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Cook Planning Forum 2014 a huge success: Kempton supplied by the office of Member for Cook 30 January 2014
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triking the right balance between economy and environment, protecting infrastructure and community ownership were the major drivers coming out of a packed forum hosted by David Kempton, Member for Cook, about the Cape York Regional Plan last week. Local leaders, industry representatives, residents, land owners and conservationists were among more than 150 people to attend the event, which focused on the State Government’s draft plan, the future of the Peninsula Development Road (PDR) and
other issues critical to the region. Dozens more were turned away at the door with the hall packed to capacity. “Today is about kick starting real community engagement and ownership of the future of Cape York which, in my view, is where Government has got it wrong for the past 20 years,” Mr Kempton told the capacity crowd. “If you are prepared to work together today you have my guarantee I will take each and every recommendation forward regardless of what it is,” he said. Mr Kempton said he would also welcome individual submissions on the plan. “In the past Cape York has endured a process of consultation which usually involved a pre-
conceived idea cast about and implemented anyway. “Today is about real engagement and truthful conversations.” he said The draft plan was presented by James Ross from the Department of planning, who gave a very fair and balanced overview and did a great job of getting all the information out in a short time. The forum then had a general discussion and broke into 10 groups to come up with 3 key recommendations each which they voted on all in half an hour. “It was a very hectic pace, but well worth it,” Mr Kempton said. The key recommendations to go to the Minister include changing the basis of the draft, that currently only reflects environmental zones to a more balanced and realistic
Tony Mara, David Kempton MP, Jan Crase and State planner James Ross
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Forum participants speaking during the Cook Planning Forum last week. All images supplied
approach, identifying areas for development, environment, community use and recreation. “There needs to be more community engagement and greater attention to the long term aspirations of indigenous communities,” Mr Kempton said. Tenure and economic consideration were identified among the highest priorities. “There are no surprises here, the overwhelming majority agree these were the most important areas that need to drastically change,” he said. “I was surprised by the degree of unity in the forum, there was respect for differing points of view. “But there was definitely no argument that we have a lot to do yet to get this process right. “My big challenge now is to ensure my Government and the Federal Government listen to the voice of Cape York,” Mr Kempton told the forum. A report will be released to the public in the near future. After lunch, the focus moved to an information and brain storming session on the PDR, led by FNQ Regional Director for Main Roads Tony Potter who presented an informative overview of the present state of the road and the potential for works to come.
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TMR Director General Neil Scales, who has driven the PDR end to end with Mr Kempton, said he was heartened by the $210 million funding commitment from the Federal Government for infrastructure. “I am heartened that the community will have direct input on how this funding will be allocated and there will certainly be an emphasis on using local contractors,” he said. More than 20 people put their hands up to be included in a taskforce which will be assigned the task of assisting the Government to determine the most cost-effective outcome. “The idea is to get as many people over as much of the road as possible for as many days of the year,” Mr Kempton said. “This is the first time there will be a strategy to upgrade the PDR, previously we have always relied solely on flood money. “This is not going to be an advisory board, this is an action based group made of local people in the know who will have their voices heard.” Mr Kempton said other people from the area interested in joining the taskforce should contact his electoral office.
“I will now work hard to break down all the recommendations and submissions put forward at the forum before taking it to my Government.” Mr Kempton then delivered the outcomes of his workshop in response to the QLD Plan from late last year and the forum adopted the communication protocol developed during that forum. “The overwhelming message all Governments and NGOs need to properly engage with our community, listen to its wishes and work with closely with implement all outcomes,” he said. “Gone are the days of our people being the last to hear about decisions that impact their families and livelihoods. “I have had a huge amount of positive feedback about this forum and intend to hold others throughout my electorate this year to give everyone a voice. “This was a key promise I made when I was elected. “Submissions close on the Cape York Regional plan draft on March 25 Hard copies of the draft are available at my Mareeba office or online at http://www.dsdip.qld.gov. au/regional-planning/cape-yorkregional-plan.html.”