QUEENSLAND

INDEPENDENT NETWORK

Wednesday 10 September 2008

The recent action by Paul Lucas, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, in ‘calling in’ the approval process for the redevelopment of the heritage listed ‘Yungaba’ building and site stands in stark contrast to the action taken by the Government against the owners of ‘Keating House’ another heritage listed building located at Indooroopilly.

While Mr Lucas has effectively removed the proper planning process from the State owned ‘Yungaba’ by the ‘calling in’ of the development application, thus facilitating the redevelopment of the site, the owners of ‘Keating House’ stand to be penalised to the extent of $75,000 for allegedly ‘allowing the building to fall into disrepair’.

Ms Delene Cuddihy, convener of the Yungaba Action Group said that Mr. Lucas, by using his ‘call in’ powers and thwarting the normal appeal process, had demonstrated for all to see just how inconsistent and arrogant the Bligh Government had become.

She said “The actions of Mr. Lucas amounted to nothing short of profound hypocrisy and inconsistency and he should reverse his ‘call in’ action if for no other reason than to show that the legal process was not subject to political tampering”.
Ms Cuddihy said that Yungaba was a State (taxpayer) owned and heritage listed property with a long and rich history of Queensland’s past immigration, directly touching many Queensland families. Unfortunately, as the site is located in a well-known prime real estate precinct, it also has enormous development potential.

Ms Cuddihy said that the State Government itself had let Yungaba run-down in the lead-up to the proposed sale, with large parts of it being “condemned” as unsafe to enter in the last few years. “How could they let this happen to one of the ten most significant buildings in Queensland’s history? This is an indictment on their inability to manage Queensland’s heritage. Will the government fine themselves for allowing Yungaba to fall into disrepair?”

She said on the other hand the privately owned “Keating House”, a later heritage listing than Yungaba, was substantially unknown to Queenslanders and of far less importance for Queensland’s history until it recently became a news item due to its alleged state of disrepair.

Ms Cuddihy said the Yungaba Action Group would continue to make representations to the Minister in an effort to save ‘Yungaba’, but suggested the Minister was now expediting the matter, without public consultation, to ensure the proposed sale was finalised well before the State election.

With recalcitrant State & Federal Governments, acting in the best interests of the incumbent majority political party rather than the best interests of Australians, our historic; heritage-listed; and taxpayer-owned assets; are being sold-off to pay for the excesses of politicians.

When is enough, enough?

It’s your choice!

Visit the WebSite: YUNGABA ACTION GROUP … and sign the ‘Petition’ to SAVE YUNGABA.

For further information on the peaceful Public Rally to be held at the Community Cabinet Consultation Meeting this coming Sunday 14th September, commencing at 1.00pm at the Belmont State School, Old Cleveland Road, Carindale,
please contact Ms Delene Cuddihy on 0402 597 259 or Martin Knox: 0411 041 209