Published Sunday, 27 January, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
PREMIER VISITS PREHISTORIC OUTBACK GRAVEYARD
Premier Anna Bligh was in Outback Queensland today to experience a real-life dinosaur dig.
Ms Bligh, who was in Winton visiting the nationally and internationally significant prehistoric site, said the region had firmly put Queensland on the world dinosaur map.
“Winton is home to the only known group of running dinosaur footprints in the world and years of discovery are uncovering life in western Queensland, some 95 million years ago,” Ms Bligh said.
“The unique, prehistoric history of the area is a major drawcard for Outback visitors, with almost 37,000 international and domestic tourists visiting the Winton Shire last year*.
“It is also luring Australian and international scientific minds, with palaeontologists from around the world coming to the area to decipher the evolution of Australian dinosaurs and their relationships to those of other southern continents.
“Queensland is a major hub of Australian dinosaur discovery and will continue to play a role on the international prehistoric stage,” she said.
While in Winton, the Premier presented a $500,000 cheque to the Winton Shire Council for its Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History project, due for completion within five years.
Ms Bligh said the Government was proud to support the Council’s project through Queensland’s 150th Celebration Legacy Infrastructure Fund, designed to support and develop projects that honour the State’s history and heritage.
“Outback Queensland is the keeper of our prehistoric history and its fitting that as part of our Q150 celebrations next year, we honour Winton’s dinosaur finds.
“On completion, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History will be the only Australian-specific dinosaur and natural history institution in the country.
“It will offer visitors the opportunity to learn through fossils, excavation displays, and life size dioramas about the evolution of the Australian continent, and focus on how Australian dinosaurs evolved, lived and how they became extinct,” she said.
Member for Mt Isa, Betty Kiernan said the project would play an important role in the future development of the area and welcomed the Q150 funds.
“The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History will not only further cement the region as one of the country’s premier dinosaur attractions, but also provide a permanent educational experience for Queensland school children,” Ms Kiernan said.
Work began on the project last year, with initial work including the construction of preparation and supporting facilities such as a ranger's cottage, ablution block, large storage shed, water facilities and an access road to the top of the mesa.
The access road will be complete in March, with the remainder of preparation works, valued at over $1.1 million, expected to be finalised at the end of 2008.
* In the year to September 2007
ENDS
Friday, 25 January 2008
Media: 3224 4500
Ms Bligh, who was in Winton visiting the nationally and internationally significant prehistoric site, said the region had firmly put Queensland on the world dinosaur map.
“Winton is home to the only known group of running dinosaur footprints in the world and years of discovery are uncovering life in western Queensland, some 95 million years ago,” Ms Bligh said.
“The unique, prehistoric history of the area is a major drawcard for Outback visitors, with almost 37,000 international and domestic tourists visiting the Winton Shire last year*.
“It is also luring Australian and international scientific minds, with palaeontologists from around the world coming to the area to decipher the evolution of Australian dinosaurs and their relationships to those of other southern continents.
“Queensland is a major hub of Australian dinosaur discovery and will continue to play a role on the international prehistoric stage,” she said.
While in Winton, the Premier presented a $500,000 cheque to the Winton Shire Council for its Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History project, due for completion within five years.
Ms Bligh said the Government was proud to support the Council’s project through Queensland’s 150th Celebration Legacy Infrastructure Fund, designed to support and develop projects that honour the State’s history and heritage.
“Outback Queensland is the keeper of our prehistoric history and its fitting that as part of our Q150 celebrations next year, we honour Winton’s dinosaur finds.
“On completion, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History will be the only Australian-specific dinosaur and natural history institution in the country.
“It will offer visitors the opportunity to learn through fossils, excavation displays, and life size dioramas about the evolution of the Australian continent, and focus on how Australian dinosaurs evolved, lived and how they became extinct,” she said.
Member for Mt Isa, Betty Kiernan said the project would play an important role in the future development of the area and welcomed the Q150 funds.
“The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History will not only further cement the region as one of the country’s premier dinosaur attractions, but also provide a permanent educational experience for Queensland school children,” Ms Kiernan said.
Work began on the project last year, with initial work including the construction of preparation and supporting facilities such as a ranger's cottage, ablution block, large storage shed, water facilities and an access road to the top of the mesa.
The access road will be complete in March, with the remainder of preparation works, valued at over $1.1 million, expected to be finalised at the end of 2008.
* In the year to September 2007
ENDS
Friday, 25 January 2008
Media: 3224 4500