As Perth bids to bring the Stone of Destiny to the city a local councillor has called for “realism” and “not Disney World-type extravagant projects”.
Councillor Alan Livingstone spoke out after the head of Perth City Development Board, John Bullough, called on people decrying the city’s current woes to “become part of the solution”.
Mr Livingstone entered the debate saying: “John Bullough chastises men and women he describes as ‘council critics’ for ‘complaining and moaning’.
“No-one I know, nor the many I meet and speak to, put Perth down or want it to fail. They want realism.
“They want an administration that acknowledges that Perth, as a retail, tourism and hospitality centre, is in the doldrums. They want realistic plans for reversing Perth’s retail decline and not Disney World-type extravagant projects. They want leadership that is professional and successful rather than muddled and failing.
“This is what Perth wants, needs and deserves.”
Responding Mr Bullough said: “Councillor Livingstone has I’m afraid taken my comments utterly out of context and has clearly misunderstood my point. I clearly never suggested that any citizen of Perth wants it to fail.
“My clear and unambiguous point is that these passionate and capable people should become part of the process and argue their ideas in a designated forum, rather than just in the newspaper and coffee houses of Perth. That is the only way that their potentially excellent ideas might become a reality.
“The Chamber of Commerce, City Centre Traders Association and the Development Board sub-committees are surprisingly short of people who are willing to put their shoulders behind the wheel, but the newspapers are full of people with the time to talk Perth down at every opportunity.
“I am encouraging the people of Perth to become part of the solution and I am convinced that we can deliver Perth’s renaissance if we all work together.”
Councillor John Kellas, convener of the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee, said he supported Mr Bullough’s stance.
“He reflects a growing concern that now is the right time to move on with a positive approach,” said Mr Kellas.
“Recent independent sources have confirmed Perth is progressing well and future plans recently announced and approved by council go some way (around 75% of the way) to meeting the private sector led Perth plan.
“Some people , including Councillor Livingstone, should reflect on this and get behind the plan and the planned progress rather that spreading treacle which slows us all down .”
