Mission Beach Community calls for culture of 'Caring for Cassowaries'

Community representatives meet with Crs Jeff Baines and Trudy Tschui (Photo Trudy Tschui)

​Media release 
July 9  2020
Mission Beach Community calls for Culture of Caring for Cassowaries

​A road closure, increased traffic management  and developing  a ‘culture of caring for cassowaries’ were some of the  solutions suggested to protect cassowaries at a meeting held last week with Cassowary Coast Councillors Jeff Baines and Trudy Tschui. 

• The road death of much loved South Mission Beach cassowary ‘Mrs C’ prompts community meeting
• Call for councillors  to help develop  'Caring for Cassowaries' culture

Amongst those present to discuss  ways the local council and community can work together to find effective solutions to address threats to cassowaries  were representatives from; Mission Beach Cassowaries, Cassowary Coast Alliance, C4, Djiru Traditional Owners, Mission Arts, Terrain Natural Resource Management, Mission Beach Wildcare, Mission Beach Lions, Mission Beach Community Association (MBCA) Mission Beach State School,(MBSS) Mission Beach Rainforest School, Tropical Coast Tourism (TCT) Mission Beach Community Association (MBCA), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and local vet Graham Lauridsen.

Mrs C’s death was one of a spike in cassowary road deaths in recent weeks and came just days before Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey visited the region to announce the beginning  of works on a world first dedicated cassowary land bridge being built into a major upgrade to the Bruce highway at Smiths Gap north of Tully.

Tully Vet Graham Lauridsen, who performed an autopsy on Mrs C. said “She was a very large, healthy female cassowary.  Although he could not give an exact age, Graham said she was at least 25 to 30 years old.

 “With the speed of some of the vehicles it’s like a racetrack”

South Mission Beach residents are calling for a road closure of Mission Drive, the small suburban street where Mrs C was killed.  Mission Drive resident, Helen Vincent, said the road is used as a shortcut through to other residential areas.  “With the speed of some of the vehicles it’s like a racetrack” said Helen. “It is very dangerous”. “It could easily have been a child trying to cross the street”.

There was strong support  for  the El Arish Mission Beach Road to be recognised as a tourist scenic route with appropriate signage  alerting visitors to points of interest. 
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Mission Beach Cassowaries spokesperson, Liz Gallie said discussions with the TMR Minister and local councilors have been encouraging.”  “There won’t be a single solution." said Liz.  “While there could be a combination of different traffic calming measures incorporating, new technology, signs and enforcement, effective solutions will rely on education and community participation.”

Much loved South Mission Beach cassowary 'Mrs C'

Artist impression of possible 'cassowary crossing zone'

A consistent message must be rolled out from top down through governments and reinforced by all community groups”, said Liz. "It can be fun and creative".

​Jeff Baines agreed, adding “We need to give the cassowary “hero’ status”.​

Cr Tschui was enthusiastic about road entrance signs alerting drivers they are entering Cassowary Country and said “A ‘No Feeding, No Speeding campaign had a good ring to it”.
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"The death of Mrs C on a quiet suburban road highlights the high risk to cassowaries attempting to cross roads throughout the region".

 “A question that could be asked ahead of  local planning decisions and when any activities or events are being proposed, is, “How will this action impact on cassowaries”? said Liz,  “We are, after all, the Cassowary Coast and  the cassowary is so important  to tourism in our area.”
 
Liz said “We want to develop a strong culture of ‘Caring for Cassowaries” “It is  the only way to address an issue that is placing our community under stress and constant heartbreak each time there is news of yet another cassowary dying on our roads”.

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Contact
Liz Gallie;  Mission Beach Cassowaries Inc  0414402315
Cr Trudy Tschui;  CCRC Division 3  (Community and Culture)
​Cr Jeff Baines CCRC Division  5 (Governance, Environment & Finance)