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Northern Rivers Echo Main News
Mayoral Farce
 Cr Frank Swientek, who was elected mayor on Tuesday, now faces a rescission motion.
Simon Thomsen
Lismore City Council can’t decide who it wants as mayor. A three-way tussle for the job on Tuesday night descended into farce after Cr Frank Swientek won the vote 6-4 over Cr Merv King, and Cr Reg Baxter immediately led the charge to rescind the decision.
It means Cr King remains acting mayor until council can meet again to decide who it wants to lead the 11-member council.
The jostling for a seven-month stint in the top job came in the wake of the resignation of the popularly elected mayor, Cr Bob Gates, due to ill health. Cr Frank Swientek said he wanted to be mayor because he plans to contest the position at the September council elections and “would like to start early”. Cr King, who’s been filling in for Cr Gates, pledged it would be “steady as she goes” under his leadership.
The third candidate, Cr Ros Irwin said she was concerned about the way Cr King had performed in the role, saying he had a “tendency to put things in the hands of the general manager that I think should be in the hands of the councillors”. She cited the needle exchange program, which led to the South Lismore plan, and the Molesworth Street parking upgrade as two examples.
The election itself seemed to confuse some councillors. An initial proposal for an open vote using a show of hands was tied with a 5-all vote (Cr John Hampton absent). General manager Paul O’Sullivan said that as acting mayor, Cr King had the right to use a casting vote to decide what to do. But Cr King was reluctant to make a decision and some councillors said they were unsure about the vote. Mr O’Sullivan asked for another vote. Cr John Chant changed his mind, and sided with Crs Irwin, Roberts, Tomlinson, Gallen and Suffolk to defeat the open vote - a long-standing tradition at the council. It became a secret ballot with preferential voting.
The first big surprise came with the result: King 4 votes, Swientek 3, Irwin 3. It meant one of Cr King’s traditional allies had abandoned him in favour of Cr Swientek.
It seems Cr Brian Suffolk also had concerns about the acting mayor’s abilities. Switching camps was to conspire with chance to bring down Cr King. Cr Suffolk had to face some angry colleagues after the meeting.
With the vote tied, Mr O’Sullivan wrote the names of Crs Swientek and Irwin on paper and dropped them into a brass spittoon. Cr Irwin was eliminated when her name was drawn from the pot. The second preferences from her votes all went to Cr Swientek, giving him six votes to win the mayoral position.
Council then endorsed his nomination, which goes to the NSW Governor for approval.
But the shock result saw Cr Baxter leap to his feet asking if he could lodge a rescission motion. Cr Crowther was also keen. Cr Swientek wondered if Council needed legal advice on the matter. The surprise and confusion continued until Cr Baxter demanded an answer for the second time. It was yes.
While the vote itself cannot be rescinded, Council staff said that the decision to recommend Cr Swientek as mayor could be.
With Cr Hampton ill, and Cr Irwin away, the earliest Council could meet again to decide the issue is February 24. Staff must now find a way for councillors to choose a nomination that will be acceptable to all parties, and prevent a further rescission motion being lodged.
Mr O’Sullivan said that despite the uncertainty after Tuesday night, it was simply “business as usual” for Council.
Rally for peace
 Gearing up for their performance at Saturday’s No War On Iraq rally are actors Gray Wilson (left) and Laurie Axtens (right) with local children (l-r) Ariel Smith, 13, Tantoo-Butterfly Young, 8, and Zoe Taylor, 8.
Terra Sword
Zoe Taylor, Tantoo-Butterfly Young, and Ariel Smith don’t want to have a war with Iraq, and this Saturday they’re going to tell Prime Minister John Howard and US president George W Bush.
The three children, with help from the local action group WOmen for PEace (WOOPE), have created a short play quizzing the two world leaders, played by local actors Laurie Axtens and Gray Wilson.
The play will be performed at the No War On Iraq rally and march, this Saturday, February 15, as part of a national day of action against the looming conflict.
“More than half the world’s population are children and we deserve to have a voice,” said Ariel, who helped develop the play. “We want people to be aware of how we feel and understand that we don’t want to see thousands of innocent people killed in a war. We don’t believe there should be a war at all.”
The No War On Iraq rally and march will be held in Spinks Park (next to the Transit Centre on Molesworth Street) from 10am. The day will kick off with a number of performances and speeches, including a talk by NSW Greens Senator, Kerry Nettle, and Rev Cameron Venables.
At 11am the rally will march through Lismore’s CBD before returning to Spinks Park again for more speeches.
“A big attendance is crucial in sending the strongest possible message to pro-war governments such as Australia’s, that the Australian people don’t want this war,” No War spokesperson, Tom Flanagan, said. “If we can pressure the Howard government to hold back, it also puts the US government in a difficult position.”
On Saturday, a peace candle will be the centrepiece of a sanctuary in Spinks Park. The peace candle movement was initiated by a young cancer patient named Chris in London in 1996. Confronted by his imminent death, Chris devoted himself to promoting world peace. He met with the 14th Dalai Lama, who lit the original homemade candle and gave his blessing that every candle lit from it would spread peace across the globe.
People can bring along their own candle to light. Alternatively you can bring flowers and other personally significant objects to place in the sanctuary.
For more info on the rally phone Tom on 6622 2862.
Big Drive for Kidneys
 Gearing up for the Kidney 4WD Adventure in April are Casino 4WD Drive Club members (l-r) Chris Berger, Peter Arthur and Tony Lavis with Rachel and Claudia Arthur and Timothy Lavis.
Terra Sword
4WD enthusiasts Peter Arthur, Chris Berger and Tony Lavis are putting a lifelong hobby to good use, joining in the Kidney 4WD Adventure in April to help raise money for the Australian Kidney Foundation.
The 10-day drive teams of people four-wheel-drive though some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery. Before it starts on April 7 teams raise money for the Australian Kidney Foundation. So far Peter, Chris and Tony have raised nearly $3000, and are hoping to increase that figure to $5000 before they depart.
“Anyone can join in because the adventure’s not designed to be hard, although it will make use of all the attributes of a 4WD,” Chris said.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun, but more importantly it’s going to raise much-needed funds for kidney research and education programs.”
Anyone with a road worthy 4WD can join in the event, however, teams must raise a minimum of $2000 a vehicle for the Foundation to be eligible. If you’re interested, phone 1300 300 544 or log on to www.kidney.org.au.
If you don’t, but would like to support Peter, Chris and Tony, you can buy raffle tickets from Singhs Tyre and Mechanical in Casino or the Ellangowan Public Store.
Their next fundraising event is an auction of sports memorabilia on March 1 at the Cecil Hotel, Casino, featuring Craig Lowndes autographed racing jacket, an autographed print of Olympic gold medal winning team the Awesome Foursome, and signed shirts from the Australian swimming team.
For more information phone Peter on 6663 1442.
All Nudes is Good News
When singer Grace Knight decided to protest against the war in Iraq by creating an opportunity the media couldn’t resist – female nude protestors – she was hoping around 60, women would turn up to spell out ‘No war’ on a grassy hill in Federal.
On Saturday morning, more than 750 women turned up – some from as far away as Brisbane – to give voice and body to their opposition to war. There were enough women to no only spell out no war, but to also create a giant heart around the sentiment.
The protest was a huge success when it came to attracting media attention, appearing on ABC national news, in national newspapers and even internationally.
Tribute to Levee Stalwart
 In his final public appearance as Mayor, Cr Bob Gates (pictured, right, with his wife, Helen, plus Elaine Collins and Norm Simpson, who lived on the site where the flood levee now stands during the 30s and 40s) received a well-deserved honour to his work in helping bring the Lismore flood levee scheme to fruition, unveiling a plaque in his honour atop the levee.
Sunday’s moving ceremony was an emotional tribute for Cr Gates, who began working on the levee initially as Lismore’s deputy engineer, before battling for funding for the $13 million project as a councillor, then mayor for the last three years. His commitment to public life in Lismore spanned half a century.
This week, Cr Gates resigned as mayor, having been on leave from Council since he was diagnosed with the debilitating illness Motor Neurone Disease.
Needle Program left Homeless by Council
Simon Thomsen
The controversial needle and syringe program (NSP) will not go ahead in South Lismore, with the Northern Rivers Area Health Service (NRAHS) ruling out the former baby health centre in Union Street last week.
NRAHS CEO Chris Crawford said that strong public opposition from South Lismore residents had led to the decision to abandon the plan.
“A total of 67 completed surveys were received, with most showing an understanding of the program as an essential public health measure, but the level of opposition indicated that people felt it would have a negative social impact,” Mr Crawford said.
But the service, which helps prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C, is still homeless after Lismore Council defeated a plan to keep it at the Lismore Neighbourhood Centre when it relocates to the CBD fringe next month.
Council voted 4-6 (Crs Irwin, Roberts, Gallen, Tomlinson for) to continue the NSP at the Neighbourhood Centre.
Ironically, Tuesday night’s vote vindicated general manager Paul O’Sullivan’s attempts to find an alternative site – which led to the South Lismore option.
Mr Crawford said he was disappointed with the council decision.
“The new Neighbourhood Centre was our preferred option, but at the Council’s suggestion we investigated the South Lismore site. It was most disappointing to see the co-location option ruled out by a slender majority of Councillors, some of whom seemed not to understand the need for this crucial public health program to be in an accessible location,” he said
Mr Crawford said NRAHS would examine other potential sites in Lismore.
“One of the saddest aspects of the decision is that the city’s main needle collection bin is at the Neighbourhood Centre, and an alternative location will soon have to be found for that, too,” he said.
Much of the Council debate focussed on concerns about the location – the former library site in Carrington Street, but it was clear many councillors were simply against any needle exchange.
Cr John Crowther was worried that the site was close to Heritage Park, Lismore City Hall and a club with 18,000 members.
“Let’s not get into a mind fix that we’ve got to have one on every street corner,” he said. Cr Crowther said Lismore had a “bad drug problem” and he was “appalled” that other councils supported the program. Cr Reg Baxter blamed the Neighbourhood Centre for needles found on sports grounds, and said the NSP should be at the hospital to “let others live in peace”.
Cr Diana Roberts warned that without it, the problem of discarded needles would get worse.
Cr Ken Gallen was exasperated by the logic of his colleagues.
“For 10 years the service has been operating without a problem next to the second busiest cab rank and bus stop in Lismore, and next to a shopping centre with 12,000 visitors a week. Now we’re suddenly worried about a few people... If it had just moved with the Neighbourhood Centre, we wouldn’t be here now,” he said.
Cr Ros Irwin said the program was “not about whether Lismore Council supports a drug habit”, but a public health issue. She said the service, which is only open three hours a day, offered counselling and referral services to help people get off drugs.
She warned that without the NSP, the health impact would be “devastating”.
Chris Crawford confirmed to The Echo that the NSP reduced the spread of infectious diseases among injecting drug users.
“The NSP has rightly been called Australia’s frontline defence against HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C virus (HCV), with a new report showing that 25,000 cases of HIV and 20,000 cases of HCV have been prevented, with a national cost saving of up to $7.8 billion in treatment costs alone,” he said.
“Cities failing to support NSPs had an average increase of 8.1 per cent in the prevalence of HIV, compared to an 18.6 per cent decrease in cities that did have a program. Lismore specifically, cannot afford to be without a proper NSP in a location accessible to its clients, and with proximity to referral and counselling services for those wanting to give up drugs,” Mr Crawford said.
A proposal by Cr Frank Swientek to set up a mobile needle program in Lismore failed to attract any support.
37 DAYS TO GO - 2003 Election
Countrylink Taxi
A regular maxicab service between Lennox Head and Lismore will replace the CountryLink bus service lost last October.
Tony Stewart, Parliamentary secretary for Roads, visited Ballina last Thursday to announce that the eight seater cabs will run to a regular timetable to connect with the CountryLink trains. He said the service will depart Ballina for Lismore on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to meet the XPT, and depart Lismore for Alstonville on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
“We have listened to local residents,” Mr Stewart said. “Reinstating a regular, timetabled public transport service is good news for the residents of Ballina”.
River Bar Plan
A NSW Coalition will dredge smaller bars like Evans Head and Brunswick Heads to make the safe for boats.
Opposition land and water conservation spokesman Don Page announced the $3 million plan in Evans Head on Wednesday, with the Nationals candidate for Clarence, Steve Cansdell.
Mr Page said many bars along the NSW coastline had silted up and presented a serious danger to vessels. Local fishers told him that six or seven boats have been damaged after touching bottom across the Evans Head bar in recent weeks.
“These people are understandably concerned about their safety and losing control of their boat,” he said.
Mr Page said Evans Head “would be very close to top of list” when it came to dredging.
Improved water access would also increase tourism he said.
“I emphasise we are talking about maintenance dredging of existing shipping lanes not general dredging,” Mr Page said.
Govt Promises Roundabout
 Labor candidate for Lismore Peter Lanyon, roads minister Carl Scully and ‘Country Labor’ convenor Tony Kelly discuss plans for a $750,000 roundabout in Dawson Street next to St Carthages Cathedral.
Simon Thomsen
There’s nothing like an election for spontaneous acts of generosity from politicians. NSW Roads Minister Carl Scully visited Lismore last Friday to announce $1.125 million in state funding for an underpass and roundabout.
Mr Scully promised a Labor government would provide half the cost of a $750,000 pedestrian underpass at the intersection of Ballina Road and Kellas Street at Lismore Heights, near the new Kellas Street entrance to Southern Cross University.
The NSW Government also pledged to fully fund a $750,000 roundabout at the intersection of Dawson and Leycester Streets, next to Trinity Catholic College.
Lismore City Council had been lobbying for the funding for more than a decade, but Mr Scully attributed his benevolence to “strong representations” from Labor’s candidate for Lismore, Peter Lanyon.
Coincidentally, Mr Lanyon had issued a press release a fortnight earlier demanding that Lismore Council fund and build the two projects.
The Minister said the work will be done in the next financial year – even if Mr Lanyon fails to unseat sitting MP Thomas George.
While Council has just saved itself more than $1 million, Mr Lanyon also wants Council to build an underpass near Keen Street for students from Albert Park Public School.
Questioned about funding the outstanding $6 million for the Alstonville bypass, Mr Scully dodged a response, trying to put the political heat back on federal MP Larry Anthony, accusing him of “unseemly haste” in rejecting his proposal that the federal Government share in half the $36 million cost.
Mr Scully said he wanted written confirmation from federal transport minister John Anderson, before commenting further.
A spokesperson for Mr Anderson told The Echo that the Commonwealth was “not budging from $12 million”, and wrote a letter to Mr Scully saying so this week.
Labor Opens Campaign Office
The NSW Labor Party opened its Lismore campaign office yesterday in preparation for the NSW state election in five weeks.
 Opening the office yesterday were ALP candidate for the seat of Lismore, Peter Lanyon (right) and NSW education minister, John Watkins.
Peter came to the Northern Rivers 17 years ago to take on the position of regional sports administrator for the Department of Education. He spent the last decade as principal of Barkers Vale Public School.
Peter and his wife Julie live at Lillian Rock, and together they have five children.
An ALP member now for 12 years, Peter was the founding president of the Nimbin branch and still believes in the core Labor principles made famous by Gough Whitlam almost three decades ago.
“Social justice, tolerance, caring for the environment and world peace… those are the key Labor principles of 30 years ago,” Peter said. “I’m a long-time Labor person and I believe in those principles. I want to offer the people of Lismore a local version of those principles to suit the issues now affecting us. We need to get a better deal for the seat of Lismore and it’s much easier to get the attention of decision makers, policy writers and cheque signers when you’re in government and not just a member of the opposition.”
Labor’s new campaign office at Shop 9 in the Star Court Arcade, off Molesworth Street. For more information or to help with the campaign phone 6622 8522.
$1.1m Upgrade Goes Ahead
Simon Thomsen
Lismore Council has approved plans for 45° angled parking along Molesworth Street, despite last minute attempts to change the design by Cr Brian Suffolk, who warned the ‘Option C’ plan would bring about the “demise” of the CBD.
Cr Suffolk put forward a design that maintains the right angle centre parking, but only loses four parking spaces. The angled design leads to the loss of 36 spaces, but offers dramatic improvements in shade and aesthetics, by planting mature trees.
When other councillors challenged him on how the design would solve traffic congestion in the street, Cr Suffolk blamed any problems in the CBD on one-way traffic in Magellan Street. He said the proposed changes would exacerbate congestion.
Cr Baxter said the plan was going to take people away from the CBD to shop at Lismore Square.
But others were more upbeat about the project, which has increased in cost in the past month by $186,000 to $1.155 million. Council will borrow from reserves and spend unused funds from New Ballina Road to pay for the work.
Cr Diana Roberts said the redesign had gone through exhaustive consultation, and received majority support from retailers.
“We’d look stupid if we go ahead with our own plan designed by one of the councillors,” she said.
Cr Ros Irwin said the sticking point remained differing perceptions between shoppers and retailers about what was important. She urged action.
“Council has a reputation for talking a lot and planning a lot and doing nothing,” she said.
Cr Frank Swientek said spending money on Molesworth Street to attract shoppers had “questionable validity”. He also dismissed the notion that it would help tackle heat in the CBD saying it was a hot place and “everyone is going to get cooked anyway”. But he worried that reducing carparking times from two hours to one would mean cars wouldn’t get “hot enough” in winter.
Council decided 6-4 (Crs Swientek, Chant, Baxter and Suffolk against) to proceed with the upgrade, which is due to be completed by Easter. It includes a three-month trial of 1-hour parking in the centre ranks.
Frankly My Dear, Give Me a Dam
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Rocky Creek Dam Level
28.7%
Last week: 27.44%
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Despite a decade of rapid growth, Northern Rivers residents are using less water than they did a decade ago, Rous Water figures reveal.
In 1991, the region used 12,614ML of water, yet in 2001, with around 90,000 customers we used just 12,511ML. It fell further in 2002 to 11,852ML – a result of the drought and water restrictions.
Rous Water general manager Paul O’Sullivan said the figures indicate an emphasis by Rous in recent years on ‘demand management’ to get people to use less water. The strategy was developed in 1995, and proposed a number of approaches to guaranteeing the region’s future water supplies, including a dam at Dunoon – although not until 2020.
The strategy also proposed extracting water from the Wilson’s River – it begins next week – and installing water tanks in urban areas, as well as using reclaimed water – something that only happens at the Rous Water-developed Perradenya estate at Caniaba. It also offered financial incentives for homes to install duel-flush toilets and low-volume showerheads to reduce consumption.
Mr Muldoon said that the response to the initiatives had helped it survive the worst drought in a century and ensure continued water supply at a time when other regions were being forced to truck in water.
“Rous Water has tried to balance supplying water at a reasonable cost to its customers with planning for future needs,” he said.
The organisation has invested around $3 million in acquiring land for a new dam at Dunoon, and has around $10 million in cash reserves. The cost of the project could be as high as $60 million and the NSW government says it is unwilling to contribute towards the cost of new dam.
Mr Muldoon said that contrary to recent community criticism, Rous had been working on a number of fronts to secure more water.
“At next week’s meeting, councillors will receive a detailed report on the benefits of rainwater tanks for urban homes, which has been underway for a number of months,” he said.
“We have also been working on supplying water from the Wilson’s River. With demand falling during the ’90s, our planning suggested it could be deferred until 2006. But then this drought hit, and we’ve brought it forward.
“Work on this project has been ongoing for two years and a consultant’s report is coming to council about it this month. This preparation meant we could establish the emergency supply quickly,” Mr Muldoon said.
“Rous Water needs to look at building a separate treatment plant for the river water”.
He said that with at least 12 months supply ahead in the worst drought on record, Rous had done a ‘reasonable’ job of drought-proofing.
On Tuesday, Lismore Council threw its weight behind the Rous strategy. But the Council also wants Rous to consider introducing water restrictions sooner when the Rocky Creek dam level begins to fall.
Meanwhile, Level 5 restrictions, which prohibit the use of water outdoors, seem to be working, with the average daily consumption falling again to just 23.08ML – down 1.2ML on the previous week. While last week’s rains no doubt helped, consumption was well under the target level of 25ML a day.
While run off continues to flow into Rocky Creek dam, it will be some time before level 5 water restrictions are lifted, with Rous hoping to test its new river water system, and also allow the dam the chance to refill.
Caroona Back Better Than Ever
 Mollie Strong, chair of the Uniting Care Caroona Board of management, unveiled the plaque to mark the completion of refurbishments at the Kalina nursing home in Goonellabah on Saturday.
Some 32 years after it originally opened, the 70-bed site once again boasts state-of-the-art facilities to care for elderly people.
This latest round of extensions and redevelopment was accomplished whilst maintaining full occupancy of the building, allowing residents to stay at home while the work was underway.
Pray For Peace
People have the opportunity to pray for peace at a special ecumenical prayer vigil tomorrow night, February 14, at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lismore.
It begins at 8pm and finishes at 8am on Saturday. Every half hour people will lead a five minute reflection.
There will be music, much silence, candles and free tea and coffee. All are welcome to come for 30 minutes or the full twelve hours, and pray for peace.
Beautiful One Day, Gone the Next
 Will naturelovers stand by and watch a national icon on Minister opens the flood gates
NSW land and water conservation minister John Aquilina, in front of a picture showing the build up of acid sulfate in water behind the Bagotville barrage. The floodgates were closed 30 years ago by Davis Hughes, the controversial NSW government minister who sacked architect Joen Utzon from the Opera House.
Helping deal with acid sulfate run off in the Tuckean Swamp is the aim of a $350,000 project at the Bagotville floodgate.
NSW land and water conservation minister John Aquilina, opened the trial project on Monday. Three of the bridge’s eight floodgates have been fitted with hydraulic lifting gear so they can be opened to reduce acidity levels.
“Opening the floodgates to the floodplain will not only benefit local landholders, but will also enhance the water quality and ecological habitat within the Tuckean Swamp area.
A 12-month trial will look at the impact and help determine how to manage the barrage.
A trial partial opening of the floodgates last August reduced acidity levels in the upstream water. The project is has been coordinated by flood mitigation authority Richmond River County Council, and involves a number of government departments, including National Parks, Fisheries, and NSW Agriculture, as well as Landcare groups.
County Council chairman Frank Swientek said early results from the been encouraging, with fish returning to the area.
Last Call to Save Daintree
 Without a second to lose, excited tourists press their camera lenses up against the bus window to get that allusive shot. If it’s what they’re hoping for, this could be their closest, most exciting encounter yet.
It’s much bigger than they expect – a great hairy-looking creature nearly two metres tall, helmeted, with blue and red ‘war paint’ splashed across its long neck. At the end of its short stout legs are massive claws, sharp enough to disembowel the largest of predators.
But as road kill, the cassowary’s marvellous adaptations are of little use.
Nearly 10 years ago, just 54 of these large, flightless birds were recorded for the whole of the Daintree region. Just like the great Moas of New Zealand, they could soon disappear forever.
Their demise threatens the long term viability of a host of large seeded plant species.
According to Dr Tony Parkes, Chairman of Rainforest Rescue, the critical habitat of the Cassowary is being devastated at an alarming rate.
“Two-thirds of the tropical rainforest extending up the coast from the Daintree River to Cape Tribulation is freehold land,” said Dr Parkes.
“These privately-owned, one hectare blocks are of immense conservation value yet there are no laws or regulations to prevent clearing.”
“Developers began subdividing the lowland rainforest in the 1980s, after the land was rezoned by Council.”
With the road to Cape Tribulation now bituminised, settlement of the privately owned allotments within the Daintree is escalating. Twenty allotments were developed for rural residential housing last year.
Roads slice through the home ranges of the cassowaries and with large areas of habitat continuing to be cleared for settlement or lost to weeds, the handful of surviving birds are forced to dodge cars, dogs and aggressive feral pigs to access a dwindling food supply.
“Weed invasion is a real worry,” says biologist Tim Low, author of Feral Future and The New Nature.
“Pond apple (Annonona glabra) – one of Australia’s 20 worst weeds – are sprouting behind the beach, where exotic coconuts are also invading,” he said.
“Cultivated plants escaping from gardens into coastal forests is a nightmare prospect, especially when some landholders are growing weird tropical fruits, rare palms and unusual permaculture plants.”
“The result is a very wide variety of potential weeds that we don’t know much about.”
Mr Low predicts a continued trend of piecemeal destruction and weed invasion if areas are not purchased and set aside for conservation.
Weeds pose a serious threat to the Daintree rainforest which, until recently, has survived as an unbroken chain stream of evolution since the appearance of the world’s first flowering plants.
“These forests are home to 13 of the 19 primitive plant families,” says Dr Julia Playford, Director of the Conservation Sciences Unit with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency.
“Ten of these are found on private land between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation.”
Given her special interest in plant evolution and genetics, Dr Playford’s concern for the future of the privately owned forest comes as no surprise.
Over 100 rare and threatened plant species are found in the area. Forty-three occur on freehold land in the Cooper Creek area alone and 12 have not been found in any National Park areas.
The Cow Bay, Bailey’s Creek, Coppers Creek area is a significant tract of Cassowary habitat. It is also vital habitat for the primitive Musky Rat-kangaroo, the rare Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, endangered Spotted-tailed Quoll, and a myriad of smaller creatures little known to science.
“Look out at night for all the gigantic white-tailed rats,” says Tim Low, whose love of native species is only equalled by his passion to put a stop to invasive weeds.
“Also look for fig parrots and bumpy satinash which produces big white and golden flowers right down the trunk to ground level, providing nectar for pygmy possums at night.”
For tourists, the Daintree is the only place in Australia that serves up World Heritage rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef together. Some call it the heart and soul of the Wet Tropics.
Whether bush walking or wildlife spotting, its rich, tropical rainforests give nature lovers from all walks of life a taste of ‘ecology in action’.
But according to scientists, it won’t take much to unravel the intricate web of the Daintree rainforest ecosystem.
The loss of even one species to extinction could have a devastating result.
“Without cassowaries, over 100 native rainforest plants are not able to regenerate,” said Dr Playford.
“They are the only bird in the region capable of swallowing the large fruits whole.”
Eager to act before it is too late, Rainforest Rescue is raising funds to buy back the privately owned blocks of rainforest.
With this support, the Daintree Rainforest Foundation has already purchased four properties in the past two years. Protected forever, and soon to be declared a Nature Refuge. The rescued areas are now being managed for their conservation values and will, with the purchase of just two more properties form a corridor for Cassowaries in the area.
“The average price for allotments is between $20,000 and $35,000. This makes acquisition of allotments realistic and affordable,” said Dr Parkes from Rainforest Rescue.
“A donation of $20 buys back approximately 10 square meters,” he said.
- Rainforest Rescue is a national, not for profit organisation committed to saving our rainforests for current and future generations. To make a donation to the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Campaign, write to Rainforest Rescue, PO Box 102 Toowong Qld 4066, email info@rainforestrescue.org.au or visit www.rainforestrescue.com.
This week's features: Valeture - Local Businesses
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