NEWS
The argument about whether the state or local governments have existing powers to force recalcitrant property owners to refurbish their dilapidated buildings is a “Mexican stand-off” where the image of Fortitude Valley continues to suffer, according to local long-term councillor David Hinchliffe.
In an email last Friday to local community and business leaders and The Independent, Cr Hinchliffe says: “This issue continues to bounce around like a tennis match. The state says council has the power to act. The council says it doesn’t. Lord Mayor Quirk in his most recent letter to me (yesterday) says the council doesn’t have the power to act.
“My suggestion is this: Can the property owners and the [Valley] Chamber of Commerce sign an open letter to both the Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and the Premier Anna Bligh, asking that both sides send their top decision-makers and legal brains down to the Valley to meet on site with businesses and property owners and decide once and for all who has the power and who has the will to use it!
“So far, the only one who has said he’s not going to pussyfoot around about this is [ALP Lord Mayoral candidate] Ray Smith. Everyone else wants someone else to do something. Ray at least is the first one who’s put his hand up and said I’ll do it!” Cr Hinchliffe wants concerned parties to sign an open letter saying “Come here. See it. Fix it”.
He has drafted a letter to state and local governments calling on “the Premier and the Lord Mayor to stop squabbling about who is responsible for cleaning up the Valley and get on and do it”. “While you are bickering, the image of the Valley is tarnished. We urge that the Premier and Lord Mayor to each appoint a senior person who has the power to represent them and to make decisions to meet with the business community as a matter of urgency.
“Our purpose is to ensure that one authority has the power to take action to clean up buildings and public areas which are letting down the image of the Valley. The vast number of property owners in the Valley are just wanting to get on and improve the Valley image, generate business and make a living. We ask for an answer within 48 hours of receipt of this letter.”
Cr Hinchliffe says it’s time for action and has urged others seeking change not to worry “about physically running around and getting signatures”. He suggests an email from a number of local community leaders should be done with some urgency to resolve the impasse as quickly as possible.
Valley chemist James Delahunty whose front-page article in The Independent several months ago called for action on the Waltons Building eyesore (above), says he’s more than happy to sign off an “a well-constructed letter/plan of action aimed to motivate the right people”. “The clock is ticking to the next March election and an even shorter deadline to the end of the Chinese New Year.”
