PURCHASE OF LOT 257 SILVER ASH ROAD, COW BAY IN THE DAINTREE LOWLAND RAINFOREST

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Action: Purchase Lot 257 Silver Ash Road at Cow Bay (RP 738999)

Area: 1.09 hectares

Location: Cow Bay, Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland

Vegetation type: Lowland tropical rainforest classified as Simple-complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on moderate to poorly-drained alluvial plains of moderate fertility

Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a is listed as “Of Concern” under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.

Endangered Ecological Community: Lowland tropical rainforest of the Wet Tropics ecological community is listed in the Endangered Category under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Threatened Species: Endangered Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii), Macleay's Fig-Parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma macleayana), Greys Walnut (Endiandra grayi), Noah’s Walnut (Endiandra microneura), Daintree Gardenia (Randia audasii)

Lot 257 Silver Ash Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest

We purchased Lot 257 Silver Ash Road in Cow Bay to fulfill our vision for the conservation of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. This 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. Lot 257 Silver Ash Road is located between two isolated areas of the Daintree National Park and the purchase of this property has linked them up. 

BACKGROUND 

In 1982 the Queensland government approved a 1,136-lot rural residential subdivision in the Daintree. This resulted in two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest being excluded from protection in the Daintree National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area that was declared in 1988. Lot 257 Silver Ash Road is one of these properties.

Beautiful rainforest and creek on Lot 257

Before we make a commitment to purchase a Daintree Rainforest property for conservation we have ecologists undertake a comprehensive survey to confirm the conservation values.

A vegetation survey undertaken on the 16th of November 2021 identified 258 native plant species including three plant species listed on the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. There are also 4 endemic plant species that have their distribution largely restricted to the Daintree lowlands. 

Other plants of importance on Lot 257 include the Hope’s Cycad (Lepidozamia hopei). This species of Cycad is the largest growing in the world and was once utilised by Aboriginal people as a food source. It has evolutionary links dating back some 200 million years and along with other ancient species form some of the reasons why the Wet Tropics World Heritage area has been afforded protection within the National Parks estate.

Evidence of the Southern Cassowary using the property was confirmed by dung. Cassowaries are regularly sighted in the adjoining Daintree National Park and on nearby properties.

One of many large trees on Lot 257 Silver Ash Road

Endangered Ecological Community

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest itself has now been identified as part of an Endangered Ecological Community. In November 2021 the Australian Government listed the lowland tropical rainforest of the Wet Tropics ecological community, in the Endangered Category under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The listing is effective as of Friday 26 November 2021 and includes the Wet Tropics of North Queensland, from near Ingham (just south of the Cardwell Range) in the south to north around Cape Tribulation. While now listed as Endangered the Daintree Lowland Rainforest is still not fully protected. The freehold properties in the Daintree lowland remain at risk from rural residential development. 

Lot 257 Silver Ash Road adjoins the Daintree National Park 

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth and provides a refuge for wildlife and ancient flowering plants. It holds exceptionally high biodiversity and conservation value and is the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest remaining in Australia. With almost 200 undeveloped properties remaining in private ownership, the future of the Daintree is yet to be determined. Will it be increased development and urbanisation, or will it be the winding back of the disastrous subdivision to save the Daintree Rainforest.

Spur Mahogany (Dysoxylum pettigrewianum)

Background information on the Daintree Lowland Rainforest 

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth having survived undisturbed 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 eastern Australia, however, as conditions became drier the rainforest contracted and today the Daintree provides a refuge for many unique species. The Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo, Musky Rat-kangaroo, and the Southern Cassowary can be found here, as well a number of endemic plant species that have retained the same primitive characteristics of their ancestors. 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.

In 1982 the Queensland government approved an 1,136-lot rural residential subdivision in the Daintree. This resulted in two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest being excluded from protection in the Daintree National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area that was declared in 1988. The development that followed has resulted in fragmentation of the rainforest with the construction of roads and the building of hundreds of houses. Settlement has introduced exotic plants that have become weeds and domestic dogs and traffic that are a threat to wildlife. Because the land in question is in private ownership, the only option to resolve the issue has been the purchase and protection of additional lands to expand Daintree National Park.

Our vision for the Daintree Lowland Rainforest is to buy back land to remove the threat of further development and to address the impact of past development while supporting the Traditional Owners, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people in caring for country.

While we purchase land at risk of development for housing we also purchase other freehold properties without development approvals to reverse the impacts of the disastrous subdivision by closing and revegetating obsolete roads.

Since 1992 non-profit organisations have purchased seventy-five properties for conservation. 

Threat to Wildlife, Climate People and Planet

Daintree Rainforest is regarded as an iconic national treasure for its unique evolutionary history and tremendous conservation value. A number of rare and endangered species are found within Daintree National Park, including the Southern Cassowary, large flightless birds that in Australia are found only in the wet tropical rainforests of Queensland. Southern Cassowaries consume over 150 different fruits and play a vital role as seed dispersers in the rainforest. Due to the destruction and fragmentation of their rainforest habitats, these large charismatic birds are classified as Vulnerable to extinction.

More than 430 other bird species have also been recorded in Daintree National Park, including rare or range-restricted species like the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher and the Lesser Sooty Owl, making the Daintree a Globally Important Bird Area. Many unique marsupials, reptiles, and amphibians are also found in the Daintree Rainforest including the Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo, Musky Rat-kangaroo, Spotted-tailed Quoll, and Boyd’s Forest Dragon.

A risk to the Daintree comes from development for housing and fragmentation of the rainforest, which jeopardises the integrity of the ecosystem with increased human traffic and the introduction of exotic species. Expanding settlement results in the spread of exotic plants that become weeds and stress to wildlife from human traffic and introduced dogs. Further buyback of land for conservation is required urgently as there are calls for an upgrade to Cape Tribulation Road, to build a bridge over the Daintree River, and to provide a reticulated electricity supply that would all lead to further development.

The purchase of additional properties will prevent further development to these sensitive areas while protecting and restoring critical habitat for wildlife. It will also allow for winding back past development through the closing of roads and the revegetation of land as habitat for Threatened species.

PURCHASE OF LOT 18 DALEY CLOSE, KIMBERLEY IN THE DAINTREE LOWLAND RAINFOREST

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Action: Purchase and protection of Lot 18 Daley Close (Lot 18 RP 740684)

Area: 0.9588 hectares

Location: Kimberley, Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland

Vegetation type: Regional ecosystem 7.11.1 described as Mesophyll vine forest. Present on lowlands and foothills on metamorphics in very wet and wet rainfall zones. 

Threatened Species: Southern Cassowary, Noah's Walnut

Another great outcome for the protection of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest has been achieved with the purchase of Lot 18 Daley Close at Kimberley. 

Thank you to the hundreds of wonderful donors who helped make this happen.

Lot 18 Daley Close at Kimberly shares a boundary with the Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area. Undeveloped freehold properties in the Daintree should not be left in the ownership of people who would destroy the rainforest. Development for housing fragments the rainforest and has negative on impacts the surrounding rainforest.

The rainforest on this freehold property is of equal value to the adjoining Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area and must be protected. 

Lot 18 Daley Close at Kimberly in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest was a freehold property in private ownership and could have been developed for housing. The development of other properties at Kimberley has caused significant damage. Clearing of vegetation and the creation of roads to the top of the ridges obtain views causes enormous damage.  

View from Lot 18 Daley Close in the Daintree Rainforest

The vegetation on Lot 18 Daley Close is intact with no evidence of past clearing. See the photos of the rainforest on Lot 18 Daley Close here. 

Lot 18 Daley Close provides habitat for the endangered Southern Cassowary and the rare Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo. An important plant found on the property is Noah’s Walnut (Endiandra micronuera) which is listed as Near Threatened under the Queensland Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The vegetation ecosystem occurring on Lot 18 Daley Close is mapped as Regional Ecosystem 7.11.1 described as Mesophyll vine forest. Present on lowlands and foothills on metamorphics in very wet and wet rainfall zones. This regional ecosystem is a habitat for over 50 threatened plant species.

A subdivision was carved into the Daintree Lowland Rainforest in 1982. This created Lot 18 Daley Road and dozens of rural residential lots in Kimberley. The houses that have been built here fragment the rainforest and occupation brings domestic dogs and exotic plants. This has damaged one of the most significant areas of tropical rainforests in Australia.

Fifteen years ago, the Douglas Shire Council created a new town plan that included measures to conserve the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, however, they excluded the subdivision at Kimberley and the freehold properties at this location remain at risk of being developed for housing.

Thanks to the generous support of many donors Lot 18 Daley Close is now protected forever. 

Rainforest on Lot 18 Daley Close in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest

Please make a donation to purchase and protect the next property in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.

LOT 93 CAPE TRIBULATION ROAD, DIWAN IN THE DAINTREE LOWLAND RAINFOREST

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Action: Purchase Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan (RP 738999)

Area: 8.09 hectares

Location: Diwan, Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland

Vegetation type: Lowland tropical rainforest classified as Simple-complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on moderate to poorly-drained alluvial plains of moderate fertility

Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a is listed as “Of Concern” under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.

Endangered Ecological Community: Lowland tropical rainforest of the Wet Tropics ecological community is listed in the Endangered Category under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Threatened Species: Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii), Native Spiral Ginger (Cheilocostus potierae), Noah’s Walnut (Endiandra microneura), Climbing Pandan (Freycinetia percostata), Ant Plant (Myrmecodia beccarii), Malayan Brighteye (Torenia polygonoides).

Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest

The high biodiversity and threatened species on Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan identified this property as a high priority for acquisition.

In 1982 the Queensland government approved a 1,136-lot rural residential subdivision in the Daintree. This resulted in two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest being excluded from protection in the Daintree National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area that was declared in 1988. Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road is one of these properties.

Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road is an 8.09-hectare freehold property is located at Diwan in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. It was created through the subdivision of land that occurred in 1982. To prevent Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road is being acquired and included in the Daintree National Park Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL) estate.  

Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road is located 15 km north of the Daintree River and another 17km to Cape Tribulation. If you are visiting the Daintree this is an easy property to find and you won't need a 4x4 vehicle. It's located on the western side of the road immediately north of Hutchinsons Creek and opposite the Alexandra Bay State School. The property has a boundary with the Daintree National Park and three other properties we have purchased for conservation are located within 1 km.

Lot 93 has a 375 m frontage on Hutchinson Creek

CONSERVATION VALUES

Before we made a commitment to purchase this Daintree Rainforest property for conservation we had ecologists undertake a comprehensive survey to confirm the conservation values.

A vegetation survey identified 258 native plant species including five plant species listed on the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. There are also 4 endemic plant species that have their distribution largely restricted to the Daintree lowlands. 

The survey identified the Malayan Brighteye (Torenia polygonoides). There are only six records of this plant in Australia. We were also able to record a range extension for the Sapindaceae tree species Rhysotoechia flavescens. The previously known northern limit of this species was from the Daintree village, while its distribution extends south to near Tully.

Other plants of importance on Lot 93 include the Hope’s Cycad (Lepidozamia hopei). This species of Cycad is the largest growing in the world and was once utilised by Aboriginal people as a food source. It has evolutionary links dating back some 200 million years and along with other ancient species form some of the reasons why the Wet Tropics World Heritage area has been afforded protection within the National Parks estate.

Hopes Cycad on Lot 93 with cone developing on this female plant

Lot 93 is located on Hutchinson Creek which flows off Thornton Peak. This area is a centre for the potential evolution of new species. During the vegetation survey, the botanist and ecologist identified a potentially new species of Bolwarra (Eupomatia) was identified from Lot 93 and additional investigations will now follow.  

This property provides habitat for the Endangered Southern Cassowary. Many food plants for the Cassowary are present on the lot in the form of Laurels (Lauraceae), Mahogany (Meliaceae) and several species of Figs, Palms and fleshy Myrtaceous plants. Regional ecosystem 7.3.10a is listed as Essential Cassowary habitat by the Queensland government. The vegetation on the creek edge possesses large specimens of Kuranda Quandong (Elaeocarpus bancroftii), Northern Silky Oak (Cardwellia sublimis), Spur Mahogany (Dysoxylum pettigrewianum), Candlenut (Aleurites rockinghamensis), Blackbean (Castanospermum australe), Fan Palms (Licuala ramsayi), Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae), Damson Plum (Terminalia microcarpa) and Briars Silky Oak (Musgravea heterophylla).

Evidence of the Southern Cassowary using the property was confirmed by dung. Cassowaries are regularly sighted in the adjoining Daintree National Park and on nearby properties.

An aquatic ecology survey was undertaken in Hutchinson Creek on the 375 m of the frontage of Lot 93 and also 600 m upstream, and about 200 m downstream of the property. The most significant finding of the survey was the discovery of a small population of Daintree Rainbowfish (Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus). This species is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, where it is classified as Critically Endangered. This species is known only from some small tributary streams of Hutchinson and Cooper creeks.

Hutchinson Creek in the Daintree Rainforest 

Endangered Ecological Community

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest itself has now been identified as part of an Endangered Ecological Community. In November 2021 the Australian Government listed the lowland tropical rainforest of the Wet Tropics ecological community, in the Endangered Category under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The listing is effective as of Friday 26 November 2021 and includes the Wet Tropics of North Queensland, from near Ingham (just south of the Cardwell Range) in the south to north around Cape Tribulation. While now listed as Endangered the Daintree Lowland Rainforest is still not fully protected. The freehold properties in the Daintree lowland remain at risk from rural residential development. 

Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road adjoins the Daintree National Park 

Background information on the Daintree Lowland Rainforest 

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth having survived undisturbed 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 eastern Australia, however, as conditions became drier the rainforest contracted and today the Daintree provides a refuge for many unique species. The Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo, Musky Rat-kangaroo, and the Southern Cassowary can be found here, as well a number of endemic plant species that have retained the same primitive characteristics of their ancestors. 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.

In 1982 the Queensland government approved an 1,136-lot rural residential subdivision in the Daintree. This resulted in two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest being excluded from protection in the Daintree National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area that was declared in 1988. The development that followed has resulted in fragmentation of the rainforest with the construction of roads and the building of hundreds of houses. Settlement has introduced exotic plants that have become weeds and domestic dogs and traffic that are a threat to wildlife. Because the land in question is in private ownership, the only option to resolve the issue has been the purchase and protection of additional lands to expand Daintree National Park.

Our vision for the Daintree Lowland Rainforest is to buy back land to remove the threat of further development and to address the impact of past development while supporting the Traditional Owners, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people in caring for country.

While we purchase land at risk of development for housing we also purchase other freehold properties without development approvals to reverse the impacts of the disastrous subdivision by closing and revegetating obsolete roads.

Since 1992 non-profit organisations have purchased eighty properties for conservation. 

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Action: Purchase and protection of Lot 176 Quandong Road (Lot 2 RP 738519)

Area: 1.17-hectares

Location: Forest Creek, Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland

Vegetation type: Regional Ecosystem 7.3.20e listed as “Of Concern” under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.

Threatened Species: Southern Cassowary, Noah's Walnut

Our ecologist surveyed Lot 176 Quandong Road and found remnant vegetation with little human interference. The property has 152 native species as well as an ecosystem with dominant Sclerophyll elements.

Lot 176 Quandong Road, Cow Bay

The vegetation on Lot 176 is experiencing change in the absence of fire. The canopy consists of Brown Salwood (Acacia celsa), Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Acacia polystachya, Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus pellita), Narrow leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra) and Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia).

These trees are all estimated to be 80-100 years old indicating the last fire occurred at this time. The majority of the vegetation is significantly denser being a diverse rainforest understorey. Since fire is now seldom experienced in the Daintree lowlands it is assumed that this forest habitat will omit Sclerophyll species as time lengthens.

Noah's Walnut (Endiandra microneura) occurs at this site. It is listed as Near Threatened on the Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act (1992). This species is only found within the Daintree Lowland Rainforest predominately north of the Daintree River and south of Cape Tribulation. It produces a vibrant display of limp, red, new leaves as well as large, yellow, oblong-shaped fruits that are dispersed by the Southern Cassowary.

The local endemic tree, Queensland Golden Showers (Cassia queenslandica) is seldomly encountered in this area. It was identified from one tree onsite which was fruiting at the time of this assessment.

This property provides important habitat for the Endangered Southern Cassowary with many species of plants producing fleshy fruits.  

Cassowary Plum (Cerbera floribunda), is one Endangered Southern Cassowary’s favourite foods. This tree species occurs in tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland and PNG and grows to about 30 metres. At the age of three years, it begins to produce large, smooth, and blue fruits. The Cassowary and the Cassowary plum have a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship. The plum provides food for the Cassowary and the Cassowary spreads the seeds of the tree throughout the rainforest.

The purchase of Lot 176 compliments the buyback of land in Cow Bay that has occurred over the past three decades. We purchased Lot 124 Quandong Road and six other Cow Bay properties in 2020 and 2021.

Cassowary and chick in the Daintree Rainforest

Lot 176 Quandong Road, Cow Bay

Large Fruited Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus pellita) 

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Action: Purchase and protection of Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive (Lot 2 RP 738519)

Area: 1.17-hectares

Location: Forest Creek, Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland

Vegetation type: Lot 2 comprises two distinct ecosystems by changes in soil/drainage conditions. One a Sclerophyll open woodland and the other a closed canopy Rainforest habitat

Threatened Species: Southern Cassowary, Noah's Walnut, China Camp Laurel, Thornton Aspen, Ant Plant

Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest

Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive is 1.17ha of critical habitat for native wildlife and plants. A small creek runs through the rainforest where the presence of the Southern Cassowary has been observed. The rare Bennetts Tree-kangaroo has also been sighted nearby.

Fan Palms (Licuala ramsayii) occur on the property and the species delineates the two main types of vegetation: sclerophyll vegetation which are generally dominated by plants that have hard leaves adapted to drought and fire; and mesophyll vine forest, which is tropical rainforest featuring these Fan Palms in abundance.

Fan Palms on Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive

Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive is located at Forest Creek in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Buying land in this location helps us to reverse the impacts of the disastrous 1980’s rural residential subdivision and prevents another house from being built in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive is a freehold property and could have been developed for housing just as nearby properties have been in the past. 

Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive adjoins Lot 3, a property that we purchased for conservation in January 2020. This consolidates the area protected for conservation as these two properties also share a boundary with the Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area.

During our survey, the presence of Cassowaries was noted from scats within the rainforest habitat near the creek in the eastern portions of the property.

Some 230 species of native plants were recorded in our ecological survey of the site. Four species are listed under the Queensland’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1992). Noah’s Walnut, China Camp Laurel, Thornton Aspen and the Ant plant.

Noah's Walnut (Endiandra microneura) occurs at this site. It is listed as Near Threatened on the Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act (1992). This species is only found within the Daintree Lowland Rainforest predominately north of the Daintree River and south of Cape Tribulation. It produces a vibrant display of limp, red, new leaves as well as large, yellow, oblong-shaped fruits that are dispersed by the Southern Cassowary.

China Camp Laurel (Beilschmiedia castrisinensis) is Near Threatened and was found growing within cassowary droppings which is no surprise as its fruits – which are the size of tennis balls – are only dispersed by the Endangered Southern Cassowary.

Thornton Aspen (Acronychia acuminata) is Near Threatened and is now found only in the rainforests surrounding Thornton Peak, the highest mountain in the Daintree. It was previously found at only six locations between the Daintree River and Bloomfield to the North.

Ant Plant (Myrmecodia beccarii) is one of the Daintree’s most fascinating plants (there are many to choose from). The Ant Plant is epiphytic, growing harmlessly on Melaleucas and other plants with spongy bark, yet it is not parasitic. It has a special association with the Golden Ant (Iridomyrmex cordatus) which lives in the chambers of its tuber. What’s more, the Apollo Butterfly lays its eggs on this plant. The Golden Ants carry the butterfly eggs into the tuber chambers where they develop as butterflies. The Ant Plant’s flowers are white and tubular, to 10mm, and the fruit is white/translucent containing a single seed. These single seeds are transported to other trees by the Mistletoe bird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum).

Thornton Aspen (Acronychia acuminata) on Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive

Ant Plant (Myrmecodia beccarii) on Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive

A small creek occurs on Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive

Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive provides habitat for the Southern Cassowary

Tropical Rainforest on Lot 2 Thornton Peak Drive in the Daintree Rainforest

Action: Purchase and protection of Lot 21 Camelot Close (Lot 21 RP 733182) 

Area: 2.306 hectares  

Location: Cape Tribulation, Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland

Vegetation type: Complex mesophyll vine forest classified as Regional Ecosystem 7.11.23b

Threatened Species: Southern Cassowary, Bennett’s Tree-Kangaroo, Noah’s Walnut, Gray’s Walnut

Lot 21 Camelot Close in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest

The high biodiversity and spectacular old-growth rainforest at Lot 21 Camelot Close at Cape Tribulation justify its purchase and protection. A survey by our ecologist found tropical rainforest on the entirety of the 2.306 hectares. The survey also found 215 species of native plants including threatened species and others that are regionally endemic. The rainforest on Lot 21 Camelot Close is one of the best examples of undisturbed Lowland Tropical Rainforest remaining in Australia. 

Kelvin Davies and the old-growth rainforest on Lot 21 Camelot Close

The rainforest on Lot 21 Camelot Close contains many enormous trees with specimens of Papuan Rosewoods (Dysoxylum papuanum), Cassowary Satinash (Syzygium graveolens), Cairns Hickory (Ganophyllum falcatum), Cairns Pencil Cedar (Palaquium galactoxylon), Tulip Oak (Argyrodendron peralatum), Spur Mahogany (Dysoxylum pettigrewianum), Damson Plum (Terminalia microcarpa) and Northern Silky Oak (Cardwellia sublimis). In the south of Lot 21, the rainforest is even grander with many large tall straight buttressed trees suggesting little disturbance and deep fertile well drained soil.

The native Nutmeg (Myristica spp.) dominate the mid-canopy with the understorey layer having many Hope’s Cycad (Lepidozamia hopei), Walking Stick Palms (Linospadix minor), Polyalthia xanthocarpa, Glossy Laurel (Cryptocarya laevigata), Rambling Spearflower (Ardisia brevipedata), Tapeinosperma (Tapeinosperma pallidum) and the ubiquitous Rattan (Calamus spp.) thickets.  The ground is nearly absent of grasses, sedges or forbs.

Subtle changes in the habitat can be found along the streams of Lot 21. There is an increased abundance of Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) and also is where Mulgrave Satinash (Syzygium xerampelinum) is dominate. Bordering the stream on steep terrain are ferns such as Adiantum, Crepidomanes and Marattia salicina.  

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest is a living museum and Lot 21 Camelot Close is an important refuge for biodiversity. The undisturbed rainforest provides excellent habitat for the rare Bennetts Tree-kangaroo and there have been a number of sightings in recent years on or near the property. The property provides excellent habitat for the endangered Southern Cassowary.

The Southern Cassowary in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest

Great numbers of species occur on Lot 21 within the Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae and Sapindaceae plant families. All these species are food for rainforest frugivorous birds. The larger fruiting Lauraceae, Endiandra grayi and E. microneura are important food for Cassowaries. Native Nutmeg (Myristica globosa ssp. muelleri) is common throughout the site and a favoured food of rainforest avifauna.

Greys Walnut (Endiandra grayi) and Noah’s Walnut (Endiandra microneura) are listed as Threatened species.

Four locally endemic plants are found on the property. Daintree Cleistanthus Cooper Creek Haplostichanthus, Walters False Uvaria, and Daintree Satinash.

Lot 21 has many examples of Hope’s Cycad. This species of Cycad is the largest growing in the world and was once utilised by Aboriginal people as a food source. It has evolutionary links dating back some 200 million years and along with other ancient species form some of the reasons why the Wet Tropics World Heritage area has been afforded protection within the National Parks estate.

Our survey also identified the Boyd's Forest Dragon (Lophosaurus boydii) on Lot 21 Camelot Close. They are a species of arboreal agamid lizard only found in rainforests in the Wet Tropics region of northern Queensland, Australia. Boyd's Forest Dragon spend the majority of their time perched on the trunks of trees, usually at around head height. Boyd's forest dragons are sit-and-wait predators, catching prey that they spy from their perches, although once on the ground, they will frequently move over a wider area, catching prey as they go.

Lot 21 Camelot Close is a freehold property and was at risk of development. Subject to approval by Douglas Shire Council it could have been developed for housing just as nearby properties have been in the past. Protecting Lot 21 Camelot Close at Cape Tribulation is a fantastic outcome for conservation as it will prevent another house from being built in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.  

In 1988 the Daintree National Park was expanded and was included in the Wet Tropics Work Heritage Area. This should have seen the rainforest at Lot 21 Camelot Close 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. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the purchase and protection of Lot 21 Camelot Close at Cape Tribulation. 

Old-growth tropical rainforest on Lot 21 Camelot Close 

Please make a donation to purchase and protect the next property in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.

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 18^th 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.

We’ve provided answers to the most frequently asked questions on the purchase and protection of Lot 505 Cedar Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.