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An agreement between Aboriginals and the State Government has been hailed as a major step forward for the development of the East Kimberley region. Signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the State Government and the Miriuwung Gajerrong people in Kununurra last week, Deputy Premier Eric Ripper said it brought the second stage development of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme closer to reality. Mr Ripper said the Gallop Government was working to create a stronger economy with more jobs and opportunities, and the East Kimberley was important to those plans. "We want young people, indigenous and non-indigenous, to have a future in the East Kimberley, and that means development of the economic and social infrastructure," he said. Under the agreement outlined in the MOU, native title and heritage issues over 65,000 hectares of land around Kununurra and Lake Argyle will be resolved and the land released for development. The land release meant there would be more jobs, investment and economic growth in the East Kimberley. |
"The agreement, once finalised, will clear the way for a threefold expansion of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme that will generate at least 200 jobs during the construction phase, and create permanent employment for about 825 people," the Deputy Premier said. "In addition, it will open up opportunities for farming, agricultural, residential and industrial development." Mr Ripper said the second stage of the Ord project would be the biggest economic boost to the region in more than 30 years. The proposed benefits for the Miriuwung Gajerrong people aimed to build a sustainable future for the East Kimberley through: * bolstering their role in the regional economy; * involving Miriuwung Gajerrong participation in the proposed developments; * jobs, training and business opportunities; * a recognised stake and significant responsibilities in the management of conservation parks created as part of the irrigation development; |
* enabling the Miriuwung Gajerrong to deal effectively with the many demands associated with their interests in the region; * long-term economic development and financial independence; and * resolving social, heritage and environmental issues. Mr Ripper said the previous government had promoted Ord Stage II to private sector proponents without resolving underlying environmental, indigenous and legal issues. However, detractors see Mr Ripper's MOU as little more than an election stunt. They say the full agreement was supposed to be made by the end of December and now the State Government is putting off the final signing until June next year. Editor's note: The Kimberley Echo was not invited to the signing of the MOU, despite the Deputy Premier's officers attempting to get an ABC crew up from Broome and issuing a general media release. Perhaps we have been too critical in the past of the government's haphazard treatment of the East Kimberley. |