We’ve provided answers to the most frequently asked questions on the purchase and protection of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road, Diwan in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.  

A developer subdivided the Daintree Lowland Rainforest creating 1,100 blocks. 

Isn’t the Daintree protected in a National Park and World Heritage Area?

Two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest was excluded from inclusion in the Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area that was declared in 1988. In the mid-1980s a pro-development Queensland State Government rezoned leasehold and freehold in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, enabling a developer to subdivide it into 1,100 blocks. This resulted in the building of over 50 km of roads and the clearing and development of high conservation value rainforest for housing. The freehold land between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation has World Heritage values and should be protected in the Daintree National Park. 

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Why is the Daintree important?

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest is the oldest rainforests on Earth, having existed continuously for over 120 million years. It holds exceptionally high biodiversity and conservation value and is the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest remaining in Australia. Rainforests once covered much of Australia, however, as conditions became drier the rainforest contracted to remnants along the east coast. The flora of the Daintree contains an almost complete record of the evolution of plant life on Earth, including extremely ancient flowering plant families found nowhere else. The Daintree Lowland Rainforestalso provides a refuge for many unique species of fauna including the Southern Cassowary, Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo, and Musky Rat-kangaroo. 

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature had this to say about the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. “Within the region, the Daintree River to Cape Tribulation coast has a special status. It is the last surviving, essentially intact, tropical lowland rainforest in Australia. It has one of the highest diversity of plant families anywhere in the world. Its rarity, fame and superlative beauty make it one of the foundations of the region’s economy. It is the only place in the world where two World Heritage Areas meet.” - IUCN

What are the threats to the Daintree Rainforest?

Since the 1980’s there has been constant pressure applied to further develop the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. This includes calls for a bridge over the Daintree River, upgrading of roads, and the supply of mains electricity. This would only create conditions supportive of further inappropriate development. There are currently 170 undeveloped freehold properties with development rights in the Daintree lowlands. Building more houses on these properties would further fragment the rainforest and for that reason, further buyback of land is needed.  

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Reversing the impacts of development.

To fulfill our vision of the conservation of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest requires the buyback of all undeveloped freehold properties in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Not only do we want to see no further development, but we also want the negative impacts of the rural residential subdivision to be reversed. We aim to purchase as many properties as we can and add them to the Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area, as this will provide the highest available level of protection. 

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What about Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road?

Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road is a freehold property created through the subdivision of land in the 1980s. It was purchased by a family member of the current owner directly from the developer and has remained in their family's ownership for thirty years. They approached the Rainforest 4 Foundation in June 2019 expressing an interest in selling the property and negotiations on the price and terms and conditions then commenced. We are grateful that they have given us the first option to purchase this land so we can add it to the Daintree National Park.

Buying and protecting Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road will be a fantastic outcome for conservation as it connects to the Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area. It will also support the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation. The Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation represents the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bama (people) who are the Traditional Owners of Daintree Rainforest. They employ rangers who manage Indigenous Protected Areas and work in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on national parks management. Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and Rainforest 4 Foundation intend to reduce further ecological and cultural degradation of country in the Daintree Rainforest and consulted on the acquisition of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road. This property will be of benefit to Kuku Yalanji Bama as it will provide support for Bama to visit and stay on country and a site for activities. This will help address concerns including - Not being on Bubu (Country), Culture losing strength (not being passed on), Kuku (language) losing strength, Cultural heritage site jirmbal, not being protected, Inappropriate development, and Visitors not respecting Bubu and Bama. Having an opportunity to stay on country at Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road will help Bama address these concerns. 

There is a small structure on the property. It will be retained for use by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation as a cultural camp. Its construction was approved by the Douglas Shire Council, however, it has no walls or services and is not approved as a dwelling. It is located on a footprint of 8,500 sqm. This is where further development could potentially occur and, this along with an access track would represent about 1 hectare of land. This property is zoned for development and pending approval from the Douglas Shire Council a house could be built here leading to further undesirable urbanisation of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Purchasing this property will prevent it from being inappropriately redeveloped. The remainder of the property is protected under a covenant on the title restricting development. 

Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road with Daintree National Park - Pic Steven Nowakowski 

Natural values of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road

Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road has exceptional natural values. Ecologist and botanist Kristopher Kupsch surveyed Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest in February 2020 finding 240 species of plants on the 8.835 hectares. The seven species of conservation importance found to occur on lot 155 are described here The amazing biodiversity of Daintree's Lot 155. 

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. The Queensland Government has noted the special values of Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a: “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”. 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

The flora survey also identified 27 exotic species on Lot 155. They will be removed once the property is acquired and managed for conservation. 

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Has this type of buyback been done successfully before now?

Yes, in the last nine months, we have purchased six properties for inclusion in the Daintree National Park. The most recent purchase was Lot 330 Cape Tribulation Road at Cow Bay in June 2020. 

Since 1992, non-profit organisations have purchased seventy-five properties for conservation. The Douglas Shire Council, Queensland, and Australian governments have all contributed financially to the purchase or ‘buyback’ of freehold land aimed at preventing further development and in reversing the impacts of the subdivision, however, now all three levels of government say they won't make any further commitment to supporting the purchase and protection of more freehold land, even though the threat of development remains. 

How are the Traditional Owners involved?

The Eastern Kuku Yalanji people (Bama) are the owners of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Their country (babu) runs along the East Coast of Far North Queensland and it includes land and sea between Port Douglas and just south of Cooktown. The Eastern Kuku Yalanji have a rich cultural identity and strong spiritual connection to Daintree Rainforest. 

The Indigenous peoples on Cape York Peninsula and the Queensland Government are negotiating the ownership and management of national parks. Since commencing in 2008, the Cape York Peninsula Tenure Resolution Program has handed back almost 3.5 million hectares of land to an Aboriginal Corporation or Land Trust and there are now 26 jointly managed national parks on Cape York Peninsula. Discussions with Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bama commenced in 2017.

Key features of jointly managed national parks include:

• National park land is owned by an Aboriginal land holding entity (either an Aboriginal Corporation or Land Trust).
• Decisions about park management are made jointly by the Aboriginal land holding entity and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
• Work on the park is undertaken by the Aboriginal land holding entity in partnership with QPWS.

The Cape York Peninsula Tenure Resolution Program may result in the Eastern Kuku Yalanji and Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation managing the Daintree National Park and Lot 124 Quandong Road in the future.

The Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation has added additional information on the Cape York Peninsula Tenure Resolution Program here. 

The Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation represents the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bama (people) in the management of land (Bubu). Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and the Rainforest 4 Foundation have a partnership agreement to purchase and protect land in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation has an established relationship with the Queensland Government and manages the acquisition of land in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest and the transfer of the title to the Queensland Government for inclusion in the Daintree National Park.

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Kuku Yalanji Bama with Kelvin Davies of Rainforest 4 Foundation | Photo by Steven Nowakowski

Who will own the land?

The property will be acquired by the Rainforest 4 Foundation. We are registered with the Australian Government as a nonprofit organisation and our constitution restricts our purpose to rainforest conservation. We are also registered with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Once we acquire the property we will immediately commence working to transfer the property into the Daintree National Park. As the Daintree National Park is a World Heritage Area and this provides the highest available level of protection. We will need to pay rates to the Douglas Shire Council until the property is added to the national park. Negotiations with the Queensland Government on the inclusion of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road can only be conducted with the owners of the property. The Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation will assist us and manage the transfer of the title for the land to the Queensland Government. The process of purchasing the property and transferring it into the national parks estate will likely take up 12 months. At that time the property title will be rescinded. 

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Can you trust the Queensland Government to protect the Daintree National Park?

Many people are critical of the Queensland Government’s position on environmental issues, for example, their support for Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine, and some have asked if the Queensland Government can be trusted to protect the land forever. While nothing is guaranteed we can be reassured by the Queensland Government’s track record related to the Daintree National Park. 

The Daintree National Park is a World Heritage Area, and this provides the highest level of protection for land in Australia. Since the declaration of the Daintree National Park in 1988 the Queensland Government has ensured land in the national park has been protected. They have also made additions to the national park estate. The conservation of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road aligns with The Queensland Government plan for conservation of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. While they say they won’t commit any more money to the acquisition of freehold land in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, the land acquired overtime for the Daintree National Park has been protected. 

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Daintree Lowland Rainforest | Photo by Steven Nowakowski

What about the risk of bushfires?

The risk of fires in this location is extremely low as this is one of the wettest places in Australia. 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”.

Ecologists for the Queensland Government have also made these fire management guidelines for Lowland tropical rainforest classified as regional ecosystem 7.3.10a Simple-complex mesophyll to mesophyll vine forest. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately.

How will it be purchased?

Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road will be acquired in the same manner as other freehold properties in Australia. A contract for sale has been exchanged, a deposit paid and a settlement date set. The purchaser and the seller will both have a conveyancer acting on their behalf.

As a charity, we are providing the opportunity for people to make donations to support the purchase and protection of land. We are unable to structure an opportunity for people to be joint owners, to have a share, or to have their name on the title. 

How much will it cost? 

The acquisition of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road will cost $220,875. This represents a price of $2.50 per sqm and represents exceptional value for your investment in rainforest conservation. The cost includes conveyancing and local government rates for two years by which time the property will be gifted to the Queensland Government for inclusion in the Daintree National Park and rates will not apply. We are exempt from government transfer fees (stamp duty). 

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What happens if the target is exceeded?

All monies raised in excess of $220,875, will go straight towards the purchase of an additional property. There are 170 properties we would like to purchase and protect.  

If the fundraising target is not achieved what will happen to my donation?  

All funds raised will be spent on Daintreee land purchase and protection. We have been successful in purchasing land in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest for conservation six times in the past twelve months. We feel confident in reaching the fundraising target for Lot 155. If it did occur that we didn't reach the target of $220,875 for Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road we would use the money raised to buy a cheaper property and there is one available now for $75,000. 

We want to be successful, now and into the future, so we carefully choose the properties we want to purchase for conservation. We have a plan to reach the fundraising target needed to buy each property. We purchase them one at a time, we space out the acquisitions and we give consideration to the total cost and the success of past fundraising. Of course, nothing is guaranteed and if we are unable to reach the target for a specified property purchase the donated monies will be used for a future land purchase in the Daintree Rainforest, or if necessary for other conservation projects in the Daintree Rainforest, for example, planting trees. The Rainforest 4 Foundation is registered with the Australian Charites and Non-for-profits Commission and we are required to only spend the donations we receive on the cause as specified in our constitution. 

Please make a donation now online.

How can I make a donation to purchase and protect Lot Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest?

You can make a donation now online.

Ways to Donate

If you want to donate with a cheque/money order or through a direct deposit, please see our Ways to Donate page.

Cheque or Money Order: 

You can donate by sending a cheque or money order made out to the Bunya Sustainability Fund to 27 Tuckeroo Avenue, Mullumbimby, NSW 2482.

PayPal:

You can donate using your PayPal account on our website.

You can send your donation to [email protected]

Direct Deposit: If you would like to donate by direct deposit, the account details are:

Bank: ANZ Bank

Account Name: Bunya Sustainability Fund

BSB: 012 742

Account No. 2093 50036

If you contribute by direct deposit, please send an email to [email protected] with the details of the amount and any preference you have for supporting a project. Please also provide your name and postal address so we can issue a receipt.

CASH DONATIONS: 

You can make cash deposits at any branch of the ANZ Bank or their agents. The account details are:

Bank: ANZ Bank

Account Name: Bunya Sustainability Fund

BSB: 012 742

Account No. 2093 50036

If you contribute by a cash deposit, please send an email to [email protected] with the details of the amount and any preference you have for supporting a project. Please also provide your name and postal address so we can issue a receipt.

Where is the Daintree Rainforest?

The Daintree Rainforest is a large area of tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland that extends from Mossman Gorge (80km north of Cairns) to Cape Tribulation (110km north of Cairns). It includes large areas of rainforest-clad mountains. Between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, the rainforest is continuous from the mountain to the sea and when many people speak of the Daintree, they are often referring to this area, which is known as the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.

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Can I visit the Daintree Rainforest?

Yes, it's quite easy to visit the Daintree Lowland Rainforest as tourism is established. You can make a day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas or stay for as long as you like. There are many tour operators in the Daintree Rainforest tourism business that you can find online. Self-drive tourism is also very popular and the land we are purchasing for conservation is easily accessed by a 2WD vehicle.

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About the Rainforest 4 Foundation 

The Rainforest 4 Foundation is an Australian Company Limited by Guarantee (the legal structure of an Australian nonprofit organisation. We are registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (the Australian company regulator). We are also registered with the Australian Charites and Not-for-profits Commission (the Australian charity regulator).

Australian Company Number (ACN): 628358323

Australian Business Number (ABN):   49628358323

If you have any questions about the purchase and protection of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road please contact us or call Kelvin Davies on 0437 423 119.