JUNGLE DRUM: Fiddling while Douglas Burns

LAWRENCE MASON COLUMN

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Cape Trib Resort and Spa is a sad and sorry sight. Picture: Lawrence Mason
The empty and abandoned Cape Trib resort. Picture: Lawrence Mason

As we roll into 2025, I am sure everyone has done a bit of reflecting. I did. Especially because this time last year we were unloading helicopters and barges! So surreal it seems like a dream now. But it showed that we can and do work together in times of need and get the job done.

Part of my reflecting was to analyze business performance; we actually did not get business interruption insurance for the shop in December 2023, such was the thirst of locals. By this time last year there was I think a couple of lonely six packs in a cold room that can hold a hundred cases.

But then I started going back. Way back. Go back to 2009, or even 2014 and revenue was higher. I am talking the shop/bottleshop here, not the cafe. But wait I thought, didn't PK's build a shop? They did but it was around 2003 so no factor. There are simply less people staying here overnight, and less staff to service them.

The effects filter down. When Bresnahan/Voyages/Ocean Hotels had Ferntree and Coconut Beach pumping, there was a thriving staff village, and that was worth at least $365k/yr in takings to us alone. But hundreds of overnighters can never happen again unless we can achieve a reliable road, ferry and renewable energy grid. And realistic laws and fees.

You could walk down a street in London 20 years ago and see pictures of Cape Trib on sandwich boards. No doubt it was the same elsewhere. TPDD can only help so much, and larger venues always have the cash to promote more, and leverage off TPDD. To all of our benefit.

It’s funny in a weird way. The green lobby always said that the very best way for people to truly experience the rainforest was to stay a few days. Many of the overnighters came by bus, saving the ferry and the road from congestion. I had a hire car company based here! We had a dive boat! Multiple 4WD tour companies....the place was jumping. 

The policies of the green left have killed off these larger businesses. Everything from overly strict laws, Council pandering to irrational fears over the river crossing and successive Labor governments scuttling a renewable grid, has been what has killed off the Daintree as a workable tourism economy. Ridiculous rules so that road repairs take years after a rain event does not help.

There are many examples of 'fiddling while Rome burns'. Short term accommodation has ripped the heart out of family homes and now we have only 12 or so kids in the local school. Council lacks the spine to deal with it. Questionable charities buying up land that was reserved in the original strict town plan for residences doesn't help, and again nothing happens while these clowns run roughshod over us, bagging us if we are chain dragging the rain forest.

Now Cane is on the way out, the same charities eyeing off the last usable resources Douglas has, its fertile rural land. Again, I expect Council will fiddle rather than actually do anything. Make no mistake, Douglas is on the edge of bankruptcy right now. I wish I could be more positive at the start of 2025. 

Perhaps it is time for people power to be used to save our wonderful region? Next Jungle Drum will be about how we would go about this, since all levels of Government have failed us.

*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.