Publican fighting carpark
CHRIS CALCINO
A PUBLICAN has hit out at plans to install new centre parking at a busy choke-point near the Cairns Hospital – and he plans to go down swinging.
Cock and Bull owner Graham Johnston wants Cairns Regional Council to rethink its intention of ripping out trees he planted for his beer garden to make way for 17 new centre parking spots on Grove St.
He says it will adversely affect his pub, cause ambulances to get stuck in traffic and create a safety risk for pedestrians.
He also suspects the work is part of a bigger scheme to run him out of business so the State Government can buy his land cheap to make room for a proposed Cairns University Hospital expansion project.
“There will only be a narrow track between centre parking, and idiots trying to get in and out of their park are going to block ambulances,” he said.
“They’re going to make a complete mess of it, just for 17 car parks.
A council spokesman said the works were expected to cost $430,000 and involve road rehabilitation, new islands and trees, and a reconfiguration of the street. “A total of six small trees, located on public land, will be removed as part of the works, and will be replaced with appropriate species in suitable areas in the street,” he said. “Businesses in the street were consulted, and following their feedback, the new car parks will be designated as four-hour bays.”