Eyesore’s flow- on effect
FURTHER to my recent “letter to the editor”, I am now writing to continue the complaint in relation to the recent works at the Belgian Gardens primary school in Potts St.
As you may recall, two very large metal water tanks were erected adjacent to the front fence along Potts St, facing down Evans St, plus a metal shed containing the two diesel- powered fire pumps beside them.
At no time were residents advised of the fact that this work was to be undertaken, nor was there any consultation with residents affected by the work, which has changed a beautiful and green residential area into what looks more like an oil refinery.
Both Cr Ann- Maree Greaney and the local MP Scott Stewart have now been contacted by several concerned residents, and we await Mr Stewart’s reply.
Residents are still unaware as to whether the Townsville City Council gave approval for the works, which would be very disappointing given the detrimental effect that it is having on some city ratepayers, and no doubt on the value of their property, or if the state education authority simply had the work done with no prior dialogue with the Townsville council.
No one argues that the school needs to be protected from fires, though why this has suddenly be- come an issue when presumably it has passed fire inspections in the past is curious.
If the water pressure at the school fire hydrants was found to be low, surely the first step is to contact the council to see if there is any remedial work that can be carried out, and not simply to construct what must be an expensive stored water and diesel fire pump system at taxpayers’ expense.
So, was the council contacted in relation to this low water pressure problem at the school? And, if so, what was their reply?
We are still waiting for an answer to this query too.
And why install such an industrial structure at the front of what was once a very attractive school, and not simply extend the plumbing and install the tanks out of sight?
We residents live in this area, and no one has complained about low water pressure, so why is the school suddenly doing so?
If this sort of work can happen in Belgian Gardens, then it can happen at any state- run school.
The metal tanks are also creating a problem with glare into some residents’ houses, extending the problems associated with the works, and adding stress where there was none before.
This photo shows what the result is to date.
Not pretty, and certainly not suited to a residential area. RODNEY EVANS,
Belgian Gardens.