It is becoming monotonous reporting the ongoing neglect of the Victory in the Pacific 50th anniversary fountain in a key Townsville position.
A submerged roadworks witch's hat, above, was found in the top pool by North Australia's only designated S(h)ipping Reporter . Still floating about in the bottom pool was a drink container which had been sighted a fortnight previously , along with other rubbish. The fountain is #1 on Townsville's Civic Pride Trail yet often displays a variety of rubbish , even a large dead bird .
Surely the Townsville City Council and military organisations in this garrison town can arrange a simple daily routine to check the city's main memorials , including Anzac Park , and the rusting anchor of the American aircraft carrier Coral Sea, near the ferry terminal .
Adjacent to the neglected and abused Victory in the Pacific fountain is a bus shelter , increasingly covered in graffiti . Also nearby is the Townsville Travel Centre with the large clock that has not worked for years . The overall unfavourable impression is of a rundown time warp ,where everything is standing still , a setting for a scary Dr Who episode , a short distance from the Townsville Bulletin office.
A submerged roadworks witch's hat, above, was found in the top pool by North Australia's only designated S(h)ipping Reporter . Still floating about in the bottom pool was a drink container which had been sighted a fortnight previously , along with other rubbish. The fountain is #1 on Townsville's Civic Pride Trail yet often displays a variety of rubbish , even a large dead bird .
Surely the Townsville City Council and military organisations in this garrison town can arrange a simple daily routine to check the city's main memorials , including Anzac Park , and the rusting anchor of the American aircraft carrier Coral Sea, near the ferry terminal .
Adjacent to the neglected and abused Victory in the Pacific fountain is a bus shelter , increasingly covered in graffiti . Also nearby is the Townsville Travel Centre with the large clock that has not worked for years . The overall unfavourable impression is of a rundown time warp ,where everything is standing still , a setting for a scary Dr Who episode , a short distance from the Townsville Bulletin office.
Across the road from the fountain is the old Great Northern Hotel , subject of an arson attack ages ago, a limp banner visible thanking Townsville for its support and announcing the intention to open soon. No local media organisations seem to have asked when that opening will be, what is going on inside , no sounds heard from within . Could be a story here .
Our exasperated, salty oath uttering S(h)ipping Reporter has suggested all those authorities responsible for failing to organise a basic daily check and maintenance of the city's memorials should be made walk the plank . A cattle jigger might also move the little doggies along in newsrooms .
In another news tip for alert local reporters to follow up , our foaming waterfront roundsman suggested they ask why the SeaLink passenger ferry terminal now has a large sign about evasion of fares and a warning that there are ticket inspectors aboard. Longtime ferry travellers unable to recall any such individuals . Sounds like a story , but you have to ask questions. Passengers with concession tickets have to flash a valid Australian concession card , student identification card or proof of identification at request .
The terms and conditions of travel state that due to work health and safety regulations , SeaLink crew cannot assist with luggage items that exceed 20kg or one cubic meter (sic ) in size .
