26 October 2011

Greens kiss QIC donations goodbye and stand up for Civic

26 October 2011 | johnboy

The Greens’ Caroline Le Couteur has announced her plans to move against the QIC takeover of Civic in the Legislative Assembly:

“My motion raises a number of issues which have been of growing concern to shoppers and small businesses in Civic. These small businesses in City Walk and East Civic provide retail diversity to Canberra’s commercial heart.

“QIC now owns a solid portion of Civic, and there are no laws designed to stop such an ownership concentration.

“Businesses have told us that QIC is continuing to buy up blocks adjacent to the Canberra Centre, making conditions unpalatable for current tenants.

“It’s not clear what the long term plan is, but with the growing number of empty shopfronts, the centre of Civic is becoming less unattractive, and now Centrepoint is the dead heart of Civic.

“My motion calls for:
– Exploring options to minimise land and retail dominance in planning, land sale or other decisions, including through discussions with the ACCC
– Lease conditions to be enforced in Centrepoint
– Small business impact studies to be undertaken by a Government appointed consultant
– More toilets, public seating, the civic cycle loop and other actions to improve the amenity of Civic
– A master plan for Civic

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nobody7:38 am 29 Oct 11

Crazed_Loner said :

nobody said :

All this cursing of QIC and the Canberra Centre reminds me of a scene in the Life of Brian –

Q: They bled us dry and take everything we have, and not just from us, but our fathers and fathers’ fathers. What has QIC ever done for us?
A: Well, they have given us parking covered from the rain, baking sun, and chilling wind.
Q: Oh yes they have given us that, but apart from that?
A: Scores of specialty shops we are free to browse around.
Q : Yes, yes, but apart from covered parking and scores of shops, what have they done?
A: Escalators and lifts so we don’t have to deal with stairs.
Q: Well yes, but apart from covered parking, specialty shops, and escalators, have they ever done anything for us?
A: Shopping protected from the chilling wind, rain, and baking sun.
Q: Well, yes but have they really ever done anything for us?
A: Security guards to remove aggressive, high, or drunk people.
Q: OK, apart from covered parking, specialty shops, escalators, protection from the weather, and security, what have they done for us?
A: A pleasant place to socialise, have a coffee, and watch the world go by.
Q: OK, OK, OK, but what does QIC do for us?
A: A vibrant, warm, safe, place to go for Friday night shopping.

You’re taking the piss, right?
– given us covered parking and gouged us for the privelege without any 2- or 3-hour free periods as at other malls. It was their obligation to provide parking for the centre and particulalrly to replace the lost parking, not some sort of act of benevolence;
– scores of specialty shops – d’uh, well that was their purpose, although quite a few of them are chain stores identical to every other mall in the land;
– escaltors and lifts which are a practical necessity, compared to the non-QIC shops which are at street level, not requiring any such facilities, a real ‘straw-man’ argument;
– protected from all that nasty weather – oh you poor petal, how do you manage the trek from your back door to the car without expiring? Perhaps you haven’t noticed that even non-QIC shops are air-conditioned;
Security guards – yes, the world needs more security guards, especially the ones who try to evict ordinary people for taking photos of their own children in malls. Thank goodness they’ve already saved us from the hordes of rampaging ferals invading this sacred ground so that we didn’t even notice;
– yes, you can really watch the ‘world’ go by sitting inside a covered mall, if you have a very insular, inward-looking view of the world as represented by the inside of a mall, that is. Try sitting in Garema Place or similar for a slightly better experience, replete with sights, sounds and smells (and a few birds) and an outward-looking view of the real world. Sounds like Paris might be a stretch too far, though;
-the Friday night shopping experience? I’m already quivering with excitement but what about Saturday to Thursday – too much vibrancy or not enough? Anyway, thank goodness for the warmth and safety (again).

Looks like QIC is just implementing the monopolist’s playbook: buy up the surrounding buildings and force out the (small) opposition and then claim only they can save the situation with a big, shiny new (but unnecessary) development. How much is enough for these vultures? The world really needs more retail at the moment. Without growth (and that’s a whole other argument), it’s a zero-sum game.

Judging by this long and exaggerated curse of the Canberra Centre, I’d suggest watching the last scene of the Life of Brian, “Always look on the bright side of life”.

RedDogInCan11:16 am 28 Oct 11

creative_canberran said :

As for QIC… buying tickets to a party event where the cash ends up as a donation is more acceptable than handing money directly with no pretence?

Interestingly enough the QIC is a ‘core member’ of the Property Council of Australia ACT Branch. They don’t need to donate directly to the Liberals to push their case.

bryansworld10:39 am 28 Oct 11

Crazed_Loner said :

nobody said :

All this cursing of QIC and the Canberra Centre reminds me of a scene in the Life of Brian –

Q: They bled us dry and take everything we have, and not just from us, but our fathers and fathers’ fathers. What has QIC ever done for us?
A: Well, they have given us parking covered from the rain, baking sun, and chilling wind.
Q: Oh yes they have given us that, but apart from that?
A: Scores of specialty shops we are free to browse around.
Q : Yes, yes, but apart from covered parking and scores of shops, what have they done?
A: Escalators and lifts so we don’t have to deal with stairs.
Q: Well yes, but apart from covered parking, specialty shops, and escalators, have they ever done anything for us?
A: Shopping protected from the chilling wind, rain, and baking sun.
Q: Well, yes but have they really ever done anything for us?
A: Security guards to remove aggressive, high, or drunk people.
Q: OK, apart from covered parking, specialty shops, escalators, protection from the weather, and security, what have they done for us?
A: A pleasant place to socialise, have a coffee, and watch the world go by.
Q: OK, OK, OK, but what does QIC do for us?
A: A vibrant, warm, safe, place to go for Friday night shopping.

You’re taking the piss, right?
– given us covered parking and gouged us for the privelege without any 2- or 3-hour free periods as at other malls. It was their obligation to provide parking for the centre and particulalrly to replace the lost parking, not some sort of act of benevolence;
– scores of specialty shops – d’uh, well that was their purpose, although quite a few of them are chain stores identical to every other mall in the land;
– escaltors and lifts which are a practical necessity, compared to the non-QIC shops which are at street level, not requiring any such facilities, a real ‘straw-man’ argument;
– protected from all that nasty weather – oh you poor petal, how do you manage the trek from your back door to the car without expiring? Perhaps you haven’t noticed that even non-QIC shops are air-conditioned;
Security guards – yes, the world needs more security guards, especially the ones who try to evict ordinary people for taking photos of their own children in malls. Thank goodness they’ve already saved us from the hordes of rampaging ferals invading this sacred ground so that we didn’t even notice;
– yes, you can really watch the ‘world’ go by sitting inside a covered mall, if you have a very insular, inward-looking view of the world as represented by the inside of a mall, that is. Try sitting in Garema Place or similar for a slightly better experience, replete with sights, sounds and smells (and a few birds) and an outward-looking view of the real world. Sounds like Paris might be a stretch too far, though;
-the Friday night shopping experience? I’m already quivering with excitement but what about Saturday to Thursday – too much vibrancy or not enough? Anyway, thank goodness for the warmth and safety (again).

Looks like QIC is just implementing the monopolist’s playbook: buy up the surrounding buildings and force out the (small) opposition and then claim only they can save the situation with a big, shiny new (but unnecessary) development. How much is enough for these vultures? The world really needs more retail at the moment. Without growth (and that’s a whole other argument), it’s a zero-sum game.

+1.

Crazed_Loner1:34 am 28 Oct 11

nobody said :

All this cursing of QIC and the Canberra Centre reminds me of a scene in the Life of Brian –

Q: They bled us dry and take everything we have, and not just from us, but our fathers and fathers’ fathers. What has QIC ever done for us?
A: Well, they have given us parking covered from the rain, baking sun, and chilling wind.
Q: Oh yes they have given us that, but apart from that?
A: Scores of specialty shops we are free to browse around.
Q : Yes, yes, but apart from covered parking and scores of shops, what have they done?
A: Escalators and lifts so we don’t have to deal with stairs.
Q: Well yes, but apart from covered parking, specialty shops, and escalators, have they ever done anything for us?
A: Shopping protected from the chilling wind, rain, and baking sun.
Q: Well, yes but have they really ever done anything for us?
A: Security guards to remove aggressive, high, or drunk people.
Q: OK, apart from covered parking, specialty shops, escalators, protection from the weather, and security, what have they done for us?
A: A pleasant place to socialise, have a coffee, and watch the world go by.
Q: OK, OK, OK, but what does QIC do for us?
A: A vibrant, warm, safe, place to go for Friday night shopping.

You’re taking the piss, right?
– given us covered parking and gouged us for the privelege without any 2- or 3-hour free periods as at other malls. It was their obligation to provide parking for the centre and particulalrly to replace the lost parking, not some sort of act of benevolence;
– scores of specialty shops – d’uh, well that was their purpose, although quite a few of them are chain stores identical to every other mall in the land;
– escaltors and lifts which are a practical necessity, compared to the non-QIC shops which are at street level, not requiring any such facilities, a real ‘straw-man’ argument;
– protected from all that nasty weather – oh you poor petal, how do you manage the trek from your back door to the car without expiring? Perhaps you haven’t noticed that even non-QIC shops are air-conditioned;
Security guards – yes, the world needs more security guards, especially the ones who try to evict ordinary people for taking photos of their own children in malls. Thank goodness they’ve already saved us from the hordes of rampaging ferals invading this sacred ground so that we didn’t even notice;
– yes, you can really watch the ‘world’ go by sitting inside a covered mall, if you have a very insular, inward-looking view of the world as represented by the inside of a mall, that is. Try sitting in Garema Place or similar for a slightly better experience, replete with sights, sounds and smells (and a few birds) and an outward-looking view of the real world. Sounds like Paris might be a stretch too far, though;
-the Friday night shopping experience? I’m already quivering with excitement but what about Saturday to Thursday – too much vibrancy or not enough? Anyway, thank goodness for the warmth and safety (again).

Looks like QIC is just implementing the monopolist’s playbook: buy up the surrounding buildings and force out the (small) opposition and then claim only they can save the situation with a big, shiny new (but unnecessary) development. How much is enough for these vultures? The world really needs more retail at the moment. Without growth (and that’s a whole other argument), it’s a zero-sum game.

Usermane10:10 pm 27 Oct 11

bd84 said :

It is not helped by the ACT Government continuing to create a divide between the centre and other buildings by allowing all traffic along bunda st. There could be a really nice alfresco dining area to join the areas if the government actually listened instead of forking out money to resurface an unnecessary road as they have done in the last year.

For example, Garema Place (only one street over) has matured into a very successful and really nice alfresco dining area full of vibrancy and life. We should make all of Civic like that.

Yeah.

creative_canberran8:58 pm 27 Oct 11

caf said :

ActewAGL isn’t a government owned corporation. The “AGL” bit is the clue.

I would suggest that the people of Queensland might like to take that up with their Government (although the odd amount might suggest that it was tickets to an event or similar rather than a straight-out cash donation, which is somewhat more acceptable).

ActewAGL is 50% owned by ACTEW Corporation, a wholly owned ACT Government enterprise.
The returns from that partnership are returned to the ACT Government as a dividend.
Look it up!

As for QIC… buying tickets to a party event where the cash ends up as a donation is more acceptable than handing money directly with no pretence? I don’t know what plane of logic you’re on?

caf8:10 pm 27 Oct 11

creative_canberran said :

Happens with ACT Government businesses:
http://www.elections.act.gov.au/resources/uploads/pdfs/returns_09/thirdparties/ActewAGL.pdf

And if you direct your attention to the final page of this document, you’ll see a few thousand dollars from QIC given to the Liberal Party:
http://www.elections.act.gov.au/resources/uploads/pdfs/returns_08/politicalparties/LiberalParty.pdf

ActewAGL isn’t a government owned corporation. The “AGL” bit is the clue.

I would suggest that the people of Queensland might like to take that up with their Government (although the odd amount might suggest that it was tickets to an event or similar rather than a straight-out cash donation, which is somewhat more acceptable).

nobody5:08 pm 27 Oct 11

All this cursing of QIC and the Canberra Centre reminds me of a scene in the Life of Brian –

Q: They bled us dry and take everything we have, and not just from us, but our fathers and fathers’ fathers. What has QIC ever done for us?
A: Well, they have given us parking covered from the rain, baking sun, and chilling wind.
Q: Oh yes they have given us that, but apart from that?
A: Scores of specialty shops we are free to browse around.
Q : Yes, yes, but apart from covered parking and scores of shops, what have they done?
A: Escalators and lifts so we don’t have to deal with stairs.
Q: Well yes, but apart from covered parking, specialty shops, and escalators, have they ever done anything for us?
A: Shopping protected from the chilling wind, rain, and baking sun.
Q: Well, yes but have they really ever done anything for us?
A: Security guards to remove aggressive, high, or drunk people.
Q: OK, apart from covered parking, specialty shops, escalators, protection from the weather, and security, what have they done for us?
A: A pleasant place to socialise, have a coffee, and watch the world go by.
Q: OK, OK, OK, but what does QIC do for us?
A: A vibrant, warm, safe, place to go for Friday night shopping.

Stevian12:49 pm 27 Oct 11

Just because Civic must die, doesn’t mean we can’t prevent the least desirable vultures from feeding on the carcass

john87_no112:09 pm 27 Oct 11

I’m not exactly sure what the people of Canberra are expecting Civic to be. Seems some see visions a kind of European Bohemian enclave?

Canberra has a population of around 300K+, with 7 retail hubs. We simply dont have enough people or money to support ALL local small business. Something has to give and sadly in this case its small business.

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