8 November 2012
KATTER SLAMS PLANS TO CLOSE CAMP FOR BUSH KIDS
The closure of the Magnetic Island Active Recreation Centre is a huge blow to children of the North West, says Member for Mount Isa, Rob Katter.
The Newman Government has just announced their decision to de-commission the sport and education camp, along with centres at Yeppoon and Leslie Dam, and is calling for expressions of interest to operate the camps.
“The government is totally out of touch with the needs of rural and remote communities.
“Magnetic Island camp has been a huge boon to thousands of North West students over the last 28 years,” Mr Katter said.
“I went to that camp and so did thousands like me.
“For many of the students it is the first time they’ve seen the sea or been on a beach, or even travelled to an island.”
The camp which was started by volunteers in 1946 had been a haven for children with diabetes, cancer, disadvantaged children and those with Camp Quality.
“Spinifex State College takes over a hundred students there for 10 days every year and now it has no suitable camp venue for next year.
“It’s part of their curriculum and is central to life skills and human relationship building for those year 11 students. “For many, it is the highlight of their school life. “And the Newman Government wants to take that away from our bush kids, for the sum of $220,000 a year.”
Mr Katter said the previous government had spent $1.5 million on the camp just last year and now it would be shut at the end of the year, for six months until a new operator was found.
“Already 35 bookings for next year have been cancelled.
“It just defies commonsense to shut down such a pristine and professionally run facility that only needed a small subsidy from the State to run.
“This is yet another knee-jerk decision to save a paltry amount, that will impact severely on rural and remote communities.”
Mr Katter said the government should work on the principle that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. “This facility was operating perfectly well, with a small subsidy from the government which was justified as it contributed to the health and well-being of thousands of children and teenagers from the bush.
“Now they’re putting an excellent resource at risk by closing it down – even if it is temporarily.”
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