Max: 9, Min: 19 Yesterday: 20, 12 Details, Page 127 $1.50* TOOWOOMBA, Saturday, May 17, 2003 First with local news Office phone: 4690 9300; Classifieds direct: 13 61 81 93¢ (direct)** News, classifieds, property and more at www.thechronicle.com.au Online City Guide – www.toowoomba.com Tree-clearing ban HAVE Beattie imposes immediate moratorium From AAP’s NIKKI TODD an impasse with the Federal Gov- with much happening in areas ernment over who should fund west of Toowoomba. BRISBANE: An immediate compensation. “This clearing is having a dev- YOUR moratorium on all new land The full compensation package astating effect on biodiversity, clearing applications was de- is believed to be in the region of with a host of species and ecosys- clared yesterday as the federal $100 million, but Mr Beattie re- tems in the Toowoomba region and Queensland governments fused to detail figures placed on now threatened with extinction,’’ SAY moved closer to a compensation the table. Mr Boyes said. package for farmers. He said the moratorium would “The clearing freeze will take Premier Mr Peter Beattie said prevent panic clearing of land by away the clearing pressure while the moratorium was effective “as farmers while negotiations and the Queensland and Common- of now’’ and followed a letter re- consultations with all stakehold- wealth governments negotiate a We ceived from the Prime Minister ers continued — with an agree- new land-clearing deal.’’ ment expected as early as June. indicating “significant progress’’ Mr Boyes said TREC represen- The Toowoomba and Region En- in the Federal Government’s posi- tatives would be meeting with vironment Council (TREC) imme- value tion regarding a compensation Member for Toowoomba North diately welcomed the Premier’s package for farmers. Mr Kerry Shine to discuss the announcement. Queensland, which has the tree-clearing controls. TREC TREC co-ordinator Mr Bruce your highest land-clearing rates in the would also be asking Mr Shine to Boyes said 85% of Australia’s tree country, lags behind other states ensure affected farmers got a fair clearing occurred in Queensland, MR BEATTIE in addressing the issue following financial package. opinion “We recognise landholders who are adversely affected by any new The Chronicle is giving arrangements must be looked af- residents across our circu- ter. TREC is not anti-farmer. What lation area the chance to Triple treat we want to see is a viable and sus- have their say in helping us tainable rural sector that is both create a better newspaper. prosperous and in harmony with Your opinions are impor- the environment.’’ tant to us and we invite you But Agforce president Mr Larry to share them with us. Acton said the measures could Our objective is to keep cost the State billions of dollars in developing a newspaper to compensation. better meet your needs and He said the moratorium on land produce a newspaper that clearing in the State would lock supports, informs and re- up large areas from future devel- flects our community. opment if the temporary ban be- To achieve that aim, we came permanent. need your valued opinions. The future compensation bill Next Saturday’s Chroni- could be enormous, Mr Acton cle will carry an extensive said. questionnaire and we want “If there is a total ban on tree you to have your say as we clearing, it could be in the bil- strive to deliver the reading lions,’’ Mr Acton said. experience and satisfaction In Melbourne, Federal Environ- you expect. ment Minister Dr David Kemp Every person returning a said land clearing was one of the valid completed question- most significant environmental naire will go in the draw for issues facing Australia. a chance to win $1000 cash or one of six $400 shopping He said it impacted on biodiver- sity, the greenhouse effect, clean vouchers from selected Too- THREE TIMES OVER: Toowoomba grandmother Alice Finlay celebrated the arrival of three new water and healthy land. woomba retail outlets. grandchildren this week. Babies (from left) Zachary Dalkeith Ross, Zianna Athena Finlay and Make sure you have your Daymon Riley Finlay were all born within five days. Full story, Page 2 Dr Kemp said he would talk to stakeholders in Queensland about say on Saturday, May 24. Picture by BEV LACEY the moratorium next week.