As the outcry over the proposed acquisition of 200,000 hectares of land between Townsville and Charters Towers gathers pace, conflicting claims of economic benefit and harm are being aired by the region’s politicians.
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The KAP Member for Dalrymple, Shane Knuth, has demanded the state government halt the forced buy-up of properties of more than 20 families for defence purposes, saying the loss of such a block of productive country would leave a huge hole in north Queensland’s economy.
Townsville-based LNP senator, Ian Macdonald, on the other hand said Townsville was suffering vast unemployment and the deal with the Singapore government will mean jobs and ongoing wealth.
“It’s wonderful for the Townsville economy,” he said. “It will be an additional $50m GDP annually once in full swing.
“Australia’s biggest army base needs an additional training area and now they’ll get it, at no cost to us.
“I’m no engineer, but I imagine the new area will involve the construction of villages, a firing range, lots of roads made, and fencing done.
“I’m disappointed Mr Katter is trying to cause division in the community.
“Townsville has vast unemployment, and this comprehensive deal with Singapore will mean jobs and ongoing wealth.”
KAP leader Bob Katter last week greeted the announcement of the acquisition proposal with anger, saying no amount of money would compensate for the loss of 200,000ha of highly-productive land.
Fellow KAP member, Shane Knuth has met several times with state development minister Anthony Lynham, demanding he refuse to sign over state land to federal ownership.
The proposed acquisitions have sparked strong outcry and opposition from landowners and the wider community, he said.
“Many of these properties service the Townsville meatworks, the only major processing plant in the north, and inject millions of dollars into the local economy.”
He warned the social, cultural and environmental impacts could also be severe.
“These families have been in the region for generations and are an important part of the region’s identity.
“Forcing them off their land would be a cruel act and cause high emotional stress.”
Concerns were also raised about what impact the military training may have on the health of waterways and existing water supplies to Charters Towers, as well as proposed water projects.
Senator Macdonald said if there were alternate solutions that met defence objectives, he would be happy to help progress them.
“I used to be a lawyer, and have been involved in resumptions in the past.
“They’re always distressing; people don’t like to give up property they’ve put a lot into.
“Where it happens, compensation will be very fair, and full.”
Mr Katter last week asked why the defence department couldn’t resume a similar amount of land west of Pentland, but Mr Macdonald didn’t think that was feasible, saying there had already been a huge investment over 40 years in the High Range training facility beside Townsville.
He urged affected landholders to attend the meetings planned for December 13 and 14 in Charters Towers.
“There may be a different alternative that doesn’t take good land. That’s what next week’s meetings are all about,” he said.
“People may be able to negotiate outcomes in some cases. Hopefully all becomes clear.”
He said he didn’t want to give any false hopes though.
Mr Macdonald said that at the end of the day, the Singapore deal was needed by the army, and would be good for Townsville with 14,000 troops through every year.
“It’s unfortunate for politicians to get involved; this is between landowners and the army, but they will get very fair treatment, and the north Queensland economy will benefit.”
- This article first appeared on North Queensland Register