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2015
15 March 2015
Drip decision completes 'unfinished business' for Andrew Gee
Member for Orange Andrew Gee says the news that The Drip and Corner Gorge will be protected in a national park has completed the last piece of unfinished business in his term as local member for the Mudgee and Gulgong areas.
Mr Gee said yesterday he was 'absolutely delighted' with the decision.
'The case for protecting The Drip was irrefutable and could not be denied,' he said.
'It's a marvellous result for the whole area.'
Mr Gee said the decision rights an 'inexcusable wrong' that was committed in the dying days of the previous Labor Government.
'And not one person from the Labor party has ever had the courage to explain why of how the sale happened in the first place,' he said.
He said as a local member departing the area because of a change in electorate boundaries, it was satisfying to get a positive conclusion to a long-running saga that has been going on for four years.
Mr Gee said a turning point in the campaign to save The Drip was a visit by Environment Minister Rob Stokes last year. Mr Stokes is believed to have been the first government minister to visit The Drip.
But Mr Gee added that said the result could not have been achieved without the community's strong support.
'The Drip has now been handed back by the coal mine and the spectacular sites of The Great Dripping Wall and Corner Gorge will now return to public ownership and protection forevermore,' he said.
'The Drip has been saved and this is a day that will be long remembered.
'My last piece of unfinished business as a local member for the Mudgee and Gulgong areas is complete.'
Nationals candidate for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen also applauded the decision.
On a recent visit to The Drip, Mr Johnsen, Greens candidate John Kaye and Country Labor candidate Martin Rush all supported calls for the area to be included in a national park.
'This is one of the most unique natural water features in the nation, with water running down the surrounding hillsides, seeping through high rocks gorges and forming in pools below,' Mr Johnsen said.
'The Liberals & Nationals Government has protected this special place forever1 .'