MEDIA RELEASE 21ST AUGUST 2016
Kuranda Locals call for urgent remediation on KUR-World site

An alliance of Kuranda-region conservation groups, residents groups and individuals has written to the Minister for State Development, Dr Anthony Lynham, asking the State Government to take immediate action to ensure the proponent of the ‘Kur World’ development proposal urgently fixes environmental damage he’s already caused to a site of high environmental sensitivity.

“The State Government has primary responsibility to oversee a stop-work – and to ensure Mr Lee carries out remedial work urgently to avoid further damage the habitat of a critically endangered species: Kuranda’s unique tree frog. A lot of the ground surface has been scraped bare and the Wet Season is approaching” said Syd Walker for the Kuranda Region Planning Group.

The Kuranda Region Planning Group held a public meeting earlier this month to provide an opportunity for the local community to consider the proposed ‘KUR-World’ development.

The public meeting – which attracted some 150 members of this small Far North Queensland community on the edge of the Tablelands – approved the following motion by consensus:

Resolution of the August 11th 2016 Public Meeting called by the Kuranda Region Planning Group re the ‘KUR-World’ Proposal

This meeting has concerns that the proposed KUR-World development would have negative impacts on the Kuranda region’s:

  • environment
  • economy
  • social values and quality of life
  • Indigenous heritage and cultural values

We are appalled at the lack of effective public consultation and the illegal construction of a dam and other earthworks on the site that has led to sedimentation of creeks. These creeks are known to be inhabited by critically endangered Kuranda Tree Frogs. The sedimentation will eventually wash downstream to pollute the Great Barrier Reef.

We believe this area of very high environmental sensitivity is the wrong location for such a huge development. KUR-World would destroy wildlife corridors and impact negatively on many threatened species.

We call for an immediate halt to new site-works – and demand that all the environmental damage already caused by the developer is repaired urgently. This remediation works should be guided by appropriate local expertise.

We ask how a landowner can conduct such extensive and damaging works in a sensitive rainforest area without punitive action by any level of government. Penalties currently apply to local residents for illegal damage to our environment. Yet this proponent has yet to be subject to any penalties or restoration requirements.

We are disappointed that no local Councillors or politicians attended this meeting, despite prior invitations. This is the second large public meeting about KUR-World in two months in Kuranda – yet the Mayor and his fellow Councillors, and local MP Crag Crawford were “unable to attend” on both occasions.

Recent comments by Mayor Gilmore and Craig Crawford appear to be based only on the developer’s PR. We are puzzled that our local politicians seem so reticent to listen to the views of local residents – especially when the developer has been in breach of Council regulations and government requirements to avoid polluting sensitive watercourses and protect the habitat of endangered species.

For further information contact Syd Walker 0400 746 932
media@kurandaregion.org
See also the KRPG Letter to Minister Lynham at
http://kurandaregion.org/letter-to-minister-lynham-re-krpg-public-meeting-resolution-regarding-kur-world/

Eco-disaster on KUR-World site