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Politics amid the fun as Queanbeyan’s Crawford Street re-opens

Members of the Queanbeyan public could be forgiven for thinking that there were council elections coming up during the festivities held yesterday to open the new Crawford Street Lifestyle precinct.

After a a vocal blast from the town crier Alan Moyse, (“a waste of ratepayers’ money,” a cross onlooker snapped) and a perfunctory acknowledgment of 

Independent candidate Jamie Cregan
the indigenous people that had some of them smarting (“I’m going home,” Aboriginal elder Matilda House told me just before the ceremonies began),  Queanbeyan mayor Tim Overall (pictured) gave an exultant speech about his role in the precinct development.

Meantime, independent candidate in the elections coming up in September, Jamie Cregan, took advantage of the crowds braving the chilly weather to enjoy the face painting, music, sample bags  and free food provided by Crawford Street shopholders to push his views on the development.

Up the road at Benedict House, the Queanbeyan Greens were spotted setting up for and afternoon fundraiser.

It was a jolly occasion, in which local businesspeople hoped to  lure the public in after the  long months of diminishing trade caused by  the street work. They needed to do so –“it nearly sent me bankrupt,” said one.

Town crier Alan Moyse
Heritage advocate and artist Connee Colleen

Indigenous art for sale in Crawford Street

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Helen Musa

Helen Musa

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2 Responses to Politics amid the fun as Queanbeyan’s Crawford Street re-opens

Alan Gray says: 4 September 2012 at 6:40 pm

Great project for Tim Overhaul. Pity it was executed so poorly. Overall thinks that community consultation is satisfied with a single meeting where he speaks. It isn’t. I hope others feel the same, couldn’t handle another four years of this.

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Rosslyn Beeby says: 5 September 2012 at 9:57 am

Agree with Alan Gray. And who benefits from this ugly urban heat island concrete and mondo grass make-over? I’d like to see a comprehensive list of property owners in Crawford Street, with a drill down into details of any companies involved, just to see if there are any – how shall we put this – possible pecuniary interests……….

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