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Cape York meetings a ‘step in the right direction’ supplied by Kempton’s office 26 March 2014
D
avid Kempton, Member for Cook (pictured with Laura Traditional Owners) has described the meeting with the Traditional Owners of the Laura Rock Art as a “big step in the right direction” in relation to the draft Cape York Regional Plan. Mr Kempton travelled to Laura for a face to face meeting with a group of about 25 locals. He explained that the proposed amendments to the plan would protect the iconic rock art from mining. “The greater the protection the tighter the restrictions on other uses of the land,” Mr Kempton said. “I am confident that through discussions like these we will get the balance right.” He said that although the deadline for submissions closed today it was an ongoing process and he would continue to work with the group on the proposed mapping and land use conditions. “This meeting was about the specific issue of protecting the Laura rock art and by no means represent widespread discontent by traditional
owners throughout Cape York over the plan,” Mr Kempton said. “I have not been contacted by any other group.” He said he was confident he could work with the people of Laura to achieve the “best outcome for everyone.” Mr Kempton also held a second meeting with farmers at Lakeland where it was agreed
that mining and tourism contributed to economic diversity. “However where there is an interaction with these sorts of activities and farming it is very important to ensure that the good farming country be protected and the integrity of the water supply is guaranteed,” he said. “It is important in the Lakeland basin that we
get the mapping and land use codes right,” he said. “I will continue to work closely with the Lakeland farmers around these issues and am confident that we will reach the right result.” Mr Kempton said he would now take the matters raised yesterday to the Deputy Premier and ensure they were taken into account in the planning process.
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