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Latest News and Issues
 Read the latest Wet Tropics e-newsletter and back issues. You can subscribe here.
Quick Links to news items:
» CREB Track closed
» Cassowary Awards 2009
» From the Heart book launched
» Wet Tropics magazine
» Wet Tropics Plan review
» Rainforest Aboriginal News
» Community survey released
» New look for World Heritage signs
» Cassowary DVD highlights Aboriginal culture
» Wet Tropics greenhouse gas audit
» Kuku Yalanji land agreement
» New logo promotes World Heritage toursim
» Wet Tropics tourismexpenditure
» National Heritage List
» Electric ants
» Feral Deer
» Miconia
» Limnocharis
See our media stories page for stories and photos about climate change and cassowaries.
CREB Track closed - 23rd December 2009
 Cairns Regional Council has advised that, as of 23rd December 2009, the CREB Track is closed for the wet season.
Motorists are reminded that, when open, the CREB Track is only suitable for 4WD vehicles and those with 4WD and vehicle recovery experience. It is not suitable for trailers and can become treacherous after any wet weather. Caution must be exercised and motorists should be vigilant for vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.
The public is also reminded that a permit to visit Roaring Meg Falls is required from the Queensland Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Mossman or Atherton. For a permit over the Christmas holiday period, please telephone the DERM Mossman office on (07) 4098 2188 and leave a message if there are no staff present.
The CREB Track was the original line up the east coast to Cooktown. This powerline was switched off in June 2007 and replaced by a new inland line from Mareeba to Lakeland. However, the Telstra tower on the McDowall Range will remain and be fed by a powerline from the Cooktown end.
The CREB Track was the service access track for the old Ergon Energy powerline to Cooktown. It traverses a spectacular yet sensitive part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from the Daintree River through China Camp to Bloomfield.
Cassowary Awards 2009
 The 11th annual Cassowary Awards were held on Saturday 7 November at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Eleven new Cassowary Awrds winners were honoured, as well as numerous other awards for schools. To see the winners go to Cassowary Awards 2009, or read the media release.
From the Heart book launched14 August
 'From the Heart: Celebrating 20 years of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area' was launched on 14 August at the Sebel Cairns by Mr Steve Wettenhall, Member for Baron River. Over 250 people attended the launch and also thanked outgoing WTMA Board members, John Grey and Tom Gilmore. Pat Morrish kindly hosted the evening and speakers included Peter Stanton, Mike Berwick, Henrietta Marrie and Linda Venn. Copies of the new book can be obtained from the Wet Tropics Management Authority (1st floor 15 Lake St, Cairns). You can visit the From the Heart website or read more in the media release.
New Wet Tropics magazine launched
 A new Wet Tropics magazine 2009-2010 is now available at a visitor centre near you. The magazine has lots of stories about all those people who work hard to look after the World Heritage Area and surrounds - scientists, tourism operators, wildlife carers and many more. There is also a visitor map of the Wet Tropics and a kids activities page. If you would like some for your business, please ring Julia on 4052 0531.
Wet Tropics Plan Review
 The Wet Tropics Management Authority is now in the final stages of reviewing the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998. The Authority is proposing a number of amendments to the Plan, having received your comments.
A brochure was prepared to assist you to understand what the proposed amendments.More information is available from thePlan Review page.
Formal submissions closed on 27 March 2009.
Rainforest Aboriginal News
 The latest Rainforest Aboriginal News is now available. This edition features a number of stories about recording and keeping Rainforest Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Community survey released (December 2008)
 A survey of Wet Tropics residents shows 92% community support for the World Heriatge Area and 67% support for Aboriginal cultural listing of the Area. People said that they mainly appreciated the Area for its contribution to their quality of life and for enhancing their environmental awareness.
The Community Survey provides detailed knowledge of the community’s use and perceptions of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. This information will assist in ensuring the long term sustainable management of the Area. Data from a similar survey undertaken in 2002, combined with the results of the 2007 survey, has provided the Wet Tropics Management Agency (WTMA) with an understanding of changes that may have occurred over the five year period.
New look for World Heritage signs - Thursday 19 June 2008
Many new road signs in the Wet Tropics will feature the UNESCO World Heritage emblem. The full media release is available here.
Cassowary DVD highlights Aboriginal culture - Thursday 29 May 2008
 A cassowary DVD was released today by Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and the Wet Tropics Managemnet Authority. The DVD shows the cultural significance of the cassowary to Rainforest Aboriginal people and the need to conserve cassowary habitat. The documentary ‘No Wabu, No Wuju, No Gunduy (No Rainforest, No Food, No Cassowary)’ was produced entirely by Girringun staff and Traditional Owners on their country as part of a training program. It will be distributed to schools, visitor centres, Aboriginal groups and others.
The full media release is available here. Copies of the DVD are available from WTMA by request.
Wet Tropics greenhouse gas audit released
 An audit of greenhouse gas emissions in the Wet Tropics shows that we emit less greenhouse gases per capita than the national average. However, our emission levels are still well above many other industrialised countries. The audit was released today (20 December 2007) by the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA). It is the first regional audit of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.
You can read more about the audit in the:
Kuku Yalanji land agreement celebrated
 The Eastern Kuku Yalanji people celebrated an historic agreement to cooperatively manage their traditional lands. On 9 December 2007 Justice Allsop of the Federal Court of Australia made a
consent determination at a special sitting at Cape Tribulation. The land agreements cover much of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from Mossman north to the Daintree and the Bloomfield River catchments. The agreements recognise the native title rights of the Kuku Yalanji people. They provide for Aboriginal land ownership and living areas, conservation areas, extended national parks, public access to designated tourist sites, some grazing areas and restrictions on the hunting of rare and threatened species.
You can read more about the Kuku Yalanji agreement on the native title page.
New logo promotes World Heritage tourism
World Heritage tour operators will stand out from the crowd with a new branding initiative by the Wet Tropics. World Heritage Tour Operator stickers featuring the iconic cassowary will be appearing on tour operator vehicles throughout the region. See the World Heritage branding page or the media release for more details.
Wet Tropics tourism
 New research shows that tourism in the Wet Tropics World heritage Area directly generates $426 million each year. This represents 21% of all tourism expenditure in the Wet Tropics region. See the tourism research page for details or download a summary of the research.
National Heritage List
 In May 2007 the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area was added to the National Heritage List (along with other Australian World Heritage Areas). The Area was listed for the five National Heritage criteria which correspond to its World Heritage criteria. It is intended that over time, and subject to resources available, that the Wet Tropics of Queensland will be reassessed for its full range of National Heritage values.
Electric ant eradication
 The Queensland Government is working with the local community to eradicate an outbreak of electric ants in Smithfield, Cairns, adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Originally from South
America, the electric ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) is listed as one of the 100 worst pest
invaders in the world. The ants are about 1.5mm long and coppery coloured. They do not have a nest, but live in groups in a range of sheltered situations. Call DPI&F on 13 25 23 if you think you may have them. A sample can be collected and identified.
You can more information from the fact sheets below:
»Electric ants fact sheet
»Progress report (November 2007)
»Controlling the movement of electric ants
Feral deer are here
 The public is being asked to help spot feral deer in the Wet Tropics. The ‘deer spotting’ campaign will help to raise public awareness about feral deer and to prevent them spreading throughout the Wet Tropics.
» media release
» fact sheet
» brochure
Miconia eradication
 The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water is conducting a campaign to find and eradicate miconia. Miconia calvescens is a large plant with giant purple leaves and poses a serious threat to our rainforests. Landholders who suspect miconia is present on their properties should contact the NRMW Centre
for Wet Tropics Agriculture on 4064 1144 or their local government pest management officer
for further advice. See the media release for pictures and more details.
Limnocharis eradication
 The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water is urging garden lovers to become weed warriors and help in the battle to eradicate Limnocharis, an exotic, aquatic weed, from Queensland ponds and waterways. This weed is similar in appearance to water hyacinth though much larger, up to one metre in height. Limnocharis has small, cup-shaped, yellow flowers. See the media release for details and pictures.
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