2500 petition handed to Tablelands Regional council to stop development in platypus and tree kangaroo habitat
A 2574-strong petition, signed by people opposing a new development application at Allumbah Pocket at Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands, has been presented to Tablelands Regional Council.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 2574-strong petition, signed by people opposing a new development application at Allumbah Pocket at Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands, has been presented to Tablelands Regional Council.
The petition is part of an urgent bid by the Yungaburra Association Inc along with Yungaburra Landcare and Yungaburra Beautification Inc to stop the sub-division of a section of Peterson Creek walking track.
Property developer and current owner of part of the land that includes the track, Malcolm Macleod, has plans to divide the block into eight parcels and sell them, which seems all but certain to end public access to the 2.4km track which draws tourists from all over the world.
Yungaburra Association Inc Treasurer Rolf Straatemeier said that closing the part of the track where the subdivision would occur would make it difficult for visitors to access any portion of the track and that future owners may close off the track.
Peterson Creek walking track currently runs through private land and Mr Straatemeier fears the development would also pose a conservation risk to possums, platypus and tree kangaroos.
Along with platypuses and tree kangaroos, sightings of pademelon wallabies, bandicoots, green ringtail possums, brush possums, fruit bats and a large variety of bird life are all common.
It is estimated that more than 500 people visit the track each week.
Mighty Aussie Tours, Uncle Brian’s Tours and Wait-a-While Rainforest Tours all take tourists – often from overseas – for tours along the track.
Wait-a-While Rainforest Tours operator, Paul McLellan, said the track was a “rare local treasure, which you cannot put a price on it” and Peterson Creek was “one place where you can still see native animals up close”.
“If council does not support this (petition), the local economy will take a hit,” Mr McLellan said.
“The visitors we bring spend thousands a month in local shops and dining at the Yungaburra Hotel.”
On Thursday, October 26, Yungaburra Association Inc president, Ken Jack, presented the community petition to Tablelands Regional Council mayor, Rod Marti.
The three groups want the Tablelands Regional Council to purchase the land from Mr Macleod.
The Cairns Post understands that the property developer has offered the two creek-side blocks of the subdivision to the council on the basis that they waive the headworks and is yet to hear back about the proposal.
More Coverage
Originally published as 2500 petition handed to Tablelands Regional council to stop development in platypus and tree kangaroo habitat
Hwy reopened, three hospitalised following multi-vehicle crash
The Kennedy Highway has been reopened to traffic following multi-vehicle crash, which left three people hospitalised, on Thursday afternoon.
‘Hectic wildfire season’: Deliberately lit bushfires
A Far North Queensland-based firefighter has warned many homes are not prepared for fire-season as crews contain fires claimed to be deliberately lit.