Herewith a Media Release from residents concerned at the
proposed development of biotech laboratories in residential St
Lucia.
MEDIA RELEASE:
WHEN RAPE SEEMS INEVITABLE...
The Lord Mayor's advice to
residents concerned at the apparent "Rape of St Lucia"
with the construction of the massive UQ/CSIRO biotech
laboratories, was "If you want to stop this building you
have no chance". And he added "I will facilitate
it; I will not deliberately destroy it". Cr Jim
Soorley appears to have done a complete backflip from only a
month ago when he assured affected residents of his intention to
"strongly resist inappropriate development" outside the
intent of the City of Brisbane Draft Plan.
The residents were encouraged
that the BCC seems to be fighting the UQ on its bid to become
"community infrastructure", and avoid the provisions
and intent of the Integrated Planning Act 1997. However the
Lord Mayor has done a somersault and has now lent his support to
the development of the IMB in residential Carmody Road and
appears to be fairly happy with things the way they are, although
miffed about the height of the building.
He said the process to check
the Institute for Molecular Biology complex involved a "code
assessment" by the BCC which required different issues to be
ticked off, but no consultation with the community. He said they
were looking at the height of the building, at shade, parking,
noise and traffic.
Residents countered that the IMB project is actually
"material change of use" therefore assessable
development, but independent environmental engineers have
confirmed that they believe the Swanbank power station was a
similar situation and was classified as "assessable
development".
Apparently assessable development doesn't allow for public input
either, but it is a much more rigorous process.
Whilst on the face of it, the
Beattie Government's initiative for the establishment of a Centre
of Excellence in Biotechnology may have seemed a good idea at the
time, the ramifications of plonking high-tech research
laboratories "slap bang" in the centre of Brisbane's
inner western suburbs has profound implications.
In the interest of public
safety, and a precautionary approach, the residents urge a delay
in the approvals until such time as these matters can be properly
assessed and reviewed by appropriate, impartial and independent
experts. The electorate depends upon it.
BIOHAZARD ACTION ALLIANCE
P O BOX 678 TOOWONG 4066 AUSTRALIA
This page is maintained by
The Rivermouth Action Group Inc
as a community service.