A group of environmentalists who want to restore about 400ha of cane farm to rainforest and wetlands just south of the Daintree River Ferry have until mid November to respond to questions from Douglas Shire Council about whether cane farming is still viable in the region.

A green group made up of reforestation not-for-profit Rainforest Rescue, businesses Daintree Farm and Brie Brie Estate, and other individual landowners, wants to restore a huge tract of land currently zoned as rural near Mossman-Daintree Road, Cape Tribulation Road and the Daintree River.

As part of the planning application, the group states that the sugarcane industry has “experienced increasing economic pressures that have significantly undermined its long-term viability”.

“During the 2024 and 2025 season, sugarcane crops were transported to MSF’s Mulgrave Mill in Gordonvale via subsidised freight,” the application states. 

“These subsidies are scheduled to end in the coming months, with no future subsidies proposed.”

However, DSC planners have written to the group stating the “council understands there are agreements in place to continue transportation of the sugarcane to the Mulgrave Mill for at least the next four to five years”. 

“Furthermore, trials are being currently undertaken on former sugarcane production land for alternative crops – including sorghum and bana grass,” the letter states.

Council planners have requested for the reforestation planning application to be updated in “regard to the current agreements in place to continue sugarcane production”.

The State Government recently pledged about $6m to buy new trailers to help haul Mossman-region cane to Mulgrave Mill, with Cook MP David Kempton telling Newsport last week that offer was still on the table.