The name of disgraced former Ipswich City Council mayor Paul Pisasale will be removed from two locations following a decision by council last week.
In a Mayoral Minute motion, Mayor Teresa Harding proposed the re-naming of two council-owned assets connected to the jailed politician – Paul Pisasale Bridge, Springfield Central, and Pisasale Drive, Yamanto – and committed to conducting community consultation to re-name them in line with council’s naming procedure.
“I am not proposing we re-write our city’s history and remove all references to this former mayor. However, feedback from residents and businesses suggests there is interest in re-visiting the naming of two assets that continue to be a source of embarrassment for our city,” Mayor Harding said.
“I believe our community wants to move on from the actions of the past and should be given the opportunity to have a say on how we close the book on this chapter.”
Mayor Harding said since election in March 2020, this council had made significant progress in advancing the City of Ipswich and putting to bed the city’s challenges of the past.
“In the last 20 months, we have done a lot to repair the reputation of our city and have established this council as one of the most open and transparent in Australia.
“From the launch of the Transparency and Integrity Hub, to live-streaming and documenting our decision-making processes for all to see, the appointment of our new CEO as well as the incredible progress made in revitalising our once-forgotten CBD – there is a lot for this council to be proud of.
The revitalised heart of Ipswich’s CBD has been transformed for Christmas in Ipswich into the ‘St Nicholas Precinct‘.
“However, in closing the door to Ipswich’s past, there is one issue that we have not yet resolved. Like many councillors, it is something I made a commitment to address as part of my election campaign – and something I believe is still important to the Ipswich community.
“The name of a former mayor, who has been found guilty of over 30 serious crimes, including two counts of sexual assault against a 23-year-old woman, and given a sentence of imprisonment, is etched into our public places, and is seen by many in the community as an embarrassing reminder of a previous era.”
Council’s Naming Procedure states that council may consider re-naming a road or other named facility where the name is that of a person who has been convicted of an indictable offence under the Criminal Code, or an electoral offence contrary to the Local Government Act.
Members of the community had previously suggested renaming the Pisasale Bridge after local tennis champion Ash Barty, but Mayor Harding said something more appropriate would be found for the celebrated two-time grand slam winner.
Under the procedure which was adopted when council was in administration (Aug 2018-Mar 2020), it was decided council could rename a location after consultation with impacted businesses and residents and there had to be clear majority in favour of the new name.
Council will be working on a new strategy for the renaming of these two locations in Springfield Central and Yamanto in coming weeks as it will be the first time this procedure has been used.
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Don’t name them after living people , as people are fallible. Rate payers have to pay for these changes . The bridge does not need to be named , it just part of the road .
All previous Councillor names should be taken off public assets including road/street names. There is always the hint of self promotion and possible favours granted to the contractors responsible for the development of those assets.
If you want trust and transparency and distance yourselves from the previous administration, it could be worthwhile considering.
Ho about Neville Bonner Way for the Yamanto replacement.
Ipswich should adopt the procedure of Tasmania where a street, bridge, park, etc can only be named after someone who has passed away. This means that the person’s life can be assessed and if found to be substantiated as worthy of recognition then that place can grant the honour of carrying their name. This stops the ridiculous situation that we find ourselves in where unworthy people are given recognition that is unwarranted. This also stops the “vanity” convention of naming something after yourself, your largest political contributor or family members. Names should also only be one name to make the search string with technology appropriate.
I think it is disgraceful to think that you would change the names of the bridge and road from Paul Pisasale . I am still proud of what he achieved for us in the lpswich area. I am sure there are other leaders who have done much than him . He did more damage to himself than to others. He was much more receptive than other Mayors he always had time to listen . I don’t believe that he diserves to have his name removed from these landmarks.
How about Reparation Bridge and Street?
I would like to see place names associated with local indigenous history used.
With their proper consultation as well as council etc.
I would like to submit the following for consideration of renaming either the bridge or road. Corporal Frederick Charles Aylott was awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) for bravery during the battle of Villers Bretonneux during W.W.1. Fred is one of 2 sons of the Aylott family with early links to Ipswich through Ipswich Girls Grammar School, Limestone Park and Mrs Aylott’s Guest House in Ellenborough Street. Fred’s brother Herbert died at sea on the way to Europe and was buried off (Ceylon) Sri Lanka. Fred returned to Australia after losing an arm during the battle of V. B and is buried in Ipswich Cemetery. Both Fred and Herbert have links to the “Dungaree’s March”. Full details of Fred Aylott’s military record could be readily accessed through Ipswich RSL Sub Branch.
I think Paul Pasale Drive should be renamed after Francis (Frank)Porter who was the original land owner at the end of Grampian Way. He named the Grampian Hills after the Grampian Mountains in his homeland in Cumbria. I presume Grampian Way was named because of this.