Thanks to the generous contributions of thousands of donors last weekend we reached our goal of raising the $220,875 to purchase and protect Lot 155 in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. This ensures this important property won't be developed for housing and essential habitat for the endangered Cassowary will be protected forever. The settlement on the property has been scheduled for October. All further funds received this week will be used to pay the deposit on the purchase of another property which we will announce soon. Thank you once again to all of the wonderful donors!

The 8.835 hectares at Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan is covered in Lowland tropical rainforest. Ecologist Kristopher Kupsch surveyed the plants on Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road in February 2020 and identified 240 plants including seven species of conservation importance. You can read more about the amazing biodiversity on Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road here.

A significant achievement for the conservation of the Daintree

Much of the vegetation on Lot 155 is classified as Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a “Mesophyll vine forest. Moderately to poorly-drained alluvial plains, of moderate fertility. Lowlands of the very wet and wet zone” with the eastern area of Lot 155 having Regional Ecosystem 7.3.28a “Open water within natural non-tidal rivers. Rivers and creeks. Riverine wetland or fringing riverine wetland”. RE 7.3.10a is listed as “Of Concern” under the Vegetation Management Act 1999. This vegetation type is categorised as Primary habitat for the Southern Cassowary by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM QLD).

A comment on the special values of Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a by The Queensland Government: “Small areas on the very wet lowlands, especially between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, harbour plant species which are extremely restricted and uncommon. Many areas of this ecosystem are considered refugial in nature and are local centres of endemism. Many representatives of primitive families of flowering plants are present, including the monotypic family Idiospermaceae. The ecosystem is the habitat for many threatened plant species”.

Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road in the Daintree Rainforest

The Queensland Government indicates a pre-clearing extent of 60,000 ha existed and today 14,000 ha remains of RE 7.3.10.

Regional Ecosystem 7.3.28a is also listed as “Of Concern” under the Vegetation Management Act 1999. This vegetation type is dominated by ponded water. The Queensland Government indicates a pre-clearing extent of 8,000 ha existed and today 7,000 ha remains of RE 7.3.28

Lot 155 will now be added to the Daintree National Park and be managed by the Traditional Owners of the lowland Daintree rainforest the Kuku Yalanji Bama (people). A small structure will be retained on the property to use a base for a Cultural Camp for Bama as the property is in close proximity to sites of cultural significance.

Thank you HalfCut! 

This great outcome couldn’t have been achieved without the amazing contribution of our partners at HalfCut, the widely known social movement that engages people of all cultures, ages, and sexes to raise awareness and raise funds for rainforest conservation and regeneration. Thank you to HalfCut and all of your wonderful HalfCut heroes.

HalfCut Heroes helping to save the Daintree Rainforest

HalfCut also involved ethical business to help save the Daintree Rainforest including Enova Community Energy and its staff and customers who helped raise funds. Bank Australia made a sighnificant contribution by matching all donations from their customers and the community up to $20,000. This inspired their staff and customer to raise and an additional $120,000. 

Together we have saved another important property in the Daintree Rainforest. This will be the sixth Daintree Rainforest property we have purchased and protected in 2020. We couldn't have done it without the support of many wonderful donors. Thank you again for supporting this incredible, real, and lasting outcome and for everything you do to help save the Daintree Rainforest. 

Kelvin Davies

Founder - Rainforest 4 Foundation