Barron Floodplain Action Group ‘disappointed’ at no show of Bree James and Craig Crawford
The front runners for the seat of Barron River have been a no-show at the signing of a document calling for a new flood study and a moratorium on development within the river delta.
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The front runners for the seat of Barron River have been a no-show at the signing of a document calling for a new flood study and a moratorium on development within the river delta.
Barron River MP Craig Crawford and LNP candidate Bree James last Tuesday at a meet the candidates forum were presented with a memorandum of understanding put together by the Barron Floodplain Action Group.
Convener of the group Ross Parisi said Mr Crawford and Ms James were advised of a meeting at the Machans Beach Community Hall on Monday where the document would be signed.
Mr Parisi claimed the pair indicated support of the document and gave a verbal undertaking to attend.
“It’s not a very good sign that they don’t turn up today,” he said.
“It’s disappointing really, because it isn’t me that loses out, it’s the people of Barron River.
“If today’s (absence is) indicative of what their thoughts are, I’m not really encouraged by what’s going to happen if they ever retain government or if LNP wins government.”
The document drafted by James Cook University Professor Jon Nott states global warming is causing the size of floods to increase and occur more frequently while calling for a $150,000 flood modelling study of the Barron River delta which factors in climate change knowledge.
During the 12 months needed to undertake the study, the MoU advocates for a moratorium on development within the Barron River and lower Freshwater Creek flood plains.
“We’ve got to acknowledge that climate change is here and we’ve got to cater for it in our plans,” Mr Parisi said.
“And our concern, that as land becomes more viable, from a financial point of view, to develop that will take priority over the flooding issue.”
Holloways Beach resident Kathy Pitt was forced out of her Mimosa St home by the record breaking flood in December last year.
She was uninsured and successfully applied for a Queensland Government structural assistance grant worth $54,000.
“I’ve put in my receipts but I still haven’t been paid any money,” she said.
Attending the Machans Beach hall on Wednesday, Ms Pitt said above all other issues, how the government manages future flood events would determine how she voted on October 26.
“I’ve noticed that when you have a disaster people usually stick with the politician in power at the time, rather than get somebody new,” she said.
When asked about his absence Mr Crawford said he had not seen the document before last week and needed more time before signing.
“In the last two weeks of a state campaign it’s simply unreasonable to expect leaders to sign documents without consultation or the ability to negotiate for a reasonable time,” he said.
“My commitment is that should we be in government I will help facilitate through exchange of documents or letters an agreement that all parties can work to.”
Bree James didn’t respond to an invitation to comment.
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