Fireclay Caverns...From Page 1 the Fireclay Caverns in Mount Morgan. Council resolved at its last meeting not to proceed with the compulsory acquisition of the Native Title, but Mayor Tony Williams reassured the local community that Council was still committed to the project and would look for other avenues to progress it. “The decision is a clear sign we remain committed to seeing this incredible tourism and historical experience brought back to life, but we want to do it the right way and the compulsory acquisition of native title isn’t that way,” Mayor Williams said. “For Council to gain access to the land, the state government required Council to purchase the land and convert it to freehold and this triggered the need to compulsory acquire native title and the compulsory acquisition was never our preferred option. “Council will now write to both the State and Federal Government seeking recognition of the natural and historical significance of the caverns along with a request for assistance to stabilise and to conserve the caves to ensure this important site remains intact for future generations. “I firmly believe that we have an obligation to history to see the Mount Morgan Fireclay Caverns reopened for the world to see and for people to walk in the literal footsteps of dinosaurs. “This project won’t happen overnight. But the community should be reassured we’re here to work with you – we’ve shown that with the water supply, we’ll do it again with this,” Mayor Williams said. MMPAD President, Mr John Steinberger said Mount Morgan’s Fireclay Caverns was a hidden diamond in the Capricorn Crown for regional tourism as well as having significant paleontological importance. “Even the cavern’s strata are an astounding feature, then you look up and see the early Jurassic prints on the ceiling,” he said. He agreed with what Mayor Williams was saying especially concerning the importance of the State Government recognising the significance of the FCC location but is concerned with Council’s unknown timeframes to act. Council did show genuine commitment a few years ago and prioritised the caverns in the region’s priorities during the state election and shortly after in the Advancing Mount Morgan Strategy. “I think this has been understood in the past, but the safety concerns and other priorities have outweighed the community requirement for these caverns to be reopened and the importance has been lost along the way.
“This has been MMPAD’s and the community’s stance since the closure and over the years there have been mixed results,” Mr Steinberger said. Mr Steinberger said the State Government Department responsible for the caverns stated and identified at the first community meeting, the need to explore avenues to find remedial solutions to regain access. “MMPAD has also lobbied and secured funding from the State Government for geotechnical investigation into the area’s stability. All unfortunately have not eventuated to anything that provide solutions towards reopening this important location.” The council also investigated in 2018 which provided some positives, but not to the extent that would alter the Queensland Government’s stance of total exclusion to anyone to the area. “MMPAD understands that due to the Mines Department preventing entry to the FCC, investigating and examining the area to develop detailed findings is almost impossible,” Mr Steinberger said. “We find this outlook quite frustrating and cannot accept this situation especially as today’s technology and expertise lends itself to a thorough and practical investigation of the cavern’s stability,” Mr Steinberger said. “MMPAD certainly supports Council’s action to write to the Queensland Government on this issue, however we feel it is necessary to personally approach the Queensland Premier on the subject.” “There are documented records showing the inaction and lack of results from the Premier’s Government both currently and in the past in respect to this issue. “The solution we see is to establish the stability of both internal and external areas of the caverns clarified with detail. This has failed in the past due to restrictions, access and examinations. “Without this there can be no way forward towards planning or any need for acquisition of title of land, development of master plans and groups and government levels working together. Even if the Council or any other party took over ownership of the location health and safety concerns would need to be addressed in line with government requirements and approvals. “It is MMPAD’s interpretation that any purchase of land would be premature at this point, without knowing the full detail of faults and if or what can be done for remedial actions to preserve this site for the future. Continued on Page 4
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS DISCLAIMER The Mount Morgan Argus is published by Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc, 1 Railway Parade, Mount Morgan. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishers. MMPAD reserves the discretionary right to alter, omit, reclassify or postpone publication of articles, photographs or advertisements in the Mount Morgan Argus. MMPAD takes all possible care with the publication of news, names and other information sourced by MMPAD representatives. It does not, however, take responsibility for erroneous information or spelling supplied by external sources. Please take care and ensure that information is correct and names are spelt correctly before submitting any items to this publication. MMPAD Executive
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