Weekend Edition

Well, Bill Knight tells us he had an interesting phone call today, from a councillor who will remain nameless, wanting to know Bill’s thoughts on the Tourism Levy issue and what public feedback Bill was hearing.  Naturally enough Bill gave his two bobs worth which basically mirrored the views of just about everyone else.. we don’t want it.

Seems council hasn’t even discussed a levy and hence why we didn’t read about it in the daily.  How it came to be on the local tv news is not yet clear but the message that has run loud and clear is that the community is definitely watching and watching closely indeed.  Good to see and we’re not about to back down for one minute!

The highlight of the week has been discussion on the water park, it is clear that resistance to this project is growing and there are a number of writers who can smell political opportunism and pork barrelling.  Like it or not, new attractions such as the water park will serve to enhance the community and provide additional activities for locals and visitors alike.  Can it be made viable and self supporting?  Lets just hope so.

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Nancy Says #15

Nancy Says: “Dulled by the shameless public relations blitz”!

I have to ask, who would know more about a “shameless public
relations blitz” than Nancy? She goes on to tell about the
“fleeces” being pulled over our eyes and goes on about “facts
so blatantly tortured”.
 
Is this the same person who some weeks ago was dismayed
by the output of “gutless anonymous blogs”. Who claims “it is
gross to compare a newspaper to an anonymous blog site”.
Yet continues to beguile us with the rantings of the anonymous
Squid and the (are they real), SMS’s TO ED?
 
To quote our Daily, I “A.M.” “Appalled” and “Disgusted” by it’s
biased content.
 
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Nancy Says 16

“Honesty in government statistics and administrative costs would
be a good start” Nancy Says. One can only hope she means at
ALL levels of government?
 
If the seamier side of (council) life is swept under the carpet, we
cannot be considered a credible daily paper! Nancy tells of
hesitating over publishing the seamier side of life and alienating
readers! Now why would she worry about that?
 
In fairness it appears our council heeds what Nancy Says. I
noted last week, in the interest of cutting “administrative costs”,
council agendas will no longer be provided for the public! From
now on those attending council meetings, can share  three
copies housed in plastic folders. For the full story on council
meetings, the public will have to wait until the next days, Daily.
 
John A Neve

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Tourism Levy? No thanks!

Before amalgamation everyone was asking “Will my rates rise”.  While it is still a little way off we are already seeing fees and charges being increased and new ones created.  Just yesterday Councilor Nioa tells us we’re going to get hit with a “Tourism Levy”.   First it was council waste fees increasing by nearly 40% now a new levy? 

No Anne, we do not want it and do we really need it?  Tourism is undeniably the biggest drawcard Hervey Bay has to offer and perhaps we have missed the boat in recent years in promoting it.  But, as industry bosses have pointed out, the funds should come from existing budgets.  Maybe there needs to be a close examination of the Coast’s tourism committees and boards etc to ensure there is no unnecessary duplication going on that could be avoided by the merging of entities and pooling of resources.

 

Blind Bias

Inside Trader added his thoughts on the issue of apparent bias by certain print media in this region towards WBW.  We’ll just add that it would be interesting to know how many tens of thousands of dollars WBW spends advertising with APN and how this stacks up compared to similar advertising from the Fraser Coast Council or its former components. 

 

Blind Bias 2

The WBW story in the ChronicllyIll on the 8th made for interesting reading. I wonder why this was the first story I have seen on the Chronic’s website that gave more than a few brief words? In fact I believe the whole story got posted on their website. WOW! Another first for the Chronicle. Surely the editor of the Chronicle would not be playing favourites? Again?

No, there must be another reason…….  

Perhaps Nancy Bates could elaborate with a short note on this site? 

 

An interesting misprint in that article, surely not intentional, was the quote “Ms Dickinson, executive director of the Californian Urban Water Conservation Council before setting up the federal body seven months ago, said she had been impressed by WBW’s annual report, showing a $4 million profit in selling its expertise.” $4MILLION PROFIT selling its expertise? Actually if we quote the annual report it says on page 7 “the Corporation’s proactive Business Development Division contributed $4 million of revenue”.  That’s right, REVENUE! 

 

School grade 9 students can tell you that revenue DOES NOT equal profit. In fact, WBW could have had $5million expenses associated with that revenue giving a net loss to the ratepayers of Hervey Bay. Of course, creative accounting could always be used to show a profit for that section of WBW, and there are many ways of loading costs to other sections of a business, but however it is done, $4million revenue can NEVER equal $4million profit.

 

This whole article reeked of the usual creative PR of WBW and the editor of the Chronicle. One wonders how many of the glowing words were really Ms Dickinson’s, how many were the Chronicle’s, and how many were courtesy of the WBW PR machine?

 

To be fair, one suggestion has it that prior to amalgamation WBW did a summary that did show a profit for that section of WBW, possibly as much as $500,000. How much of that was creative accounting is unknown but at least it is more believable than Net Profit = 100% Gross Revenue!

Blind Bias 1

An article from the Maryborough Herald (27/2/08), has belatedly
been brought to my attention. While some weeks old now, the
article by a Mr Alan Betteridge deserves, I believe, a response.
 
Titled “Election fever brings out the distorted truth”, having read
Alan’s comments, I feel he is right, he has distorted the truth.
His comments relate to an AECgroup report into Wide Bay
Water commissioned by the Hervey Bay City council. Their
charter was to review the financial implications of WBW for the
HBCC. The article suggests on more than one occasion that
the report has been discredited! I would have to ask when and
by whom? He goes on to question the report “the accuracy of
which has now been brought into doubt by the respected
financial analysts Pricewaterhouse-Coopers”! I am surprised,
as any one reading the financial reviews would know
Pricewaterhouse-Coopers have themselves of recent times,
been the subject of critical comments.
 
Mr Betteridge finishes his comments by quoting the following
“Beware of the person who will do anything to become a
councillor just because they want to be someone in the city
rather than do something for the city” and he is so right. That
is why someone obviously thought the report, after being
hidden from the public gaze for so long, it needed to see the
light of day.
 
I wonder if, prior to making his comments, Mr Betteridge had
read both reports? Because having done so, I believe they
were looking at two different sets of criteria. I suggest everyone
interested read them for themselves.
 
John A Neve

To catch and store.

I don’t know why Brian Canute questions the obvious. We all
know how “to catch and store energy”, we just won’t do it.
 
You catch and store energy by building quality, not crap. The
biggest and most well known example is the Great Pyramid in
Egypt. I have no idea what it cost in time and money, but three
thousand years later it’s still standing and making money for it’s
owners. To a lesser extent the same applies to quality cars, an
old Mercedes-Benz, Roll-Royce or Bentley not only still run,
but fetch more at sale than they cost!! In contrast todays
clothes,houses, cars etc are worn out before they are paid for!
 
If we reduced the speed of our production lines, took longer
and made a better quality product. We would have pride in
what we produced, would use less energy and less raw
materials. This in turn would reduce the impact on the worlds
environment. It is sad to think what we make or build today is
landfill tomorrow. In fact we are running out of holes to fill!!
 
Just think, a table, chair, building in fact any thing that lasts, is
in fact, storing energy.
 
John A Neve
 
Ps. I would love to know how many pairs of cheap runners are
      now landfill? Just think of the energy that went into making
      them.

Weekend Edition

The water park discussion has heated up in recent days.. it is great that we are finally starting to get some solid debate happening here.  We will hold off on new topics for the moment.  We kick in with the latest edition of Nancy Says from John Neve:

“We need the water park and more” Nancy Says. While having
an open mind on the matter, I do have some concerns regarding
the money involved. Nancy Says (12/4/08), $3 million has been
earmarked by the state government, her paper (9/4/08), tells us
the state government has “pledged $5 million”, what’s two million
you may ask. A lot of money to people in Tiaro or Woocoo who
now, via their rates will be asked to contribute.
 
Nancy Says the government has made it clear the money is
dependant on “one site only” being used! Surely if it’s built at all
it should go on the best site to obtain maximum benefit for the
community?
 
Whatever sum the state provides, should the park cost more,
where does the money come from? Ratepayers or, yes there is
an “or”. A meeting of tourist operators at Defino’s Resort who
“didn’t care where it goes, just get it going”, could always
contribute to an attraction they feel will benefit their businesses.
I am sure all future tourists, plus local users would appreciate
such a gesture from our local business community.
 
Enough of building things, why don’t we promote what we have.
The Bay, a playground for fishing, boating, windsurfing,
snorkelling, swimming etc. Do we promote these interests
enough? I’d say not, even our local fishermen are hard pressed
to find a launching place. Where do visitors park their boats
safely? Are there any venues that hire out surfboards, skis,
kites or snorkelling equipment? Do we have planned snorkelling
trips for beginners? How about a windsurfing championship?
 
Why go on? We have Chamber of Commerce and a Tourism
Board that discuss these issues over lunch.
 
John A Neve

 

Strewthisback writes: John, I feel there might have been a typo (surprised?) in the Chronicle if they used $3 million as a figure.  To my knowledge the figure being tipped in by State Government has always been $5 million with the expectation of it being matched by council.  $10 million would buy a pretty flash Water Park!  However, community support is definitely there for the project and like libraries, sporting fields, parklands etc it will require public funding to maintain but the community benefit will inevitably be greater. 

Positivity is desperately needed within the community to help us move forwards.  Negative attitudes, narrow mindedness and lack of vision has held this region back for much to long and the sooner the community embraces the need for change the better.  Change does come with a short term monetary cost however the long term financial gain to the community can be significantly more.

Observe and Interact

Following Brian Canute’s post (April 9, 2008), I offer the following
comments.
 
It is the norm for all the young in the animal world to learn by
observation and interaction with their kith and kin. As a result,
for the most part the next generation is a reflection of their parents.
 
One of my favourite sayings is “no one know every thing and no one
knows nothing”, as a result, if you watch and listen you will learn
something new every day. For my money it’s true and that is where
we have gone wrong. Society today is so tied up in it’s own little
world, we see, but we don’t watch, we hear but we don’t listen.
 
Dependence on growth to sustain our way of life, has created a
world were all things are expendable. Be it animal, vegetable of
mineral, we use it, abuse it and then throw it away. Today’s
heroes are tomorrows villains. I won’t name names, you know as
many as I do. Political correctness has curtailed our willingness to
speak our minds. Sad to say if you don’t use it, you loose it. As a
result individuality is dying, if not dead. I have spoken of fear before
so I won’t labour the point, suffice to say, living in fear, be it
financial, social or physical, is not living.
 
Which brings us back to “Observe and Interact”, if you tell people
what you really think and listen to what they say. You will find we
are much the same and want and desire the same things. Just by
talking and listening, fear can be overcome.
 
John A Neve

FCRC Planning & Development Meeting 09/04/08

The Fraser Coast Regional Council held is first Planning &
Development meeting today. There were three applications on
the agenda.
 
Item 4.1
Material change of use, two (2) lots into seventeen (17) lots in
Annie Street, HOWARD. This was rejected due to the potential
for flooding, the land being low lying.
 
Item 4.2
Reconfiguration of two (2) lots into fifty one (51) lots in Madsen
Road, URRAWEEN. The mayor vacated the chair, whether there
was a conflict of interest or a pecuniary interest, I don’t know.
Councillor McNeven took the chair and the recommendation to
approve the application was passed 9/0 with councillor MucKan
abstaining.
 
Item 4.3
Material change of use multiple units in access of two (2) stories
in height. Restaurant/food services and vegetation removal. The
Esplanade, SCARNESS. This application was deferred until July 9,
at the request of the applicant. The officer’s recommendation was
for a refusal.
 
There were three items in CONFIDENTIAL these being the
Waterfront (Qld) Pty. Ltd - Crn Fraser Street &  The Esplanade,
Seashift Properties - Burrum Heads Road, Burrum Heads and
Torquay Heights Drainage Flooding Issues. All three were covered
verbally!
On resumption of the open meeting no comment was offered, so
I’m unable to comment.
 
General Business - Councillor Dalgleish requested an update on
                               the Burrum Town Plan.
 
John A Neve

Runs on the board

Ben Collingwood writes:

Great to read news today that the new council is doing something about Maryborough’s dying CBD.  I’ve been of that view for quite sometime now and given the new council has only been in place a few weeks its exciting to see things finally being made to happen.  One hopes that they don’t just try and bring the grey nomads in but have a closer look at what else can be done to revitalise the CBD in general.

The Redacliffe plan had a few ideas but local business owners and residents have also raised several fantastic suggestions over the years.  Perhaps the new council would review these ideas such as turning Adelaide Street into a mall, increasing CBD parking and giving the Thursday Markets a good thorough shake out.. I’ve checked the markets out a few times recently and compared to what is on offer in elsewhere (think Eumundi) they are pretty ordinary.

Also, it is disappointing to hear that council beaurocracy has put in place draconian measures to prevent free flow of information to the community.  This is absolutely disgusting.  I was hoping Andrew O’Brien would make a good CEO but now I am not so sure.. he’s certainly not talking the talk at the moment.  “We try to maintain a level of transparency” ok Andrew, are we talking clear glass (what you see is what you get) or is it more an Opaque.. cloudy but letting us get vague details? 

I was of the opinion our councillors and mayor where there to lead the direction of council and be the voice for the people.  This person has spoken and Mayor Mick I’m with you.. lets cut the BS and have some commonsense about it.  I want to hear Sue Brooks informing us on what council is doing for the environment, I want to hear from Julie Arthur on Water Issues and heck I am damn sure we’ll be hearing a lot from Gerrard O’Connell on his portfolios.  Its time our elected representatives stand up to the beaurocrats and make them accountable.  We don’t want to hear excuses.. just want to see results!

 

Nancy Says Volume 13

Nancy Says “Our country still rated a lucky one” and she is right.
Of all the countries I’ve been in and worked in, and that’s more
than most people, Australia is the best. Unfortunately, not as
good as it was back in the sixties.
 
Why the decline? In my view we have become too dependant on
growth and to dependant on governments making decisions for us.
Very few people make their own decision any more, government
tells us what to eat, drink, how to bring up our children. What is
safe, unsafe, what to say (political correctness), our every
decision is guided by “experts”. We wonder why our children are
bored? They are bored because there are no longer any
challenges for them. Sports are too dangerous, can’t ride to school
(roads are unsafe), can’t hitchhike (you never know who you’ll meet).
 
We want every thing, but every thing is too expensive! Life today
reminds me of the old movie “Live now, pay later”. Why pay now
when you can have two years credit free?
 
Sad to say 90% of our pain is self inflicted.
 
John A Neve

Nancy Says Volume 11

I was astounded when I read what Nancy Says today.
“Information controls far too tight”, she goes on to talk about
“oppressive controls” and “secret society nonsense”, I ended
up wondering is this the same Nancy?
 
Our one and only Daily has fed us a diet of sanitized and
selective local government news for years. The “open and
transparent” council we have been promised, election upon
election, have never come to pass and in large part, I blame
Nancy.
 
The failings of past councils, be they factual of perceived are
embedded in the very fabric of our NEW Fraser Coast Regional
Council. We still only have one Daily paper and the same editor,
so what’s changed?
 
As I have written before, girth up your loins, it’s going to be a
rough ride.
 
John A Neve

Comment

Elsewhere on the site Pancho had this to say..

Until such time as a means of totally controlling interactive internet technology is found this tool will not be used by government because of the greater exposure to public scrutiny they would come under.

This extra exposure, without a suitable filter would invariably mean that they would get burnt more often!

The ‘proponents of amalgamation’ are not interested in economic development, at least that of benefit to the wider community, but rather in increasing their power by moving access to our policitcal representatives further away from us and more under the control of their respective Party Whips and vested interests.

Remember the days of Local Government wards where your councillor would drop in for a cuppa and discuss any problem? This system is too democratic for the power brokers, and so has to go.

Also remember the saying power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Corrupt governments will NOT want an informed public monitoring their dealings. It would tend to cramp their corporate style too much, I feel.”

 

Food for thought isn’t it?  We’ll leave you today with a letter from John Neve and his “Nancy Says” column:

Dundowran Public Meeting.
 
This afternoon I attended the public meeting to discuss the
application to change the terms of Hervey Bays town plan. This
would allow development in Ansons Road, Dundowran. About
150 people were in attendance, amongst these were councillors
Hovard, Arthur,Hawes and Brooks. (Strewthisback notes others indicated Gerrard O’Connell was in attendance also)

 
The meeting was well run by Tanya Sanders a new Dundowranite
from Sydney. The feeling of the meeting was totally opposed to
the development, although there was little specific information on
what was proposed! This after all was not an application to build,
rather one to change town plan zoning for this land.
 
I can only hope those who submit written opposition to such
changes, point out the proposal is out of sequence, lacks any
viable sewerage plan, lacks good vehicular access and will
increase traffic on the Hervey Bay - Burrum Road.
 
Having only been in Hervey Bay for eight weeks, this city need
more like Tanya Sanders.
 
John A Neve

Nancy Says Volume 11

Nancy Says “Indigenous heritage can belong to all” and she is right,
it can and it should. I applaud and support anything that can draw
our two cultures closer together. But we need to ask, why has it
taken so long? Why have other cultures and nationalities blended
together, when we, by and large have failed?
 
But have we failed? Compared to other similar situations, I would
suggest not. European encroachment into both North and South
America has had a far more devastating impact on the indigenous
peoples, than ours, here in Australia. In North America the third,
forth and fifth generation European migrants are still at loggerheads
with their Afro/American brothers! The Red Indians are all but
extinct. Like wise the Mayans and Aztecs are virtually know more.
 
In my view history indicates where governments, the church and
other do-good organisations have endeavoured to speedup
integration, it has only made the situation worse. I truly believe
given time Australia’s inhabitants will blend together. Splashing
our differences across all forms of the media, will only highlight
our joint failings and yes, there have been failings on both sides.