YOUR SAY: One Mile Hotel demise raises reader questions

QT reporter Brian Bennion thinks the protection of Ipswich’s heritage buildings will become a hot issue in 2016.

The One Mile Hotel has been demolished.

QT reporter Brian Bennion thinks the protection of Ipswich's heritage buildings will become a hot issue in 2016.

In his editorial earlier this week, Mr Bennion said he wasn't surprised to return from summer holidays to find the One Mile Hotel gone.

The demolition of the old Ipswich pub created plenty of chatter among QT Facebook followers, with some believing that it should have been preserved.

Mr Bennion believes that while the pub may not have held any heritage significance, the service station that is rumoured to be planned for the site is not progress.

Here's what you had to say:

Ashley Clarke: "The demolition was privately certified, on a building without heritage listing. How is that the responsibility of the ICC? Heritage is a big part of Ipswich and I would think it is one of the things Ipswich people feel strongly about, but Council can only protect what is listed to be protected.

"I'm not happy that the One Mile Hotel was bulldozed, but understand there wasn't a lot Council could have done to prevent it, given the circumstances.

"Go back to the Reids fire in the 80s - arson saw that go, and rip the heart out of the town.

"It was heritage listed, and there wasn't anything Council could have done about that either. Paul Pisasale has done a great job of preserving our past. I support him wholeheartedly."

Gavin Robertson responded: "With regard to the removal/ demolition of a building, according to ICC, the removal of a building requires Referral Agency Assessment to Council.

According to ICC, the demolition is subject to planning approval because it is in a flood-affected area. Is Pisasale telling Porky Pies?

Patricia Carpenter: "This council had nothing to do with that. They never even knew about it until after the demolition order had been given by a company in Brisbane."

Leonie Guy: "Since Paul Pisasle became mayor, Ipswich has won or been nominated for numerous awards. He has been the best thing to happen to this city. He has turned it from a dirty hole into a respectable city."

Murray Pocock: "Ipswich is the best thing that has happened for the Mayor. Ipswich is in a major growth corridor and the development was always going to happen.

"The question is: Who has profited? Are the rates competitive? Do we enjoy even the most basic services across the city?

"The dirty hole you talk of is indicative of any industrial city transforming into a service model city. ie. Woollongong, Newcastle."