Mission Beach protesters vent anger at cyclone Yasi service
Cyclonic Yasi victims have staged an angry protest outside a commemorative service on the first anniversary of the devastating storm.
The group of Mission Beach residents said they were annoyed at the lack of recovery in the town and confronted their federal independent MP Bob Katter as he left the event at St Clare's Catholic Church in Tully on Thursday morning.
Protest spokesman Boyd Scott, who runs a backpackers` hostel in Mission Beach, said very little had been done to repair tourism infrastructure. "The one thing that could've been fixed straight after Cyclone Yasi - tourism - hasn't been and it's just a no-brainer," Mr Scott told AAP. "Nothing at all has been done. Tourism infrastructure is just not a priority."
Mr Katter told the protesters he had a "Violent fight" with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to hurry up the spending of relief funds.
The category five cyclone tore through the Cassowary Coast region of north Queensland on February 3 last year, damaging thousands of homes, businesses and farms.
Inside the multi-denominational service, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the residents of the Cassowary Coast had been inspirational in their recovery from the cyclone. "We all know that the community of the Cassowary Coast and Point Hinchinbrook were sorely tested last year," she said. "But when you were sorely tested, we know that you were not found wanting. "We give thanks to all of those from this community and from all around Queensland and Australia who reached out, who opened our hearts and gave us a hand when we needed it."
The service was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan and Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley.
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The group of Mission Beach residents said they were annoyed at the lack of recovery in the town and confronted their federal independent MP Bob Katter as he left the event at St Clare's Catholic Church in Tully on Thursday morning.
Protest spokesman Boyd Scott, who runs a backpackers` hostel in Mission Beach, said very little had been done to repair tourism infrastructure. "The one thing that could've been fixed straight after Cyclone Yasi - tourism - hasn't been and it's just a no-brainer," Mr Scott told AAP. "Nothing at all has been done. Tourism infrastructure is just not a priority."
Mr Katter told the protesters he had a "Violent fight" with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to hurry up the spending of relief funds.
The category five cyclone tore through the Cassowary Coast region of north Queensland on February 3 last year, damaging thousands of homes, businesses and farms.
Inside the multi-denominational service, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the residents of the Cassowary Coast had been inspirational in their recovery from the cyclone. "We all know that the community of the Cassowary Coast and Point Hinchinbrook were sorely tested last year," she said. "But when you were sorely tested, we know that you were not found wanting. "We give thanks to all of those from this community and from all around Queensland and Australia who reached out, who opened our hearts and gave us a hand when we needed it."
The service was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan and Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley.
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