When Marlborough business owners, Darryl and Danielle McKenzie, first saw a map detailing the proposed expansion of the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area in Central Queensland they were shocked.
“We looked at that map and realised that about 70 per cent of our business lay within that area,” said Ms McKenzie, the co-owner of Marlborough Motors.
“We have three major clients in that area – we have one client who regularly spends $50,000 in six months.”
As the reality of the financial impact of the land acquisitions sunk in, the McKenzie’s also realised that local business owners were being ‘left out’ of the defence land debate.
“AgForce held a meeting here which we didn’t attend because it was only for affected landholders,” Ms McKenzie said.
“I understand that but I thought it was time we had a joint meeting where we could show politicians and the public what the total impact will be. This won’t just impact landowners – it will hit little businesses like our own very hard.”
The mother-of-three has been the driving force behind a public meeting which will be held in Marlborough on Monday (January 9) at 3pm.
The meeting will be attended by several federal senators including Pauline Hanson and Matt Canavan.
Local Federal Member, Michelle Landry, has declined to attend but will send her media advisor, Chris Lawson, on her behalf.
The State Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne will attend along with the entire Livingstone Shire Council, AgForce general president Grant Maudsley and Joanne Rae from Property Rights Australia (PRA).
Ms McKenzie said the aim of the meeting was to raise awareness about the full impact of the proposed land acquisitions.
She said affected businesses also needed to be included in any discussions about compensation.
“We are already in debt from purchasing our business seven years ago but there is no way we will be able to stay afloat and no one will want to buy our business now,” she said.
“We’ve got three little kids. I go to bed every night feeling sick to my stomach about what’s ahead of us.”
I go to bed every night feeling sick to my stomach about what’s ahead of us.
Ms McKenzie said their plight was not unique.
“This is also going to impact the local fishers but they aren’t going to be compensated,” she said.
“It will have a massive ripple affect.”
PRA chairman Dale Stiller agrees that the total impact of the land acquisitions was being understated.
“People talk about a ripple affect but I’m sure a full impact study will reveal a tidal wave of trade impacts in some sectors, that given time, even the large centre of Rockhampton will feel the effects of.”
“Citizens need to impress upon their political representatives that they need to consider the interests of communities and landowners, all those that could be harmed, first, not last, when making decisions.
Mr Stiller encouraged all interested parties to attend Monday’s meeting where a PRA representative will address the gathering.
“PRA has collated some information on the wider community impacts and this will form part of the presentation along with other important aspects.”
