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Uniton chief gives go ahead at Obi Obi site |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 24 June 2005 |
Company officials
confirmed that a Woolworths supermarket will be built at the
controversial site by the banks of the Obi Obi Creek in Maleny, with
work beginning imminently. This was despite protestors? hopes last week
that the companies involved in the proposed build might sell up or
simply move the project to a new location.
It means that after
almost three years of opposition, Woolworths will open up its store by
Christmas 2005, which is just six months away.
This is a blow for
the protestors who have been campaigning tirelessly, attempting to
thwart the project on the grounds that it will endanger platypus,
compromise local producers and cause traffic chaos on Maple Street.
Their
spirits had been raised when Greg Quinn, Managing Director of
Hutchinson Builders, the retail giant?s construction company, told
campaigners last week that he was considering three other sites in and
around the township. This heightened expectations that his company was
sympathetic to the anti-Woolworth sentiment, and that the Obi site
wouldn?t be developed. But now Mr Quinn has made up his mind.
?I
came up with our planners and we had a look at them after discussing a
potential shift with Wollwrths,? he said. ?With all things considered
we will be going ahead at the Obi site.?
Whilst the protestors have
always held a policy of peaceful protest, some have decided to crank up
the pressure on Hutchinson, occupying the site the day before a widely
anticipated construction start date of June 20. Over 20 people have
gathered and are determined to remain on the site, even if they are
requested to move by the police or security contractors operating on
behalf of Uniton. Uniton is a $2 shell company formed by the directors
of Hutchinsons to develop the site.
?We?re digging in and have made
this pre-emptive strike,? said protest leader John Woodlands of the
Platypus People activist group ?The resolve here is very strong and we
are prepared to stay on site as long as it takes.? Mr Woodlands said he realised how challenging the sit-in was going to be and said that he was organising reinforcements.
?It
would be great if we could get 100 tents on site,? he said. ?And if and
when the developers move in we are all prepared to use extreme measures
to avoid eviction.? Mr Woodlands said these measures would include
chaining themselves to trees on site. And under the circumstances,
Division One Caloundra City Councillor Dick Newman, who represents
Maleny, sympathised with their latest tactics.
?People are
frustrated by a number of failures in our legal systems that have led
to an inappropriate development taking place,? he said. ?Any legal
avenues they have taken have led to dead ends. At the end of the day,
all they have left is to protest in whatever manner they can.?
Regarding
the invasion of his site, Mr Quinn said that for the next week his
company would be involved in preparation work for the project which the
protestors current camp position wouldn?t interfere with. So he said he
was happy for them to stay, for now. ?It?s pretty harmless at
present although they are trespassing,? said Mr Quinn. ?But I hope just
as we?ve respected and considered their views, they will respect the
fact that we are under contract to build a supermarket for Woolworths
by December and that must happen.?
Mr Quinn said the protestors
could not remain in site once ?any serious building work commences? for
health and safety reasons, adding that he hoped the protestors wouldn?t
act illegally and become violent.
Hope on the horizon for campaigners?
But there?s still a
glimmer of hope for the campaigners, after a comprehensive eight-month
study conducted by three scientists confirmed platypus in the waters
and in the banks of the creek which border the proposed supermarket
site. The survey filmed the animals and contains footage of their
underwater burrows. Using GPS technology the protestors say they have
mapped over 30 platypus burrows which run under the site.
This is
arguably the biggest weapon the protest groups now have in their
arsenal and it is being fiercely wielded against the corporate might of
?the fresh food people.? Copies of the report have been despatched to
the State Environment Minister, Woolworths itself and the Queensland
National Parks and Wildlife Service. The research is a caveat to the
developers and could eventually halt the project. That?s because now
that the protestors have proved the platypus habitat by the site, it is
more than likely that any form of construction work will damage their
environment.
In fact Dr Les Hall, who complied the research, said
the developers would be ?very, very lucky? not to kill or maim platypus
or destroy their habitat. To knowingly damage an animal?s habitat
with construction work, a developer must hold a Damage Mitigation
Permit which the protestors say Hutchinson?s doesn?t possess. Moreover,
because platypi are a protected species in Queensland, the builder is
unlikely to be able to obtain the aforementioned permit as it would be
seen as writing a death warrant for the animals.
But time is running out and potentially the development will begin before the government grinds into action.
?It?s
up to Woolworths to act responsibly as ultimately they have control
over this project,? said Mr Woodlands. ?It?s either that or the state
must act swiftly and accordingly.?
The State?s Environment Minister
Desley Boyle was unavailable for comment at time of press, on business
out west according to her departmental aides. But a spokeswoman for her
department confirmed the minister had received the survey conducted by
Dr Hall and didn?t rule out that her department might intervene based
on the platypus findings.
?The minister will be considering all the
information,? she said ?But at this stage she can?t make a preliminary
comment and isn?t leaning either way.? The spokeswomen also stated
that the minister has yet to timetable a date to study the data, so the
protestors will need to remain defiant and on site for her decision.
?She
has the whole package in front of her,? said Mr Woodlands. ?She has the
power to call it in and stop it immediately on environmental grounds.?
When
asked if he had a Damage Mitigation Permit for the Obi site, Mr Quinn
said that he ?had all the necessary consents and approvals at all
levels to move forward at the site immediately.? Mr Quinn also said he found it strange that Dr Hall now feels that the platypus are now endangered by the work.
?I
find it intriguing that Dr Hall, who consulted on the original
environmental action plan for the site is now taking this rear guard
action and making a last stand,? he said. So it seems that the usage
of the site can only be altered by Mrs Boyle when she returns from her
travels, if indeed she feels intervention is required.
On site, Joe
Colreavy, a staunch opponent of Woolworths plans for his township, said
the occupation of the site would continue indefinitely. He wanted to
thank friends of the protestors who are providing funding for their
efforts and supplies at the Obi camp site.
?A big thank you to
Maleny Cheese, Don and Sharon Woolard and Peter Thomson for bringing in
food,? said Mr Colreavy. ?Many individuals and businesses are helping
us and this shows that the community is behind us.?
Photo above: Platypus People leader Jon Woodlands squares
up to the opposition ... ?we will not be moved?.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 24 June 2005 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
