THE PUBLISHER'S POINT

We need to grow up and embrace what the new $90M Council building represents

If social media commentary is anything to go by, I can already feel my inbox blowing up. I unequivocally support the new development in the Hervey Bay City Centre as a fantastic landmark statement that says to all, ‘Hervey Bay has grown up’. Sure, the project will feature a new public plaza, a larger library over two levels and a stack of event spaces, but it is the essence of the bold project that signals our region is finally shedding its sleepy fishing village persona. Hundreds of jobs will be created, and local businesses will reap huge benefits during and after construction. Not everyone will agree about the need to create a social, economic, and cultural heart in

Hervey Bay, but the same people who object to it are likely less affronted by the value of their home soaring by 20% across the last two years as Hervey Bay establishes itself as a prosperous city on the move. Council is stumping up the money through a Federal Government Grant north of $40 Million, selling Council land and general revenue. I don’t get the backlash. What’s the problem? You don’t see droves of people flooding Facebook with keyboard pitch forks in hand when much loved cane fields are converted to land estates. The difference of course, in this instance, is every ratepayer thinks they are paying for it. That may be partly true, but aren’t we all

invested in having our rates pay for things that make our city a more desirable and cosmopolitan place to live and work? This is a Tier One builder’s job which means it won’t be awarded to a local company, but Council could do much worse than vigorously including a heavily weighted condition around local sub-contractors and suppliers and selling that to the community. They also should have launched the building with an appropriate name, perhaps in honour of a long term and highly respected community champion, to galvanise it from the chirpings of Bruce Saunders and others. Overall - It’s a big fat tick from me. Email me and tell me what you think.