When to comes to elections, Tim Bohm is always the bridesmaid, never the bride. When it comes to the Telstra Tower, he can’t imagine Canberra without it. It’s “Seven Days” with IAN MEIKLE.

TIM Bohm is Canberra’s biggest loser. I mean that affectionately. 

Over 10 years, he’s fallen short at more elections and stood for more parties than anyone I can think of. 

Federally, he’s been a candidate for Bullet Train Australia (2013 and 2016) and an independent (2019 and 2022).

In ACT elections, he stood in 2012 (Molonglo) as a Bullet Train for Canberra candidate, in 2016 (Yerrabi) for Like Canberra and 2020 (Kurrajong) for the Canberra Progressives.

Nuts? Hardly. Tim’s a family guy, contributes at a community level and runs a successful graphics business. 

And he faces the electorate every time with unerring, optimistic enthusiasm and good humour, undaunted by inevitable failure.

On May 21 he squared off against Labor’s sitting member in the seat of Canberra, the unassailable Alicia Payne, and the unrelenting Greens candidate Tim Hollo. 

“As I’m running in a very safe Labor seat, it means I have a better chance of being hit by a meteor than I do of winning the seat,” he said philosophically at the time.

Neither things happened, though he did manage a credible 5.1 per cent of the primary vote and third place, a personal best. 

“I’m calling it one in 20 people in the electorate voted directly for me. Not bad for a 31-day campaign. Plus some of my best dad jokes to date,” he says.

To wit: “My wife tells me I have two major faults. I don’t listen – and something else…”

So why bother?

“I feel independents are the best chance we have of fixing our broken political system. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t,” he says.

History sent his ambition down the laundry chute once again. And the prospect of October 19, 2024 – the next ACT election – is beckoning like a siren on an electoral rock. Will he, won’t he? He says “no”, but that might be the wily politician in him or Mrs Bohm has finally put her foot down.

And the point of all this? During his campaign, Tim expressed concern for the future of Black Mountain Tower, fearing Telstra will tear it down. I’m pretty sure that won’t bother the Friends of Black Mountain, but Tim had some ideas that would mortify them. 

“Black Mountain Tower has become one of Canberra’s most recognisable landmarks in the country,” he proclaimed.

“Like the rest of Canberra, the tower has been ignored and neglected. Did you know it is currently closed with no plans to reopen it. Such a wasted opportunity.

“Can you imagine Canberra without the tower? We might have to if our federal and local politicians continue to keep their heads firmly in the sand. “Ignoring Telstra Tower and issues around its maintenance and ownership could see it go the way of the Sydney monorail.” I’m not sure that’s a compelling analogy, Timbo.

“If we don’t find a solution to get it back open and maintained, it will get torn down and be gone forever.

“One scenario is Telstra, the current owners, let the tower deteriorate to the point that it becomes a danger to the community. The government could be forced to foot the bill for it to be torn down. There are unconfirmed rumours that it’s full of asbestos.” Whoa! Was that a scare campaign?

I went up there and he’s right. It’s closed to the public with a barely visible sign below the trumpeting “Welcome to Telstra Tower” banner saying, unsurprisingly: “Telstra Tower is closed until further notice. We do apologise for any inconvenience.” 

There was a small, desultory passing of irritated  tourists: park car, press nose against window, peer, sigh and push off down the hill. The place didn’t look especially neglected, more a sense of deserted  indifference at being locked up and unused. 

Undaunted, Tim offered up some ideas that, I’m guessing, probably contributed to his not being elected. Friends of Black Mountain brace yourselves: 

• Create Australia’s highest and most terrifying indoor/outdoor rock climbing centre.
• Australia’s highest luxury hotel or even Australia’s most unique youth hostel, cafe and bar. 
• Open the stairs to “very fit visitors”, and challenge kids to “climb up the tower”.
• Add a tourist cable car (with mountain bike racks) linking the tower to the back of the Botanical Gardens and CSIRO.
• One floor could be Australia’s highest and most unique escape room.

There’s more: “Sounds crazy,” (you think?) “but maybe the simplest solution is the best; how about a tourism centre and restaurant/café, imagine that?

“If we don’t do something now, it will continue to be neglected and ignored until there will be one option left, and that will be to tear it down. I can’t imagine a Canberra without the tower in it.”

There were almost 4500 voters who thought he had a point. 

FOLLOWING the column piece (CN May 26) about the demise of the Pretty Woman brothel in Mitchell, Steve wrote to say Michael Moore, who led a Legislative Assembly investigation that reformed the ACT sex industry in 1996, probably didn’t recall that particular establishment because in the mid-’90s it was called Aphrodites, “which would also explain why they had so many Greek statues in the foyer”.

“Now how do I know this?” Steve teases. “As a Pizza Hut delivery driver in Dickson, Mitchell was part of our delivery and you would meet some of the nicest people. 

“And, yes, I will admit to going to Pretty Woman and Aphrodites, but only ever to deliver pizzas and garlic bread.” And we absolutely, totally believe you, Steve.