JUNGLE DRUM: Is revegetation really a good thing?
LAWRENCE MASON COLUMN
In the 1980s we revegetated a lot of grassland. We were doing it well before it was trendy.
Some of it was conceived as a plantation; my father had the idea to grow Blue Quandong commercially. Some of those are big enough to mill now, but nobody seems interested. Ironically the Black Wattle that self sowed is worth much more.
Ours was all planted in rows, and I am still amazed at how once the grass was defeated by shade, the wildlife did the rest. In most of the areas, the rows are now only visible to someone who knows. Brown Pines, Silky Oak and a myriad of other forest species have filled in inter row, and Topknot pigeons now feast on the treetops.
On one hand it is wonderful to see the forest back on the grasslands, but I have to be honest and say no more will occur here while I am alive. There is no holistic plan to assist a landowner who revegetates, and converting rural land to 'commercial' (tourism) simply attracted land tax to our property. It nearly broke us.
The application currently before our Council, focused on land near the ferry turnoff concerns me. While on the one hand seeing that land return to nature would be gratifying, and perhaps some of the landowners see it as an out from the dying cane industry, I think the whole Douglas Community should have a say.
Our fertile cane lands were protected for a reason. Even the likes of Berwick knew that any region setting themselves up as a one trick pony would be very vulnerable. The two separate economies of agriculture and tourism were far enough apart to give us a bit of backup should one lag. But by revegetating we are not seeing one lag; we will see one killed off.
Sure, I know that the Rainforest Rescue proposal in itself won't destroy all of our agriculture. But if successful, it will set a precedent. And with more and more cane land for sale cheap, we will no doubt see more DAs. Gullible southerners will donate to "save the rainforest".
While revegetation is great for nature, it does not employ many people. A few in a nursery, allegedly on a low wage a tourism business would never get away with. Then a few at the top of the chain, perhaps doing better than average.
I doubt revegetation will bring many more visitors. Most will drive past at 100km/hr. But it will increase the area of forest available for wildlife for sure.
I think it is time for our Town Plan to have a thorough refresh. Let's find out what Douglas wants to happen to this old cane land. It could be that we all want it planted up with forest. Or not. But let's not allow charities to dictate what happens.
Come on Council, let's be proactive and talk to constituents. I feel like we are passengers on a train driven by southerners.
*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.
The opinions and views in this column are those of the author and author only and do not reflect the Newsport editor or staff.
