JUNGLE DRUM: Critical Infrastructure MUST be prioritised
LAWRENCE MASON COLUMN
Our processes for permitting critical infrastructure are deeply flawed.
I have written many times about the Noah Bridge fiasco. I want to emphasise that this piece is in no way meant to criticise the current DSC staff who I know are doing whatever they can to get the new bridge built. But problems and road blocks (pun intended) remain.
This week I am going to focus on cultural issues. Again, I absolutely respect the right of Indigenous people to have a say when structures on public land may impact their cultural heritage.
And most of us following the issue realise that in order to build a bridge upstream as was planned would indeed damage important cultural sites. This problem has followed Noah Bridge rebuild like a stalker, because despite DSC being advised very early in the process about the cultural heritage issues they persisted with a problematic alignment.
However, my understanding is that the decision has now been taken to replace the bridge on current road alignment, with a temporary crossing used in the interim. The new bridge is wider, but in essentially the same footprint. So forgive my stupidity, but why are we still in the permit process? If an existing bridge is already there, surely many of the procedures are more or less tick and flick? If they aren't, they should be. Culture, and the environment are hardly likely to be affected by a new bridge in the same alignment?
Sure I get there would be rules around HOW the bridge is built, and WHERE the temporary crossing is, and what it looks like, but surely most of the permissions would be ongoing from the very existence of the original bridge? For Pete's sake, this is a critical bridge not only for Cape Tribulation people, but for tourism generally and is vital to communities to the north, including Wujal Wujal!
And while I think everyone should be able to comment on infrastructure projects, there must be a clear timeline and process for that input, regardless of who you are. Recently DSC put on a catered lunch function for cultural heritage consultation, with attendees bussed in. I am told this was simply to work who would be onsite for the build. It failed because one family was not present. I would ask (tongue in cheek) if the wider community will get the same consideration to discuss and have input into proposed Indigenous facilities on freehold land in the Daintree?
Our society is built on clear timelines for application processes both private and public. And while we do thankfully live in a world where we do make allowances for illness or trauma, this issue regarding Noah's Bridge has persisted for far too long. For critical infrastructure projects like this, there must in future be clear timelines for input from Indigenous people, and equally clear timelines for Council to respond. If a new alignment damages cultural heritage, and Council knows, they should not persist with it and also be time restrained on developing an alternate plan. Or do the cultural heritage first.....before buying a bridge.
There also needs to be clear processes for consulting Indigenous people. I happened to run into a Bama family member and Cape Tribulation Traditional Owner who missed the Noah Bridge get together. He said he wasn't told. The man is well known and easy to find. Our systems have to get better. Access to the jewel in the crown of Port Douglas Daintree Tourism is dependent on it. Not to mention access for residents from Cape Tribulation to Ayton.
It is time to restructure a clearly flawed process.
*Lawrence Mason has lived at Cape Tribulation all his life, and has been involved in farming, timber and tourism. He is a former board member of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, founding Chair of Daintree Marketing Co-operative, and has been a member of both Alexandra Bay and Mossman State High School P&C. He is also a member of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce and has a keen interest in local issues.
- The opinions and views in this column are those of the author and author only and do not reflect the Newsport editor or staff.