Published Thursday, 19 April, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
CONTINUED ACCESS TO POPULAR CAMPING GROUND GUARANTEED
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has no intention of preventing access to the popular Goldsborough Valley camping ground south-west of Cairns.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said there was a mistaken belief that access would be cut because the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was attempting to amalgamate the road with the adjoining national park.
“Nothing could be further from the truth and public misconceptions about the future of the road are without foundation,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“De-gazettal of the 7 kilometre-long Mulgrave River Forestry Road and its amalgamation with the national park would relieve Cairns City Council of the cost of the road’s maintenance which would then become the responsibility of QPWS.
“Opposition to the changed status of the road seems hard to understand, nonetheless the Department of Natural Resources and Water which administers road de-gazettal requires council support for the process to go ahead.
“This would be a winning situation for everyone including ratepayers and it makes good sense that QPWS staff should take over control of the road in keeping with their other duties within the national park area.
“An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people use the camping ground facility each year and they can rest-assured that continuing access is guaranteed if and when de-gazettal of the road occurs,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002 and Karla Steen 3336 8004
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said there was a mistaken belief that access would be cut because the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was attempting to amalgamate the road with the adjoining national park.
“Nothing could be further from the truth and public misconceptions about the future of the road are without foundation,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“De-gazettal of the 7 kilometre-long Mulgrave River Forestry Road and its amalgamation with the national park would relieve Cairns City Council of the cost of the road’s maintenance which would then become the responsibility of QPWS.
“Opposition to the changed status of the road seems hard to understand, nonetheless the Department of Natural Resources and Water which administers road de-gazettal requires council support for the process to go ahead.
“This would be a winning situation for everyone including ratepayers and it makes good sense that QPWS staff should take over control of the road in keeping with their other duties within the national park area.
“An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people use the camping ground facility each year and they can rest-assured that continuing access is guaranteed if and when de-gazettal of the road occurs,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002 and Karla Steen 3336 8004