It seems only mad dogs and Englishman-not members of Townsville's media -go out in the noonday sun in the CBD . And our tanned Shipping Reporter clearly shows that rarely do reporters go down to the waterfront kitted out in sou-westers to see the many interesting vessels in the Ghost Fleet that blow in and out.
If a daring reporter , wearing sunnies , ventured down to the CBD bus hub in Ogden Street, which was opened last year midst great fanfare , he would discover something is cooking : like MKR, people sitting in the seats waiting for buses are being baked by the sun .
As a result, you often find people standing in the shade at the back of the seats in the dark, graffiti hit walkway . In designing the hub , it seems not much thought was given to protecting the public from the sun.
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Bus in, sun also shining (catchy title for another Hemingway) in on seats .
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A similar situation existed at Stockland some years ago on the Elizabeth Street side where buses pull in , the sun shining on those waiting. A kind of trellis with some creepers was constructed to ease the problem . The hub clearly needs an added sunshade system and a regular clean up .
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More hot seats
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The extensive graffiti on the walls and recesses along the walkway is off putting . Lots of cigarette butts , signs of answering the call of nature in the plants .
Memo new Townsville Bulletin editor , Craig Warhurst . When you arrive next month from the Sunshine Coast no less , suggest you look at the hub/pubs and regularly check the city's poorly maintained war memorials , especially the Victory in the Pacific fountain , which is just a short distance from the newspaper office. Our Shipping Reporter is only too happy to give you a rundown on these and other subjects in Molly Malone's Irish Pub , if you foot the drinks bill for him and two thirsty leprechauns who provide him with frequent waterfront news tips and outrageous gossip.
