Go-ahead for Kuranda Skyrail

By Kate Minnett

Federal minister for the environment John Faulkner on May 13 announced government approval for the 7.5km cableway, the Kuranda Skyrail, near Cairns.

It was also announced that there will be no new access roads -- the skyrail will be constructed using only helicopter and pedestrian access tracks. Both stations will have composting toilets, with absorption trenches handling sink water only.

At a press conference in Cairns, Faulkner was met by 50 to 100 demonstrators, who presented petitions. This was followed by a meeting with the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC), the Wilderness Society and then People Against Kuranda Skyrail (PAKS).

Justifying his approval in the Senate on May 11, Faulkner said, “... it is the department's judgment that there are no World Heritage values that will be destroyed or adversely affected by the proposal”.

He then said, “There may be important Aboriginal cultural values which must be protected from adverse impacts”. This was almost certainly based on advice from Queensland Department of Environment and Cultural Heritage staff that there was no evidence of any sites along the route that would be affected by the developments. Local Djabugay elders and Land Council dispute this.

More controversy surrounds the use of helicopters. There has been no assessment of their potential impact. At a meeting last year Greg Wellard, regional director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority, described their down draught as “cyclonic”.

According to PAKS Sydney representative Tony Hastings, “Skyrail will never go ahead. This is not final approval, and the licence agreement has not been signed. Our opposition is growing; PAKS will continue to lobby the government and raise public awareness. A new group, the Barron Gorge Wildlife Action Group, which has been trained in non-violent direct action, is planning to halt the construction in July. We encourage activists to come camping with us to save this lush bit of bush.”

For more information, contact CAFNEC, phone (070) 321 746, or write to PO Box 323, North Cairns Qld 4870.

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