Wallaby group fights on
Agile Project won’t back down from legal case
THE Agile Project has decided not to back down from its legal action against the State Government over the relocation of wallabies from Cairns’ northern beaches.
The conservation group has vowed to continue its fight in the Queensland Civil Administrative Tribunal against the Department of Environment and Science, seeking permission to shift 150 agile wallabies from Trinity Beach to a private sanctuary.
The group’s manager, Shai Ager, had three weeks ago informed benefactors the organisation was considering dropping its legal action, as the legal fees were too expensive and it was bound to drag on for six months.
She suggested the group would continue instead as a rehabilitation group.
However in a statement issued yesterday, the group said it had submitted new documents to QCAT and a decision was due on February 20.
“We have not ‘given up’ our fight for the relocation,” the group said. “But yes, there was a time a few weeks ago when we thought we had exhausted all our options.
“As you can imagine, it’s not been easy for a non-profit incorporation, with very little funding and very little help, to take on State Government.”
The group confirmed it had let its legal team go.
“Since (Thursday), The Agile Project is no longer legal- ly represented due to our limited resources,” they said.
“Nonetheless, we received help up until this submission and are very grateful for all the advice and assistance our legal team provided.”
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said he was relieved the organisation was going to stick its fight out against DES.
“I think it’s a fight that needs to happen, because pulling out, I don’t think that would have benefited the wal- labies at all,” he said.
“Even though, nothing’s happening right now, pulling out would have guaranteed nothing will never happen.
“I really hope the community supports her, that she can get more people on-board to support (Ms Ager) with money for the court case.”