Then, after Boggo Road opened, we were told that the arrangement was that revenue would be paid back to the government on a monthly basis, in the form of a lease. The businessman himself publicly announced that this 'wasn't free' and he was paying all kinds of money to be allowed to operate at the gaol.
We found out today exactly how much he is paying: $0.
Nothing
Zero
Zilch
Yes, you read that right. A private business was handed a public asset, your public asset, without any tender process, fixed up at public expense, and is paying exactly $0 for the privilege. No rent. No lease. No fees. On the other hand, he is running stupidly expensive tours (up to $40) and hiring the site out for functions at $2250 a pop, almost all of which is going straight into his own pocket. The gaol gets nothing. The taxpayer gets nothing back for their investment. If any of this makes sense to you, I suggest you return to the top of the page and start reading again.
When the Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society put their plans for the gaol to government last year the emphasis was all on what they could give back to Boggo Road, to help cover costs for maintenance and preservation. They proposed returning over 90% of the revenue raised straight back to the gaol. The BRGHS wanted to give, give, give. Ghost Tours want to take, take, take.
The attitude seems to be "Ask not what you can do for Boggo Road, but what Boggo Road can do for you".
Now we already knew that the place was being mismanaged. Other organisations have NOT been granted 'fair and equitable access' (despite what the propaganda might say - but more on that next week); Visitor numbers are dwindling; Bugger all real jobs have been created; But now it seems that the worst of it is that the gaol isn't even getting any money anyway. In these circumstances, it's only fair to say:
BOYCOTT BOGGO ROAD!
The place BELONGS to the public, it should be run for public good, not personal profit. If you go there, your money is going straight into one man's pocket. Not to the gaol.
Save your money. Wait until the place is opened properly, and then your money will do some good for Queensland heritage instead of paying for someone's luxury car.
It shouldn't be like this. We can do much, much better. Join our fight and visit the Better Future for Boggo Road facebook page and blog.
Postscript:I have a business proposal. Every time someone wants to use the BBQ's at Roma Street Parkland, the government makes them pay me $25 for the privilege. Now, I know taxpayers paid for the parklands to be built and maintained and all that, and they own them, but I won't actually give any money back to the government or anything. They can pay to look after their own stupid parklands, and I'll have a cash bonanza making people pay through the nose for using stuff they already own.
After all, if it's good enough for Boggo Road, it's good enough for anywhere else. Maybe you too could profit and earn from your very own public asset!