JUNGLE DRUM: Wet season driving, recycling and tropical fruit matters in this month's column
COLUMN
If it's flooded, be prepared!
It has been a wet year. I planted some pawpaw seedlings the other day and was surprised to find the water table really high. Usually, October is fairly dry. The pawpaws won’t like it.
Nor will we if we have an early onset of the wet season. With the ground already saturated, the creeks and rivers will rise fast.
Late September we had only 72mm one night and that was enough to make Myall Creek flood.
72mm would normally disappear into parched earth in late September! I shudder to think what 400mm overnight would do. Especially in the Daintree headwaters…
If what I fear comes to fruition, many local roads will flood, and doubtless the Qld Government will be sprouting us with their moronic slogan ‘If it is flooded forget it’.
I am not suggesting that anyone recklessly drives into floodwater, but let’s face it, if you live in many locales in Douglas, driving through floodwater is der rigueur to just get home. So naturally, like any other driving skill many of us have learnt how to deal with crossing water safely.
And while having a larger 4WD is ideal, many flooded roads can be negotiated in an SUV or even car if you are careful.
However, one must be mindful of tourists who will watch you, then try to imitate. This often goes badly so discretion is the better part of valor.
You must also realize the water crossings will dramatically reduce the life of your brakes and wheel bearings.
So, proceed with caution, check the road base, depth and current and decide if it is wise to cross. Better to wait for water to drop than lose your life!
I always cross rivers with all windows down and seatbelt off. If you get it wrong you don’t want to delay getting out.
Recycling
I was pleased to read Douglas Shire Councillor Abigail Noli is a supporter of recycling.
Unfortunately, DSC does not offer that service in the world’s oldest rainforest.
While they did offer businesses a trial, it was wheelie bins only, and could have been much more economic if skips were provided. It is a pity the Council staff can’t back what Councilors spruik with actual services.
Tropical fruit news
There has been an amazing out of season crop of some tropical fruit, I think because of a very dry April and then a very wet every other month. Some of the trees have gone crazy.
It has been an excellent year for rollinia (my favourite), with no watering of trees needed.
Durian is dropping now and we have a significant, if not large crop. I picked mangosteens this morning and last week picked and processed the most amazing large creamy breadfruit for vegan burgers. durian, mangosteen and breadfruit do not usually fruit in October. The grumichamas flowered a couple weeks ago, early for here.
To cap it off we have one of the best rambutan flowerings I have seen in a few years. At least the rain is good news for tropical fruit farmers!
*Lawrence Mason has lived at Cape Tribulation all his life, and has been involved in farming, timber and tourism. He is a former board member of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, founding Chair of Daintree Marketing Co-operative, and has been a member of both Alexandra Bay and Mossman State High School P&C. He is also a member of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce and has a keen interest in local issues.
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