Donors from around Australia are celebrating a huge win with Lot 110 in the Daintree protected forever as a result of their contributions. Lot 110 Palm Road, Diwan is the 11th property to be secured by Rainforest 4 Foundation, working collaboratively with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and non-profit partner HalfCut.
The beautiful rainforest at Lot 110 Palm Road.
Thanks to the contribution of many generous donors we have ensured a 12th property in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest will never be developed. The settlement on the purchase of Lot 110 Palm Road at Diwan will occur on 18 October and it will then be protected and managed as part of the Daintree National Park estate. See the 11 properties purchased for conservation here.
Lot 110 is 8.09 hectares in size and is covered in the most stunning Fan Palm rainforest you could imagine.
The purchase and protection of Lot 110 Palm Road at Diwan is important as this Fan Palm dominated vegetation type occurs only between Cardwell and Cape Tribulation. There were just 3,000 hectares of this type of forest prior to clearing and only 1,000 hectares remain today. Sadly, less than half of what does remain is protected in reserves.
Kelvin Davies, Rainforest4 Founder said that protecting these majestic Fan Palms was the main reason purchase of this block was prioritised.
“I’m sure many people will agree that this is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Australia”.
Kelvin Davies on Lot 110 Palm Road in the Daintree Rainforest.
“As well as this forest type being significant as a regional ecosystem it is also critical habitat for the endangered Southern Cassowary,” Kelvin said.
“Cassowaries are reliant on the fruits of rainforest plants,” he said. “Those fruits make up 98% of their diet.”
“As Fan Palms produce fruits between January and March these plants are particularly important to Cassowaries as many other plants are not fruiting at that time,” Kelvin explained.
Lot 110 Palm Road in the Daintree Rainforest
Fan Palms aren’t the only plants of significance on Lot 110. A vegetation survey was undertaken on the block on 30 April 2021 and our ecologist Kristopher Kupsch identified 199 species of native plants including seven threatened species. Noah’s Walnut, Grey’s Walnut, China Camp Laurel, Climbing Panadanus, Daintree Ryparosa, Ant Plant, and Isachne sharpii (no common name) are all listed under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 and are all found on the site.
Kristopher was incredibly excited to find Isachne sharpii on Lot 110. This small grass, which is highly localised and Endangered, grows to 15cm tall and was found growing in water on the block. The plant was first identified in 2001 from specimens found less than 1km from Lot 110 but it was only confirmed as a new species in 2010.
Isachne sharpii on Lot 110.
You can read more about the vegetation on Lot 110 Palm Road in our ecologist’s report.
Kelvin thanked the hundreds of donors who helped achieve this outcome.
“Many Australians think that the Daintree is protected,” Kelvin said, “however, we’ve identified 207 undeveloped freehold properties that are still at risk of development. Lot 110 was one of those properties.”
“I’m humbled that fellow non-profit organisations HalfCut and the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation have joined with us to expand and manage our Daintree land buyback program.”
“I’m even more thrilled that everyday Australians have thrown their weight behind our plans to buy back these blocks and return them to Traditional Owners.”
The properties acquired by the Rainforest 4 Foundation are then transferred to the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and Land Trust where they are managed by the Traditional Owners, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji as part of the Daintree National Park and Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL) estate.
In 2007, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji signed a series of Indigenous Land Use Agreements with the Queensland Government. These agreements recognise Eastern Kuku Yalanji's rights to be custodians and managers of their traditional country. Under these agreements, Eastern Kuku Yalanji people will be involved in managing Daintree National Park. The Queensland Government provides funding to the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation to co-manage the Daintree National Park and this includes the properties acquired through our buyback program.
The canopy of Fan Palms on Lot 110.
“A rural residential subdivision was carved into the Daintree Lowland Rainforest in 1982. This created Palm Road and dozens of freehold properties,” Kelvin said. “Then houses were built and occupied, bringing domestic dogs and exotic plants. This has damaged one of the most significant remnants of Fan Palm dominated tropical rainforest.”
“But together, we have ensured that Lot 110 doesn’t meet the same fate as other properties in this area.”
“This incredible block, dominated by the most beautiful Fan Palm rainforest you’ll ever see has been protected forever.”
Our fundraising target of $161,960 was actually exceeded and this allowed us to place a deposit on another nearby property to be purchased and protected. We are now urgently raising funds to secure Lot 505 Cedar Road at Cow Bay. You can learn more about why we need to Save the Daintree Rainforest and support the purchase and protection of Lot 505 here.
Lot 110 Palm Road in the Daintree Rainforest
Please make a donation now towards the next Daintree Rainforest property purchase.
Showing 1 reaction
Sign in with