READ THE STORY

Leith Keegan

No known commercial crops? Fibre hemp would grow there. Probably a dozen other crops if managed properly. Is it closer to the truth to say that there's a bigger problem finding a market for some crops domestically than no known crop will grow there? If it grows grass and trees, there will be a suitable crop... look harder. It doesn't have to include the entire former farming sector to be viable.

Lisa Lopez

The farmers have looked and trialled and looked and trialled. Is anybody staying abreast? There's bana grass growing in some spots, being exported l believe.

Kaiser Mate

Industrial hemp to make bio diesel, paper and more.

Beau Scomazzon

Here's two ideas for all the people out there saying no viable crops for these parcels of land in question. 1 - Heliconia cut flowers both for local and Southern markets...resorts favour these as they last for extended periods. 2 - Tea tree oil.... thousands of visitors drive past this location, it's the perfect spot for a small scale steam distillery which could supply a high value niche product and offer tours of the distillery process. Rainforest rescue were given part approval to restore the land deemed unsuitable for agriculture the fact they aren't happy with that tells us all we need to know about them and what their future plans "possibly" hold for our area.

Larry Lurker

Entering the cut flower industry requires a huge commitment and involves intensive farming, unlike cane. And tea tree oil would require a massive cash investment to set up, with no income for the initial years.

Terrence Melchert

A difficult but correct decision by a majority of councillors. It’s a bigger deal than some think because if this application were approved then the door would open for groups that want to revegetate all farm land in the shire and have it converted to natural heritage non rate paying non productive land. It would be the end of the Douglas Shire - no doubt about it. Keep in mind much of the land at the Daintree has been used for cattle grazing in the past. Time for the local member and the State Government to step up help for farmers rather than the usual pursuit of blue sky crop options with no market depth that have only ever delivered the consumption of tax payer dollars with no results.

Gabe Ephraims

People are way too scared of councils, stop conforming to these ridiculous rules everyone, councils don't seem to do much but say no and jack up rates every few years. It's ludicrous.

READ THE STORY

Anthony Renwick

Real problem is most people have zero idea how big Queensland actually is.

Promenade Strolls

Most people stock up on bread and fresh milk at the mere mention of a cyclone. I don't think clarification of geographical areas will help much.

Jo Wood

Remember you are a mouse, the cyclone is a cat it will pounce on you when it is ready. I know the media needs to be straight forward and honest. Must stick with one story, not multiple different stories, cause you are frightened the tourist big time. The town is slowly dying, and it is gonna get worse. I believe that media should tell us when is closer, not last week. All u people needed to do is be prepared and ready. Cyclone is unpredictable. May go north Cooktown or south Cooktown. WHO KNOWS.

Geoff Field

I think Newsport does a good job. You warn people by publishing the official warnings, etc, but I haven’t seen you scaremonger, but a more definitive forecast area should be something the bureau and weather forecasters look at.

Maureen Fraser

No it should not be used... more accurate location should be used as tourist cancel bookings for no reason... or maybe they should just track it on BOM or Windy, use their brain.

Flick Boucher

Port Douglas becomes a ghost town at the first word of a cyclone in FNQ. Tourism, etc, in Port and further north are struggling. Let’s be kind to each other, let’s not over sensationalise for a headline. Journalists don’t help the matter either, unfortunately.