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Wednesday, March 9, 2016
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Multi-million dollar development commences
DEVELOPMENT of the new multi-million dollar Lindsay Australia facility in Mareeba has started to take shape. Last Thursday, General Manager of Lindsay Rural Australia, Wolf Lorenz, travelled to Mareeba to inspect the site at the Mareeba Industrial Park and said they hoped to have the new facility up and running by the end of 2016. “Work on the new site has commenced and once building starts it should move along quite quickly; and we hope to be operating from here by December this year,” said Mr Lorenz. One of largest investments of its kind in the region, the new site located on 22.5 thousand square metres of land will allow Lindsay Rural and Lindsay Transport to further expand their operations and better service their client’s needs in the wider region. In six short years in this area Lindsay Australia has gone from a small business operation to now commencing development of a $9.5m state of the art facility. The new facility will have everything including chiller and freezer space and in a much larger capacity. “Located next door to the Visyboard site also under construction, this new logistics hub will offer growers in the region everything from farm supplies to packaging to cold storage and transport – ultimately a one stop shop for all our client’s needs,” Mr Lorenz said. “Significantly it is a monumental demonstration of the confidence that Lindsay Australia has in this region and when completed this facility will be the flagship store Australia wide.”
Lindsay Rural Branch Manager Stephen Srhoj, Transport Manager Terry Montague, North Queensland Regional Manager Shane O’Flanagan, Major Accounts Manager Craig Baker, Lindsay Rural (Brandon) Branch Manager Sam Pennisi and Lindsay Rural General Manager Wolf Lorenz at the site at the Mareeba Industrial Park.
Disenchantment
Local election forum saw ratepayers alienated By Justin Fris RATEPAYERS throughout the Tablelands Regional Council jurisdiction were universally miffed by last week’s local election forum in Atherton. In an evening which was designed for ratepayers to learn more about potential councillor and mayoral candidates, the majority of the evening was spent enduring long-winded responses from sponsor-oriented questions – which left the audience overwhelmingly disenchanted. The audience eventually were able to have their say; however strict guidelines on questions
were outlined, given the nature of the recent events. MC Tony Whybird did a sterling job for the evening – especially given the lengthy format that he had to work with. Mayoral candidates Joe Paronella and Rod Marti set the benchmark from the off, providing clear and concise reasons behind their mayoral ambitions. “I’m offering myself as a mayoral candidate for the TRC, as I’m passionate about the region,” Mr Paronella said. “I’m concerned about the current state that our council is in. I’ve successfully managed my own
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business over the past 45 years and I currently manage Trans North Bus and Coach. “Should I have the privilege of being voted in as Mayor on March 19, I will resign immediately from my position. “I also have eight years of local government experience as an elected councillor under the guidance of Jim Chapman.” He added: “We are all embarrassed and disappointed with the antics that have been going on with the current council. “I find no fault with the council employees – in fact, I admire their ability to serve the community, considering the disharmony going on around
them.” Mr Marti said: “I’m a farmer and a businessman. As the current councillor for Division 4, I have knowledge of the Local Government Act, along with local government regulations. “I understand the closeness of a council organisation. It’s my belief that the council needs to listen closely, try to listen, take action; and most of all, build respect. “With my qualifications in many organisations, my experience in agribusiness – I think I’m well qualified to become Mayor.” CONTINUED PAGE 3
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