Limmen National Park : Fishing Politics

ronje · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 4:52 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

Hi all

Latest info we have via the mining community (mining is a big industry in CQ) is that Sherwin Mining has been talking to the probable new government.

Sherwin Mining unhappy about the haul road to the Macarthur River Mine loading facility near Boorooloola under the present NT govt national park plan.

Sherwing Mining has commissioned depth surveys of the downstream Roper (from the prawn farm down and out through the mouth). The survey work has already started.

These actions seem to be pointing towards a loading facility at Port Roper with an access road from the mine. The existing road from Roper Bar to Port Roper (130km) to be upgraded by the miner and then maintained by it as well. NT govt saves maintenance costs.

It also seems logical that dredging would have to be carried out at the river mouth to clear channels.

Anybody up there heard anything?

ronje · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:30 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

The executive director of Sherwin Mining's board is Barry Coulter.

He was a NT politician for 16 years and reached the dizzy heights of Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer and Minister for Mines and Energy under the CLP government.

ronje · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:45 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

mandatory on-site inspection was scheduled for last Wednesday 15th Aug with tenders closing Wed 29th August.

Tender schedule calls for construction to start within 28days of contract signing and completion within 16 weeks with possible extension if agreed by Dept Con and Infra...

ronje · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

Looks like nobody hears anything.

A visitor to Shirwin Minings operation a couple of days ago reports that the haul road to Bing billabong (started from each end. bl..dy auto - corrector) is progressing nicely. But... Shirwin not happy about the distances involved and the carrying turn-around times involved.

Hence the Port Roper activities.

Shirwin won't be building the Tomato Island camp. The construction tender closes on Wed 29th August.

Once contract is signed and work starts, the successful tender then takes control of the whole park. It basically becomes a construction site with the tenderer (the principal contractor) becoming responsible for workplace health and safety.

Betting is that the camping area will be closed (no access to ramp) unless special arrangements are made.

Am trying to clarify that with NTREA.

Tomato Island camping ground as everybody has known it in the past is no more.

ronje · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:08 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

Latest on Roper - Tomato Island campground.

The tender for construction has been let.

Effective date is 8th October.

Amount is $1.29 million.

Successful tenderer from Alice Springs has 4 weeks to commence and 16 weeks to complete (from 8th October).

Can extend finish date for weather etc.

garrynt · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:54 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

At least you have your finger on the pulse Ronje.

I would only wish the works would include putting in afew 6 foot high culverts at that mongrel creek that cuts everyone off a few km before Tomato Island.

MattyA · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

I would be happy to pay $20 a night if it meant there was a shower / toilet facility, rubbish bins and sufficient cleared area.

I can't stand generators due to the noise but unfortunately the nomads can't seem to survive without them. If they go off at a reasonable hour (say 9.00pm) then I have no objections but some inconsiderate people leave them on all night or until they run out of fuel. I remember going down to Roper in the mid 90's and no one had generators. I think they all enjoyed it just as much as people do now.

Matt

ronje · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:48 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

There was a ABC 7.30 - NT edition story on Friday night about the Roper's Tomato Island development plans.

The reporter gave a run-down on the existing arrangements.

A couple of grey nomads were interviewed about their reaction to the development plans.

Bill Blackley who is CEO of the Yugul Mangi Aboriginal Corporation then outlined corporation plans for tourist business opportunities to be followed up.

When combined with employment opporunities opened up via Western Desert Mining's nearby iron ore project and the SIHIP building projects, things are starting to look good for the community.

Then followed Bobby Nunggumajbarr (chairman of the Corp) with these words.

"The Ngukurr community intends to apply for a restricted liquor licence at the new Tomato Is development.

Ngukurr residents can then go over to the campsite to do their drinking".

Those words torpedoed the Bill Blackey's plans before they had a chance to get off the ground.

Have a look at these 2 stories about the Ngukurr/Tomato Is/Western Desert Mining plans.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2012/10/19/3614828.htm

and
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2012/10/05/3605146.htm

I want to see how serious the Corp is about the liquor licence but hard to get hold of either Bill or Bobby to get more info at the moment.

olfart · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

Ronje check out Western Desert Resources website.
graham.

BlueyNT · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

I have a few concerns about this proposal , firstly the camp ground is not on Aboriginal land , The Govt is spending taxpayers money to build a facility and hand it over to an Aboriginal community to administer .
Then the community wants to turn it into a facility for the community boozers .
What sort of environment is the camp ground going to be when the Aboriginals take over and make it their drinking place .
Are campers expected to put up with drunks , fights and possibly violent acts fueled by alcohol , their camp being turned over by people looking for alcohol and anything else they can steal .
I reckon they will have to move the Nugkkur Police station to Tomato island camp ground.

MattyA · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:32 am Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

BlueyNT wrote:

I have a few concerns about this proposal , firstly the camp ground is not on Aboriginal land , The Govt is spending taxpayers money to build a facility and hand it over to an Aboriginal community to administer .
Then the community wants to turn it into a facility for the community boozers .
What sort of environment is the camp ground going to be when the Aboriginals take over and make it their drinking place .
Are campers expected to put up with drunks , fights and possibly violent acts fueled by alcohol , their camp being turned over by people looking for alcohol and anything else they can steal .
I reckon they will have to move the Nugkkur Police station to Tomato island camp ground.

Surely this is some sort of joke. No way known would anyone in their right mind have a liquor licence at the Tomato Island campsite so Ngukurr locals can come over, get full of grog and make trouble for everyone? Lets not sugar coat it and pretend that they will be able to control themselves - not trying to insult them but they are going fine now without alcohol, why introduce a problem? Everyone who has lived in the NT for any length of time will get my drift - communities don't need grog.
And Bluey is right - if this comes to fruition there might as well be a 24 hour a day police station at Tomato Island camp ground because it will be a war zone.
Matt

maxpower · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

This is ridiculous I can't see how there can be any truth to it. It would be like promising the tiwi islanders heavy beer again to win votes .... Oh hang on...

BlueyNT · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

ronje wrote:

The executive director of Sherwin Mining's board is Barry Coulter.

He was a NT politician for 16 years and reached the dizzy heights of Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer and Minister for Mines and Energy under the CLP government.

Job for the boys ? , Now that the CLP is back in power , no doubt we'll see the return of the" Silver Circle" set .

ronje · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

I know as much as u fellas. What was said on the 7.30 report by Bobby N....................arr and Bill Blackley.

Remember that Bobby did say a restricted liquor licence.

It'd be interesting to hear what sort of restrictions he's talking about.

I don't think the grey nomads interviewed covered themselves or their cause in glory. Nor did Bill Blackley who basically said that "grey nomads can ..... off". Change the demographic of visitors was the polite term he used I think.

Ngukurr seemed to average 1 murder per visit in the 7 years we've been going there. That's without any liquor licence. Just sly grog, drugs, grudges and bad manners involved.

If anybody wants I have the specifics of the building contract including what goes where and how many. Yell out.

Its early days yet and perhaps the Corporation needs a bit of breathing space to sort out its public face about the Ngukurr future.

I'll keep an open mind at this stage but time time isn't a commodity that there's a lot of..

olfart · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: Limmen National Park

ronje wrote:

The executive director of Sherwin Mining's board is Barry Coulter.

He was a NT politician for 16 years and reached the dizzy heights of Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer and Minister for Mines and Energy under the CLP government.

Thirteen years in politics and Deputy chief minister from '87-88..Also did the hard yards getting the railway built. retired in '99..Was treasurer for most of the time in politics.. Way too smart to get involved with the current lot.
Walked away when Burke got in, don't see him wanting to pull it on again.
Funny how Territory Debt was almost non-existant under his ministry tho.

Style:	Blogs Barrabucks The Logo Shop Arcade Gallery Chat FAQ NT Barramundi Fishing

Contact Register Login