EXCLUSIVE: Explosive A Current Affair story to showcase alleged Douglas Shire incompetence, impacts felt by Cape Trib, Daintree residents

A CURRENT AFFAIR

Michael Warren

Editor

Email Michael
Last updated:
A Current Affair spent time talking to Cape Trib business owners over the past few days. Picture: Supplied

The further alleged incompetence of Douglas Shire Council and the ongoing impacts felt by Daintree business owners in the wake of Cyclone Jasper and the ensuing heavy rainfall event is about to be exposed for all to see – by being aired in an upcoming nightly edition of Channel Nine program, A Current Affair.

The A Current Affair crew recently spent two nights in the Cape Tribulation area talking to business owners about how the ongoing fiasco around the on/off again closure of Noah Range is directly affecting their livelihoods – with many facing the prospect of potentially going broke – if, Cape Tribulation Road doesn’t receive highly urgent repair works to allow tourists back in to enjoy tourism/camping activities north of the river.

Newsport also understands the discussion with A Current Affair centred on locals’ reactions to the alleged poor recovery response demonstrated by Douglas Shire Council since Jasper and the flood events first impacted the Shire in mid-December last year.

Several Daintree business owners’ mental health has deteriorated in the past few months, as cost of living pressures and the ongoing uncertainty of when Cape Tribulation Road will be fully repaired and properly open to tourist buses and visitors alike continues to take a massive toll.

“I’m really happy that Australia will be made fully aware of the terrible situation Cape Tribulation and Daintree locals continue to find themselves in re Noah Range,” a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told Newsport.

“I’m glad the state of Cape Tribulation Road will be shown for the entire country to see.

“It’s been an extremely difficult period for everyone here and on the back of Newsport advocating for us, I’m very happy A Current Affair has also spent time listening to locals to further highlight the message that Noah Range and Cape Tribulation Road must be immediately fixed.”

It was confirmed several days ago that the Noah Range landslide is now in the hands of TMR, who continue to plot a safe way to tackle the huge obstacle in a bid to return Cape Tribulation Road back to normal as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, this month’s Douglas Shire Council ordinary meeting will be held on Tuesday.

It will mark the final meeting chaired by outgoing Mayor Michael Kerr ahead of next Saturday’s local Government elections.

Support public interest journalism

Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.

Got a news tip?

Send a news tip or submit a letter to the Newsport Editor here.

Comments

Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.