A longtime Kenmore resident with a 91-year-old husband dying in hospital just had her “No Bypass” sign stolen from her private property. More signs have been defaced. Is this what our community has come to? Is a few minutes (if that) of commute time worth the sacrifice of the respect and peace of our residents, as well as beloved green public space and hundreds of millions of dollars? This is an outrageous, childish, demeaning response to the heartfelt effort of citizens expressing themselves in a civil manner. We ask Dr. Bruce Flegg, Liberal member of Moggill and chief proponent of the Bypass, to speak out in protest of this vandalism and theft.
We just heard from the woman, who has been a resident near the corridor for 40 years. Despite having her husband dying in hospital, she put up a sign to support our cause to speak out against the Kenmore Bypass. Overnight her sign was stolen by someone coming onto her private property. She is distraught and could not stop crying on the phone. She is too upset and intimidated to put up another sign.
This morning, Kat reported from her drive into the city that two of the “No Bypass” signs along the route were vandalised. Some clever wag covered up the “No” with a paper “Yes”, presumably entering private property to do so.
I am just the website admin but now I am really ticked off. I have sent to Dr. Flegg a letter requesting that he publically speak out against this behaviour by those who support his position by defacing the work of his constituents. I have offered to publish his response here on this blog so both supporters and opponents of the Bypass can see that we all want a civil exchange of views, not a demeaning and offensive campaign of vandalism.
For our part, we urge our supporters never to deface signs and notices put up by those who support the bypass, and always to respect public and private property as we put up our own signs. If anyone sees inappropriate action by our supporters, please contact us immediately so we may rectify it.
This shameful behaviour by those who dislike our opposition to the destructive Bypass is not acceptable, and it should inspire us to redouble our efforts to make our voices heard. Please put up signs and take action in every way you can. Obviously we are up against a large number of people who, desperate for any fix to traffic woes, are being conned into a knee-jerk, 20th century solution to a 21st-century problem. We know that most of our opponents want, as we do, a full and fair consideration which brings the very best solution. Let’s agree to do this in a civil manner and condemn those who want to drag this down into the mud. We ask everyone to join us.
Keep an eye on the comments section below, where we will post any updates on this issue.
7 Comments to “Vandalism and theft of our signs– all, including Dr. Flegg, must speak out”
Stephanie
My heart goes out to the lady who had her sign stolen from her private property at this very difficult time, she has shown her support for something she believes in, stopping the Kenmore Bypass and that is very courageous. If only the greater Kenmore community could show some strength and compassion and reach out to the many people who are really hurting in our area. Has anyone thought about how the people are feeling about losing their homes. There are many reasons why the Kenmore Bypass should be stopped but none greater than caring for our own people and saying NO KENMORE BYPASS. Are we all that displaced from each other that we can’t help others in our own community and suburb.
Kathy
I agree with Stephanie and Andrew.
Firstly, it’s a worry when people sink so low. They might say they didn’t realise how elderly the poor lady was - let’s hope they know now and feel bad but I doubt it as people who’d venture onto someone else’s property and steal or deface obviously have no concern for others. Could ‘admin’ please tell her we’re all thinking of her.
Secondly, re some of Andrew’s comments. I’ve been here 16 years and as more and more lovely homes were built around the proposed ‘bypass’ area, must admit I relaxed a little and thought surely it won’t happen if these homes are being allowed to be built so close to the road.
Another point Andrew made was re “B-Doubles, Semi-Trailers, and Cars, 24 hours a day”. Why would any government deliberately channel long haul trucks and mega quantities of traffic into heavily populated inner suburban areas, affecting not just the proposed new route but the Western Freeway and beyond? Surely it can’t be to increase potential tolls for the northern link - I’ve heard tolls have to be viable before any private consortium will invest in the Toowong tunnel etc. So much for signing Kyoto agreements and talk of carbon neutral. What hope have we of achieving anything by switching to enviro-friendly light bulbs, turning a few lights off, not using air con etc versus the pollution that will come from this new road plus the increased pollution along the Centenary Highway, Western Freeway as it tries to cope with the new load placed on it.
Surely no-one in Moggill and surrounds still believes the ‘bypass’ is just a local road. There’d have to be some very influential people living there for the government to spend mega millions for relatively few people. Can’t they see it’s the start of a very scary overall picture -perhaps they just don’t care so long as they save a bit of time.
I also can’t understand why anyone would use the words ‘current drive time’ (Moggill Road) in their argument for the bypass in their letter to the editor (last week’s Westside News). Surely even those pushing for it can see current times are not the norm but greatly exaggerated by the extensive and expensive road works taking place and shouldn’t come into the decision.
Andrew
Thank you Kathy for the comments regarding the proposed tunnels and the toll that would inevitably materialise. I had said enough previously and didn’t want to sound cynical by suggesting the revenue to be gained from directing this volume of traffic to the toll routes. The whole of Brisbane ought to be worried concerning the State Government’s planning methodologies. There are a number of tunnels planned to direct ‘through’ traffic to the North, of course, to loosen up the suburban streets. Questions such as…how many houses will be resumed due to their lack of planning, where will the pylons be located that extract the pollution from these tunnels? Next to your house? The real answer is ,”Wherever we choose to place them”. The proof needed to support this conclusion can be obtained by viewing the location of current extractor pylons in the existing tunnels.
When Main Roads engage the public in consultation they have what is referred to as ‘Engagement Standards’. These standards require Main Roads to respond to community needs and values. They must participate in the engagement process in accordance with social justice principles regarding individual rights, equity, participation and access. Giving consideration to the proposed Kenmore Bypass, subsequent stage two, and the tunnel networks of the near future you could honestly and unreservedly conclude that the Engagement Standards of Mains Roads are nothing more than a feel good PR exercise to the quell the anger and concerns of affected citizens. If they adhered to their standards they wouldn’t have bothered submitting the Kenmore Bypass to the general public because there are terrible social, environmental and public health issues resulting from this proposal. Yet…here we are. It will be interesting to observe the decision making stage and their ultimate reasons for approving or ruling out this particular Bypass.
Traffic is undoubtedly one of Brisbane’s worst problems, indeed a problem that should have been addressed years in advance. Now it is at the critical stage government and council see this urgency as a mandate to resolve the issue in any manner they deem viable.
This approach is unacceptable. We should be lobbying the State Government and Brisbane City Council to exhibit a far greater regard for the citizens. Planning for a better Brisbane would include preservation of ‘green belts’ in existing residential areas and great consideration to the health and lifestyle of Brisbanites.
MAIN ROADS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STANDARDS state they must respond to community needs and values in accordance with social justice principles regarding individual rights,equity, participation, and access.
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR OBJECTION TO MAIN ROADS SO THEY GET A REAL SENSE OF THE SOCIAL INJUSTICE OF INFLICTING THE WESTERN SUBURBS WITH THIS BYPASS.
Julie
We had our signs stolen from our front yard last Saturday as well as at least 3 other homes in Gem Rd. Shame on those people who did this. Don’t think this is going to stop us, it just strengthens our resolve to save Kenmore and every other suburb west of here.
Lauren
Cr Flegg’s possible motivation for supporting the bypass?:
Perhaps it is because his wealthy supporters (assumably financial supporters) in Upper Brookfield, Brookfield, Pullenvale and Pinjarra Hills are having difficulties gaining approval to subdivide their land due to congestion on Moggill Rd?
Pls read this letter from the ‘Rural Environment Planning Association’, sB(b) states that a rezoning application was dismissed due to congestion on Moggill Rd:
http://www.repa.org.au/REPA%20Kenmore%20Bypass%20submission%2016%20June%2008.pdf
Ppl wanting to subdivide would be pretty annoyed that they cannot gain maximum profit from subdividing their land into smaller and smaller blocks.
So if the congestion is moved from Moggill Rd to KB and Centenary Highway, more rezoning applications could get approved? (which would make Flegg supporters happy)
Perhaps that is why Flegg SUPPORTS the Kenmore Bypass (which would destroy Kenmore), but DOES NOT SUPPORT the Moggill Pocket Sub Arterial (which would destroy Pinjarra Hills, Anstead etc).
The crazy thing is, imo, the KB itself will turn into a carpark anyway, because building roads only encourages more ppl to drive!
If Flegg were to think more long-term, a better solution for all ppl he represents - and not just his (assumed) financial supporters - would be trams, rail, green bridges, pedestrian overpasses etc.
money money money………….
Jane
I heard today that people are wanting to develop units in Pullenvale so they can get big money per metre. I believe we need more public transport to areas where we have units. Bring on light rail not a freeway. Actually wouldn’t units be better in Taringa, Indooroopilly, or even Oxley, Darra? I suppose it is all about money for some people and they are purely thinking of the almighty dollar.
mark
Food for thought - I would like to know what MRD/Qld/Federal Govt has up its sleeves? 1. Town Planner Walter Burleigh Griffin planned Canberrra from a traffic view point - does Canberra have traffic problems? Brisbane is an ad hoc planning canvas - will this be fixed by MRD