may2007

Brisbane has a prolific and talented stencilling scene. These beauties were snapped in Albert Street on 31/5/07

Daniel Templeman's 'Confluence', located in the forecourt of the Brisbane Magistrates Court in Roma Street, is now safe from skateboarders.

The sculpture, which was erected in 2004, has been shrouded for the past few weeks as a structure is added to one end, so as to prevent skateboarders from doing what they do best on an irresistibly smooth, curved surface.

A spokesperson from Arts Queensland said that skateboarders have caused considerable damage to the surface of the sculpture.

Yet many Saturday afternoon observers view the skateboarders' interaction with 'Confluence', as a sculptural piece of organic performance art. An outsider's artistic "up yours" to the weekday legal establishment who frequent the adjacent building.

According to the Arts Queensland spokesperson, after consultation with Templeman, Cox Rayner Architects, Department of Justice and Attorney-General and the Public Art Agency, it was decided to build a structure to prevent skateboarding on the work.

The structure, to be installed at one end of the sculpture, has been designed by Templeman and Cox Rayner Architects.

Works like 'Confluence' have been created as part of the Queensland Government's 'Art Built-policy', which requires two per cent of the capital project costs of public buildings be spent on incorporating artwork.

No skateboarders, lawyers or Daniel Templeman could be contacted for their opinion on the addition to 'Confluence'.

According to a sign, which has appeared on the fence surrounding the dead Moreton Bay Fig at the entrance of Davies Park, West End, the Brisbane City Council has been reviewing the operation and use of Davies Park.

This sign has appeared since the community meeting held in April where Cr Helen Abrahams said that the Green Flea Markets would remain in Davies Park for the short term. Cr Abrahams also said that all interested parties would be invited to attend a larger community consultation on the park's future, which would be held at the end of 2008. No mention of the review process was made at the meeting.

Last December, 'The Independent' reported on the community consternation that erupted when the first Council signs appeared advising that trees within the Davies Park had been fenced off because they were infected with Phellinus Noxius.

The new sign states that a Council review has identified some safety concerns and the need to clarify leasing arrangements. As a result, stalls are to be located on the paved areas within the park and in designated areas along Riverside Drive. Safety regulations are to be followed and the current market manager will continue to operate the market over the next 12 months, if the requirements are met. The sign doesn't mention 'Souths Football Club's future.

Davies Parks operates under a perpetual trust, which stipulates that it must be used for sport and recreation. The community meeting was told 'Souths Football Club's' lease will be extended until 2009.

The sign says that Council will invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the future management of the markets and that the current manager is welcome to re-apply to the Council (the original management created the popular markets in a deal with Souths, but it seems neither are getting paid for the intellectual property rights to the markets). Council is taking direct control.

A forum on Counter Terror Legislation and Human Rights was held in the Premiers Hall, Parliament House last Wednesday evening [23/5/07].

Speakers at the forum, which was presented by Amnesty International and Just Rights Queensland, included Dean Wells, MP, student activist Jessica Moore, the Villanova Players (who acted out a role play) and comedian Steve Davis.

Mr Wells spoke about the need to establish a charter of Human Rights for Queensland. He said that the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act (2006) was a "potent guide to statutory interpretation" and could be used as a reference point for a Queensland Human Rights Act.

(The "Barwon 13", currently being held on terrorism charges in maximum security in Victoria would probably beg to differ.)

Mr Wells went on to say that the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991), was a "small step but a significant advance, which has been of enormous benefit to the people of this state."

Jessica Moore stated that she did not agree with Mr Wells. Last year, while President of the University of Wollongong Student Union, Ms Moore was investigated under the anti-terrorism legislation. She was told she was being investigated for organising a rally in support of Hamas.

Ms Moore explained that she had actually attended a queer rights rally. On legal advice, she was told to send an "Anglo" looking photo of herself to the Sydney Morning Herald, who had asked police why she was being questioned.

"It has never been confirmed for me that the investigation is over," she said.

Ms Moore actually called the Anti-Terrorism hotline to find out what she was being investigated for. She believes that the mainstream media hopped onto her story because she is white. Ms Moore said that there are a number of Australians who are socially isolated.

A politically sensitive Supreme Court trial begins this week with an extraordinary move by a Crown prosector to place four peace activists under house arrest.

Crown prosecutor, Mr Dembo, wants to see Donna Mulhearn, Jim Dowling, Bryan Law and Adele Goldie confined to their place of residence throughout the two-week trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court at Alice Springs.

The four were arrested after breaking into Pine Gap US Spy base to do a ‘Citizens Inspection’ in December 2005. They aimed to highlight Pine Gap’s role in the war in Iraq.

They now face a possible seven years in prison after the Attorney General, Philip Ruddock, consented to charges under the cold-war Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952, to be used for the first time.

In a pre-trial hearing at Alice Springs today [28/5/07], Mr Dembo will apply for the bail of the defendants to be changed so that they: “remain in the court 45 minutes after the court adjourns, and then go to their residences by the shortest available route and remain there”. He will also request that they be prohibited from being within two kilometres of Pine Gap.

Mr Dembo said he made the application after receiving ‘intelligence’ about events the defendants had planned during the trial such as a daily procession to court with supporters and a demonstration at Pine Gap.

The four have already been subject to a suppression order made in a secret court in Darwin last year in relation to ASIO’s involvement in the arrest at Pine Gap. The content of the order was successfully challenged by the four, who insisted on their right to divulge details of their arrest during the trial, and was later discharged.

The trial will be closely followed by the legal community who are concerned the Attorney General’s involvement, the use of an archaic act and heavy-handed penalties reflect an increasingly disturbing climate restricting freedom of speech and political expression.

* UPDATE * An email from Adele Goldie today [29/5/07] states that the Judge said the Crown's request to put the defendants under house arrest during the trial was extreme, forcing the prosecution to quickly withdraw.

Tomorrow [30/5/07], the jury will be empanelled, and the Crown is expected to present their opening argument.

Listen into Latenight Live on Radio National with Phillip Adams on Wednesday evening.

Steve Posselt and friends - captured from Riverside Drive, West End [27/5/07]

Steve Posselt set off on the journey of a lifetime today [27/5/07], as he commenced the first leg of his trip to Adelaide by inland rivers. His first obstacles, a corporate regatta in the middle of the river at Davies Park, and a falling tide didn't dampen his cheer as he powered towards his destination.

His trip to Adelaide is to highlight that genuine action, rather than just debate, is needed on climate change and energy consumption.

It will be a courageous expedition in a kayak that has been modified with wheels to get through the dry spots.

The Stop the Hale Street Bridge Alliance say Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's failure to publicly reveal the upper threshold for the Hale Street Link is jeopardising Brisbane's finances. They have called on the Lord Mayor to reveal the maximum price at which the Hale Street Link would remain viable, and to declare the final terms of the contracts before City Hall signs the guarantor note.

"Serious doubt now hangs over the viability of the poject as the original $179 million prices tag balloons way above the margin for error on the original cost-benefit analysis," said Stop the Hale Street Bridge Alliance spokesperson David Bratchford.

The Stop the Hale Street Bridge Alliance say that Brisbane faces increased rents, property prices and successive Council rate increases, exacerbated by the Lord Mayor's recklessness in crossing cost-benefit thresholds on multi-million dollar pet projects.

Bringing Them Home Plaque at Sorry Park (at the end of Orleigh Park) West End

A shrouded Roma House undergoing refurbishment [November 2005] and one of the Lady Bowen "wings" being demolished in January 2007.

A group of Spring Hill residents and business owners held a meeting last night [21/5/07] with Mission Australia, and representatives from the Premier's Office and the Queensland Department of Housing to discuss their concerns about Roma House.

After extensive refurbishment, Roma House (on Wickham Terrace) was officially opened in November 2006, and provides shelter for inner city homeless people. It was revealed at the meeting that the remaining sections of the site will incorporate 34 studio apartments, and offices. The complex will eventually be managed by 3 separate community organisations. Construction is expected to commence in late June/early July.

Residents concerns about Roma House included noise, discarded drug implements and the general location of the facility. There was almost a unanimous agreement to the suggestion that Mission Australia provide a "shooting gallery" within their own premises.

A group of residents are currently negotiating with the Department of Housing to construct a fence and install appropriate lighting around their property.

At the end of the meeting, a long term Spring Hill resident, gently reminded the everyone that Spring Hill has always been a rough and tumble suburb.

Mission Australia may have been a little ambitious with their plan to establish a 'Friends of Roma House' group for those neighbours interested in supporting the service through volunteering opportunities.

Mission Australia will today [22/5/07] meet with the Director General and Ministers to discuss last night's meeting.

The Lady Bowen buildings are heritage listed and were formerly known as the Lady Bowen Hospital. It was a maternity hospital in the 1890s, Nurses’ Quarters in the 1920s and a centre for recovering soldiers after the Second World War. More recently it was home to the Queensland Writers' Centre and the A.M.E.B. held their musical exams in one of the buildings.

After a closed door meeting with no public access, Council today announced that a consortium led by a French company would build the Hale Street Link.

The Stop the Hale Street Bridge Alliance say that the multi-million dollar contract between Council and the consortium will include 'break-fees', 'minimum revenue guarantees' and 'indemnity from negative impacts due to material changes in the operating environment'. The Stop the Hale Street Bridge Alliance have called for the final terms of the contracts to be made public.

"A City Hall administration that tries to side-step transparency is out of touch," said spokesman Mr David Bratchford.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman will deliver the city budget next month. In April, Standard & Poor's downgraded Brisbane's credit rating from 'stable' to 'negative'.

A group of approximately 150 St Lucia residents (and some local politicians) gathered in Guyatt Park this afternoon [19/5/07] to protest a telecommunications tower, that Telstra is planning to construct on the corner of Sir Fred Schonell Drive and Ryans Road.

Speaking at the protest, the elusive member for Ryan, Mr Michael Johnson MP said that the consultation process had been "disgraceful".

Telstra recently agreed to a consultative timeframe of two weeks and Mr Ryan said this was a "shockingly short period of time."

He referred to the success of a previous protest in Toowong, which prevented the construction of another Telstra Tower at the Bowls Club near Miskin Street.

He managed not to mention that it was his government that sold Telstra with such lax conditions and regulation that the corporation can pretty well do as it likes. He received a polite applause at the end of his speech.

Greeted with applause, despite being in enemy territory, the academic and Labor candidate for Ryan, Mr Ross Daniels said that the proposed tower reflected the government tendency toward the interests of big corporations. He said that the result of the Telstra sale was a neglect to impose real regulation.

Mr Daniels explained his view that we need to bring back responsibility in government.

Greens Candidate Evan Jones echoed the sentiment that the community has to fight against corporate interests.

During the question and answer session, it was suggested that anyone opposed to the tower direct their feelings to the ACMA (the body supposed to regulate such high-handed action), Telstra and Senator Helen Coonan.

Yes Virginia, There Will Be A National Tally Room In Canberra For The 2007 Federal Election

A media release issued from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) today [18/5/07] states that the Electoral Commissioner, Ian Campbell has advised the AEC would stage a National Tally Room (NTR) in Canberra as part of the 2007 federal election:

Who says the National Tally Room is not necessary? Why any Australian interested in true democracy would argue that we shouldn't have a NTR is perplexing.

Another media release issued today reminded folks about Enrol to Vote Week - 28 May - 1 June:

Enrol! - Otherwise you are disqualified from whingeing about anything the Federal Government does to you over the next three years.

As part of an exhibition about domestic violence at the Brisbane Square Library, you can check out the footwear of some of our more famous Australians.

The "Seventy 7" exhibition, which was developed by the YWCA of Adelaide, highlights the devastating effects of domestic violence in our country. The 77 pairs of shoes represent the average number of intimate partner homicides that occur annually in Australia.

From left to right, Di Morrisey, Alexander Downer, and Germaine Greer's tootsie covers. In case you were confused, the red platforms belong to a famous drag queen! The footy boots are apparently Alexander Downers'.

Check out the footwear of prominent Australians such as Cathy Freeman, Steve Waugh, Missy Higgins and Andrew Denton at the Brisbane Square Library - as you alight the escalator on Level 2.

The shoes these writers, philosophers, musicians and sportspeople have selected to appear in this exhibition, reveal a lot more about their wearers than their concerns about domestic violence!

At first I thought "Spring Hill Voice will scoop the story of Russian spies making a daring Thursday [17/5/07] lunchtime break in to the Brisbane Headquarters of the Australian Federal Police!" Then I realized the building was being washed - and I thought "Scoop!"

Daniel Templeman's sculpture 'Confluence', which is located at the front of the new Brisbane Magistrates Court has been covered up over the past week or so.

Are they affixing bumps or knobs to prevent those Saturday skateboarders using it as a novelty practice area?

Are they taking it away because no-one likes it? And if so, will it be replaced by another sculpture - like a big dollar sign?

Looks like Anzac Square is having some work done, so you might have to take your sandwiches elsewhere for a little while.

Senator Bartlett calls on the people of Brisbane to speak out against Traveston

Queensland Democrat Senator Andrew Bartlett says the people of Brisbane must join the campaign against the Traveston Dam in order to stop the dam going ahead.

Speaking after a Senate Committee hearing into the dam held in Canberra last Friday [11/5/07], Senator Bartlett said the environmental and economic evidence against the dam was stacking up higher with every witness.

“However, in the end it still needs a political decision at either federal or state level to stop this dumb dam, and the public in Brisbane need to apply that political pressure,” Senator Bartlett said.

“The Committee received evidence today from Professor Jean Joss, perhaps the foremost expert in the world on the Queensland lungfish, that the Traveston Dam would almost certainly lead to the extinction of the lungfish in the wild.”

“The Queensland lungfish is perhaps the most scientifically important species of fish in the entire world, yet there seems to be little concern or urgency amongst most people in Brisbane about this pending extinction that is about to occur on their doorstep.”

“The Traveston Dam will be a federal election issue, and it is essential that both Labor and Liberal Parties commit to using the clear powers they have under federal environment laws to stop the dam if evidence shows that the dam has a serious impact on endangered species and wetlands.

“The community around the site of the Traveston Dam are clearly seen as politically expendable, but there are many crucial electorates in and around Brisbane. If they show their opposition, it could well make all the difference between the dam proceeding or being stopped.

“I urge the people of Brisbane to recognise that the Traveston Dam will have no impact on alleviating problems from the current drought, and to raise their voices against the looming environmental and social travesty this dam presents.

Wivenhoe Dam (from the viewing platform above the flood spillway, designed to save the dam in the event of a flood) and the boat ramp at Hamon Cove (from which no boat could be launched and from which no boating water could even be seen. It's dry up there where Brisbane's water comes from.)[14/5/07].

The spillway with the small, hydro-electric unit's outlet, near the right of the photo. The spillway from the hydro looks blue-green and very small for the water wants of Brisbane [14/5/07].

The Temple of Peace, Toowong Cemetery - May 2006 and in May 2007 - boxed and chained - a metaphor for the state of the world today.

Who cares about the Temple of Peace memorial? The heritage listed Temple of Peace, was erected in 1924 by Richard Ramo as a memorial to his four sons, three of whom had died in World War One. The heritage register states:

It has been vandalised a number of times over the past few years, and was boarded up in August last year.

How I wish some lefty organisation would come forward and fix this important Brisbane icon.

The Council chamber is always an interesting place to while away a Tuesday afternoon, and following a number of weeks recess, this Tuesday's [1/5/07] meeting was especially good value.

The day before, [30/4/07] Council debated the extensive recommendations of the Climate Change and Energy Taskforce Report (the taskforce was chaired by Professor Ian Lowe, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation).

In a recent media release, Queensland Greens spokesperson Mr Drew Hutton said that the report was the most important to come before Council in many years and "charted a sensible but far-sighted program of change for the Brisbane community”. Mr Hutton said he was disappointed by Council's recommendations on transport which he says fail to grapple with the enormous contribution of the private motor vehicle to carbon emissions.

“Both Labor and Liberal councillors voted to remove any active verbs from the recommendations, accepted distant outcomes but avoided having to implement anything and largely left it up to the individual consumer to take any action necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

ABC online reported that the Lord Mayor Councillor Newman said he would not support any "crazy or wacky proposals" aimed at getting residents to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Back to Tuesday's Council meeting, Cr Newman announced some of the ways Council plan to tackle climate change. He revealed that Brisbaneites will be able to access a 'City Smart' van, which would drive around Brisbane disseminating information such as how to save energy, and how to calculate one's carbon footprint.

Deputy Mayor David Hinchcliffe suggested that a perfect opportunity to launch the climate change weed bus would be on the 19th July at the Multicultural Community Centre in Fortitude Valley, where there will be an all day climate change forum and screening of 'An Inconvenient Truth'.

He suggested that Brisbane Marketing get on the job and work at attracting businesses to Brisbane. "If you are an early adapter, you have the opportunity to make money," he said. Green Cross will soon set up its Australasian offices in City Hall, which Cr Hinchcliffe says is "a symbolic gesture that will result in tangible actions."

As for community cleanliness, Cr Hinchcliffe said that since the $150 fine for lettering has been introduced, Queen Street Mall staff have indicated there has been a 30% reduction in the amount of litter collected. Remarkably, fewer than 10 fines have been issued.

I missed the chap from Albion's address to Council about the neighbourhood plan, and it was clear the Albionites were out in force in the public gallery. As well as the usual Council media folk buzzing about and looking important, I observed a bunch of keen journalism students who were scribbling so hard, they are certain to be a journalistic force to be reckoned with when they graduate!

Anyway, Cr Hinchcliffe said that the Albion neighbourhood plan was the first statutory neighbourhood plan to be tested. He suggested that resident groups would prefer to see light industry remain in the suburb, rather than residential development, and that the area around old TAB building would be a more appropriate place for residential development.

Cr Schrinner discussed the Rochedale urban community local plan. Rochedale is one of the last farming areas in Brisbane. One might question the wisdom of developing this land. As our oil supplies dwindle, we might need a local place to grow our food. Oh well. Cr Quirk expressed reservations about a planned road across Bulimba Creek from Prebble to Greenwood Street. He said Main Roads are keen to see the potential for a future crossing to remain, but he wants the link ruled out altogether because the residents of Wishart would be impacted by increased traffic movements. Cr Hinchcliffe said that unless the connection is made, Miles Platting Road would be inundated with extra traffic.

Cr Flesser questioned the logic of Council taking out a $245 million loan for the construction of the Hale Street Bridge (plus interest) for the first couple of years before the bridge starts generating income. "We're relying on revenue for this bridge to meet the interest and principal repayments...The ratepayers of Brisbane need to know who's paying for the shortfall," he said.

Back to Albion, and Cr McLachlan put forward a surprise amendment to the neighbourhood plan arguing that more parking be allowed in the TOD (transport oriented development). The Lord Mayor argued that even with a TOD, people still use their private vehicles, and that the point of a TOD is getting cars into underground carparks and off the road. Cr McLachlan accused the Labor councillors of having an agenda to move people out of their cars. There was also a debate regarding whether the the development should be in the vicinity of the TAB or somewhere else.

Cr Hinchcliffe and his fellow councillors abstained from voting on the amendment, which meant that it went through. They then voted on withdrawing the neighbourhood plan, which will be referred back to the community for further consultation. The public gallery erupted with loud clapping.

Council then quickly approved a Development Application to build the 30-storey Agamemnon (as in the Greek tragedy by Aeschylus) Hotel, which will be built at 156 Roma Street. Council's Heritage unit had provisionally listed the existing building on site, however the site is not formally included on the heritage register. As would be expected, the proposal retains the existing facade of the building with a new pedestrian opening proposed at ground level.

Speaking of pedestrians, Cr Quirk spoke on the pedestrian issues in Fortitude Valley. Evidently some money has become available for approximately 17 variable speed signs at a cost of $10,000 per sign, and City Design are in the process of designing the signs.

He then went on to confirm that the Eleanor Schonell bridge will eventually be declared a busway.

Despite the offer of a cup of tea from a kind gentleman (who, from my many observations of Council meetings, ensures the whole shenanigans run smoothly) I had to leave because my husband, Clive Hamilton and a cold beer at the Irish Club were calling! (more on this later)

Despite the threat of climate change, drought and concerns regarding how ratepayers will pay for NSBT, there were no Finance, Public Transport, or Water and City Businesses committee reports for presentation.

Thousands of Brisbane supporters of the war in Iraq are set to descend on Queens Park in the CBD on Tuesday 1 May to celebrate President Bush's announcement four years ago that major combat operations in Iraq had ended.

President Bush gave his rousing 2003 speech from the USS Abraham Lincolm (off the coast of San Diego, California) after bravely flying in on a fighter jet, in case you have forgotten here are some excerpts:

So we expect a big turnout. There will be plenty of flags, hotdogs, cheerleaders, an authentic yankee doodle marching band, Coca-Cola, and it is rumoured a dashing QUT speech and drama student (soon to audition for NIDA) will re-enact President Bush's speech. It is expected that various different media outlets (such as 'The Australian', 'The Courier-Mail', 'City News', 'mX' and several 'Quest' newspapers) will each attend and give their own unique take on the celebrations in a united expression of healthy media diversity here in Queensland.

Those in the reality based communities are not expected to attend. Stay tuned for the photos of this event!

*UPDATE [1/5/07]* Not much of a crowd for the celebrations - maybe next year, when it's the fifth anniversary.

A longtime city worker remembers the small office block tucked between Fridays and the Riparian at 77 Eagle Street (the newly refurbished, Indigo House):

In her story about Indigo House in Friday's [4/5/07] 'Australian Financial Review', Lisa Allen reports:

Well the percentile number of current Brisbane commercial office vacancy rates is debatable, but it was interesting to read that all leases in Indigo House have demolition clauses, and that "GPT are expected to acquire 545 Queen Street from developer APH in a deal potentially worth $120 million".

Interestingly, in the 'Gold Coast Bulletin', [3/5/07] there's a story by Shannon Willoughby which states that the Juniper Group has instigated court action to remove the iconic Rose and Crown nightclub from Raptis Plaza, which is owned by The Juniper Group. (Raptis Plaza will be incorporated into the Soul development).

Heritage Listed Mountview House is believed to have been designed and constructed by John Petrie and was built in the 1860s for Brisbane carpenter Daniel McNaught. The two-storeyed brick wing was designed by Andrea Stombuco and added in 1882, when the house was converted into a preparatory school for boys.

Mountview House features ye olde wrought iron trimmed verandahs, cosy fireplaces, a chimney and hipped roof (yep, you can still see the shingles!).

In December 2005, a Development Application was lodged with the Brisbane City Council to build an eleven storey residential tower behind Mountview House. It is still being assessed.

The Brisbane City Council recently released the final report on the Howard Smith Wharves community consultation, which was held in November last year.

Located in Petrie Bight beneath the the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves is the last major undeveloped river frontage in the city centre. According to the Queensland Heritage Register, the wharves were constructed in the 1930s, and provide rare surviving evidence of the Port of Brisbane in the central city. The wharves ceased operating in the 1960s, and were used as a base by the Queensland Water Police until the 1980s. In recent weeks, they've provided an additional place, on the increasingly crowded Brisbane River, for commercial watercraft, such as Captain Cook cruises and the Lone Pine charter vessel, to dock.

The report revealed that the participants in the community consultation expressed concern that economic imperatives and "an urgency to achieve outcomes" not become the sole drivers of the redevelopment, and that a "money-dominated development" did not over-ride the wishes of the local community, leading to a destination only accessible to one type of citizen.

Participants were keen that the river walk experience and connection through the site be enhanced, and views to the city, cliffs and Story Bridge be maintained. They also said that the heritage structures and their settings, and the indigenous cultural heritage of the site should be protected.

Some of the suggestions for the Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment included: small scale cultural facilities and entertainment venues, an outside artist gallery, workshop and theatre, restaurants, bars, a bed and breakfast, high quality 5/6 star hotel, boutique retail shops, playground, recreational use of cliffs, public swimming pool, marine facilities/jetties (for private boat and water craft), a skateable realm and multi-purpose youth space. It was agreed that the wharves should be a place that's a bit different and creative - "not just another boring riverside park".

The Howard Smith Wharves report concludes that it will now be possible to test a "destination plan" and "development proposition" in line with formulating options for Council "financing and delivering the revitalisation". Council are yet to respond to my queries regarding the next step for the Howard Smith Wharves, and whether it will involve calling for tenders on development proposals for the site.

In 2005, I asked Council why one of our sculptures - Jon Barlow Hudson's stainless steel, 32 metre high, 'Paradigm' (commissioned for World Expo 88) was sitting in pieces under the Story Bridge. I was advised that 'Paradigm' was "in storage" and that its reassembly and relocation was a "budget issue". Perhaps this sculpture will be incorporated in the wharf redevelopment!

The final report 'Where to next with the revitalisation of the Howard Smith Wharves, which was prepared for Council by the Hornery Institute, can be found by searching 'Howard Smith Wharves' at: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Spring Hill Resident and Architect Proposed Recycling Water Over 100 Years Ago!

Architect and one-time Spring Hill resident, the imaginative Andrea Stombuco, was a man ahead of his time. Sure, he racked up huge accounts for luxurious items with the local store, and eventually abandoned his wife, but while Stombuco was living in Spring Hill (according to the Brisbane History Group's 'Stombuco Heritage Tour', he was listed in street directories and electoral rolls as occupying the Royal Oak Hotel, Leichhardt Street from 1877-79 and a Gloucester Street House from 1883-86) he invented an ingenious sanitary device that created much interest throughout the stinky smelly Brisbane of the early 1880s.

In his book 'Stombuco, The Building Of Brisbane In The Nineteenth Century', Piero P. Giorgi relates that Stombuco invented a new model of water-closet that challenged Brisbane health authorities with “new ideas on the treatment of toilet affluents”. In 1877 he installed the water closet at the Royal Oak Hotel in Leichhardt Street, where he was the licensee.

The Brisbane History Group's 'Stombuco Heritage Tour' states that in 1883 several gentleman drank the water from Stombuco's closet without any effect. The 'Stombuco closet' was “keenly discussed in the local press, but his idea was ultimately rejected in 1883 by health authorities.” It worked, but it didn't fit in with the prevailing wisdom of “dunny cans” so Brisbane missed out on an environmental shot at fame.

Andrea Stombuco is responsible for some of Brisbane's more beautiful nineteenth century architecture. Inner city examples of his work include: the mansions on Petrie Terrace, St Patricks Church and All Hallows in Fortitude Valley and Palma Rosa at Hamilton. In Spring Hill, the two-storeyed brick wing of Mountview House on Leichhardt Street was designed by Andrea Stombuco and added in 1882, when the house was converted into a preparatory school for boys.

Laisby Drive appears in the postal directories in 1940. Laisby and Son ran a grocers in Fortesque Street in the 1940s. Herbert Laisby also had a shot at managing the Spring Hill Picture Palace for a couple of years in the mid-1920s. He must have been a charming (as well as adaptable) Spring Hill businessman to have had a Street named after him.

The Spring Hill Picture Palace, opened in 1911, was located on Leichhardt Street between Wharf and Henry Streets - around the site where 196 Wharf Street stands today. Jonathan Landers managed the Picture Palace up until the mid-twenties and an S. H. Francis rolled the reel and sold the munchies for a year or two after Herbert Laisby. The Spring Hill Picture Palace disappeared from the directories in around 1926, the same year one of Charles Chauvel's first films 'Moth of Moonbi', premiered in Brisbane.

Although the postal directories list picture theatres in Red Hill, Paddington and Fortitude Valley in the 1920s and beyond, no cinema is listed at Spring Hill from that time onward. Perhaps the authorities closed The Spring Hill Picture Palace down because it attracted a rough crowd and was a venue for rival gangs of the day to hold their brawls. Maybe it was too expensive to rewire for the arrival of the "talkies". Alternatively, the punters may have found open-air cinemas passé, preferring the comforts of indoor picture theatres like the Elite (now the Dendy in George Street). Whatever the case may be, it's nice to know the suburb has its own little piece of Australian cinematic history.

(Over the past few years, the author of this website has accumulated a vast database of historical information pertaining to Spring Hill. If you are interested, contact: spring_hill_voice@hotmail.com)

David Hicks returned to Australia aboard a mysterious private Gulfstream jet registered "N90AM" last week. He is being held in an Adelaide jail and there is no sign yet of a legal challenge to his incarceration in Australia, even though it seems illegal to most bush lawyers. No one has yet mentioned any "Australian" Law to justify keeping Hicks locked up! Five years in the bin because he was a political problem? Even the most rabidly "Right Wing" Australians would surely agree that fair dinkum and honest people don't need to be fed scare-crap like this?

'Sixty-Minutes' featured a story with the mother of his children, which only emphasised the rough treatment of this political prisoner. Of course, the unanswered question is: 'How many people did Hicks kill, hurt, harm or terrorise?', if the answer is "None, really", then surely we need to wonder about this whole "terror" thing?

The ABC's Leigh Sales has written a book about Hicks entitled 'Detainee 002: The Case Of David Hicks'. If you have no idea about the last six years or so of Hicks' life, and you consider yourself educated, you really should read this book.

At the least, it should be considered in the same class as a "David Hicks For Dummies" ™ handbook and it is worth a read. Put another way: "Before You Buy The Government's Story You May Be Best Looking At This Book!!".

If you are puzzled by the popular swing toward the authoritarian model, you may find this story instructive and preventative.

Tucked behind 'Subway', on Boundary Street, is a delightful little noodle bar where you can grab a delicious, good value lunch.

Le Soleil offers a variety of Asian dishes, noodles, soups, sushi, and is a popular lunchtime choice with public servants, students, federal agents, and a smattering of locals - including underemployed writers and their long suffering husbands. Its low key atmosphere, friendly staff, and leafy courtyard make it a pleasant retreat from the inner-city hustle and bustle.

For $19.10, we chowed down on Japanese style chicken with rice, vegetable laksa, a can of Kirk's ginger ale and a Baco's apple and mango juice. The service was quick, and our meals were delicious. Fresh, hot, and well presented with chilli and soy condiments.

Sit inside with one of the newspapers and magazines, outside overlooking the trees and hum of Boundary Street, or takeaway if you're in a hurry.

Clive Hamilton's latest book 'Scorcher: The Dirty Politics of Climate Change' is a neat expose of tactics employed by the Australian Government to foster community ignorance about the impact of climate change.

'Scorcher' is a compelling tale of deception, pigheadedness and downright disregard for the future. Any dissemination of the truth about climate change has been manipulated by what Hamilton calls the "greenhouse mafia", and our 'national interest' has been hijacked by the commercial interests of the fossil fuel industry.

Way back in 1981, Hamilton reveals that an Office of National Assessments Report addressed to a bespectacled bureaucrat, Mr J. Howard, Department of National Development and Energy, indicated that there would be far reaching economic and political ramifications of climate change.

Australia's arrogance in the negotiation of a landclearing loophole at Kyoto in 1997 is a pivotal point for Hamilton, who considers that this has fostered a diminishing respect for Australia in the international community.

"The outcome of the Kyoto conference at the end of 1997, while celebrated as a great victory by government left most Australians feeling uneasy. After all, world environmental leaders were not supposed to rejoice when they had, through threats, been let off the hook and avoided their environmental responsibilities."

Hamilton dissects and debunks common myths perpetrated by the government and their preferred propaganda outlet - the Murdoch press:

"It will be perhaps 50 years before developing countries match the pollution created by the rich countries over the last two centuries."

He also suggests that the promotion of "green consumerism" rather than properly addressing environmental degradation, is an obstacle to urgently needed reform:

"The assignment of individual responsibility is consistent with the economic rationalist view of the world, which wants everything left to the unfettered market, even when the market manifestly fails...While well-intentioned individual actions are not to be criticised in themselves, when they are sold as the answer to environmental decline, they actually obstruct the path to the real solutions."

The book includes plenty of references to politicians behaving badly - the story of former Minister for the Environment Senator Ian Campbell and the Bald Hills wind farm is one example. While the utter hypocrisy regarding Tuvalu, in 2001 is astonishing:

"Having refused point-blank to countenance accepting environmental refugees from Tuvalu, a few weeks later the Australian Government approached Tuvalu to accept Middle Eastern asylum seekers turned away from Australia."

There's a lot of money to be made by stifling community opinion, and the "communications professionals" who pay their mortgages engaging in these practices ought to be ashamed of themselves. Hamilton relates that a workshop in 2005 held by a Canadian PR consultant - 'Activists: how to beat them at their own game', sponsored by the Institute of Public Affairs and the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA), was attended by a who's who of industry, government, PR people and representatives from Rio Tinto, Shell and Dow Chemical.

"The involvement of PRIA was curious because astroturfing is condemned by the more respectable end of the PR industry."

Hamilton concludes that the power wielded by the anti-greenhouse forces has meant Australia has already lost a decade or more due to inaction.

Obviously, leaving the issue of climate change for the government to deal with means our future will be bleak.

Hamilton's book 'Growth Fetish' was published in 2003 and became a national bestseller, as did his most recent books, 'Affluenza' and 'Silencing Dissent'. Hamilton is executive director of the Australia Institute, an independent thin-tank based in Canberra.

'Scorcher: The Dirty Politics of Climate Change' by Clive Hamilton, Black Ink. Agenda, $29.95

Remember the old dragsters from the 1970s? Seems like there has been a revival - here's just one example.

Jewel Mackenzie's '49 Towards' exhibition at Raw Space Gallery, South Brisbane [captured 15/5/07]

An Intimate Labour Day Sausage Sizzle - Mt Coot-tha [7/5/07] - Just you, me, and a kookaburra or three!

Anybody know what happened to the Freers Farmhouse on the Mt Coot-tha drive, at the intersection of Simpsons Road? The empty chip factory, orange and poinsiana trees and Charolais are still there - well - are big, white bulls called Charolais?

Do we really need a BCC sign sullying the sombre serenity of the Anzac Square War Memorial? [captured 6/5/07] We all know there's a frickin' drought and we really don't care whether the water in this particular fountain is "potable", "recycled", or "straight from the tap". Indeed, I never really thought fountain water could be described as "potable" - how old fashioned! In any case, if governments had sent their "important drought message" to the industries that are the real heavy users of water, perhaps we wouldn't have such a problem now - and our fountainic icons would be runnething over.

Is this guerrilla marketing? [snapped in a Boundary Street bus shelter 6/5/07] Spiderman may say that the greatest battle lies within, but as long as you've filled up on a well-priced wonton soup or teriyaki beef from the best little hidden noodle joint in Spring Hill, you'll be ready for anything!