While there have been no studies carried out specifically on cassowary responses to loud or constant anthropogenic noise, there have been several carried out on two of their closest relatives, the emu and ostrich, under captive conditions, in which emus showed ​​behaviours indicating stress and agitation (e.g. Jakob-Hoff et al 2019). A study of birds’ reactions to constant traffic noise through good habitat showed that constant noise degrades that habitat that is otherwise suitable, and that the presence of a species does not indicate the absence of a negative effect (the bird is just tolerating the noise) (Ware et al. 2015).

​​Cassowaries’ hearing has not been studied but it is known that they produce very low-frequency sounds as long-distance communication in the forest (Mack and Jones 2003). It is unknown how these sounds travel in a noisy environment. It has been observed that cassowaries respond to helicopter noise in a panicked way – Jeff Larson photographed an adult bird running in fear from a military helicopter flying overhead in Wongaling Beach on 17 April 2014 (2 of the 4-photograph sequence below).

REFERENCES: 
Jakob-Hoff, R.1., Kingan, M., Fenemore, C., Schmid, G., Cockrem, J.F., Crackle, A., Van Bemmel, E., Connor, R., and Descovich, K. 2019. Potential Impact of Construction Noise on Selected Zoo Animals. animals 9(8): 1-25.
Mack, A.L. and Jones, J. 2003. Low-Frequency Vocalizations by Cassowaries (Casuarius spp.). The Auk 120 (4): 1062-1068.
Ortega, C.P. 2012. Effects Of Noise Pollution On Birds: A Brief Review Of Our Knowledge. Ornithological Monographs 74: 6–22.
Ware et al. 2015. A phantom road experiment reveals traffic noise is an invisible source of habitat degradation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112(39): 12105-12109.   ​

​“Photos I took while an Australian Army helicopter flew overhead as I was watching a cassowary deciding what to do from inside the fence of the Happy Days farm on Wheatley road. The helicopter came over and the bird immediately tore through the fence and across the road slipping in the act, falling over and sliding into the grass verge on the other side of the road. It then got up and quickly shot into the forest. If a vehicle had been coming the bird probably would have been killed. 5:05pm on the 17th of April 2014.”
​
​(in litt. J. Larson 7 December 2020).

"There are endless opportunities for high value crops in this part of the world such as flowers, chocolate, vanilla, medical crops etc. said Peter "The proposed  development site has 'phenomenal possibilities  with the  sea breezes creating an excellent  microclimate for niche crops and the added possibility of a roadside stall. 

Peter also questioned why the councillors did not attend the meeting. "Decisions are being made that have a big impact on 'our place' that don't involve the community" said Peter. "Over time we have witnessed destruction of some of the unique features of our area such as the canopy licuala forest drive at the entrance to Mission Beach" 
​
"Increased air noise pollution from skydiving activities is already impacting on our quiet lifestyles" Peter said." It would be an idiotic decision to put a helicopter aviation facility at the proposed location.   "This place is too good to waste on stupidity like this" said Peter, "If we don't stand up now we will definitely regret it".  

​The community is questioning why the council would consider approval of a high impact industrial development in the middle of a tourist destination reliant on its reputation as a quiet peaceful village.

“If an industrial  helicopter  business is allowed to go ahead at the current location it will mean the beginning of the industrialization of Mission Beach, the end of our peace and quiet and visitors who come to Mission for a relaxing  holiday" said Liz.

Councilors were invited to the meeting to listen to the communities concerns but declined saying they were unable to attend any meetings held by opponents or proponents due to the fact the matter is currently before council.

A website has been launched  as part of a campaign against a material change of use from agricultural land for a high impact industrial development in the heart of Mission Beach. 
​More information can be found on www.aviation-facility.weebly.com
Ends

Contact:
Liz Gallie 0414 402 315
Peter Rowles  0429 179 152
​Peter Salleras  0429 194 710
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Mark Nolan 0400 440 837

Mission Beach is described in regional tourism promotion, as a place where  “People come to experience the peace and quiet, relax and do nothing much, it’s that kind of place…”

The community is questioning the Planner’s report description of the proposal as 'low impact' when Mission Helicopters confirmed “Most of the helicopters to be stationed at the proposed facility are highly specialised multi-role craft capable of aerial firefighting, heavy-lift and aerial crane, and reconnaissance missions”.
The Planner’s report also claims that restricting the hours of operation from between 6am to 6pm 7 days a week will minimise the impact.

Many in the community disagree.  The council received 55 submissions against the proposal in response to the DA and a petition has reached 570 signatures.

​John Brown, who owns a property close to the proposed facility, says the noise level would be unacceptable. Many residents moved to the area for the quiet, believing the nearby reserve was a protected area. “There are so many reasons why this is the wrong location”. John said.  “Tully Airport has all the supporting infrastructure for the services being proposed”. 
 
The flight path is planned to go over a large block of coastal rainforest much of which is under Traditional Owner native title.  John said “It is an insult to the Djiru people that they have not been considered”

Liz Gallie of Mission Beach Cassowaries said the impact couldn’t be higher for the cassowary. “There is a cassowary corridor through the middle of the lot and immediately adjacent to the proposed landing pad”. Liz said “There are regular cassowary sightings at the corridor and we have seen how cassowaries react to helicopters flying overhead”.

Liz Gallie agreed. “We are asking the council to listen to the people and stick to the planning scheme”.
 
More information about the heliport proposal and community response will be available at a community meeting on Sunday 20 December 1pm after the markets in Ulysses Park, Mission Beach.

​Ends

With twelve months planning, the attention to detail is obvious from the days program of topics and questions, the design of T Shirts and trophy’s to the included evening bar-b-que.

​The ‘Gutta Boys’ won again this year but cassowaries are the biggest winners through the generosity of this fun group of people lead by the colourful Chappy, the Quizmaster. ​

 “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)

Highlights of the day are the mime and air guitar competitions.​
 
With twelve months planning, the attention to detail is obvious from the list of questions, the design of each year’s T Shirts to the catering.
 
Funds raised on the day through the sale of merchandise, ‘fines’ and fees to compete in activities, are donated to help a local cause.

For the past 6 years the funds have been donated to Mission Beach Cassowaries.  On announcing the funds would once again go to help the cassowary, the Quizmaster said “They are such beautiful birds, we don’t want to see them go the same way as the Thylacine (Tassmanian Tiger)”.
 
Mission Beach Cassowaries spokesperson Liz Gallie said “We are so grateful for the donations. They have enabled our group to develop the ‘Mission Beach Naturally’ branding,  letting people coming to our area  know why it is so special and to contribute to awareness raising projects such as the Mission Beach School kids roadside signs and establishing  the Mission Beach Community Cassowary Festival which will be in its fourth year in 2020.”
 
The private event has been running for 13 years and has a dedicated band of followers, some of whom travel as far away as Victoria, Northern Territory and South Australia. 

Local businesses sponsor the event with donations for raffles. Community minded Chappy and Angela encourage their guests to go out while they are in town to support and enjoy locally owned and operated businesses.

Next year’s event is already in the planning. The number of tables is limited so if you know your 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music, and would like to be part of the quiz fest being held on August 29th, 2020, call or email Chappy to find out more.  0418 898 940 quizmequick@iinet.net.au
Ends.
Photos by Liz Gallie
For more information;
Baden Chapman 0418 898 940
Liz Gallie 0414402315

... Because it has no strategy, its efforts in managing threatened species lack purpose, direction and coordination.​
...The department does not systematically plan where to deploy its available resources to achieve the most effective balance of actions to protect habitats, mitigate threats and reduce species decline. It is not clear how much the department spends each year in total on threatened species management as it does not effectively track and account for funding used on specific activities...

...With few exceptions, the department does not currently know how threatened species are faring and whether management actions are having the desired impact.
...The department’s decisions about which species receive its greatest conservation efforts are often determined by iconic value, individual interests, departmental knowledge and advocacy, rather than by objective assessments of appropriate priorities...

...Despite, managing land with over 1 000 threatened species and having a total 2017–18 budget of $111.3 million, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) does not identify specific allocations of funding for the protection and recovery of threatened species on the land it manages."

Sadly, the main recommendation is more 'plans'. 

We don't need another plan. We know that many species are in decline, but we also know - in great detail - what needs to be done.
​
We need the government to actually support and implement actions on the ground, to DO SOMETHING.
Now".

See Paula Peeter's  original blog post here

The video was captured by award winning conservationist, Liz Gallie on her iPhone at the junction of two all year round creeks in the Bingil Bay reserve near Mission Beach.

The adult male known to Mission Beach Cassowaries as Joov and can be seen in the clip with three chicks, estimated to be about four months old.
​
"They absolutely love water. They make noises like you when taking a dip in cool water on a really hot day," she said.
"It's obviously a very pleasurable thing to do, especially on a hot day."
 
Not an uncommon sight, Ms Gallie explained proximity to bodies of water was critical to the survival of the species.
 
"Cassowaries have to be near water and access water to drink about 20 times a day, so they are never far from water and in this hot weather we don't see them moving around at all during the middle of the day," she said.
 
Ms Gallie said Joov has struggled in the past to raise a successful brood.