Council votes to buy Mary St firebombed buildings

After three months of stumbling and navigating a path around two firebombed shopfronts in Mary St, the Gympie council has agreed on one possible way forward, and it could change everything in the CBD.

Gympie business owners and Mary St shoppers received some good news this week, as the Gympie Regional Council moved to buy the land next door to Memorial Lane.

For three months, an exclusion zone has surrounded the burnt-out asbestos lots that were destroyed by fire late at night on Easter Sunday, April 9.

The wreckage has frustrated nearby businesses and shoppers alike, blocking the footpath and closing Memorial Lane, a key passageway between Reef St, Memorial Park and Mary St.

“Mary St has been through so many issues and had such a rough time in the last 18 months, flooding, arson fire, and cost-of-living pressures,” businessman and CBD Action Alliance founder Tony Goodman said.

Mr Goodman welcomed the news that last week, as an asbestos clean-up finally began, council also voted in favour of a Memorial Lane Proposed Expansion to start negotiations on buying the burnt-out lots at 160 – 164 Mary St.

“If something can be done, the sooner, the better,” he said.

CBD Action Alliance founder Tony Goodman welcomed the news of Gympie Regional Council considering buying the land near Memorial Lane.

In April 2023, a store on the corner of Mary St and Memorial Lane burned down. The Gympie council is now considering buying the lots throwing ideas out about what the space could be used for. Picture: Christine Schindler

The motion to buy the sites was moved two days after the council handed down its 2023-2024 budget, which did not allocate any funding for such a purchase.

This means the council will have to either find the money by taking it from another project in the budget, or wait to include it next year.

Councillors were unanimous in their support of the idea to explore buying the land.

“It’s so bloody obvious,” said councillor Bob Fredman, who moved the motion.

“Now’s the right time if we can get a right price.”

Councillor Bob Fredman moved the motion to consider buying the burnt-out lots in Mary Street.

Councillor Bruce Devereaux said he was excited about the opportunity to open up Memorial Lane.

Councillor Bruce Devereaux, who seconded the motion, said he was excited at the opportunity to open up Memorial Lane and buy back flood prone sites, alleviating the constant threat of businesses being flooded.

“It’s not in the masterplan, which includes the side of Memorial Lane with the Queenslander on it but it is an opportunity for council to take action and get businesses out of the flood zone,” Mr Devereaux said.

Both councillors agreed about the opportunity to purchase the properties, but differed on ideas about how the space could be used.

“It’s my personal belief the community will benefit from more car parks,” said Mr Fredman.

“It’s cheap to build the car parks and it would be an asset to Mary St.”

Mary St, Gympie, May 30, 2023 Picture: Christine Schindler

Mr Devereaux said he envisioned more green space, opening out Memorial Lane, turning it into public access with benches and seating areas – possibly revamping the toilets as well.

Mr Goodman agreed car parks would benefit businesses as traders came back to fill the empty shop fronts.

Police continue to investigate the incident, which left a fire blazing through the stores and took six hours to extinguish.

CCTV footage released shortly after the fire revealed two balaclava-clad people breaking into the tobacco store, one carrying a jerry can. As they exited, one person appeared to throw at light back into the store and it burst into flames.