Business
15 October, 2024
Laundry start-up pulls the pin after community backlash
Proponent Neale Parry informed the Queensland government that he wouldn't be accepting the grant.
Negative feedback from the community and media coverage has led to the rejection of a $2 million state government grant to establish a new commercial laundry in Mount Isa.
As reported last week, an entity called NW Commercial Laundry was a successful applicant of the Queensland government’s Mount Isa Transition Fund, causing much angst to local commercial laundry operator Verity Sweeney.
Within 24 hours of the story breaking, proponent Neale Parry had “reassessed” his position.
“It has never been my intention to cause unrest in a community facing current challenges,” he said.
“Following negative media coverage after successfully obtaining a $2 million grant, my family and I have reassessed our position.
“This, along with changes in family circumstances, I have today advised the state government of my intention not to proceed with the allocated funding under the Mount Isa Transition Fund.
“My family and I wish the community of Mount Isa well during the challenges ahead.”
Ms Sweeney said common sense had prevailed.
“I’m extremely relieved,” she told North West Weekly.
“I feel sorry for them because it wasn’t their fault; they did the tendering in good faith.
“The government should have been more proactive and done its checks and balances.”
Mr Parry, who owns CQ Commercial Laundry in Emerald, said he was approached in 2020 by several stakeholders with regards to establishing a commercial laundry in the Mount Isa region.
“Due to its location, the project is faced with significant cost and logistical barriers,” the company said in a statement.
“We were excited to receive approval recently. This project would have decades of benefits to the community and to the Australian economy.”