As a response to the management of the Wet Tropics region north of the Daintree becoming disjointed, one of councils 2015-16 budget promises was funding the resourcing of the Daintree Joint Management Group and the creation of a Sustainability Officer.

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<link council-to-establish-joint-daintree-mana.12576.0.html>Council to establish joint Daintree management group

Mayor Julie Leu reported that different agencies were taking different approaches to its management which differed to what the community and local business sector expected.

The purpose is to bring all stakeholders together in order to come up with sustainable solutions to preserve and enhance the Daintree Rainforest.

The DJMG met for the first time on August 20 with key stakeholders represented including Douglas Shire Council, the Daintree Coast Community Council, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Terrain Natural Resource Management, the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree and the Daintree Marketing Cooperative.

Mayor Julia Leu, who proposed the DJMG and chaired the meeting, said there was a real commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively to implement improvements in the Daintree.

“It was obvious there needed to be a more cohesive approach to managing issues in the Daintree which is why I proposed the formation of the Daintree Joint Management Group to bring all the main stakeholders together so we can work together on issues,” Mayor Leu said.

“The DJMG provides a mechanism to work together to solve common issues and make positive improvements including prioritising infrastructure needs, cassowary protection and tourism assets.

“By adopting this collaborative approach, the DJMG has greater influence with other Federal and State Government departments and funding bodies.

“There were some positive outcomes to emerge from the first meeting, including starting work on a Daintree Management Plan to cost and prioritise infrastructure needs in the Daintree and identify future aspirations and expectations for the area.

“The DJMG will also lobby the Threatened Species Commissioner to have cassowaries included as on of the 20 species in the Threatened Species Recovery Plan, which would help attract additional resources for protecting cassowary habitats.

“Council is also working with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and native title holder Jabalbina to identify the most suitable location for new toilet facilities at Cow Bay so we can move forward with construction.

“I really appreciate the honest approach from all DJMG stakeholders at our inaugural meeting and believe its work will significantly benefit the Daintree.”

The next meeting of the DJMG will be held in February 2016.