North Queensland Fisho's Abandoned

[Rod Fishing]

Why are we talking about the cowgirls I didnt even know they were still in the NRL. What a poor team. I reckon wooden spoon this season thats if they even get to play.

[Kevin Ferguson]

Scott what is the feeling of the locals? Still strongly against the project? As to the Fed Gov knowing of intentions , plannig permission is usually a council province. Perhaps an escape clause in the original sale re : development approval would have proved prudent. Maybe expected a " tick & flick " by council so didn't bother ( speculation on my part here as I am to far removed to offer informed opinion).

Fiascos like this seem to be on the increase with government of all levels granting themselves & special interests exemptions from laws that voters have to obey. Current situation in Brisbane with Southbank Corporation being exempt from council planning. Relocating ABC studios to a current greenspace with a lot of locals & council not happy. I don't get in to Brisbane much myself so not really across the " pro's & con's ". Just the exemptions & commercial in confidence B/S that gripes me.
Cheers Kevin

[Kevin Ferguson]

Scott whats the current feelings of the locals on this development? Still the same level of disapproval? As to the Fed Gov knowing about the plans to develop , usually planning approval is the domain of council. Perhaps an escape clause re: development approval would have been prudent at time of purchase. Maybe it was assumed that this would be a " tick & flick " so not needed. ( assumption here on my part as I am to far removed from facts of case to put forward any conclussions.)

Fiasco's like this are becoming more common , due in part to governments of all levels granting themselves & special interests exemptions from laws that the ordinary citizen has to obey. Current sitution in Brisbane with South Bank being exempt from local planning laws. Council & a lot of locals not happy with relocation of ABC studios to a current greenspace. Don't get into Brisbane much myself . so am not across all the " pros & cons " to form an opinion. Just the exemptions & commercial in confidence B/S that seems to be the rule rather than the exception these days that gripes me.
Cheers Kevin

[Scott nthQld]

Kev,

The Community, including myself is still strongly oppsed to the development for one reason or another, the 2 major reasons being envronmental protection of the area, or like my, the area hold significant historical value, where by there are a number of bunkers used in WW2 to shoot down the japs, creating lots of lovely wrecks for me to fish.

AS for the Federal Govt, they called for tenders before they sold the land, looking for obviously the best price, including the buyers intentions, so they knew full well what the Lancin had in store fo the land. Granted that the Federal Govt at the time of the sale was the Liberals, but the Labor Govt, has also had their fair share of access to the info so there's no excuse.

As far as I'm concerned, the coucil only rejected this apliation because of the public outcry, however they've cited infrastucture reasoning as part of their NO. Which is utter crap, they've passed so many other developments with little or no infrastucture to support the extra population, so why would they stop now.

Anyway, I'm glad the development was rejected, but you've got to look at these things from both sides of the fence to get and honest and open view on what is going on and be reasonably informed.

So the process of the whole debacle wnt something like this:

1. Fed Goverment caled for tenders to purchase the land, including in the tender, the buyer proposed intentions.
2. Lancini won the tender, and purchased the land for development
3. Lancini submitted a development application, and despite public outcry, the coucil at the time approved the app.
4. Public outcry ensued, and after so much public pressure, Lancini pulled plans and announced he would offer the land back to the governemnt at the same price he paid

5. The new Labor led govt, rejected his offer, saying it was not in line with their historical or envrinmental protection plans
6. Lancini, much to the public's disgust, submitted a new development application
7. the issue dropped off the radar for a few months due to council amalgamation elections and issues following on from that.
8.. Council has now rejected the new application, citing environmental, historical, and infrastructure reasons, even though previous developments in other areas with the same issues were approved.
9. On top of the rejection, council have said that the Govt should buy the land back off Lancini. In the meantime, Lancini is checking the legal options to challenge councils decision.

So if we look at it from Lancini's point of view, its comparable to someone buying a house, being told they could move in, then told they can't, so now unable to sell the house, they're left with an empty bank account, and a useless house, being unable to do anything with it.

[Kevin Ferguson]

Scott
in light of point 3 it looks like the current situation is the best it will get for you. At best a win / lose. Win - site protected , Lose - someone is going to have to pay ( & we all know who that will be in the end ). Hope it doesn't turn into a lose / lose , whereby development proceeds and you have to pay for delays.
Cheers Kevin

[Rod Fishing]

Look Lancini is good for the region he is trying to create jobs llets not live in the past, as much as i would like to see the gun sites preserved it is ancient history. MOve on and get with the times we need jobs and Lancini is doing his best to create.

The local government should pull its head out of their back side and try to create jobs thus stimulating the ecomony not hinder them.