Meeting with Brisbane City Council

Meeting summary with Cr David McLachlan – Chairman Field Services Monday 16^th July 2012

Lawrie and Ian attended a meeting with Cr David McLachlan to discuss the Shorncliffe Pier in an attempt to clarify what the Council is doing in relation to the Pier. The following points to come out of the meeting

·         The Council is committed to keeping the Pier in its current Design and in the current position; there are no plans to build another Pier.

·         It will be restored in its current alignment, length and width

·         The only change that will be evident will be the placement of concrete piles instead of timber, to ensure that the Pier will not be subject to Marine borer infestation again.

·         The Council will reuse as much timber as possible in the structure, some timber will need replacement.

·         They are currently preparing documentation for a Tender for the work to be undertaken.

·         The Council have budgeted $18000 for termite treatment over the next 12 months, if more funding is needed for this task monies will be made available, they are aware of the need to protect the Pier from the termite infestation and are prepared to spend more if required, they emphasised this as they to do not want any further damage to spread.

·         Lawrie put a proposal to the meeting with regards to upgrading the Wall opposite so that it can be used for fishing and photo shoots e.g. resurfacing and a safety rail along the edges, concern was expresses as to who owns the wall and they have replied to us informing us that it is their responsibility. The Council are now looking at this.

·         Cr David McLachlan has promised to keep this group informed via email.

·         A flyer will be sent out to all residents regarding the Pier; we shall be getting a PDF copy to distribute electronically to all in the group.

·         They are now fully aware of the loss of tourism and the subsequent loss of business to our local community.

They were informed that we are not a political group, but a group of very concerned people whose lives and livelihood has been adversely effected by the now current condition and closure of the Pier. We shall still keep a close eye on what is happening. 

Benign Neglect

Benign neglect – means that I really like you but I am not going to help you, that is what has happened to the Shorncliffe Pier.  In other words successive councils although they show and express kindness towards the Pier, if it falls down, who cares.  If it starts to fall down we will do the absolute minimum to keep it there.

The only problem with that argument is that people do care; we of the Protect the Shorncliffe Pier Group do, there are thousands of years of memories for people who have spent time there. People from all over the world have visited the Pier, thousands of people have had their wedding photos taken near and on the Pier, it cannot be counted the numbers of people who have relaxed there over the years it would be in the millions. It is an integral part of the Sandgate/ Shorncliffe precinct; it is part of the lifeblood of the area.

What is the BCC doing, plan to spend $20million on the Pier over a period of 4 years.

What is happening now to protect the Pier from falling down, very little.

What are they doing in relation to consulting with the people who really care, just fobbing us off, not keeping promises regarding meeting with the councillors in charge. They have generously given us reports to the condition of the Pier, but seem reluctant to talk with us face to face.

It is about time that the BCC practices what they regularly preach, to consult with the people, or are they just all talk and very little action! Can we trust these elected people; I doubt it, definitely not part of a CANDO team.