‘Unacceptable’: Far North MP calls on state to take over key Douglas Shire Council asset

A dilapidated Far North road will test the Queensland government’s commitment to “build back better” post-Tropical Cyclone Jasper with Member for Cook David Kempton calling for major upgrades.

Member for Cook David Kempton will lobby for the Queensland government to take over a key Douglas Shire Council this year. Picture: Stewart McLean

A dilapidated Far North road will test the Queensland government’s commitment to “build back better” post-Tropical Cyclone Jasper with Member for Cook David Kempton calling for major upgrades.

Cape Tribulation Rd was devastated in December 2023 with more than 120 landslides in the region destroying key passages of the thoroughfare during the catastrophic weather event.

Scarred mountainsides highlight the damage done by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the flood.

With several passages still limited to just one lane and huge chunks washed away still yet to be replaced, Mr Kempton said the state of the road simply wasn’t good enough.

“Even though it’s been re-opened, it’s unacceptable that it’s still in this condition a year after the event with another wet season already under way,” he said.

“There has been disaster money spent on this road already and I’ll be talking to the (Douglas Shire) council to find out what resources they have and need to make the road more trafficable as soon as possible.”

Critically, Mr Kempton said Douglas Shire Council couldn’t afford to maintain the critical passageway to the ancient Daintree rainforest on its own.

“It’s my view that the road should be a state road and I’ll certainly be talking to the (Transport and Main Roads) Minister (Brent Mickelberg) about that when possible,” he said.

“I’ll be going up the road again in the next two weeks. You can get through but it’s not to the standard it should be.”

Daintree businessman Lawrence Mason says the road’s closure nearly sent several tourism operators broke. Picture: Samuel Davis

Cape Tribulation businessman Lawrence Mason said the thoroughfare was a critical lifeline for the tourism town located around 150km north of Cairns.

“When you’re talking about critical infrastructure and the only two-wheel drive road into an area, there has to be faster ways to get the work done,” he said.

“It beggars belief. We need a better system.”

Causeways, culverts and bridges were damaged along Cape Tribulation Rd and on the Bloomfield Track during Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the ensuing flood.

Entire sections of the Cape Tribulation Road and the Bloomfield Track were completely swept away in late 2023.

Following TC Jasper, the world-renowned tourism destination was shut off from the outside world for months with essential supplies, including fuel, food and medication delivered by helicopter and boat.

“I sort of feel despair,” Mr Mason said.

“Douglas Shire Council stood in front of us last year and said it would take nine months to remove a landslide that size.

“We scoffed at them but we’re well past nine months now.”

Former Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr. Picture: Gizelle Ghidella

Mr Kempton’s calls echo those of former Douglas mayor Michael Kerr who lobbied then premier Steven Miles for funding assistance.

“Right now, it’s a dirt track with a lick of tar on it,” Mr Kerr said of the road last January.

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

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

Originally published as ‘Unacceptable’: Far North MP calls on state to take over key Douglas Shire Council asset