Terri Irwin loses court battle

A mining company that yesterday won a court victory over Steve Irwin's widow Terri has accused her of having a secret agenda to expand cattle farming on a Cape York property set aside as a wildlife reserve.

Queensland's Land Court has ruled that Cape Alumina is entitled to access a portion of the 135,000ha Bertiehaugh Station leased by the family of the late crocodile hunter.

Cape Alumina owns a mining lease that covers about 15 per cent of the property. It had sought access to conduct an environmental impact statement for a bauxite mine.

Chief executive Dr Paul Messenger said freedom of information searches showed that Terri Irwin planned to expand cattle farming on the property.