By BILLY ADAMS
SYDNEY - A band of Vietnam veterans has used military-style tactics to invade crown land and set up their own exclusive retreat.
The group, led by former television presenter and survivalist author Les Hiddins, secretly took over a 300 sq km area of a remote national park in
Far North Queensland.
The occupation was instigated after the men failed to resolve a dispute with traditional landholders and the state Government.
Dubbed the Pandanus Project, it involved sending advance parties and scout teams using two-way radios to establish the camp at a disused cattle property in Cape York.
A website with "sit rep" updates and a secret password section for operations has been set up and a base in central Townsville established for radio communications.
The former soldiers have been in negotiation to set up a bush retreat where they do not have to mingle with tourists or be under scrutiny by rangers.
Hiddins, who served in Vietnam as a scout and rose to fame after an Australian television series about bush food, said the action was taken because of the Government's lack of response to the proposal.
More than 100 veterans from around Australia have been to the site since May. Hundreds more are expected there on August 18 for Vietnam Veterans Day .
"Veterans were saying, 'I fought for the country, why can't we have a bit of it?"' Hiddins, aged 55, said, "and I thought that's not a bad [idea]. A lot of them are retiring and we didn't want them sitting around in RSLs drinking beer. We should be able to go to areas without having to book up or without having to tug your forelock to some Government ranger."
Environment Minister Dean Wells said the veterans were squatting on the disused Kalpowar Station and should have asked permission before moving in. The land might also be subject to a native title claim.
Last night, the state Government said it had no plans to try and move the men and hoped the dispute could be resolved amicably. The group have been encouraged to submit their plans for consideration.
