?The consents for development incorporate strict conditions as to the manner in which the development is to be carried out, both in construction technique and timing. An independent platypus expert has been retained by the developer to specify these particular methods and inspect the progress of works in accordance with these conditions of consent. We note the recent comments of the Environment Minister Desley Boyle, who stated that ?every environmental requirement for development has been satisfied, and a stringent monitoring program for the construction period is in place? (Courier Mail - 25/6/05).?
Quarter of block to go back to community.

?The site development conditions require the complete restoration of the current riverbank  - removal of weed species and replacement with specified local species. These works will be undertaken by the developer of the site. Following completion of the site works, the developer has committed to return to council ownership via dedication approximately 25 percent of the site (being a band along the bank of the river) to allow the community to own, access and enjoy this area, which is presently virtually impossible due to the weed growth on the riverbank.

?Finally, I note that the actions of the construction company are not illegal in any form, as evidenced by the actions of the police in upholding the rights of the developer.?    ?We?ll talk, but the block  is not for sale?.    Mr Thomas says he is prepared to meet with Maleny representatives, but not for the purposes of discussing a sale of the Obi Creek site.    He reacted to criticisms by Member for Glasshouse Carolyn Male that Woolworths had refused to negotiate the sale of the block.

?In a long discussion with Ms Male on the 18th of July, I told her that I was perfectly happy to meet with people on matters other than the sale of the site, as the site was not for sale, with Uniton having rejected the offer very clearly on Saturday the 16th,?? Mr Thomas said.    ?Greg Quinn is similarly happy to meet, but not for the purposes of discussing sale.

?Ms Male has correctly reported that I was ?not prepared to meet as there was nothing to discuss in relation to the sale? but has also omitted to mention my willingness to meet at a later stage on other matters.

?Caroline also mentioned to me her belief that ?the site has never been offered for sale? which puzzles me, as I distinctly recall her being involved in the fundraising activity during 2004.    At that time Woolworths facilitated the offer by Cornerstone to sell the site to council, expressed a willingness to walk away at that time if the site was purchased, yet also made it clear that if the site was not bought by the council/community, that the development would proceed.?

Mr Thomas told TRN he was able to provide some more background to the circumstances of July 16 in relation to protesters? offer to purchase the site. By way of background, Jon Woodlands told ABC radio on July 14 that he had spoken with Uniton boss and site owner Greg Quinn who said he would consider selling the block to the community if it could come up with $2 million in 24 hours and pending Woolworths? approval.    The deadline was not met.    Although protesters subsequently did raise a cheque for $2 million.

?Woolworths do not own the development site,?? Mr Thomas said.    ?It is owned by Uniton, the developer, who recently acquired the site from Cornerstone, for a total price (being $1.6 million for land and further payment for design of the site) similar to that at which the site was offered for sale by Cornerstone in 2004 to the council/community.

?Uniton rang me on the 16th of July at around 10.30am saying that they expected an offer to be made later that day.    They advised me that they were not going to accept this or any offer, as they had decided to continue and complete the construction.    The offer from the community was later made and rejected by Uniton.    Woolworths were never asked for a release from the agreements with Uniton.?

Mr Thomas was keen to point out that, irrespective of the latest events, the community had chances to purchase the block last year.     ?The property was offered for sale to the community/council between February and July/August of 2004,?? he said.    ?During that time, Woolworths stated very clearly that we would walk away from the site if it was bought, and would seek no compensation of any form.    We also said very publicly that if the site was not bought by council on behalf of the community they represent, the development would proceed and we would take a lease of the store.    That was the time for an offer to purchase the site and the community/council did not take it up.?

Mr Thomas said Woolworths had tried to provide every opportunity for the community to see their desires for the future use of the site realised.

?Woolworths has been aware of the sentiment of some parts of the Maleny community against the construction of the proposed development.    For this reason, we took the unprecedented step of making the site available for purchase by the Caloundra City Council on at least three occasions, with council, as the elected representatives of the Maleny community, being the appropriate party to act to realise the expressed desire to see the land utilised for community purposes.

?These delays also allowed all avenues of consent to the proposed development to be fully tested, and now, with every aspect of the site being tested and approved at local, state and national levels, Woolworths intend to honour the legally binding arrangements between our company and the developer of the site to take a lease of the premises once completed.

?We believe that the several moratoria created by our company, the delays to the normal development process and our open willingness to allow the community the opportunity to purchase the site, have indeed acknowledged the wishes of the community.    ?With no action to acquire the site, we have no choice now but to respect the agreements that we are a party to on the approved development and proceed in the manner outlined above.?