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The first of the new 'Business After Hours' meetings in Kununurra drew an excellent response. Whilst organisers expected only about 20 people to show, the end result was more than 40. The meeting was organised by the Kimberley Primary Industries Association (KPIA), the Kununurra Chamber of Commerce and Industry and CJ Ord Sugar. The three organisations joined forces to present an update and preferred course of action to expedite development in the Ord River Irrigation Area. The meeting was held at the CJ Sugar Mill and those in attendance came from a broad spectrum of the community. Some people expressed concerns that the Kimberley Land Council and some other organisations had failed to send representatives, despite invitations. Chamber president Frank Rodriguez opened the meeting and discussed its purpose before handing over to the mill's logistics manager Wayne Paul. Wayne spoke informatively of the future of the mill and the need for further land release if it was to remain viable and expand. |
He explained the impact of low sugar prices and described how CJ was exploring numerous options. He concluded by stating the obvious need for further land release to allow more sugar to be produced in the valley. Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley chief executive officer Chris Adams said the Shire's perspective was that 'land must be released and released now'. He said this included agricultural, industrial and residential land. Chris said the Shire was actively running a campaign of lobbying government agencies and politicians to obtain land release. The Shire was in support of a gradual release of land starting with Green Swamp and an area near Cave Springs. The State Government had put $4 million towards sorting out native title and progressing Ord Stage II, he said, and the Shire would continue 'belting down doors on behalf of the community'. |
KPIA executive officer David McKerrell said it was time to go ahead with development and that every time a timeline was set for a report or an action it was 'overrun by miles'. "We need the community's full support so that we can rock the boat," he said. David urged all members of the community to write to State Government Ministers Eric Ripper, Kim Chance and Clive Brown seeking their help to get development. Department of Planning and Infrastructure regional manager Steve Burgess said 'fragile negotiations' were going on over native title and the same man who negotiated native title over the Burrup Peninsula was negotiating native title in the Ord. He said negotiations were aimed at putting together a 'global package'. At the conclusion of the meeting about half those present went on a tour of the mill, guided by Wayne. For many who have lived in the valley for numerous years, it was their first tour of the mill. |