The scene featured about three dozen men, women and children casually passing the time, either sitting or standing, as they waited for their bus the arrive.

There are men and women in suits, fresh from work, milling around and chatting. There are younger people, possibly students, grabbing coffee and reading.

There are also tiny children, in the company of adults, looking perfectly happy to be in such a clean, safe, modern and peaceful environment.

“Projects such as the bus commuter hub in the Hargreaves Mall help to make public transport an even more attractive option,” then mayor Peter Cox said at the time.

Unfortunately, he could not have been more wrong. Whatever good intentions were in the hearts and minds of those who conceived building a bus commuter hub in the mall, they have not translated into reality.

A more accurate artist’s impression – done, of course, with the benefit of hindsight – would depict shirtless young men brawling while police stand with capsicum spray poised.

There would also be obscene graffiti scrawled on the shelter’s surfaces and fast food wrappers and empty cigarette packs strewn on the ground.

Most disturbingly, there would be the shocked and scared faces of innocent bystanders who are caught in the cross-fire.

The construction of the central business district commuter hub has not succeeded in helping make public transport an “even more attractive option”.

Rather, it has simply concentrated the sort of anti-social behaviour that has plagued the mall for years into one area, significantly magnifying the issue.

What is the answer? Must we have police officers patrolling the mall every minute of every day? Should there be more CCTV cameras recording every move? Do we tear down the shelter and hope the troublemakers disperse?

Fresh Mint’s Jenny Dhillon is one business owner in Hargreaves Mall who is brave enough to speak out about the precinct’s problems.

Hard-working traders should not have to live in fear from delinquents who have taken over the CBD through fear and intimidation.

- Ross Tyson, deputy editor