What a great year

As the year draws to a close, there is a greater sense of optimism in the East Kimberley than for many a year.

Business has been good at most levels and the area is booming.

Green Swamp is finally being developed and Stage II is now a certainty, but just how it will proceed is still the main question.

For the State Government to stick to its moratorium on GM crops in the expressions of interest beggars belief.

The majority of Australia's cotton is now GM.

When is Premier Alan Carpenter going to pull his head out of the sand on issues such as GM cotton and uranium mining.

His government's 'they'll never replace the horse and cart' attitude is at variance with the interests of the State it is governing.

On a brighter note, East Kimberley mining activities look set to go ahead in leaps and bounds with new copper and iron ore deposits discovered and more likely.

The proposition of tidal power and a prawn farm for Wyndham, plus the impact of mining exports will inject money into the town and provide much-needed employment.

Property values are booming in Kununurra and Wyndham and more land release is inevitable.

All in all, a very bright outlook for 2007.

The Kimberley Echo would like to wish all its readers and advertisers a very special Christmas and a prosperous New Year.