Hinchinbrook: special lease?

By Tim Walgers

BRISBANE -- In a new development in conservationists' campaign against the north Queensland Port Hinchinbrook development, it has become clear that no government department will take responsibility for issuing the developer a “special” lease.

In early October, Cardwell Properties, the company of Queensland developer Keith Williams, claimed to have received the lease. It is supposed to provide exclusive possession over state marine park land adjacent to Oyster Point, site of the massive resort development.

But neither the Queensland Department of Natural Resources nor the Queensland Department of Environment is willing to take responsibility for issuing the lease.

The North Queensland Conservation Council has applied to both departments for a Statement of Reasons why such a lease was issued. Both departments have denied issuing the lease and have claimed that the other is responsible.

“We are beginning to wonder if the permit even exists”, said Jeremy Tager, NQCC coordinator. “Not only have we not seen the permit, we can't even find any government authority willing to take responsibility for issuing such an unprecedented lease.”

The development is next to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. In 1995 the Oyster Point site was included in the World Heritage listing. It also overlooks Hinchinbrook Channel, a Queensland marine park and Hinchinbrook Island, the world's largest island national park.

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