Tipperary station which has been mentioned on this site previously is actually a group, consisting of Litchfield, Fish Creek, Douglas, Tipperary, (we pass by on way to Daly River; remember “Friendly Fire?”), and Elizabeth Downs Stations. A new general manager recently decided to prohibit, or restrict access across all of these stations. Elizabeth Downs is on leasehold Aboriginal Lands, and our friends Dingo & Lucy had been accessing the Aboriginal Reserve across a section of Elizabeth Downs leasehold land. This meant changing some of the plans we were working on for the Indigenous Tours of Dingo & Lucy. The Aboriginal, Northern Land Council were made aware of the implications for Aboriginal people. In fact even travelling West from Mango Farm towards Port Keats the road is across Elizabeth Downs leasehold land! The group of stations are owned by Australia’s wealthiest barrister, Melbourne-based Allan Myers, who purchased it from Warren Anderson in 2003. Warren Anderson flew to Peppimenarti in a commercial helicopter in September last year when we were there and pre-purchased the majority of the art for sale prior to the official start of the open day. He is also known for having had a private zoo during his ownership of Tipperary, that was part of a public controversy with the NT Government, after the sale to Allan Myers.
Early this year a huge clearing sale included a fleet of trucks, equipment and four helicopters.
In recent weeks it become public that the NT Government were investigating the alleged clearing of possibly 2000 hectares, which is banned in the Daly River catchment, under a moratorium policy not due to expire until March 2010.
Test drilling for Uranium has just been carried out on the property, with an exploration company stating mining could commence in the Daly River area, within three years.
After the stock market upheaval it was interesting when the Darwin ABC TV News at the weekend, announced that the Tipperary Group of Stations is for sale as of NOW.
Included are 80,000 head of cattle, so for perhaps $200 million, grab a bargain!? BUT please do remember, when land is leased public land, you don’t own it!