Breenie calls on politicians to back Toombul’s ‘small guys’
Politicians are being urged to step in and back the jilted Toombul Shopping Centre store owners.
Owner, Mirvac, has terminated all leases, following a decision not to reopen the centre after February’s floods.
“In the long run, Mirvac won’t lose a cent because they’ve got the site, they can go again,” Neil Breen said.
“Mirvac has used one of the biggest design firms in the world to help them with the redevelopment, they’re called Leonard Design.
“If anyone thinks, if anyone thinks Mirvac hasn’t seen this as an opportunity, and in the meantime, the small guy has to pay, you’re kidding yourself.”
Breenie called on politicians, particularly naming Anthony Albanese, to step in amid the injustice for store owners.
“He wanted a fairer Australia, where nobody’s left behind.
“I can tell you who’s being left behind here: the shopkeepers at Toombul shopping centre.
“Have you heard a word out of a politician? No, you haven’t.”
Press PLAY below to hear Neil Breen’s comments in full
Member for Lilley Anika Wells told Neil Breen she’s been looking into the issue.
“We’ve been talking with the Small Business Commissioner about what rights our tenants have with respect to Mirvac, given everything that’s happened,” she said.
“Their failure to, I think, increase their social licence and think about what an iconic place Toombul holds on the northside is really lighting the community against them at the moment.
“There’s ongoing problems now for people who are going to have to catch two buses to get to Chermside.”
Press PLAY below to hear the full interview