AFTER a rocky start to meetings in the new term of Ipswich City Council, this month’s meeting began with courtesy and respect.
However, the relative harmony was overshadowed towards the end of a long meeting by a surprise outburst from returning councillor Andrew Antoniolli.
This happened during discussion about new tenancies in the Nichoals St precinct. In particular, a contentious tenancy fronting Brisbane St, which at one time was earmarked for a dedicated children’s art gallery.
Surprisingly, former Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee chair Marnie Doyle didn’t support this lease and gave her reasons.
Antoniolli said he supported everything Doyle said about the unnamed tenant. He went on to say what he thought the corner could have looked like. Then it went pear-shaped.
“I believe that it’s been undervalued in that respect and that poor consideration with respect to that particular corner tenancy … and what could have happened,” Antoniolli said.
He mused what could have been had there been some deconstruction of the entry to the old cinemas.
That became a separate and embarrassing debate of its own with the mayor.
“The council of the day took the easy way out … and as a result we’ve been left with a difficult tenancy to tenant.
“There has been nothing else come forward to go on that site except for what I believe was a desperate and ill-conceived idea in relation to a children’s art gallery,” Antoniolli said.
This drew an immediate curt response from Doyle.
“I find (Antoniolli’s comments) highly offensive, disrespectful and unprofessional.
“There were a number of people who worked on this … so to make comments like that about their work and due diligence that was done, not necessary,” Doyle said.
I’m sure there are decisions made in the past that current councillors disagree with, but it’s time for everyone in the chamber to focus on the future and stop wasting time dwelling on what could have been.
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