Save the Regent

The Regent developers, Brookfield Multiplex, have been fined $5000 for breaching the Heritage Management Plan by using heavy machinery in areas adjoining the heritage-listed grand foyer.
Of course, $5000 is peanuts to a multi-million-dollar enterprise such as BMX.
However, Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk said the council "has issued a separate notice today seeking assurance from the developer that they will not continue to undertake activities that breach the heritage management plan. I have given them 24 hours to give this commitment, otherwise council will close down all work on this part of the site until they do."
The breach this week, and a previous one a few weeks ago, were noticed and videotaped by inidividuals affiliated with Save the Regent groups, and were brought to the council's attention by STR and the media.

This video raises more fears for the heritage listed grand foyer of the Regent. The mechanical jack hammer is directly behind the wall to the foyer. The plywood panel is the opening from the grand marble staircase.
Also noticeable in the video is the 1929 fountain niche, which was hidden from view during the late 1970s renovation of the building.

In case there is any doubt about what minister Stirling Hinchliffe said about the now-destroyed Regent gargoyles, here is what he told 612ABC on December 14, 2010: Click here for audio.
The full interview can be found here.

Update: here's how Channel Ten news covered the story:

Updates:
Brisbane Times: 10 words made a difference.
ABC audio here.
Earlier Brisbane Times story here.

Another heartbreaking picture (below) for heritage lovers. A grotesque from the Elizabeth Street facade of the Regent lies shattered among the rubble. The picture at right shows it in its original form. In this statement, Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said: "The Regent Theatre’s foyer, box office, marble stair case, gargoyles, sign, lanterns and some furniture will be retained and restored under a State Government Heritage Management Plan (HMP), Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe announced today. ... [the HMP] stipulates artefacts such as the gargoyles, some of the lanterns, the paintings and much of the furnishings will be re-used in the new development". (Our emphasis.)

A witness says that the demolition crew at the Regent is using machines to demolish a wall adjoining the Heritage-protected grand foyer, in apparent contravention of the heritage management plan which says this work must be done by hand.

This still from video footage taken today shows a machine working on a corner wall. The white section is directly above the grand staircase in the foyer.

This would appear to be at odds with the Heritage Management plan, as follows:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA REGENT_HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN/FINAL_V3/6 DECEMBER 2010

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It is proposed that the brick masonry west wall of the “cinema box”, that flanks each side of the Grand Foyer, will be cut at the junction of the Grand Foyer transverse walls and demolished.

Policy 32: This demolition work should be carried out by hand to ensure no physical or vibration damage occurs to the fabric of the Grand Foyer.

The video footage also appears to show holes in plastic sheeting that is supposed to protect the foyer from the elements.

Update Premier Anna Bligh and Mayor Graham Quirk have both responded to STR concerns on Twitter. Brisbane City Council compliance officers will investigate.