MP alleges Brisbane City Council engaged in “bastardry” over Ferny Grove State High School hall project

AN MP alleges Brisbane City Council has engaged in an “act of bastardry” over environmental conditions on a $12 million project at a school.

Hickory Flat is at the centre of a row affecting construction of a hall at Ferny Grove State High School. Photo: Glenn Roberts

Brisbane City Council has been accused of an “act of bastardry” by imposing strict conditions on the company building a $12 million project at a large northside school.

Council has agreed to allow trucks and cranes to go through a park during construction of the 2000-seat sports/performing arts complex at Ferny Grove State High School.

But it has demanded a $200,000 bond from Bryant Building Contractors against damage to trees in the parkland, called Hickory Flat, on the eastern side of the school.

Also, it will only allow some heavy vehicles, such as cranes, to use the park, meaning all other vehicles will have to go through school grounds.

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State Labor MP for Ferny Grove Mark Furner said: “This is the worst act of bastardry that I have ever seen from a local council”.

“The school community has used this piece of land to access the school for more than 30 years,” he said.

“Without this access the LNP is imposing a safety and traffic nightmare on students and local families, and blocking more than 700 locals from playing with Arana Touch.

“The LNP council needs to backdown now, admit they and Councillor Toomey got it badly wrong and open the gate so construction can proceed safely.”

The school wants a permanent road through the park to allow access to a car park it plans to build at the rear of the school as an alternative to on-street parking, and for touch football players.

Cr Toomey (LNP, The Gap) said the conditions were in place to ensure there was no damage to what he said was “a significant environmental corridor”.

“There are a number of concerns that remain to be addressed by the contractor – however there is in-principal support for park access to facilitate the build,” Cr Toomey said.

“I am disappointed the State Labor MP has pursued a political argument instead of taking responsibility for the State Government’s lack of due diligence with stakeholders.

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“I am incredibly supportive of the much-needed multipurpose hall at the school and have been working hard to make this happen.

“I have met with the site manager, council officers from the environmental team and parks team ahead of the decision being reached and will continue to work closely with the teams though the construction period.”

Construction of the hall is due to start soon.

Arana Touch wants to relocate to the school in August to accommodate its 700-plus player competition but first needs lights, already funded by the State Government, to be erected at the fields.

Last month, Arana Touch president Gary Madders launched a petition, sponsored by Mr Furner, calling on the council to allow access through the park.

It has been signed by more than 430 people.

Bryant Building Contractors did not respond to an invitation to comment.