By Andrew B. Rens
CAIRNS — In a public demonstration of outrage at the proposed Kuranda Skyrail, more than 400 people marched here on April 16. The rally, organised by People Against Kuranda Skyrail (PAKS), condemned the Queensland government's approval of the commercial development which will damage World Heritage Barron Gorge National Park.
Local citizens, including the indigenous Djabugay people, expressed anger at the government's disregard of community opposition to the project.
"This state government cannot be trusted to protect the rights of the rainforest and rainforest Aboriginal people", said Gerald Appo of the Rainforest Aboriginal Network.
"We have not been consulted", said Djabugay representative Andy Duffin. "They're going to destroy the last of our traditional land."
Democrats Senator John Woodley and local environmentalists warned of the dangerous precedent Skyrail would set for future private exploitation of national parks.
Anna Reynolds, of the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, criticised the short-term view of the government, which aimed only at "having these heritage areas where they are profitable as a playground for tourists and a milking cow for developers".
PAKS presented environment minister Molly Robson with petitions on April 18.
PAKS spokesperson John Netz told Green Left Weekly it was clear from the meeting that the government's approach now would be "blind continuation of the project and pure denial of any new issues that have been raised, including the Djabugay people's concerns".
Regulations for development which were established in 1989 were revised recently to allow greater "flexibility", including the construction of roads, sewerage systems and portable helipads in the national park.
Robson's new "stringent guidelines" are full of holes literally big enough to drive a truck through.
Areas of unique flora and fauna which the Wet Tropical Management Authority has described as "extremely valuable" would be cleared for 2.5 metre "pedestrian access tracks".
The road which developers have claimed is not new would require bulldozers and the construction of a bridge to complete.
An inspector indirectly paid by the developers would be responsible for ensuring more than 40 construction sites comply with the new environment management plan, which Netz described as " a toothless tiger".
"If the government is powerless to stop construction now, what power will they have once the construction has started?", he asked.
The proposal is for a cable car system able to carry 1000 people per hour, 12 hours per day. Buildings and 25 towers averaging 38 metres in height would be constructed on crown land.