NEWS
An email tit-for-tat earlier this year between inner-city councillor David Hinchliffe and Lord Mayor Campbell Newman over cleaning up the Valley has paid off with the locality receiving a special award in the Spotless Suburbs Competition for “litter management”.
Cr Hinchliffe and the Lord Mayor exchanged dozens of at-times pointed emails over one weekend in what became a war of words over the state of the Valley’s cleanliness. The emails were subsequently leaked to the media and were published online. Cr Hinchliffe (Central Ward) who had argued for more bins and increased cleaning services says the end result has been a cleaner Valley.
“In this case, the jousting match between Campbell and me resulted in something very positive and constructive. We have more bins, cleaning schedules have been changed to provide more cleaning of footpaths and streets and we have a heightened awareness of the need to keep the Valley clean.
“I also think the motto I coined for the Valley – Cleaner. Greener. Prouder. – is starting to get traction,” he said.
“Of course, much more needs to be done. This award is a pat on the back for heading in the right direction, but we’ve got a lot further to go, particularly with some of the pathetic and irresponsible owners who are letting the rest of the Valley down.”
Cr Hinchliffe singled out the “disgraceful” Walton’s department store in Brunswick Street West. He decried the fact that there was no legislation with teeth that would empower the council to force the owners to either put up or cover up “this Valley eye-sore”.
Cr Hinchliffe is keen for public pressure and the developmental community, plus bipartisan support from both sides of the council chamber, to create strong legislation that would force buildings such as this to an acceptable standard. “This would then attract more locals and visitors to the Fortitude Valley area where they would be surrounded by buildings and streetscapes that shows a well-cared and secure environment,” he said.
Cr David Hinchliffe is pictured above, centre, with judges John and Lou Carothers.
