Support for firm in planning row | Rockhampton News | Local News in Rockhampton

Cameron Mace of the Archer Hotel in Port Curtis

Allan Reinikka

RON Busby says his family business has received hundreds of messages of support this week after it emerged the Rockhampton company was facing closure in a planning dispute.

And yesterday he called on all the members of Rockhampton Regional Council to visit the business in Port Curtis before deciding its fate.

Business leaders, customers – and even the local pub – have rallied to the cause, urging councillors to overturn their decision to reject Busby’s retrospective application to carry on trading from its compound in Port Curtis Road.

The council’s position is that the company has been operating its demolition, civil construction and transport business on the site for years without planning permission and this week the Strategic Planning Committee turned down Busby’s application, principally because it is in a rural zone.

John Lamb, Rockhampton regional manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, offered his support yesterday along with neighbouring company Hastings Deering.

Hastings’ area manager Darren Wilson said he didn’t want to see any Rockhampton business close and the council should be working with business and industry to promote growth.

The potential impact on local business of losing a company with 100 employees and an annual wage bill of $6 million was highlighted by Cameron Mace, of the Archer Hotel.

He estimated up to 40% of the pub’s trade came from Busby employees.

“It would be sad to see them go and we would miss them so much,” he said.

Mr Busby met Mayor Brad Carter and senior administrators earlier this week but said the odds of his business surviving the dispute did not look good on planning grounds.

Mr Busby argued the company would not seek an alternative site if it was forced to pack up and leave Port Curtis. It would simply close the business and dismiss all the staff

“We would be happy to look at any suggestions to satisfy the council,” he said.

“We are calling on councillors to use their better judgment and look at the social and economic impact of closure.”