In both instances, councillors voted to overturn the recommendations placed before them and to exercise their own common sense, particularly with regards to the fate of an old miner’s cottage.

Not everything that is old has a rich heritage value, and this was a classic example of not letting sentiments stand in the way of what was both practical and fair.

To restore a cottage back to its true heritage origins is actually an oxymoron, and this was a dwelling well past its best use by date.

The other matter related to the preferred location of a transport facility that will include a supervised taxi rank, lighting, public toilets, cameras, a chill-out zone and adequate shelter from the elements.

The facility is desperately needed to improve safety and help reduce anti-social behaviour in the CBD, and the recent and disappointing removal of the Nightrider bus service due at least partially to a lack of support from nightclub operators in the entertainment precinct only exacerbates the need for extra transport facilities.

There are obvious concerns from more than one section of the community that the site recommended opposite BRIT and adjacent to the newly improved Chinese Gardens precinct is not entirely suitable, and it was right that a decision has now been deferred so that these concerns can be properly and independently assessed.