There is a honky tonk song about the green door and the intriguing secret goings on behind . Before the recent annual sailing carnival on Magnetic Island , which attracts yachties from far and wide, the Townsville City Council with Territory Enterprise involvement , suddenly placed a whole wall of coloured panels promoting the wonders of the island and Queensland on the terminal promenade . Cynics said it was to cover up what is known by annoyed residents as "the hole, " an eyesore which has existed for at least a decade . The hole is just across the way from the apartment blocks dubbed " Alcatraz ", the infamous American penitentiary ; having two dubiously named places cheek by jowl does not project a desirable image .
For years residents have been asking the Queensland government , the city council to take action over the hole , even confiscate the crater , without success ; converting the space into additional car parking has been suggested from time to time , an increasing problem at the terminal .
For years residents have been asking the Queensland government , the city council to take action over the hole , even confiscate the crater , without success ; converting the space into additional car parking has been suggested from time to time , an increasing problem at the terminal .
The council's panorama of multi coloured panels conveniently covered the said hole and any visiting out of town media during the yacht races would have had difficulty noticing the cavity , the rusty barricades , Heath Robinson pump , litter , rusting reo sticking out of the concrete , cans , odd bits of building material scattered about , right next to the ferry terminal .
If the council did in fact install the panels mainly to hide the eyesore , then who paid for them ? The hole is owned by a company wanting $3million for the site . Some local reporter is free to ask these obvious questions along with others like what is the future for the flappers , who came up with the idea, the cost , for starters.
If the council did in fact install the panels mainly to hide the eyesore , then who paid for them ? The hole is owned by a company wanting $3million for the site . Some local reporter is free to ask these obvious questions along with others like what is the future for the flappers , who came up with the idea, the cost , for starters.
In the case of the multi coloured Magnetic Island screens , the windy weather has blown away the cover, revealed the out of view secrets behind. Rusty barricades, cracked concrete footings.