NEWS
A city councillor has called for the appointment of an urban renewal specialist to work with the community to turn some of the innercity’s grotty areas into public spaces we can all be proud of.
David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) made the suggestion in disclosing his latest
(see page 8) Targeting Ranwell Lane, a tiny laneway next to the open rail cutting off busy Gipps Street, Cr Hinchliffe said in an open letter to Lord Mayor Campbell Newman: “This lane borders on perhaps the most important and under-developed area of the Valley. It is in the very heart of the Valley almost directly over a major train station. The fragmented ownership makes it difficult for anything to happen.
“Lord Mayor, I think there is tremendous opportunity to appoint a special agent with full council powers to bring together property owners to achieve this area’s true potential.
“I propose an urban renewal specialist -- similar to the role played by the late Trevor Reddacliffe. You and I had tremendous regard for his role. Since his passing, we have needed this sort of specialist.
“The Urban Renewal Coordinator for the Valley needs to have commercial experience, clear and formal council powers, the resources of council's urban renewal unit and a budget to bring together property owners. That's what the late Trevor Reddacliffe had and that’s what is needed now. “I would be happy to discuss the sort of people who I believe could do the job.”
• Cr Hinchliffe’s Clean Up the Valley campaign is having mixed results. The Independent late last week saw several council workers busy cleaning up Trugian Place, named earlier as one of the councillor’s “grot spots”. Whether this was a normal part of council’s cleaning program or in response to the campaign remains to the seen. As will the chances that the park will remain clean from now on. We’ll monitor the park and report progress next issue. And another “grot spot” outed recently is now in danger of becoming the first entry into the councillor’s shame file. More on that also in our next issue on May 26.
