Mr BALDWIN - 1995-11-29
As the minister would be aware, I have been discussing with the people in my electorate plans for a new township in the Douglas/Daly region. In light of these discussions, have plans been finalised for the proclamation of the new town?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I had the opportunity earlier this year, together with the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries and the member for Victoria River, to attend a meeting of residents of the Douglas/Daly farms area. One of the issues raised at that meeting was the gazettal of a town site in the area. That area has been very successful for farming, particularly the development of farms for the live cattle trade. The cattle raised there are of very high quality and are very much sought after. The population is increasing. In response to their demands, I am pleased to be able to say that the member for Victoria River is doing a great deal more for the people of the Douglas/Daly region and others in that electorate than did the former member for Victoria River. He has pursued very strongly the question of the establishment of a new town site in the Douglas/Daly area. Indeed ...
Mr Ede interjecting.
Page 1081
Mr Baldwin: It is a joke, is it? You do not like development?
Mr REED: Mr Speaker, the interjections by the Leader of the Opposition again ...
Mr Ede: I have not heard him discuss it once.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: ... illustrate that members opposite are not interested in the wellbeing of Territorians and do not have the capacity to plan ahead. When the member for Victoria River asks a question about what is being developed for rural Territorians and I am trying to provide an answer, the Leader of the Opposition is either mirthful or critical of the government's activities. We are projecting for the future ...
Mr Ede: You reckon he has done more than the previous member ...
Mr REED: We are planning for the development of a town site.
Mr Ede: He was on his feet ...
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: This is the first new greenfields town site, establishing a new service centre in a rural region of the Northern Territory, to be announced for many years. Palmerston was probably the last major urban town site created in the Northern Territory. That occurred in 1979 or 1980. This is a major announcement. It is one in which members of the opposition, particularly the Leader of the Opposition, might show a little more interest. It is planning for future Territorians. It will enable further development in the Northern Territory.
The 143.7 ha site on the corner of Oolloo and Jungawa Roads in the Douglas/Daly farms area will cater for an increased regional population due to expanding agricultural activity in the area. As I said, probably the last land set aside for urban development was at Palmerston. This new town site will provide a major service centre in the Douglas/Daly region. The member for Victoria River is discussing a name for the new town with residents of the area. As I understand it, residents have suggested 2 names. Most favoured is Oolloo, a Malay term meaning `head of river'. That was the name of the original station there which was established by the early pastoralist Jim Fleming in 1907. Some people are suggesting the name Fleming to commemorate the memory of Jim Fleming and his brother, Mick, who took over the station in 1929. The member for Victoria River will continue to talk to residents of the area and I understand that, in due course, he will make recommendations on their behalf to the Place Names Committee.
I believe residents of the area will receive this news much more positively than members opposite have. Those residents will be horrified by the disdain shown by the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the provision of a town for their future. I commend the member for Victoria River for the efforts he has made to progress this matter.
Page 1082
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I had the opportunity earlier this year, together with the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries and the member for Victoria River, to attend a meeting of residents of the Douglas/Daly farms area. One of the issues raised at that meeting was the gazettal of a town site in the area. That area has been very successful for farming, particularly the development of farms for the live cattle trade. The cattle raised there are of very high quality and are very much sought after. The population is increasing. In response to their demands, I am pleased to be able to say that the member for Victoria River is doing a great deal more for the people of the Douglas/Daly region and others in that electorate than did the former member for Victoria River. He has pursued very strongly the question of the establishment of a new town site in the Douglas/Daly area. Indeed ...
Mr Ede interjecting.
Page 1081
Mr Baldwin: It is a joke, is it? You do not like development?
Mr REED: Mr Speaker, the interjections by the Leader of the Opposition again ...
Mr Ede: I have not heard him discuss it once.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: ... illustrate that members opposite are not interested in the wellbeing of Territorians and do not have the capacity to plan ahead. When the member for Victoria River asks a question about what is being developed for rural Territorians and I am trying to provide an answer, the Leader of the Opposition is either mirthful or critical of the government's activities. We are projecting for the future ...
Mr Ede: You reckon he has done more than the previous member ...
Mr REED: We are planning for the development of a town site.
Mr Ede: He was on his feet ...
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: This is the first new greenfields town site, establishing a new service centre in a rural region of the Northern Territory, to be announced for many years. Palmerston was probably the last major urban town site created in the Northern Territory. That occurred in 1979 or 1980. This is a major announcement. It is one in which members of the opposition, particularly the Leader of the Opposition, might show a little more interest. It is planning for future Territorians. It will enable further development in the Northern Territory.
The 143.7 ha site on the corner of Oolloo and Jungawa Roads in the Douglas/Daly farms area will cater for an increased regional population due to expanding agricultural activity in the area. As I said, probably the last land set aside for urban development was at Palmerston. This new town site will provide a major service centre in the Douglas/Daly region. The member for Victoria River is discussing a name for the new town with residents of the area. As I understand it, residents have suggested 2 names. Most favoured is Oolloo, a Malay term meaning `head of river'. That was the name of the original station there which was established by the early pastoralist Jim Fleming in 1907. Some people are suggesting the name Fleming to commemorate the memory of Jim Fleming and his brother, Mick, who took over the station in 1929. The member for Victoria River will continue to talk to residents of the area and I understand that, in due course, he will make recommendations on their behalf to the Place Names Committee.
I believe residents of the area will receive this news much more positively than members opposite have. Those residents will be horrified by the disdain shown by the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the provision of a town for their future. I commend the member for Victoria River for the efforts he has made to progress this matter.
Page 1082
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016