:
Potential for stronger showers and thunderstorms to produce localised HEAVY
to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING
FLASH FLOODING, continuing this morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between
120 to 180 mm are possible this morning. Isolated 24-hourly rainfall totals
up to 250 mm possible, especially over the Cassowary and Townsville coasts.
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous
thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
Rainfall is forecast to ease across the warning area from early Wednesday
morning.
Seems to be the case, but who pays the bill for the clean up?
Council, State Government, or Federal Government?
Yet again Townsville ratepayers are in for another large rate rise, perhaps David Crisafulli needs to put up or shut up. We can’t rely on Albanese, he’s simply pushing his election promises now, and while Phillip Thompson continues to lead by example, he has very little power, though his voice amongst the people can not be doubted.
The rain is going for now, but there’s plenty to come.
The bi-election in Werribee signals troubled times ahead for the two mainstream parties. There was a huge turn away from the Liberals and Labor, with the Independents rising. I believe in places like Townsville there is no doubt that Phillip Thompson will be victorious, but watch this next election as the minor parties/Independents get an increase in votes. There is a global shift underway in which people are sick of the incompetent morons running their countries into the ground. I believe the next 15 to 20 years is going to be very interesting as our older generation dies off and younger voters move away from legacy parties and look for alternative leadership.
A bi-election, eh? Sounds like not too many would qualify to vote. But then again, we’re talking Victoria.
Not directly relevant, but worth a look at the Australian’s story by Judith Sloan on the green hydrogen hoax … what a pig-headed waste of money from all sides of politics. Key line: using electricity to make hydrogen to make electricity, which would be several times dearer than at present.
No point in a link, it’s paywalled, but this is what you’re looking for on page 11.
Interesting Pie. I always like your research.
A few weeks ago Kawasaki pulled out of the consortium that was going to fund the giant Stanwell hydrogen plant in Gladstone. They did the numbers and it didn’t stack up. Then, last week, the Crisafulli government pulled the pin on funding the plant to the tune of around $1.2b. From what i am hearing the cost of hydrogen is just too expensive.
This green and clean fantasy just doesn’t stack up. We need our coal and gas. I s’pose that sounds simple but it’s worked well so far. And before all the greenies jump on me – go fuck yourselves.
Given that coal and gas are on the way out, we have to develop new export industries to replace them.
How is Thompson leading by example?
Photo opportunities are not leadership.
So you are assuming once the pix were taken, he went home? How do you know this?
We’re worried about you Ducky, your comments are increasingly becoming just a whinge from the fringe.
I asked a genuine question. What’s he actually achieving for the community as a minister? If he wants to be a labourer, TCC probably have vacancies.
He’s a minister? While in Opposition?
He was also a minister when in government.
That was then. Get the tenses right.
Oh you mean titles.
He didn’t achieve much for the region as a minister and he’s not achieving much as an opposition member. Better?
You mean bitter, don’t you?
Phil Thompson has never been a minister. He is currently a Shadow Assistant Minister across a range of defense portfolios.
Stop fucking them up with facts, Minnie.
Ah so he’s never been any fucking use at all. Makes sense
You are truly sad sometimes, Ducky … 1950s style Labor smearing.
The council was tasked with gathering data on the Survival Day event at Strand Park on January 26, 2025. The council provided $50,000 in cash, along with additional in-kind support. Did the event meet any of the council’s funding criteria, and will we ever find out?
No and no, probably.
Jenny,
the problem lies with you and Greaney , regarding your diatribe re: MIRRA.
1. You don’t live on the island, you are receiving information from an informant, so the information is second or third hand.
2. You don’t seem to understand that MIRRA hold public open meetings – everyone is welcome to attend, many are not members. Also members of other island groups attend and many of them are often quite vocal.
3. Reading your comments over the past year or so, you appear to attack MIRRA when ever you can. Yet you fail to understand the structure of the association, don’t blame MIRRA for Greaney’s and TCC failings.
4. Greaney and TCC have chosen to use MIRRA as the conduit of how they commmunicate with island.
Greaney & TCC do not hold their own public meetings, to listen to residents concerns.
Greaney doesn’t attend the monthly Markets or hold listening booths on the island.
Greaney’s claim on ABC radio of communicating with constituents in Div 3 by way of a newsletter has been proven false.
I have attended dozens of MIRRA meetings and I have never witnessed any TCC employee be harrassed or abused at any meeting.
Div3 councillors, Mayors, State and Federal Members, have been attending MIRRA meetings for well over 20 years, without any issues.
Yet Greaney has stamped her little foot, spat the dummy and run to the CEO – It is her decision not to attend.
I understand there will be a further meeting between the CEO and MIRRA in the next 2 weeks.
Why the CEO is involved in all this is a bit obscure. As The ‘Pie previously said, abuse of council staff is unacceptable at any time, and Joe has to by law take whatever measures he feel are necessary – acting on advice/complaints from staff – to protect them from unfair/unsafe treatment. But as far as The ‘Pie understands it, the CEO does not have this authority of a ban over an elected councillor.
Jenny appears to be a personal friend of Greaney’s, which is fine but declaring that she is biased obviously is not going to happen, so we can expect more of the same distorted cheer-leading in the future.
Could Jenny be Potty Mouth?
Nope … no swearing in her posts.
The MIRRA supported Thompson whilst he was in, all but a few, at least he didn’t come with excuses. The offer has always been open to all elected members, suspended or not. Adam Bailee has taken the lead, and has shown his value already, albeit carefully under DC’s guidance. The CEO, or Matt Richardson attending is a show of fear only, poor publicity has driven them to attend, the TCC know their short comings, and Greaney has disrespected the island for more than a decade, the CEO is putting out plenty of fires.
It’s no secret Greaney looks down on Magnetic Island residents, she disrespects them and that is her weakness, and will lead to her undoing, eventually. TCC has a lot of work to do in getting the island back to its former glory. The best Joe can do is get the outstanding jobs done, and work with the MIRRA, MICDA and all of the community, but a divisional councillor must under the local government act, meet her obligations, and Greaney is not, instead hiding behind bullying accusations, they same she has attributed to upon others.
The council has a lot of work to do, and blind Freddie can see the councillor will not be a part of it.
Upper House, if you believe that the CEO, Matt Richardson or any other council officer attending a MIRRA meeting is “a show of fear”, and that “poor publicity has driven them to attend”, then you are part of the problem. The MIRRA leadership has bent over backwards for decades to provide a civil forum for local, state and federal leaders and their public servants to meet and discuss with the Island community any and all issues of the day. I suspect it is a unique arrangement in Townsville and it is highly valued by the political class. Until quite recently politicians have fallen over themselves to get an invitation to a MIRRA meeting to indulge in the usually sporting but well refereed cut and thrust of the public square. Jenny Hill revelled in it to the last – that occasion when mayoral candidate Troy Thompson bested her to applause. Oh how the cookie has crumbled since then. Never mind. You can join up and be part of the new MIRRA which I’m sure will be powering back, slightly diminished, in no time flat. No fear.
Troy and Michelle. Really!!!! My god you are so fucking transparent. Rest assured not everyone in MIRRA “supported” you and as for not coming with excuses….you sure as shit didn’t come with any answers. It was the same platitudes and “just you wait until the evidence comes out” BS that characterised your campaign and post election interactions with community.
Baillie, Crisafulli and Jenny McCallister have all offered great support to the island but anybody with a brain and minimum understanding of how the system works would know that State and Federal politicians visits to MI would have been scheduled and coordinated by the (Acting) Mayor’s office. Greaney has been doing her job with the floods and appears to have worked extremely well with all levels of government. Of course not one of these pollies would want to be seen within cooee of a fraud and miscreant such as yourself so thank god she is there.
To suggest Greaney , who was elected in 2016 has disrespected the the island for more than a decade (???) is YOUR narrative. ThE PB toilet debacle aside, she has delivered a lot for the island. And she keeps getting elected, even with JH on the nose.
Greaney probably does look down on some Magnetic Island residents, or least some MIRRA attendees and deservedly so. I’m pretty sure she looks down on you too Troy and Michelle. God it must gall you that she is in this role and making a good fist of it!!!
As for your charge that she is failing to meet her obligations, that is utter BS and typical of the empty rhetoric you throw out. Delays to projects, as much an operational issue as the fault of the Councillor, and decisions that don’t please every island resident hardly constitutes not meeting obligations. Im pretty sure that is not the view of a large number of island residents with whom I speak to.
Having been at the December meeting of MIRRA (which neither you or Michelle were at) she was absolutely bullied by the small group I noted previously. It was vicious, personal and unacceptable behaviour regardless of your view on her performance.
I’ve no doubt that while you and your emotional support pet Michelle are crawling back in your hole to gaze adoringly on your “precious” (that’s a Gollum reference), Greaney will be front and centre on the island recovery. And god that will be pissing you off. .
Thompson has gone all quiet lately when it comes to bagging out the TCC councillors, staff, and some state government members. Wonder why?
Count your blessings.
Has he? Just saw his last rant, he’s having a go at council, seems to be supporting the state government, for administration purposes.
He appears to be supporting the state government for deluded self-preservation purposes. He wants to appear contrite which is a confession of wrong doing in itself. Because it is the state government which will ultimately decide his fate.
His Uriah Heep act – publicly respectful, privately disrespectful – is simply as embarrassing as it is transparent.
Be ‘umble Troy be ‘umble …………..!
Cracker, Lately he is more interested in paper of plastic straw, who was the best Cowboys coach. Looking for relevance with subjects like that shows what poor pathetic bastard he is.
Ducks Nuts . Leadership Phil Thompson 36,000 followers fb add Instagram , LinkedIn . Shadow asst Minister defence , defence industry , personnel . His office monitors up to 300 comments from some individual posts and reaches out to people follow up same as business . Acting Mayor Greaney 1200 followers doesn’t communicate road closures or seek information from her division rarely seen if ever in Flinders st . Yellow -Y-Fronts suspended Mayor Thompson still active posting todays postponed Council meeting doesn’t comply with a meeting schedule signed off 2024 . Schools open , business trading thru , workers turned up anyone know why todays Council meeting cancelled ? .
Cowardice. You’d think a live streamed meeting of our representatives was even more imperative at this moment in time, with each councillor speaking briefly about their division. Perhaps because several by all reports were MIA on the streets of their divisions, so popping up in council might be – as they say in the trade – ‘bad optics’.
Just who decided this meeting had to be cancelled, who made that call? We are entitled to know. Perhaps as our putative leader, Clr Greaney might have to good grace and good manners to tell us.
Greaney and her “majority” demonstrate the Streisand Effect almost every day.
In this regard, she has been well schooled by her mentor, Hill. But worse, she appears to not know how to engage with anyone in public and this looks like some sort of deep and suffocating syndrome, poor thing. She is not relevant and nowhere to be seen, ever.
Hill had complete control of the media and the political class around her (until she didn’t) which mitigated the Effect at the time.
When will this mob, including the voters of TSV, learn that a truly open and accessible government benefits everyone?
It’s time for my morning nap.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect
Nowehere to be seen? The Magpie and Foodtrucks ebcountered each other in the local supermarket yesterday (twice when we both misculated our aisle strategy to avoid a second encounter). and it is fair to say we exchanged glances of hope and longing …. although what we individually hoped and longed for was no doubt diametrically opposed.
Mike, social media isn’t leadership, it’s marketing. And often propaganda. Please learn to tell the difference.
Foodtrucks Greaney and attention seeker Brady Ellis love a media opportunity but seem to go missing when the poo hits the fan. Statements regarding the Wulguru sewage calamity in the Townsville Bulletin were from “a council spokesman”.
Pathetic.
Ellis is a Team Hill Convert. He has supported most of Greaneys moves, and policies, he and Phillips shared the same office with her since April 2024.
I note, Mr. Pie, that Claudia “Bullshit Baffles Brains” Brumme-Smith has opened her mouth to change feet… again … with this ridiculous comment in a Press release.
“Townsville Enterprise has outlined early estimates of the economic loss that occurred during the flooding event is around $257 million.
Chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith said after speaking with more than 150 businesses across the Townsville region it was clear the event caused widespread financial strain across all industries, citing the construction industry as one of those hardest hit.”
Gee, Claudia, what a surprise!
But, please tell us how you arrived at $257 million?
https://www.townsvilleenterprise.com.au/news-media/news-centre/business-community-calls-to-build-back-better/
Silly old you, EB, have you never heard of a dartboard?
If anyone wants to contact me about the sewage problem in wulguru please contact me at email hidden; JavaScript is required .
I’m tired of hearing about this problem
While The ‘Pie cannot think of a better person with whom to have a talk about shit, to what end do you want to talk to people about it? Not much you can do.
Just seen what happens i suppose, can’t hurt.
Like the victims of this incompetence would love to have a chat over a cuppa with someone they don’t know.
Oh Guy, are you now an expert on sewerage as well as dam water? Your skills have no bounds. If Council is put into administration will you throw your hat in the ring again to become one of council grifters? Is that your angle? Just curious.
That’s the Aussie spirit , keep it up !
To be honest its too far gone, it wouldn’t matter if I got into the council or not. The damage being done at a federal, state, council , social and economic level is long lasting and irreversible. I hope it was all worth destroying this country for selfish ideological and monetary gains.
If someone wants to try and stop literal shit from pouring into their yard, i’ll try and help. Where are all the people from the election that wanted to “help” ? It will still be like polishing brass on the titanic. Thanks to canberra the prophecy will soon come to fruition – we will be citizens of the world (but have no home).
@EB
Claudia cannot give the actual figures for much at all, she was asked to demonstrate the figures to council executive recently around visitors, V8’s, Rugby Union and could not give real numbers, only averaged approximates, so stuff all.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-12/act-clive-palmer-high-court-hearing/104908578
A little bit of good news to cheer us up.
I see in today’s Cairns Post that the problems within the Cairns Regional Council are of concern to the QueenslandGovernment. The Mayor Amy Eden and the Council are now being watched by the Queensland Department of Local Government.
What’s going on with local government in the northern part of Queensland.
I’ll volunteer to watch the Cairns Mayor Mr. Pie…preferably in something black and slinky!
Finally we can agree on something Butterfly. The Cairns Mayor is certainly eye catching, especially when you recall that we used to have Sergeant Hill and her mullet and doona to look at.
In that area, things haven’t exactly looked up in Townsville.
To whom are you referring as dressed in those items E.B.? You, him or both of you?
Magpie, perhaps it is the heat and humidity sending the FNQ Councillors troppo? Oh well, looks like Nanny McPhee Oberhardt has plenty of work on his plate!
Let me guess
They want to put fluoride back into the water supply ?
Great move
@Guy I met you at the voting centre. Your views are with good intent. My issue was they seem a little far fetched from reality. I do not mean that in reality, or disrespectfully, Townsville has been under Jenny Hill for over a decade, things do not change that much.
Look at Greaney’s FB post today, 4 labor people promoting generators, it has not changed. The operations staff is 3/4 labor, built for longevity, all in the right positions. Legal under captain Bligh and now Sewell & Micola are still pushing the Jenny plan, if you get in the way, you will face a legal wall, supported by LGAQ. Even the new councillors were paired with returning Jenny councillors, under the careful guidance of Jenny’s admin team, Rhonda Vetter, Julie Coates and Mary are still in there, and the brain washing continues.
Thompson will be removed in due course, your team ran for change, very little has changed, or will, the Jenny Brand has strengthened, Ellis, Phillips, Price and Robinson are now drinking the koolaid.
Aagh yes, his lordship Twonames is back on his high horse on Facebook posting digs at TCC and being critical. He is also popping in some Team Hill snipes. But lately he keeps praising team Crisafulli. I wonder if that praise will continue if he ends up taking a pineapple from Crisafulli?
Why do a few on this thread have a complete fascination with Thompson and his Facebook page?? If this individual is on the nose that much,you all should be ignoring his comments. I just find that a bit odd. It’s a bit like a fractured relationship, and you just can’t let go.
Why do certain commenters on this blog have a complete fascination with the interest of others who express opinions here? The ‘Pie finds that a bit odd, it’s a bit like a fractured relationship, of which you cannot let go.
Anyway, Mdog, our criminally gifted grifter mayor (suspended on full pay) requires constant watching, he is still actively damaging this city and that is something tha no responsible citizen should ever let go of until it is laid to rest.
Touché,. It just gets a bit mundane. It’s like certain individuals are waiting with bated breath, to see what the halfwit is going to say, then come tattle tailing, to this blog??? Maybe all and sundry should go out for a nice long ride on your mobility scooters, and have a cup of tea and an arraroot bikkie to eleviate your hypertension,. In your twilight years, you all don’t need that stress.
So in an ageist attack, you are making certain assumptions about the Nest demographic? Do you do this to relieve emotional tensions you want to alleviate?
So Mdog, you are trying to tell us that you are a youngster? If so, why aren’t you off skateboarding or pulling a nightclub root, instead of reading the musings of us old blokes and blokettes?
The bloke has had warnings from the minister about his code of conduct, but if there is fact aligned to the post, they are being careful. This ‘mayor’ is full of bravado, but one must wonder, with a show cause from labour, and a King’s Counsel with LNP going over it, he’d be gone, I think may actually he have something damning.
Remember the saying, THE MOST DANGEROUS ARE THOSE WHO HAS NOTHING TO LOSE, this bloke has lost everything, no house, no equity, no care, he is the most dangerous kind, Mr Crisafulli knows this.
That’s a bit of a tortured analysis, mate. The bloke’s a functioning fruitcake.
Jenny,
After reading all your rants, I find it very hard to believe that you actually attended the 7th Dec meeting. Given your constant vernom any time MIRRA has been mentioned in the past. If you indeed had attended why did you wait till February to tell the shocking scenes you witnessed?
I have obtained voice recordings of both the November & December meetings which were filmed for a pod cast.
Greaney claimed at the December meeting that she didn’t know about the pod cast and she didn’t know Batten would be filming. Yet listening to the November meeting she said to the committee – who Batten was and who he worked for. So things are not quite what they seem.
But then Jenny, you know about all things to do Magnetic Island?
You did have a MIRRA informant, who I suggest is no longer.
Your claim that the Gustav Creek delta was clear of debris prior to the damaged Sooning St Bridge has been proven false.
And the list goes on…
I waited until February because that was when the Minutes of the December meeting and its incomplete attendance record were revealed. If you were amongst the 70-odd at the December meeting you would know exactly what was said by whom and could dispute the recollections offered here. You haven’t. If you were at last Saturday’s meeting you would know what the TCC CEO wrote to the Chair because the letter was read out loud for all to hear. You haven’t said. Presumably, that letter will be recorded in the Minutes at next month’s meeting and with a bit of luck, might be published in the Magnetic Community News. I won’t hold my breath.
It won’t be published in Food Truck’s newsletter coz she doesn’t distribute one.
That would be Mark Batty, from the NQ Freedom Network, also an ex seven, nine and ten cameraman. It’s not Batten.
Ah ha, now that is an essential bit of information of which The ‘Pie was not aware. And it changes the complexion and indeed the veracity of some of the accounts given here.
This vacuous turkey is closely aligned with My Place, and is also the one who featured TwoNames making his massive SAS claim blunder.
So it would seem the disruptors are more than likely MyPlace foamers, acting in support of Thompson against Greaney with their rabble-like behaviour. A club footed attempt at manipulation, thank the stars a bloke like Turnbull was in charge of the meeting.
As said, whole new complexion on the issue. Why Jenny or someone hadn’t let us all know this initially is an unfortunate lack of information for perspective.
The MIRRA is important to islanders, Joe McCabe having Cameron Turnbull read a letter stating Greaney or TCC representatives will no longer attend the meetings is not a good position for the council. Batty records every meeting for sharing on his page. Greaney is heavily disliked by the majority, and the island population is going to hold out on the next rates payments, this will push TCC into a bad position financially, and My Place has now infected mainlanders too with letterbox drops, markets etc.its a dogs breakfast!
Hmmm, while it may be understandable, holding out on rates may have a few Maggie Islanders changing their address to Stuart, or having no address at all if the TCC wants to get nasty.
Anyone got as copy of that letter, The ‘Pie would very much like to pass it on to Nest readers. If. someone has, and email with pic can be sent email hidden; JavaScript is required
No names no pack drill guaranteed. As always.
Cracker,
Batty attended 2 meetings and will not be welcomed back. So your claim he records every meeting is false.
MIRRA has been extremely generous with their open forum, and now they are being abused. So changes have been made.
People like Jenny, her informant and the likes of MM on the floor, will have to contend with different rules.
TCC must communicate with the island, it’s Greaney’s choice not to attend.
As for not paying their rates I think quite a few people will hold off paying to the due date. TCC have stopped the discount for paying early- so there goes the incentive.
That last bit has an interesting sidelight, often mentioned before here in the Nest.
There never was any discount, that rate was actually the correct rateable amount. The pay-on-time rate actually included a penalty component for a reversed and disguised ‘late payment’. Cute, eh? imposed
Magpie, since you raised the subject I looked at a recent rates notice (to December 2024) to see how the numbers stacked up. They didn’t make sense. In the General Rate Category 1 Capped (ie. regular suburban house, principal place of residence), the rate should be 0.011055 times the land valuation shown in the summary of General Rates – in this case $143,000. That would come to an annual $1,580.87 or $790.43 for six months. But in this case the notice says $748.68. There are other charges on the notice – utilities etc – but these are separate from and in addition to the actual Rates levied. The only reason I can see for the discrepancy is that the rates are “capped” at an annual 10% increase but there’s no indication on the notice that this is what happened. I don’t get it but since they appear to have undercharged me I’ll just let it go. Anybody have a clue?
I can assure you that the photographer’s name recorded in the MIRRA Minutes was spelt Mark Batten. Quite possibly less than a few people present (eg. #1, #2) had any idea who he was.
It’s Mark Batty, he’s been to the last 4 meetings, and quite a few know him, as they attend the chambers on meeting day with him, with Alan Sheret too.
Pie,
Happy to send over full recording of 7th Dec meeting – so you can hear for yourself – please advise.
Whilst the meeting was hostile, having attended many town hall forums involving politicians and councillors, the chair handled the situation well.
Thanks, but that would only be of use when The ‘Pie get 25 hours in the day.
MM, since you have voice recordings of the meetings, was the photographer named as Batty or Batten?
An ageist attack? No worse than some of the diatribe being dished out by all and sundry on here magpie,yeah?As you did say, “all comments “ , and have witnessed some funny, factual, imaginary, important, and vile comments being dished out and directed at people, not only in council, but anyone, including people on this blog. The only ones you seem to give a free pass to, seem to be people you know personally. Then you have the minah birds on here, that will involve themselves in the pecking order to have a shot at anyone or anything that doesn’t suit the collective narrative, Jenny comes to mind. Don’t know how she keeps being so polite. Anyway, like they say, opinions are like arseholes, everyone has got one .
Not M(ad)Dog, more SadDog. There, there, here’s a Smacko.
Mdog, you should stick to watching Adam Lambert film clips. You are becoming unhinged and paranoid and I for one am concerned with your mental health. Or Duane you been inhaling some of Wulguru and Belgian Gardens excess effluent that the flooding caused?
Reasonable two plus two though. it fits the Batty connections and style. The ‘Pie is sure Mr Batten/Batty will advise the Nest on the matter, either way, he certainly a Nest reader.
Mr Magpie, I am concerned about Jenny. Not only is she trying to imitate and take over my family’s trusted name but it appears she is slowly taking over ‘The Magpie’ site by stealth. He/she/it/they/them has now surpassed Guy’s ridicule in his posts, Ducky’s left wing aggression of LNP, Mike Douglas’ successful attempts to be the first poster of the weekly blog, and Doug’s degradation of the modern day Astonisher . Please set a quota on her number of identities and comments or set some tariffs for when she posts a comment surplus. Now for another glass of vintage Brandivino. Cheers.
Wheels within wheels within wheels. Fun, ain’t it?
Don’t be concerned for me old friend, I’m doing just fine. Kenny, I am a well respected Townsville identity and I enjoy being able to freely express myself in this blog even if people like you want to shut me down. It feels gran being part of a democracy.
(Edited.Really, Guy, try and keep it relevant, your travels through Syria years ago are for your FB page.)
Is this the same guy that has been warning since 2010/11 about debt levels ??
I’m amazed how quickly they fucked this place. Looking at the time line its obvious it takes about 20/ 25 years to destroy a civilisation, you start slow so not to alarm the locals, then ramp things up so voting won’t help you.
I don’t think Australia exists anymore except as a brand name and legal obligations. Both liberal and Labor have torn the place to pieces. I think it was nice whilst it lasted. I saw britain tank as a child and teenager, this will be the second civilisation I’ll see tank. The rot starts slow, but it’s consistent day, day out.
The take away message is things are getting worse, you can get angry or you can dismiss it, either way the momentum of history is inexorable we are a civilisation in decline tjanks to our politicians and voting public – you can’t stop it, you can only slow the decline. When you watch things getting worse in real time i think it answers many questions, how did this or that civilisation go under ? Simple , people stopped caring about everything including their own survival.
Quoting Jenny: “I’m a well respected Townsville identity…”. To quote Councillor Liam Mooney: “Says you”
Guy, give us some measurable characteristics that can be used to show that our civilisation has collapsed over the last two decades.
Can they even make something as simple as a woodscrew in Australia
Can Australia even make car tyres ?
https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2025/02/there-is-no-future-made-in-australia/
Maybe you’d like to debate with them, show them the real story ?
A country that seemingly wants to go nuclear doesn’t even have a main highway that doesn’t flood. The highway is effectively still cut when the expected perennial rain starts.
And not only that, with regular flooding rains, they are leery of the Burdekin hydro proposals, which are by far the best energy solution for the top half of Queensland. By a country mile.
Kenny Kennett, listen Bro, I gagged at your mention of our family’s “trusted” name. You! Trusted? Laughed out loud I did. Fully lolled. And bringing Mooney’s name into it – priceless. Talk about desperate.
Getting away from meetings, a bit of island news.
Many of you in the nest, would remember the little bridge at Alma Bay that lead up to ‘Alma Den’, and the scenic walk with those lovely views of Alma Bay.
Just before the recent weather event TCC announced it would be removing the bridge, now the weather has cleared work has begun again
So another little piece of Island history will soon be gone.
Get ready for a lot more ‘economic rationalism’ to cover up Hill’s financial kamikaze mission.
Chemist Warehouse floated yesterday with their merger with Sigma at $35 bil market value . The same Chemist warehouse Team Hill won’t be pushed around by whilst they focused on Magnis energy , other energy manufacturers share price 6 cents . Lancini left town , Hilton Hotel , Qantas . 3 Mayors / acting Mayors in a month . Did Council not meet because they would be obligated to provide a financial update . When will the one voice declare all the project backlog list . Residents should be emailing Councillors for answers .
Mike, you often throw in the Hilton hotel as a lost opportunity, but if you remember history, it’s downfall was a historical matter of how the developer of the land got the lease in the first place. There were allegations of inadequate or flawed processes – especially on suitable community uses on what was council/government land. And what is strange about that is that the developer wooing Hilton was and is a former business partner and friend of Mullet whisperer Dolan Hayes. Nothing was ever adjudged wrong with the hotel going there, the council just used a transparently bullshitting reason of a piddling ‘late application for development extension’ or some such.
Given the power dynamic back then … Jenny Hill’s Christmas hold on council, her continual outspoken support for the project, a Labor government in Brisbane, and Dolan Hayes high standing in the power structure, The Magpie has often wondered what really went on with this issue.
Ghe ‘Pie always held the opinion that it was a highly inappropriate use for the site, with little or no discussion about more community oriented alternative uses, but it wasn’t a hill he was willing to die on. And the old bird was surprised as anyone when it was nixed, especially on such a weak reason by the council’s back room boys. Thhe ‘Pie has doubts that this failure can be completely lain at Jenny’s door. More at Anna Alphabet’s, for some unknown reason.
The Hilton was offered 7 years free rates and water, and reductions in building approval costs etc. all by Jenny and Prins. The decision had nothing to do with 5 star down to 3 star, or not starting building on time. It was cancelled by leftie Paul Needham who wanted open green space, and the influence of a major developer down at the railway end.
And exactly who is Paul Needham? The ‘Pie would like to know before his lawyers call.
Chief Planning and Development Officer TCC.
Thanks.
@Magpie
Chief Planning and Development Officer, pushing for his own director role under Joe.
Corporate welfare
Mike, you need to stop reading Troy’s dribble. A post about meeting dates on the newish formed ‘townsvillevillians blocked by Troy Thompson’ had Phillips come out and debunk Troy’s claims. Council met in October and decided 2025 meeting schedule. Troy chaired that meeting
Seems right about the schedule. But that then raises th question why the ‘Meeting Cancelled’ post was circulated. It wasn’rt cancelled, it just never was, so why say anything?
ScoobyDoo Troy where are you – jumping at shadows as i got it from the Council website meetings / agenda copy emailed to the Pie tuesday 11 th Feb . Another Councillor overheard saying the meeting 12/2 was cancelled due to Flood recovery and there wasnt much on the agenda , Are you a Councillor also ? .
As a past employee of council, it was closed down as AMG was going back on holidays at first, but was most definitely going to happen. AMG never appointed an acting in the chamber when she was appointed deputy, should she be absent, so that is a problem that needs to be fixed quickly.
The real reason it was cancelled was the rates discussion, the mid year budget. The councillors have missed 3 items that were from past standing committees too, so it’s a bit more than Mike and Scooby have suggested. There’s plenty on the agenda that could’ve been addressed this past week.
Jenny,
Now since you state you attended the meeting on the 6th – you will of heard the gentleman’s name. Weren’t you listening? Perhaps ask your informant or MM on the Floor…
The meeting I attended was on the 7th. I heard a name but didn’t catch the intricacies and didn’t know it might be important (to some). I don’t think he was at the February meeting and doubt you were either. Are you one of the #s?
What’s a #?
On Feb 11 at 7.31pm, MIRRA MIRRA on the Floor listed #s from 1-4 who were present at the 7 December MIRRA meeting – later identified as ‘cookers’ in the vernacular of Troy Thompson and MyPlace. Maggie Moggie seems to be suffering from FOMO or is it Attention Deprivation Disorder?
Thank you Mopsy, but The ‘Pie will leave others in blissful ignorance.
I can’t believe that a journalist(?) doesn’t know what # means.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_sign
Knew what it meant Boof, but out of context and wondering if it was some new shorthand for something else. Same as The ‘Pie knows what sick means, which now appparently means exactly the opposite.
Jenny,
now I have done a bit research myself and I have looked back at the past 2 years of MIRRA minutes and who was in attendance, I haven’t seen the name J. Kennett appear once?
Can’t find anyone with the name ‘MM on the floor’ either, wonder why?
As for your covert informant the minutes will soon disappear.
Would you care to provide the dates where you claim to have met Greaney at MIRRA meetings and I will check again?
OK this is now not going anywhere and is becoming tedious and pointless.
PIe,
It certainly has become very tedious.
Jenny’s whinge that her name was missing in the minutes, then stating the minutes were incomplete, is just another way of having a go at the association, as she has so many times in the past.
There is certainly another agenda…
Jenny has proved that she is modest as well with her ‘well respected Townsville identity’ quote and her attacks on anyone who doesn’t like Greaney speaks volumes. Sounds very much like one of the darlings from ‘Ladies who Lunchalot’.
You have just proved the tediousness of it all, MM.
It is reported in the Guardian that wrapping up their appearance at the National Press Club, a reporter asked Bob Katter and Helen Haines a question each on behalf of satirical news site the Betoota Advocate. Katter was asked:
Dear Bob, I’m sorry to betray your trust by revealing the private conversation we had at Mount Isa’s Barkly Hotel in 2017 over a few drinks. I believe you’re the only man who knows the true story behind Waltzing Matilda … On behalf of Australia, I’m asking – what else do you know about the jolly swagman’s death? The people of Australia deserve answers.
With much laughter from the crowd, Katter responded:
“I’ve always been very involved with trade unions and my brothers know he was a scab”.
Guy, what the fuck?? The fall of civilisation??? Your post is odd. R u ok? Seriously mate, comparing Townsville’s woes to the fall of civilisation is bizarre. Have you been drinking booze or anyplace Koolaid today?
That Spanish football coach whose in all kinds of trouble for giving her a French kiss, probably should have given her an Australian kiss.
Maybe that’d be worth the fuss?
The senorita should’ve given him a Glasgow Kiss in return zand saved everyonde the bother of this tedious spectacle.
Magpie, the Agenda for Wednesday’s TCC meeting is available on the Council website. For all those people who want to know the details of TCC’s financial position – the debt, the variations from expectations, the cash in the bank – heaps of detail laid out in full:
8 Treasury Report – January 2025
Report Information – Treasury Report – January 2025
9 Budget Variance Report – January 2025
Income Statement WOC (January)
Report Information – January BVR
Oh, and the latest $1 per year leases over council land for all sorts of clubs, with pictures!
Thanks. Intend posting it in full in tomorrow Nest.