Bottled water businessman's ex-con past
A VETERAN businessman who admits to doing jail time is behind moves to create a bottled water project at Bellenden Ker, south of Cairns.
Karl William Brooks, 74, of Manoora, was jailed in 1998 and then in 2000 for white-collar crime.
Mr Brooks, who maintains his innocence, said he was entitled to "move on" and was "up front" about his history with potential investors.
"If they walk away, they walk away," he said.
"I have got very good people involved with this project including people who are expert at putting up (water) plants."
He argues there is strong demand for bottled water, particularly the beautiful rainforest water from the Far North.
In November 1998, Mr Brooks pleaded guilty to two counts of false pretence and two counts of trickery, totalling $53,000, in relation to a mining lease called One Mile Mine near Kilkivan.
According to ASIC, Mistoil and Richcat ran the lease as a gold mine.
In October 2000, he was found guilty of running CB Environmental Paints (Australia) Pty Ltd while banned from being a company director.
The company went bust with debts of more than $500,000 in 1999.
Mr Brooks said he ultimately served a year behind bars for his convictions.
When asked about his jail time, he related how he was proud to have helped some illiterate prisoners lodge appeals.
He said his new business, Rainforest Water Australia Pty Ltd, would seek to export water through Cairns Port in specially-built 22,000-litre bladders in 6m containers.
He said he was about to travel to Sydney in an effort to attract interest from international investors.
In a recent advertorial in the Innisfail Advocate, Mr Brooks claimed the business could turn a 20 per cent profit in its first year.
Questioned by The Weekend Post, Mr Brooks said the claim was justified.
"We are not re-inventing the wheel here. It’s just a good system done to a commercial scale," he said.
Share this article
In business: Karl Brooks.
Tully Sugar tracking a Bundy buy-up
Tully Sugar bosses have further distanced the company from a potential takeover by Maryborough Sugar, announcing a proposal to buy Bundaberg Sugar's assets in the Far North.
Northpower in administration, owes $1m
MANUNDA electrical firm Northpower has appointed an administrator, sacked its staff and ended all work, with debts estimated at more than $1
million.
Cairns firm battered by insulation pull-out
A PORTSMITH business hit with a double-whammy by changes to two government-run environmental programs says it has been left thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Boom times in Cairns fitness industry
THE fitness industry is booming in the Far North as people become more concerned about their weight, diet and fitness.
Fears for Northpower electrical jobs
STAFF and customers of Cairns electrical company Northpower Electrical are in the dark over the company's future.
