New access to Cockatoo Hill Retreat after TC Jasper deluge

A Daintree local is over the moon at the surprise unveiling of a new bridge built to replace the old crossing that was washed away by the horrendous deluge that followed Cyclone Jasper.

The new bridge across McKenzie Creek leading into Cockatoo Hill Retreat at Diwan. Picture: Supplied

A Daintree guesthouse owner is over the moon at the surprise unveiling of a new bridge built to replace the old crossing that was washed away by the horrendous deluge that followed Cyclone Jasper.

In December 2023 a record-breaking rain event caused the rerouting of McKenzie Creek and at the same time made access to Cockatoo Hill Retreat impassable.

Access to the Diwan rainforest getaway has at last been solved after the granting of disaster recovery assistance worth $137,500.

The icing on the cake for proprietor Carmen Fabro was the naming of the crossing Mimi Bridge, in a nod to her late partner, and the installation of signage organised by outgoing Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch.

“It makes me smile every time I drive across it,” she said.

Cockatoo Hill Retreat owner Carmen Fabro at the opening of Mimi Bridge. Picture: Supplied

Carman Fabro was elated. Picture: Supplied

At first the Daintree resident was denied any disaster recovery funding that was desperately needed so guests could access the retreat.

Mr Entsch then went into bat for Ms Fabro. He chased it up with Queensland Reconstruction Authority boss Jake Elwood, the knock-back was overturned and the money necessary to build the bridge was secured.

“She sent me a photo and she was over the moon and she wanted me to see the bridge,” Mr Entsch said.

Mr Entsch got signs made and two weeks ago rallied Daintree locals to dig post holes.

He arrived at the property with two bags of rapid set concrete and some pink survey ribbon and while Ms Fabro was distracted the sign was cemented in place ahead of the big reveal.

A shocked Ms Fabro cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the bridge earlier this month.

Outgoing Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch with Daintree business owner Carmen Fabro at the opening of Mimi Bridge. Picture: Supplied

“It was just beautiful and it made her feel so good, it was absolutely magical, she was over the moon and she deserves it,” he said.

After 26 years of being an MP the now retired Leichhardt member said it was moments like this that kept him in the job so long.

“They have been the very special moments that I have been able to achieve, we will call them the Carmen moments and there have been hundreds of them over the years,” he said.

The name Mimi came from a pet name for Ms Fabro used by her late partner Gilles Germain who built the four rainforest lodges.

Translated from French the word means cute or adorable.

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Originally published as New access to Cockatoo Hill Retreat after TC Jasper deluge