VIDEO: DSC, Daintree Coast residents pitch State Government in bid to gain crucial funds allocation for Noah Creek bypass

FUNDS NEEDED

Michael Warren

Editor

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Newsport's exclusive video, taken just days ago shows the Noah Creek bypass. DSC and local residents need funds to improve and shore up the bypass while the new Noah Bridge replaces the old Bridge in the same location. Video and screenshot: Michael Warren

Daintree Coast residents and Douglas Shire Council have joined forces to press the State Government to provide funds to improve the current Noah Bridge bypass when work starts in the future on the complete replacement of Noah Bridge.

As it stands a current rock crossing has been established to the left of Noah Bridge, but it needs more stabilisation and raising in height to be a reliable, longer term option for the duration of time it takes to replace Noah Bridge.

As such Council recently put together a draft letter of support it issued to Daintree Coast residents and business owners who collectively had a chance to pitch the State through the letters about the importance of the region gaining the funds for the improvement works.

Council received responses from invested Daintree Coast stakeholders up until last Monday.

Now those replies along with Council’s have been forwarded to the State Government where, in time, Douglas Shire Council will hopefully be allocated funds to further improve and upgrade the rock crossing.

When Newsport visited the bypass in the Daintree just days ago a ute was seen testing the depth of water crossing over the bypass.

Council’s generic drafted letter which Daintree Coast residents and business owners could change and alter read:

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

SUPPORT FOR ALTERNATIVE NOAH CREEK CROSSING

The letter is provided to confirm our support for the construction of a temporary bypass across Noah Creek in the Daintree National Park to enable a new bridge to be built on the same alignment.

Noah Creek is located on Cape Tribulation Road, between Thornton Beach and Cape Tribulation.

Cape Tribulation Road also connects through to the Mulligan Highway via the Bloomfield Track, thus providing a coastal connection between Cairns and Cooktown.

This road is recognised as a critical link for numerous communities, providing social and cultural connectivity. Its importance to the tourism industry in the region cannot be understated. It is promoted to national and international visitors as a 140 km drive along spectacular coastline hugging two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest.

It is imperative that the bypass provides uninterrupted access during the replacement process. It also must be robust to survive at least one, if not two wet seasons, and accessible in all tides, dry, not subject to flooding with a concrete or hard surface.

These requirements are not merely conveniences but essential considerations to guarantee the continued functionality of our lifestyle and our tourism business.

Yours faithfully

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