tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post1646342113898485634..comments2023-04-20T04:34:11.624+10:00Comments on CAIRNS HILLBILLY WATCH - DAILY LIFE IN CAIRNS, QLD EXPLAINED BY RATIONAL, THINKING PEOPLE: CRC ELECTION WASHUP - WHAT DID THE VOTERS REALLY SAY?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-5934575988423900422012-05-24T21:14:01.355+10:002012-05-24T21:14:01.355+10:00In response to Dean @ 24/5/12 09:4…no it won’t inc...In response to Dean @ 24/5/12 09:4…no it won’t increase our rates any more than CPI and services could very well improve to the levels we were accustomed too! Yes prices etc. have gone up (as they have everywhere and usually always will) and we are already paying for that under CRC. The major increase in rates in Douglas occurred shortly after amalgamation…up to 50% in many cases! The Douglas area is NOT subsidised by Cairns and I ask that you to prove that ridiculous assumption. Ironically, if that were true, you and anyone else living in Cairns would surely be saying “bring on the de-amalgamation!” The answer to your last question…yes!Teresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-35988256201829999632012-05-24T16:56:39.759+10:002012-05-24T16:56:39.759+10:00Dean, I'm afraid you just don't get it. Th...Dean, I'm afraid you just don't get it. The repercussions of "identity theft" can be devastating for individuals but just as horrendous for communities as the residents of Douglas have discovered over the past four years since amalgamation. Self determination is a basic right and one of those things people take for granted until it's undemocratically taken away from them. Then they discover how much the things they've always valued really mean to them. I could start listing them here but time and space prevent it - I would however say that most of the suppositions you are making are incorrect. Or, giving you the benefit of the doubt, ill-informed. If you want to get up to speed on this issue - particularly in relation to costs - I suggest you read the letter from Douglas former mayor Mike Berwick in today's Mossman & Port Douglas Gazette or check out the detailed analysis on the Friends of Douglas Shire website www.friendsofdouglasshire.orgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-59963119784283576722012-05-24T09:46:25.195+10:002012-05-24T09:46:25.195+10:00You want your Douglas Identity, but at what cost? ...You want your Douglas Identity, but at what cost? It will no doubt cost the Douglas rate payers more under deamalgamation than under CRC, or existing services will need to be reduced.<br /><br />Prices have gone way up for everything since Douglas was its own shire. Garbage, roads, reticulation, all the basics will cost a lot more than pre-amalgamation.<br /><br />I doubt the 100 year old Douglas identity is worth the increased rates. Make no mistake, the expansive Douglas shire is subsidised by Cairns, not the other way around. Do you really think sticking more Councillors and Managers on a Douglas only payroll will improve life in Douglas?Deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-26728664611870408302012-05-23T22:44:46.700+10:002012-05-23T22:44:46.700+10:00Dean, whether you meant to or not is irrelevant......Dean, whether you meant to or not is irrelevant...but you absolutely nailed it with your comment in regard to the de-amalgamation of Douglas from Cairns..."I'm not sure exactly what the locals will get out of it, except identity?"<br />Almost poetic...hopefully prophetic!Teresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-39540705624990928022012-05-23T16:13:45.019+10:002012-05-23T16:13:45.019+10:00Just because they were roped in with an easy ride ...Just because they were roped in with an easy ride doesn't mean they don't care. They gave Bates a gig, knowing he ran for ALP preselection. One can only wonder what the other Councillors stand for. They could be full blown socialists, anarchists or fascists. I doubt Manning and Byrne vetted them too much, just picked semi-popular local identities.<br /><br />95% of Council votes are no-brainers, so they'll be a team most of the time. It's only about one vote every couple of months that will be contentious.Deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-71451988912273652242012-05-23T10:28:26.060+10:002012-05-23T10:28:26.060+10:00Dean, you have some high falutin' expectations...Dean, you have some high falutin' expectations of the Unity Team. It won't be long before they all come crashing down to earth, I reckon. The Unity Councillor for Division 9will wait his instructions from Manning/Byrne as to Taylor Point, wait and see. I can't see Bates going into opposition mode either nor any time soon. I'm all for de-amalgamation of Douglas Shire. It is too large and too complex for just one person.Abner T. Dogpatch of Bogansvillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-26628666815965575012012-05-23T08:38:39.175+10:002012-05-23T08:38:39.175+10:00It's true the Councillors didn't do it tou...It's true the Councillors didn't do it tough to get elected, but the hate campaign was 4 years, long before any of them ran. You can't blame them for the antics of the media. Manning's supposed to be the nice guy (even though he aint) so it pretty much only leaves Mr James to whip people into line publicly. Given the team is so politically inexperienced, people like Bates with a long political history would relish the fight rather than revile from it like many of the Unity team will.<br /><br />Taylor Point may be an early tipping point. Council has to decide whether to fight a new appeal in the courts. If the 'Unity' member for Division 9 doesn't oppose the development, they're going to have an enormous amount of scrutiny and opposition from their constituents. <br /><br />I'm sure at least some of the 'Unity' team want to do good for their constituents and perhaps run again for Council.<br /><br />As for deamalgamation, I'm not sure if the people of Douglas will get better outcomes from having their own Council. It's not like Leu is being outvoted on issues in her area, so more representation isn't required. Maintenance etc are still undertaken out of the Mossman depot, I'm not sure exactly what it is the locals will get out of it, except identity?Deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-48631327400393495582012-05-23T08:01:14.748+10:002012-05-23T08:01:14.748+10:00I agree with anonymous (20/5/12 - 09.42) re: de-am...I agree with anonymous (20/5/12 - 09.42) re: de-amalgamation. HBW, please don't write off de-amalgamation, just because it is too big an issue or because you may not understand all the factors involved...is that not the "Cueball" modus operandi? You wrote "The CBD needs more attention than one councillor can reasonably be expected to provide"...the former Douglas Shire (not including Palm Cove and Clifton Beach) is larger than the rest of the CRC area put together. Our ONE representative often has more agenda items relating to Division 10 in one meeting than some councillors would for an entire month of meetings. Our ONE representative, on average, drives about 1000 kms a week meeting with her electorate and attending council and a myriad of other meetings. The issues are diverse and often complex. I could go on...and on!<br />Please read the financial model for de-amalgamation that was presented at a public meeting last December. It can be found at www.friendsofdouglasshire.org.au <br />Maybe you could devote an entire blog entry (or more) to this subject, once more factors are known to you. If you wish to contact representatives of Friends of Douglas Shire for more information the email address is info@friendsofdouglasshire.org.au<br />As with the rest of Cairns, we (the residents of the former Douglas Shire) are in dire need of independent and informed reporting on such issues and HBW is one of the few forums that seems to be trying to provide such information. Please don't let us down on this major issue.Teresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-25107158732122543182012-05-22T22:23:09.162+10:002012-05-22T22:23:09.162+10:00Im in agreement with Dogpatch. Unity are basically...Im in agreement with Dogpatch. Unity are basically a bunch of self-serving opportunists who had no compunction or moral principles in riding into office on the hysterical tsunami deliberately created by the media. They had no qualms about the deliberate demonisation of Val Schier nor the disgusting misogynism preached by King and Mackenzie. They will all do as little as possible to bring attention on themselves, some will do a Bonneau and Blake act and ignore the people in their Divisions, and at the end of four years will fuck off into the sunset laughing like Christ at the easy money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-3746132307427956822012-05-22T21:03:56.710+10:002012-05-22T21:03:56.710+10:00I agree Abner T. Dogpatch. Most of the Unity Team ...I agree Abner T. Dogpatch. Most of the Unity Team are obviously only in it for one term, Manning included. They don't have any intention of fronting up to the voter in four years and being "accountable" for their actions. They had an easy win alright, none of them obviously troubled by the media persecution of Val Schier, the blatant misogynism unleashed by King and Mackenzie, and the hysteria generated by Mackenzie over the Entertainment Precinct. They all rode effortlessly into Council on the wave of the media hatefest and hysteria. So much for their lack of personal ethics. I don't have any expectations of integrity from any of these blatant self-serving opportunists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-82190169669747394842012-05-22T19:24:08.724+10:002012-05-22T19:24:08.724+10:00Why would any of the Unity Councillors stick their...Why would any of the Unity Councillors stick their necks out? They have all had an easy, cushy ride into office buoyed along by the media machine and their "hate Val" four year long campaign. It was a dead easy win for them. Effortless. They are mostly all close to or past retirement age, and now getting the big money to sock away for their dotage. All they have to do is to Vote "AYE" to whatever Manning and Byrne want, do whatever Manning and Byrne say, agree amicably with and fawn all over rugnut, and they will have an easy,soft, cushy term in office. After that they will piss off to the Gold Coast for a lucrative retirement. Most of them are obviously only in it for one term and the money. Frankly, we have a team of flubbery "Yes" flunkies. I doubt any will ever step out of line let alone dare to voice a contrary opinion. Byrne has got exactly what he wants.Abner T. Dogpatchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-13261006364617066352012-05-22T17:19:54.173+10:002012-05-22T17:19:54.173+10:00Just a point Dean, if there is any split or dissen...Just a point Dean, if there is any split or dissention within the Unity Team, the dissenting Councillors are likely to be demonised by both rugnut and the compost.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-67759666966848981732012-05-22T09:41:14.278+10:002012-05-22T09:41:14.278+10:00Leu, Pyne and Cooper have a history of putting the...Leu, Pyne and Cooper have a history of putting their constituents first and they're the only cadidates who were re-elected, so you would think they'll continue to do the same. <br /><br />Bates was beaten by Lesina for preselection for the ALP(presumably because she had a higher profile). Well, he has a bigger profile now. Not sure how he'll go representing his constituents, but I don't think that's his main game. I think he'll toe the party line until there's a sniff of another dissenter and the group will be on a knife edge. Terry James will be the Cr screaming bloody traitor when it happens and he'll be relentless. Should be interesting, it's just such a long and boring process. <br /><br />BTW, this will all have basically zero impact on the economy or anything material in Cairns, though they'll make it sound like it does. The only possibility of it coming to a head soon, is if two of the Unity Team decide they're for the CEP when they realise there is no realistic alternative and they're going to lose the funding. That's about a 0.5-1% chance of happening.Deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-87198510251064893842012-05-22T09:38:12.076+10:002012-05-22T09:38:12.076+10:00Hehehehe, Dean, I know this is only speculation at...Hehehehe, Dean, I know this is only speculation at this time, but I am laughing at the spectacle of old Manning having to be in the Chamber to cast the deciding votes if the Council ends up evenly split. Christ allmighty, won't I laugh if it gets to that. Manning will be tossing and turning feverishly in his bed at night, wondering if another Councillor "goes rogue" on him. Hehehehee.jim-bob bogan snr.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-14542292487236668502012-05-22T09:08:18.194+10:002012-05-22T09:08:18.194+10:00Interesting comments above Dean. We can only hope....Interesting comments above Dean. We can only hope.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-22906160519121057192012-05-22T08:29:41.903+10:002012-05-22T08:29:41.903+10:00Cr Cooper voted for the CEP when it would've b...Cr Cooper voted for the CEP when it would've been probably a more populous/safer decision to reject it. It seems she's after more than just political survival. <br /><br />Bates is setting himself for a run at State (probably for the ALP against King) so he'll be looking to not only make a name for himself, but to differentiate from the LNP/Unity team and any chance to dig the boots into King, he'll be taking it. He might wait a year to gain some credibility before he splits though. It will probably take a year or two for the cojones to drop, but a so called "Unity" team that falls apart is more on the nose than a collection of independants executing democracy.<br /><br />If what you're saying about another member of the team is true, that's already 5 votes.Deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-20064192501931537352012-05-22T06:52:38.939+10:002012-05-22T06:52:38.939+10:00Jethro Bogan, I seem to have heard something along...Jethro Bogan, I seem to have heard something along similar lines. One of the Unity Team apparently has been asking HARD questions around the town. Something might be just ticking away up there between the ears. Time will tell. As ruby red dress pointed out, there could well be an "I" in the t-e-a-m. Now that wouldn't that rot old Byrnesey's socks hey? LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-51825063424409430302012-05-22T04:26:50.554+10:002012-05-22T04:26:50.554+10:00Dean, you said, above, "Pyne, Cooper, Bates a...Dean, you said, above, "Pyne, Cooper, Bates and Leu only need one more Councillor to form an Opposition Group". - ummm well. I doubt very much that either Bates or Cooper will oppose much, both will look after Number One in Council. However dissent might well come from the ranks of the Unity Team itself. I have been hearing a bit about one of the team who seems to have quite a bit up between the ears and may not be a pushover for Byrne and Manning. Nuff said. Let's wait and see.Jethro Bogannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-48677357176181872952012-05-21T16:23:37.390+10:002012-05-21T16:23:37.390+10:00I wonder just who "Anonymous 12.38" is? ...I wonder just who "Anonymous 12.38" is? The comments seem repetitive and sparse on language, indicating it is the same person. I'm wondering if it isn't a certain someone who lost out at the last Council Election, and who is projecting an extreme case of sour grapes? They would do better to sit back, prick up their ears and focus steadfastly on the new Manning led Council. It won't be "one for all and all for one" for too much longer. 'I' will soon make an appearance in the t-e-a-m.ruby red dressnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-19225792420618748132012-05-21T13:52:51.919+10:002012-05-21T13:52:51.919+10:00Jim M in Edge Hill, every bit as sleazy as when th...Jim M in Edge Hill, every bit as sleazy as when the Editor (Gavin King) refused to publish my letters stating that Anna NEVER said the sale of the airport was to "build a brand new hospital", but to upgrade the existing hospital plus buy land for a new one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-16158495134442059072012-05-21T12:36:06.816+10:002012-05-21T12:36:06.816+10:00I was the one that left the comment about the purc...I was the one that left the comment about the purchase of the video screens by Val & the previous council. A purchase even endorsed by former vice mayor Cochrane. And I was as surprised as anyone that the comment was removed in exchange for comments somehow giving Bob Manning credit for this big screen broadcast.<br /><br />The Cairns Post is sleazier and sleazier. I object.Jim M in Edge Hillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-27338591266105526612012-05-21T12:08:47.104+10:002012-05-21T12:08:47.104+10:00Dean, thanks for pointing out the deficiency in ca...Dean, thanks for pointing out the deficiency in capital needed to build a rectangular sports stadium from my previous post. I inadvertently omitted a zero!<br /><br />Your comparison with Melbourne is valid. Barlow Park caters perfectly well to Cairns' current needs. And, yes, I too am a sports lover (a former sports desk sub-editor no less) who fully appreciates the value of sport in society, if appalled at the feud mentality and bloodlust that State of Origin engenders. I just fervently hope that, locally, it's not at the expense of arts & culture.Tony Hillierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06811119917896735831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-35909040276173962072012-05-21T11:58:27.299+10:002012-05-21T11:58:27.299+10:00I noticed early this morning that the first commen...I noticed early this morning that the first comment in the Cairns Post story about Manning and the big screen said that the Council's big screen was actually Val's initiative, and Manning shouldn't be taking the credit for it. Then, shortly afterwards, that comment was removed and a comment praising Manning appeared.Matt Heirinknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-66123596639810988132012-05-21T11:48:14.202+10:002012-05-21T11:48:14.202+10:00$5 million might get you a design and planned Rect...$5 million might get you a design and planned Rectangular Stadium, but to actually build one will cost you upwards of $50m. That's before you take into account purchasing land, parking, traffic etc.<br /><br />It's totally unnecessary when the only rugby games in town at Barlow get a couple of hundred people max. Melbourne had two soccer teams and two rugby teams before they could justify building a rectangular stadium. For 10 years prior, they were happy to use Olympic Park, for one soccer and one rugby team, which was worse than Barlow Park.<br /><br />A stadium like that, without a national sport will be 10 times the burden on rate payers as the CEP. It's a nonsense.Deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182703408922632531.post-50275646674193402162012-05-21T10:51:35.075+10:002012-05-21T10:51:35.075+10:00Welcome to Boganville and Mayor Manning's brav...Welcome to Boganville and Mayor Manning's brave [sic] new world of farts & kulture! We might not be getting an Entertainment Precinct, but we will have a big screen on the 'nard on which to watch the thugby league's annual gladiatorial boofhead fest. It's not as though the State of Origin clash won't be on every screen, in every bar in Cairns anyway. The waterfront will no doubt be awash with tinnies come Thursday morning, and the CBD chockablock with drunks and testosterone-charged young dickheads. Well done, Mr Mayor. The silly old fart can be seen disporting himself in a Queensland guernsey in today's Compost.<br /><br />Is this the shape of things to come .... $5 million rectangular playing field et al? Under Manning's watch, Cairns is in real danger of evaporating into a cultural backwater, when it could have become a hub of cultural tourism, a jewel of the South Pacific region.Tony Hillierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06811119917896735831noreply@blogger.com