The Cassowary Coast is a highly diverse region with some of the most spectacular scenery and environmental values  in Australia and indeed the world.   The rainforests of North Queensland are tens of millions of years older than the Congo or the Amazon, contain ecosystems that are critically endangered with the  endangered cassowary playing a critical role  as a  keystone species in the distribution of  the large rainforest fruits and susbequent high biodiversity of the forests.

The lack of planning at the high biodiversity area of Mission Beach has seen the destruction of a lot of natural areas 
with  development  being approved in an ad hoc manner which has further degraded and fragmented important  wildlife corridors particularly important for the endangered cassowary.  The cassowary is barely mentioned in any Council planning discussion nor in tourism promotion.

The importance of  good planning cannot be understated. Mission Beach needs detailed local area planning.  This could be achieved by all  stakeholders  workshopping a vision for the future  which  includes branding, identification and protection of important habitat corridors, detailed planning of  the urban footprint  and addressing the impacts to the endangered cassowary  including dogs and vehicles.    Such planning would identify appropriate 'growth' for our region.  There would be compromises by all sides but it would serve to unify the community, give sureity to the  conservation and development  sectors  and  give a clear vision for a sustainable economic future incorportating the needs of agriculture, tourism, the community and environment. 

Any approval of development in our high bidiversity area  should be based on  the lowest possible impact on the natural values.

Many people have told me they do not vote because it would be  chosing the best of a bad bunch.   Voting is very important - how can you complain if you don't have a voice to be counted.

Voting for a representative  who understands and repsects the value of our natural ennvironment  and one who sees the economic value in protection and appropriate presentation of those values is going to be a very hard choice this year. We can only hope that any representative is open, willing to listen and be informed by those in the community who make an effort to be involved  regardless of  their affiliation with particualr groups.

The current Mayor has proven his lack of understanding of the natural environment over and over as outlined in the  blog post below.  Mayor Bill Shannon has often said one thing and then acted contrary to his word, in particular his commitment to sound environmental planning.   His acumen as a good fiscal manager is acknowledged

Nathan Mood's push for deamalgamation is an unrealistic backward step, he talks about not pandering to self interested  minority groups. Nathan has stated the  Spit at Dunk Island has had extra protection placed on it and  talks about  National Parks being too 'locked up'.   In fact the private management of the spit has degraded the values so much that  options presented in the public consultation for the Island management suggested a reduction of status from National Parks to Conservation which would allow for  high  visitation.  On the MDA at Clump Point Nathan seems to have not understood the process that is taking place to determine the future of Clump Point and any boating infrastructure.    This is an issue he should be familiar with as it is crucial to his business.  Nathan wants 'growth' and support for business for the area to supply jobs for future generations without  explaining how that is possible.

Wayne Kimberley also sees growth and business expansion as a poriority without a vision.  He believes some people  have obtained their patch of paradise and now don't want others to come here.  He also talks of self interested minority groups.  There is over 1500 lots of available land sitting vacant and unkempt. Wayne was a high profile councilor in the failed Johnstone Shire Council. 

Graham Couper-Smith is an unknown but with his financial background could lead the Council with good fiscal management.  He has been happy to discuss issues, seems to have an appreciation of and recognises the importance of the environment and has stated he will listen to community groups.  

Alister Pike is the only candidate who chose not to respond to the question, has not  returned  my call as promised  and stated  "At the end of the day the questions need to be asked, “Which group  best  represents  environmental interests in the Cassowary Coast if they are philosophically on different pages?”.  Alister also  is  confused  about  the  bureaucratic process  currently underway to determine the future of Clump Point and boating infrastructure as demonstrated in his facebook communication.  Surpising since this is also crucial to the future of his  business.  Alister sees Mission Beach as a 'growth' area without a vision of how this can be achieved while protecting the natural values.  It would be hoped that  any  council representative would be prepared to talk to anyone who  takes an interest in and is active in whatever capacity within in their community.

Jason Benn also says he will will not pander to self interested minority groups that hold up progress.  He has been  very accessible and quick to respond to any questions asked. His response on most issues concerning the environment appears to be  well informed and he has been open for further discussion. 
 
Lindsay Jukes joins the others in his criticism of the self interested minority groups. Although his repsonse to the question posed  was  broadly supportive, his public addresses have been less inpiring. It  is hoped that any candidate would have a strong stand on local environment  issues  when wanting to represent such a special area.

There have been some positive achievements for the  natural environment. It is wonderful to see the Council and community united with the  post Yasi foreshore revegetation work being carried out and a lot of good work has been  achieved over the past four years by Terrain NRM with the development of the Mission Beach Habitat Network Action Plan.

We live in one of the most beautiful regions in the world  with our land and sea environments recognised as being globally important and yet our local government representatives do not give them the consideration necessary to ensure they will be there for our future generations.  The continuing appalling fiasco and destruction of the natural environment at Cowley Beach is a prime example.

A new local Planning Scheme is currently being developed with the current Council adopting shire wide policies. It is hard to understand how shire wide policies can be applied and give appropriate protection to the world heritage values when the region is so diverse and Mission Beach has been recognised  by the state and federal governments as a high biodiversity area in need of special considerations.

It has been disappointing to note some of the current Mayor's leadership on important environmental and lifestyle considerations i. e.   his eagerness to sign a petition against non regulation of dogs on rural land,  lack of recognition of prime cassowary habitat (Bingil Bay), support for removal of rate relief for covenants over natural areas on private land. support for horses in National Parks, support for Sunday trading for Woolworths despite it spelling the demise of local small business. He is on record as saying "I think we have the mix about right" when asked about the oversupply of residential subdivision approvals at Mission Beach (approx 1500 vacant  lots)

Each of the mayoral and Division 3 Candidates were asked the following question; 
Could you tell me what is your vision for the shire that will unite the communities and give them confidence that the 'inevitable growth' of our area will be fully considerate of the outstanding natural values?