“Lock the Gate” protestors outside the Mareeba RSL.
Mt Mulligan station sold was passed in initially at auction. Private negotiations were held after the auction, with Mr Morris purchasing the station for an undisclosed fee. Fears of the land being sold for mining purposes were eventually dispersed, much to the delight of those concerned for its future. But some of these concerns appeared to be somewhat premature, according to Member for Cook David Kempton. “Let’s look at the facts,” Mr Kempton said. “There is no current coal seam gas exploration permit at Mt Mulligan, proposed fracking or risk to the environment.” “If it ever does eventuate that coal seam
By Justin Fris The scores of protestors who attended the Mareeba RSL on Wednesday, October 8, to vent their anger over the sale of Mt Mulligan Station at auction turned out to be a fizzer and consequently a complete waste of time. “Lock the Gate’ proponents and supporters presumed the property would be sold to a mining company but instead was purchased by a local business man, Mr Chris Morris, who intends to transform Mt Mulligan Station into an outback resort. A reserve price of $1.6 million was set and
gas comes to our region, I will be looking very closely at the environmental consequences and the cultural implications.” With Mt Mulligan (Ngaddabooldan) land sacred to the Djungan people, it was only fitting that a resounding throng of people gathered to voice their opinions before the auction. Amongst the crowd was KAP leader Bob Katter, whose passion for the cause raised the atmosphere single handily. “What little rights a landholder in this town had held have been stripped away by the LNP government,” he said. Mr Katter’s hearty plea was echoed by members of the CSG Free North Qld group,
New journalist at The Express Justin Fris (pictured) has joined The Express team as the paper’s new journalist. Originally from Perth, Justin is qualified in both journalism and sport management. He has a unique personality, along with a real passion for sport reporting. Justin is approachable and is looking forward to meeting you soon. The Express would also like to inform its contacts, readers and business associates that Katherine Kokkonen, our former journalist, is no longer working for the company and does not represent us in any shape or form within our community.
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along with other concerned onlookers. Members of the Djungan community said they had been working with the Indigenous Land Council on Native title options, which could have given them the first option of securing a lease for the land. Traditional Owner of Nyaddaboolgan, Percy Neal, said “The Djungan community were devastated that negotiations ultimately proved unsuccessful. The Djungan people are bitterly disappointed by the callous nature that the Indigenous Land Council has shown the Djungan people in relationship to them being able to purchase the lease hold on their land,” he said.
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www.guilfoylefunerals.com.au The Express, Wednesday, October 15, 2014 PAGE 3