Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

A lesson for Brisbane from Mr Lee

By Patrick Dixon - posted Tuesday, 31 March 2015


Soorley introduced the CityCat ferries, launched Riverfestival, and began to open up the river to people through the Riverwalk system. He also brought all sewage treatment up to at least secondary treatment standards and, most importantly, finally put an end to more than a century of dredging on the Brisbane River.

So what has happened since?

Not a great deal. We still trumpet our 'River City' reputation. But our leaders are not championing the cause of the river. In 2012, water scientists raised serious concerns about the water quality along extensive st retches of the Brisbane River. Professor John Olley, who presented the Healthy Waterways report to the government, said a major issue was the increased amount of sediment entering waterways.

Advertisement

The same report in 2013 said hundreds of tons of soil from unprotected development sites were still washing into the Brisbane River. Why the heck is this still going on? Does anyone ever investigate and follow-up? Have any culprits ever been prosecuted?

The Oxley catchment scored an F (fail) for water quality in 2013, and managed to lift to a D - (very poor) last year. A recent report exposed alarming increases in plastic litter. On Clean Up Australia Day, Healthy Waterways volunteers collected a staggering 300kg of litter - just at Murarrie. Over 4000 plastic pieces were collected, representing 85% of the litter! God help anyone who did that in Singapore!

Towards the end of 2013, Brisbane City Council did bring out its 'River's Edge Strategy'. And we praised them enthusiastically for the plan to promote and manage the river realm. But we also urged that they enact it with strong and decisive leadership and authority. We're afraid we haven't heard a lot about it since.

We have this appalling situation where no one knows who is really responsible for our river. Is it Council? Is it the Departmen t of Environment ... Natural Resources ... Fisheries ... Transport?? It seems to be all of them, and none of them.

River management remains fragmented and bereft of leadership. In memory of Lee Kwan Yew, let's remind our city leaders what their glossy river strategy document says: "Brisbane is the River City. Our river is a defining element of our city's identity."

Among all of Lee Kwan Yew's mighty missions, Wikipedia tells us, "...his attention to detail (in developing Singapore's economy) went even to the extent of connecting it with other facets of Singapore, including the country's extensive and meticulous tending of its international image of being a 'Garden City', something that has been sustained to this day."

Advertisement

Where is the 'extensive and meticulous tending' of Brisbane's image of being the 'River City'? Surely someone can see, as Mr Lee did, how important that is to our city's economic and social wellbeing.

We might have come a long way since the 60s. But after Jim Soorley, the river took a back seat.

Campbell Newman was all about tunnels. Graham Quirk seems to focus more on traffic and town planning. They come up with motherhood statements and fluffy plans for river precincts, then leave it to private enterprise . No one ever sets a goal to achieve a certain outcome, by a certain date. Everything just floats along.

What we really need is for someone in authority to get angry about the muddy, littered state of our river ... like Jim Soorley did. Maybe Jim had a little of Lee Kuan Yew in him – autocratic but well-intentioned, and with a clear and beneficial vision for our city. Brisbane is Queensland's largest economic base. The River is our brand. If we are to be a truly great international city, we need a sparkling clean river.

Heck, we probably need a Minister for the River , to make sure our waterway fulfils its huge economic - boosting, life, enriching, tourism, promoting potential.

So, let's set a goal . What about we plan to host a Brisbane International Triathlon in 2020, or 2025? We will show c ase our beautiful river to the world with athletes riding and running along its banks, and swimming in its sparkling waters between the Story Bridge and Victoria Bridge. In the words of Mr Lee, "it can be done!"

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

5 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Patrick Dixon is a passionate Brisbanite and the principal of Dixon Family Real Estate Agents.

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 5 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy