Over 900 followers: Berghofer’s social media page gains supporters

The Toowoomba millionaire developer launched his first Facebook page only a few days ago, but it’s already gained momentum.

BERGHOFER-BOOK: Toowoomba Facebook users seem to be getting behind Clive Berghofer and his petition to turn away the Wellcamp Airport quarantine hub, However a handful of keyboard warriors aren’t convinced the millionaire developer has the right idea. Picture: Kevin Farmer

It appears the majority of Toowoomba social media users are in support of Clive Berghofer's public fight against the proposed Toowoomba quarantine hub facility, with the millionaire developer amassing more than 900 followers and over 860 likes on his new Facebook page which launched late last week.

"Don't like the idea of having Australia's largest coronavirus quarantine facility in the heart of our region? Neither do I," his latest Facebook post reads.

"Please sign my petition to express our opinion to the Queensland parliament."

The petition currently has 1877 signatures since launching on February 18, with a great deal of Facebook users quick to show their support for Mr Berghofer.

"Thank you Clive for thinking of all the senior people here in Toowoomba," Neta Williams commented on the Chronicle's morning Facebook post.

"You are going to cop a lot of flack but very proud of your stand to consider the people before the almighty dollar."

"Go Clive," Lyn Tozer wrote.

"You are the best. Always thinking of Toowoomba residents. I'll support you in any way. We have to stop this. We will become a hot spot."

Rache L Whant was also in support of halting a hub facility.

"Toowoomba hospital struggles to deal with emergency patients, let alone a stream of COVID infections with people possibly needing ventilators etc. The population has many elderly so an outbreak would be disastrous."

Meanwhile, a handful of commenters queried Mr Berghofer's stance and whether he was the right person to be advocating against a local quarantine facility.

"Why do we, the public, place importance on the opinions of people who are in positions of power due to their wealth, on issues that they have zero specialist insight of?" Martin Hadfield wrote.

"So the man who convinced the Toowoomba people to reject perfectly safe treated sewerage water … is sticking his nose in again against very safe procedures that will create employment for hundreds of local workers and businesses," Myles Dobinson commented.

"Toowoomba NIMBY'ism (Not In MY Back Yard) at its best," Helen Sheedy wrote

"Why are we even bothering with health experts, epidemiologists etc.

"Stop scaremongering and let people who actually understand this situation do the research into whether the quarantine hub is feasible … Yes he has made financial contributions to health facilities etc, that doesn't magically make him an expert on pandemics or quarantine."

On Mr Berghofer's own Facebook post where he shared a link to the online petition, a sea of positive responses were shared by the public.

"I have signed. Thankyou Clive, for providing a forum for people to express their views," Gordon Geileskey wrote.

"At the very least this should be put to a vote. Perhaps the current Mayor might be inclined to organise one, while simultaneously lobbying Premier Palaszczuk on an adequate compensation plan for the potential devastation, preferably, prior to commencement."

Kirsty Mitchell also said she had signed Mr Berghofer's petition.

"I'm in remission for leukaemia so am immunocompromised. There're so many reasons you stated why this isn't a good idea," she commented.

However, on another post on Mr Berghofer's Facebook page, some commenters shared their difference of opinion.

"No Clive I do not agree with you. I think it would be great for the economy and this facility would be managed better because we learn from our mistakes," Sheila Victoria Forknall wrote.

"The housing area could be multipurpose in the future. This campaign is like the scare campaign over recycled water."

"It is well away from the community. No where near the elderly," Amy Kelly said.

"Better then in hotels close to people. There are elderly people all over, not just in Toowoomba. We need to look at the risks versus the benefit and there are a lot more benefits then risks."

 

What's your opinion on the proposed quarantine hub facility at Wellcamp airport? Do you support Mr Berghofer's petition. Write to the Chronicle and let us know how you feel.

Email: [e-mail] or post your letters to 109 Neil St. Toowoomba City 4350.

 

Some of these comments were edited slightly for clarity and spelling errors.

 

 

 

Originally published as Toowoomba backs Clive's quarantine hub fight and Facebook page

Originally published as Toowoomba backs Clive's quarantine hub fight and Facebook page

Originally published as Over 900 followers: Berghofer’s social media page gains supporters