While the  announcement of the Daintree Joint Management Group has received a positive response and the first meeting was met with an honest approach, the same model is unlikely to be applied and adapted to other regions in the Shire.

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• <link daintree-joint-management-group-djmg-s.12957.0.html>Daintree Joint Management Group-DJMG

Guy Rees commented on social media that “this is an excellent step forward.  All Stakeholders have a vested interest in maximising the value of this unique part of the world. Supporting the DJMG!"

Lifetime Cape Tribulation resident Lawrence Mason, whose family have lived in Cape Tribulation since 1932, is more than satisfied with the DJMG initiative for the Daintree.

“The DJMG was a great outcome for the whole of the Daintree.  The purpose of the DJMG makes all stakeholders and various government agencies aware of issues concerning the Daintree and the management of these issues so that nothing gets overlooked as it has in the past.

“This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to be in one room at the same time which means no government agencies or others are absent because representation from all stakeholders is present.

“Due to the complexity of the region and being a world heritage site, the issues cross various boundaries and there was a need for representation from those government agencies and others,” said Mr Mason.

The question has been asked whether the DJMG model and principles could be applied and adapted to address specific challenges to other sub regions in the Douglas Shire.

With a growing number of organisations, community groups, not-for-profits, committees, retailers, restaurants, tour and activities operators and accommodation houses that contribute to the best interests of the region and a growing economy, would they benefit from an “umbrella” joint management group model?

Gerry Ireland Chair of Douglas Inc and board member of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce commends the Council for the DJMG model.  “The initiative is to be applauded.  The most appealing component is having representation across all government agencies, groups and organisation to address challenges and key issues.  The only missing link in the DJMG is representation by Douglas Chamber of Commerce as the Chamber addresses responsibilities for the whole of the Douglas Shire,” said Mr Ireland.

In relation to adapting the principles of the DJMG model across the Shire, Mr Ireland said “the Joint Management plan could be adopted as a sub regional policy for Mossman and Port Douglas to address key issues and coherent planning for stakeholder engagement and communication as well as a coordination role adopted, the theme could be Douglas ‘United Voice, One Vision’,” suggested Mr Ireland.

“The Douglas Shire economy is around $500 million per year, 85% of which is tourism, and is generated predominately by $400 million in tourism in Port Douglas, $65 million by sugar cane in Mossman and $40 million by the Daintree, therefore the key driver of the Douglas Shire economy is the Port Douglas Peninsular.  The DJMG model would be suitable for medium and long term planning as well as short term planning,” said Mr Ireland.

When Newsport asked Douglas Shire Council whether the joint management model would be adopted as a policy which could potentially benefit Mossman and Port Douglas in order to address sustainable solutions and manage business, tourism and community challenges specific to these sub regions, Mayor Julia Leu responded.

“No, there are no plans for other joint management groups. Our Daintree communities are located in a World Heritage-listed rainforest, with significant and unique environmental and social challenges associated with living and working north of the Daintree River.

“There are several agencies that have jurisdiction, tenure and resources north of the Daintree River and the Daintree Joint Management Group enables these agencies to work with other key community stakeholders including Council, Jabalbina, the Daintree Coast Community Council, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree and the Daintree Marketing Cooperative to work together more cohesively to manage this delicate environment appropriately.

“Council’s Sustainability Officer will be working for the whole of the Douglas Shire, not just the Daintree area.

“Council consults with many stakeholders on a range of issues that affect Port Douglas and Mossman and other parts of the shire, including Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, the Douglas Chamber of Commerce, various State and Federal Government agencies and dozens of local community organisations, as well as individual businesses and residents,” said Mayor Leu.

At this stage Council has no plans for the joint management group model being adapted to other regions in the Shire.  We welcome your thoughts.