Tensions high as isolated Far North community pleads with Premier Steven Miles to re-open critical route

Premier Steven Miles has responded to pleas from an isolated Far North tourist town, pledging to throw more at the region’s wrecked roads as businesses enter their seventh week without visitors.

President of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce Jeremy Blockey is frustrated with the limited disaster recovery support provided to those who are living in Cape Tribulation. Picture: Brendan Radke

Premier Steven Miles has responded to pleas from an isolated Far North tourist town, pledging to throw more at the region’s wrecked roads as businesses enter their seventh week without visitors.

But Douglas mayor Michael Kerr has warned Cape Tribulation Road must be upgraded following the floods to avoid extended closures in the future.

Speaking in Cairns on Wednesday, Mr Miles ruled out the prospect of the state taking over the council’s road asset but said more resources were available.

A modest trail has been fashioned over and through the wreckage along Cape Tribulation Road, giving patient residents intermittent access to the outside world.

“This is a local road. There are implications in making it a state road,” he said.

“But … if our engineers, our equipment, our contractors can help them to get it open quicker, then we will do that.

“This isn’t a question of funding. There is funding from the state and Australian government through the DRFA (Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements) to do this work.

“We want to make sure that happens as quickly as it can and the best thing we can do to achieve that is to make sure that Douglas has any support the state can provide.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has pledged to support Douglas Shire in rebuilding Cape Tribulation Road. Picture Glenn Campbell

The road – which suffered more than 120 landslides during and immediately after the floods – was in urgent need of an upgrade, Mr Kerr said.

“Right now, it’s a dirt track with a lick of tar on it,” he said.

“We appreciate and thank the state government for their assistance.

“But we have great concerns about this road. It needs to be modernised to become a FNQROC standard approved to deal with the actual usage that occurs.

“We need to build back better. For that to occur it’ll take a lot of money. More than this regional council could possibly afford.”

Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr is lobbying the Queensland government to upgrade Cape Tribulation Road following the Far North floods. Picture: Brendan Radke

The toll the road closure has had on the community couldn’t be underestimated, president of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce, Jeremy Blockey said.

“It has been weeks since we have had viable road access,” Mr Blockey said.

“In that time businesses have not made a single cent from tourism or regular business.

“Most employees have been stood down and we are doing it very tough.

“This is a community that’s hurt and we’ve been mucked around. We had three weeks where the sun was out and not much got done.”

Isolated Cape Tribulation residents have started the mammoth task of cleaning up their community without the assistance of the Australian Defence Force.

Mr Miles said Far North flood victims would not be forgotten despite Tropical Cyclone Kirrily expected to cross the coast later this week.

“The reason I’m here is that I wanted to make sure that those communities didn’t feel like we’re forgotten, even though we’re about to face potentially another disaster,” he said.

“I understand how frustrating it has been … to have been cut off in such a way that their businesses haven’t been able to operate.

“They’re very frustrated about the transport situation.”

Meanwhile, Far North tourism operators hit hard by the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper can now apply for a share of$1.6 million through the Tourism Recovery Assistance grant.

The support targets medium-to-large Far North tourism operators who have suffered direct damage to their business.

Grants of up to $50,000 per business can go towards a variety of expenditures including the cost of clean-up, repairs, hiring or purchasing equipment and replacing damaged stock,

Tourism Minister and Member for Cairns Michael Healy said.

“This $1.6m will help hard-hit Far North tourism businesses - with between 20 to 200 full time equivalent employees - to recover from the recent disaster,” he said.

“Operators who suffered direct damage to their business can apply for a $50,000 grant to pay tradies, fix buildings, and hire or buy equipment.”

Originally published as Tensions high as isolated Far North community pleads with Premier Steven Miles to re-open critical route