Mt Morgan off agenda: developer

FOR Paul Czislowski, the chance to address the state's most powerful politicians at tomorrow's community cabinet can't come quickly enough.

KEEN TO BUILD: Developer Paul Czislowski and Michael Magill on site in Mount Morgan. Paul says the town’s revitalisation should be fast tracked. Picture: File

FOR Paul Czislowski, the chance to address the state’s most powerful politicians at tomorrow’s community cabinet can’t come quickly enough.

The property developer has been itching to make his case that every effort should be made to revive Mount Morgan.

Paul’s grand design for the town – he wants to build hundreds of energy saving, high-tech houses – has been stalled, he says, by a council that doesn’t see the potential.

And he hopes to persuade high-ranking ministers that developing Mount Morgan should be a top priority.

“Here’s a town that is crying out for people. It has all the services – police, fire, ambulance, hospital, shops and schools and could easily absorb 10,000 new residents.

“But since we met with Rockhampton Regional Council a year ago to tell them of our plans, we have gone backwards,” he said.

Paul said he was shocked when Mayor Brad Carter said he believed the region needed a new town or satellite city to cope with projected population growth.

“It shows the Mayor and his council is not focusing on Mount Morgan at all.

“Since amalgamation rates have soared but little has come back to the community and my plans to build some of the most affordable, high-efficiency new homes in the country have been hit by ridiculous service charges.

“The council is asking for $6000 per housing block to connect to mains water. Everywhere else it is $500.

“Yet they have done nothing to secure a reliable source of drinking water for the town. They clearly don’t want to build a pipeline up from Gracemere. They just don’t want to invest.”

His Landtrak group will have three deputations with ministers tomorrow to talk about energy supplies to the town, housing policy and his hopes for a fast road link to Bajool.

“We will be arguing for the government to instruct the council to prioritise Mount Morgan so it can be ready to take advantage of the population explosion and all the new jobs that are coming in Gladstone.”

Paul’s company has 382 blocks approved for housing, with potential for another 120 at Panorama Links on the Burnett Highway.

In total he wants to develop 700 homes there. But despite a lot of interest from potential buyers he has so far sold only five homes, with 15 more under contract pending the outcome of negotiations on infrastructure.

EMU PARK SCHEDULE

The community cabinet will be held at Emu Park State School tomorrow.

From 1pm information and advice on government services will be available. Refreshments will be provided.

1.30-2.30pm: Open question and answer session with Premier and her cabinet.

2.30-3.30pm: Informal deputations. Anyone can see a minister, no appointments necessary

3.30-5pm: Formal deputations. 180 have appointments to spend 15 minutes with a minister of their choice.

Originally published as Mt Morgan off agenda: developer