PURCHASE OF LOT 505 CEDAR ROAD, COW BAY IN THE DAINTREE LOWLAND RAINFOREST
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Action: Purchase and protection of Lot 505 Cedar Road (RP 738173)
Area: 1.00 hectares
Location: Cow Bay, Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland
Vegetation type: Regional Ecosystem 7.3.20e is listed as “Of Concern” under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
Threatened Species: Southern Cassowary
Lot 505 Cedar Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest
Lot 505 Cedar Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, is now protected forever thanks to the generosity of donors. Being a freehold property, subject to approval by Douglas Shire Council, Lot 505 Cedar Road could have been developed for housing just as nearby properties have been in the past. As well as protecting the special plants and animals that live on Lot 505, this purchase also ensures connectivity across the landscape. Increased urbanisation around Cow Bay will further disrupt natural processes in the region by fragmenting habitat and creating edge effect. The core to edge ratio of the rainforest patches is integral in maintaining sound functioning forests.
The settlement on the purchase of Lot 505 Cedar Road will occur on the 18th November 2021.
Kelvin Davies at Lot 505 Cedar Road, Cow Bay
Lot 505 is covered in important vegetation, listed as being ‘of concern’, and it is a known habitat for the endangered Cassowary. A vegetation survey was undertaken of Lot 505 Cedar Road, Cow Bay on the 18th June 2021 by ecologist Kristopher Kupsch. The vegetation on Lot 505 Cedar Road is remnant and all sections of Lot 505 have vegetation that has never experienced clear felling since European colonisation. The survey identified 117 native plant species. Please see the results of the survey here.
Daintree Foambark (Jagera madida) is one of those special plants found on site. A local, endemic tree, the Daintree Foambark occurs only in the lowland rainforests between Julatten (southwest of Port Douglas) and Bloomfield. It is identifiable by its pinkish, ferny new grown and often by its single, straight stem which seldom branches. Its trunk is often completely covered in lichen of various shades of grey.
A feature of the property is the many large trees including, Grey Teak (Gmelina dalrympleana), Red Beech (Dillenia alata), Porcelain Fruit (Fagraea cambagei), Native Gardenias (Atractocarpus fitzalanii and A.sessilis) and Alligatorbark (Calophyllum sil). Please see over 50 photos of Lot 505 here.
Cassowary and chick in the Daintree Rainforest
Lot 505 has Regional Ecosystem 7.3.20e which is listed as “Of Concern” under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999. The vegetation on Lot 505 also provides habitat for the Endangered Southern Cassowary. Lot 505 Cedar Road has many native plants that produce fruits for Cassowaries and other species of rainforest birds. 12 species of native Laurel are found on Lot 505. These trees produce fleshy fruits favoured by Cassowaries.
Land clearing for housing development in the Daintree Rainforest in June 2021
A subdivision was carved into the Daintree Lowland Rainforest in 1982. This created Cedar Road and hundreds of rural residential lots in Cow Bay residential area. Many houses have been built which fragments the rainforest and occupation brings domestic dogs and exotic plants. This has damaged one of the most significant area of tropical rainforests in Australia. A Daintree Rainforest property was cleared for housing in June 2021. The property in Cow Bay is only 500 m from Lot 505 Cedar Road.
Large Fruited Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus pellita) on Lot 505 Cedar Road.
In 1988 the Daintree National Park was expanded and was included in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. This should have seen the land at Lot 505 Cedar Road protected forever. However, two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, the land between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation had been carved up for a rural residential subdivision in 1982 and was excluded from World Heritage listing.
Lot 505 Cedar Road is located at Cow Bay in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Buying land in this location helps us to reverse the impacts of the disastrous 1980’s rural residential subdivision. We are focusing our efforts at Cow Bay as scientists have identified this area as providing an “Essential habitat for the Endangered Southern Cassowary”.
Buying and protecting Lot 505 Cedar Road at Cow Bay will be a fantastic outcome for conservation as it will prevent another house from being built in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.
With the help of thousands of people, in Australia and around the world we've raised the funds needed to purchase eleven properties since June 2019. Now we are ready to save Lot 505 from the threat of development and all that is needed is your support.
Please make a donation to purchase and protect the next property in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.
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