Article: Community will have say on Bell St

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Community will have say on Bell St

Community will have say on Bell St

Chris Garry | 3rd February 2010

IPSWICH Mayor Paul Pisasale and Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan want residents to give suggestions to reform Bell Street, which has received criticism recently.

Mayor Paul Pisasale and State Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan chat with Charlie's Barber Shop part owner Shane Johnson about the problems with Bell Street.
Rob Williams

IPSWICH residents can now shape the future of the much-maligned Bell Street.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale and Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan want residents to give suggestions to reform the street, which received a barrage of criticism in recent weeks.

"Rachel and I have some ideas of how to improve Bell Street but we want to know what the people think is really needed," Cr Pisasale said.

"Some of the options include improving the lighting, changing the location of health services or the bus services and opening the CBD up more because it's very closed off at present."

Both community leaders are part of the Bell Street taskforce, which was established to find a solution to social problems in the Ipswich CBD.

"It is not the street of shame, but it's a small street with too many services and that creates problems," Cr Pisasale said.

"We know what's wrong with Bell Street already, what we want are ideas to improve it."

Ms Nolan said the street had significant social problems.

"Anyone who walks down Bell Street would think, 'Gee this could be improved'," she said.

"It's a planning issue and that's why the State Government and Ipswich City Council are together to make sure strategies can be implemented."

The taskforce will have its first meeting on Friday, February 12.

Part owner of Charlie's Barber Shop on Bell Street, Shane Johnson, said lighting and the abundance of services were the street's major issues.

"I have heard people comment that Bell Street is like the bronx," Mr Johnson said.

Residents can email ideas to Cr Pisasale at ppisasale@ipswich.qld.gov.au and Ms Nolan at ipswich@parliament.qld.gov.au.