Motor Vehicle Access

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCESS

Please note: The following background information should be read in association with the Wet Tropics Plan Review Information Booklet

Zoning maps depict roads where motor vehicle use is allowed by the public.

Road Classes

The Plan’s zoning maps display five categories of roads in the WHA. These are as follows: ¾ State-controlled road: roads which form part of the State’s road network. ¾ Community access road: significant roads for local community transport. ¾ Presentation road: roads which provide opportunities for presentation of the WHA ¾ Presentation (restricted) road: presentation roads where a permit is required for use of a motor vehicle. ¾ Management road: roads to provide access for management and research purposes. General public use of these roads is not considered appropriate.

Please note: Wet Tropics road classifications only affect access by motorised vehicles. They do not affect access by mountain bike, horse or pedestrian traffic as these activities are not regulated under the Plan. However, other legislation may affect such use in the WHA. For example horse riding is not allowed in National Parks.

Roads which provide access to private land in the WHA (defined as ‘lawful access roads’ under the Plan) are not depicted on zoning maps.

Proposed amendments to the Plan will also include the ability for the Authority to issue a permit for the operation of a motor vehicle ‘off-road’ for conservation purposes, research, maintenance of walking tracks and infrastructure maintenance.

What are the proposed changes The proposed changes are to better reflect the stated management purpose of these roads. Consideration of appropriate motor vehicle access takes into account the interests of land managers, infrastructure agencies. visitors, the tourism industry and the community; while at the same time recognising the responsibilities of the Authority to protect the integrity of the Area against the impacts caused by roads and road use.

Table 1 lists all roads depicted on zoning maps and identifies any proposed change to their classification.

What will this mean? These proposed changes will result in the following: − a significant increase in the number of roads listed as ‘presentation roads’ (i.e. no permit required) and a corresponding decrease in the number of roads listed as ‘presentation restricted (i.e. permit required) − a reduction in the total length of ‘management roads’ primarily because they are no longer required for management purposes.

Table 1: Proposed Road Class for roads on Wet Tropics Zoning Maps

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Big Tableland Track No Management Management Overgrown, but QPW requested to retain on off chance they may need to access area once transfer to NP is effected. Previous access to an abandoned sawmill. Home Rule Tk Yes Not shown Local Access Generally sealed road to Home Rule, a private visitor site with accommodation,

Helensvale and walking tracks within WHA to Home Rule Falls & Cedar Bay. Proposal also by QPW & LGA to build carpark for NP access. Normanby Tin Working Tk No (part) Presentation Presentation Presentation to Little Forks Picnic Area (Nb. QPW and LGA considering carpark locality for walking access to Annan Falls, so may need to extend Presentation classification to new proposed site) Yes (part) Not shown Local Access Provides through access to Normanby

Shiptons Flat Shiptons Flat Tin Workings and also to Mt Misery Tk Mt Misery Tk No Management Management Access to Telecommunication Tower atop Mt Misery CREB Tk No (part) Presentation Presentation Popular 4WD track; access to Roaring Meg Tk, ERGON powerline Infrastructure maintenance CREB Tk Yes (part) Presentation Presentation Popular 4WD track; access to Roaring (restricted) Meg Tk, ERGON powerline Infrastructure maintenance (subject to seasonal closure in wet weather, or for road/infrastructure maintenance) Roaring Meg Tk Yes Presentation Presentation Access to Roaring Megs Falls (Permit (restricted) required from QPW Port Douglas).

Ayton and Thornton Peak Peak Ayton and Thornton WTMA will not regulate access but supports QPW/TO controls.

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? CREB Tk Short cut No Management Management Steep section of original track, now diverted, but may still be required for infrastructure maintenance. Gap Creek Rd No Local Access Local Access Main regional access from Ayton to Rossville. Significant tourist traffic. Powerline maintenance Rd No Management Management Infrastructure Management Access Ayton Cape Tribulation-Bloomfield Rd No Presentation Presentation Regional road access and popular tourist route. Cape Tribulation Rd No Presentation Presentation Access for residents and tourists to popular Cape Tribulation area. Quandong Rd No Local Access Local Access Access for residents and tourists to local park reserve, in Cow Bay vicinity. Buchanan Creek Rd No Presentation Presentation Access for residents and tourists to popular Cow Bay area; and, Cow Bay Beach Mt Windsor - B traverse No Management Management QPW management access to Mount Windsor National Park; also, research use Campbell Creek Tk Yes No Shown Management QPW management access to Mount Windsor National Park (included for fire

Adeline Creek Adeline Creek management purposes) Mt Windsor Tableland Tk No Management Management QPW management access to Mount Windsor National Park (extended slightly for fire management purposes and access to radio tower); also, research use Mt Carbine Rd No Management Management QPW management; and access to leasehold Shanasseys Ck Tk Yes Management Not Shown No current motor vehicle use identified Glider Shelf Tk Yes Not shown Management QPW fire management; and research Mount Spurgeon Special Special Mount Spurgeon Cape Kimberley Rd No Presentation Presentation Access for residents and tourists to

an popular Cape Kimberley area; and,

Mossm Daintree Beach Resort

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Stewart Ck Tk No Management Management Powerline access; through traffic prevented by steep gradient and private property at Daintree end. Access to CSIRO research plot. Pipeline access- Mossman No Management Management Access to water pipeline Gorge Mossman Gorge Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to the popular Mossman Gorge. MOSSMAN - MT MOLLOY No Highway Highway Major highway ROAD Powerline Tk No Management Not Shown Access to powerline infrastructure Mt Lewis Rd (to Blue Finch site) No (part) Presentation Presentation Used by Tour operators for spotlighting activities and for locals for recreation and naturalist activities. CSIRO, JCU & WTMA also have research plots. Mt Lewis Rd (from Blue Finch No (part) Presentation Presentation Sensitive area, research and tour site to Top Hut) (restricted) (restricted) operator use, plus restricted access Mt Lewis Rd (beyond Top Hut) Yes (part) Presentation Not Shown Regenerated. Most suitable for walking (restricted) access Mt Perseverance Yes Not shown Management QPW management access Powerline Tk No Management Not Shown Access to powerline infrastructure Hunter Creek Intake Rd Yes Not shown Management Access to water pipeline Tower Tk No Management Management Access to Telecom Tower; through locked gate Rumula Special Rumula Bump Tk Yes Presentation Not Shown No current motor vehicle use identified. (restricted) Use for walkers, mountain bikes and horses Black Mountain Rd No Presentation Presentation Road access between Julatten and Kuranda. Recreational and tourism use; and access to Mona Mona Aboriginal community Black Mtn Rd (east) Yes Presentation Not Shown Access restricted via QPW gate. Walking (restricted) and mountain bike use most appropriate. Cassowary habitat, access to obsolete Twin Bridges, and NRW Pluvio station.

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? CAPTAIN COOK HWY (CAIRNS No Highway Highway Major highway; additional Zone C zoning - MOSSMAN) included for proposed upgrade. Wangetti Bch Rd No Presentation Presentation Beach access Hartley's Ck Tk No Management Management Access to Hartleys Ck Falls. Southedge Rd No Management Management Private Road, maintenance allowed via permit and Commonwealth regulation. Wangetti South carpark Yes Not shown Presentation Picnic area Macalister Range Range Macalister Mona Mona Yes Not shown Local Access Access road to Mona Mona settlement Saddle Mountain Rd No Management Management Access to telecommunication infrastructure site KENNEDY HWY (CAIRNS- Highway Highway Major highway MAREEBA) Barron Weir Tk No Management Management Ergon access to Barron weir via locked gate Barron Falls Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to popular Barron Falls Lookout. Wrights Lookout Tk No Presentation Presentation Access to Wrights Lookout. Mgt Tk off Wrights Lkout Tk No Management Management Management access to rail line

Red Bluff Rd No Management Management Ergon access to infrastructure; and QPW for walking track maintenance Barron Gorge Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to Barron River Power Station; and used by locals, site-seeing, local rafting companies and for river access.

Kuranda Special Stoney Ck Tk No Management Management Access to water supply. Locked gate. Redlynch Intake Rd No Management Management Management access to water supply intake. Popular with walkers accessing swimming holes. Shoteel Ck Rd Yes (part) Presentation Presentation Access to Fig Tree visitor boardwalk (restricted) Shoteel Ck Rd No (part) Presentation Presentation Commercial operators have permits to (restricted) (restricted) use road (plus Bridle Ck Rd section) for trip from Copperlode Dam to Kennedy Highway. Potential to be managed for seasonal private use.

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Vievers Tk Yes Not shown Management QPW management activities Bridle Ck Rd No (part) Presentation Presentation Commercial operators have permits to (restricted) (restricted) use road (plus Shoteel Ck Rd) for trip from Copperlode Dam to Kennedy Highway. Potential to be managed for seasonal private use. Bridle Ck Rd Yes (part) Not shown Management Access to powerlines. Locked gate at western end. Lake Morris (management) No Management Management Not Known (Cairns Water) Canoe Tk No Management Management Locked gate at Copperlode Rd. Management and walking access. Copperlode Rd No Presentation Presentation Major tourist and management access to Copperlode Dam Bessie Pt Water Intake Tk Yes Not shown Management Management access to water infrastructure. Mt Yarrabah Tk Yes Not shown Management Management access to telecommunication facilities

Cairns Cairns Pine Creek Tk Yes Management Not Shown Previously used for CSIRO research, now overgrown and vehicle access no longer required Buddabadoo Rd Yes Not shown Local Access Access to settlements at Bubbabadoo, and maintained by LGA. Special zone B area (zoning retained from existing Plan) Behana Gorge Rd No Management Management Locked gate. Management access to water supply intake. Popular walking and bicycle access to Clamshell falls.

Gordonvale Gordonvale Fishery Falls Tk No Management Management Locked gate. Management access to water supply intake. Barbagallo Rd No Local Access Local Access Regional road access. Davies Ck Rd Yes Presentation Presentation Vehicle access to day-use and camping (restricted) areas; also, to start point of walking track to Lambs Head. Lamb Range Tk Yes Presentation Not Shown Alternative start point of walking track to (restricted) Lambs Head; no current vehicle use

Tinaroo Special Tinaroo Special identified. 6

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Mt Edith Rd No Presentation Presentation Engineered log haul road. Now receives (restricted) (restricted) some commercial tour and local recreation use; and access to research plots plus TO sites. Kauri Ck Rd No Presentation Presentation Engineered log haul road. Now receives (restricted) (restricted) some commercial tour and local recreation use; and access to research plots plus TO sites. Mt Haig Rd Yes Management Not Shown No identified vehicle use. Potential for future use as walking track. Robson Rd No Management Management QPW and research access to The Breach; also potential TERN tower site Danbulla Rd No Presentation Presentation Circuit road around Lake Tinaroo; providing access to lake, camping as well as State Plantation forestry operations Gillies Lookout Tk Yes Presentation Presentation Access to hang glider site. Access may be seasonal. GORDONVALE - ATHERTON No Highway Highway Major highway (GILLIES) ROAD

Goldsborough Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to popular Kearneys Flat picnic and camping area. Mailmans Tk Yes Management Not Shown Motor vehicle access requirement not identified Lloyd Rd No Local Access Local Access Community access Lake Barrine Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to popular Lake Barrine Tea House and lake cruises. Robson Rd No Local Access Local Access Access to popular Curtain Fig tree and part of regional road network. Herberton Weir Tk No Management Management Access to water reserve Infra mgt Tk - Herberton Rge Yes Management Not Shown No identified vehicle access requirement

Whartons Lookout Tk Yes Management Not Shown No identified vehicle access requirement Atherton Special Atherton Special Drovers Tk Yes Not shown Presentation QPW Drovers loop roads in Herberton 7

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Range Nth Nigger Ck Tk Yes Not shown Presentation QPW Drovers loop roads in Herberton Range E Hill Tk Yes Presentation Presentation QPW Drovers loop roads in Herberton (restricted) Range Intake Tk No Management Management Access to water pipeline infrastructure KENNEDY HWY (MAREEBA- No Highway Highway Major highway RAVENSHOE)

The Crater Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to Mt Hypipamee crater Telecom Tk No Management Management Access to telecommunication facilities Pickles Rd Yes Not shown Local Access Community access Rock Rd Yes Not shown Local Access Community access Upper Mulgrave River Rd Yes Management Presentation Access to causeway; Rough access to upper Mulgrave River. QPW propose to regulate access and permit access for special group activities.

Wrights Ck Rd No Local Access Local Access Local access, plus alternative to main access to Lake Eacham Lakes Drive Part (same) Presentation Presentation Access to Lake Eacham picnic area. Lakes Drive Part (same) Local Access Local Access Access to Lake Eacham picnic area. Gadgarra Road No Local Access Local Access LGA road Red Cedar Tk No Presentation Presentation Access to Red Cedar visitor site

Bartle Frere Special Special Bartle Frere Bull Ck Tk No Management Management Access to FPQ plantation Gourka Road No Local Access Local Access Access to inlying freehold and the popular walking track to Bartle Frere. Bartle Frere Tk Yes Presentation Presentation Access to Bartle Frere Walking Track. (restricted) Road closed during wet conditions. Track beyond walkers register is overgrown. Josephine Falls Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to popular Josephine Falls

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Woopen Creek Intake Tk No Management Management Access to water infrastructure. Biggs Rd Yes Not shown Local Access Local access, plus access to Golden Hole Cable Car Tk No Management Management Locked gate. Management access to Telecom cablecar. Junction Ck Water Intake Tk No Management Management Access to water pipeline infrastructure

Russell River Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to popular boatramp. Babinda water access No Management Management Access to water pipeline infrastructure Brampston Beach Tk No Presentation Presentation Access to camping area Powerline access Rd Bramston No Management Management Access to powerline infrastructure.

Met. Station Tk No Management Not Shown No identified vehicle access requirement Cons mgt Rd Sth Graham Rge No Management Not Shown No identified vehicle access requirement

BRAMSTON BEACH ROAD No Local Access Local Access Community access Cooper Point Point Cooper

Graham Range Tower Tk No Management Management Locked gate. Management access to Telecom tower. Mt Peter Tk Yes Management Not Shown Motor vehicle access requirement not identified Mt Peter Intake Tk No Management Management Access to water infrastructure. Worth Ck Tk No Management Management Access to water infrastructure. Ella Bay Rd No Local Access Local Access Access to Ella Bay National Park, shire camping area and inlying freehold block. Coquette Point Rd No (part) Local Access Local Access Esplanade, and access to Johnstone River Coquette Point Rd Yes (part) Not shown Local Access Community access road

Innisfail Etty Bay Rd No Local Access Local Access Access to Etty Bay settlement. Waraka Ck Rd No Local Access Local Access Community access; and, access to k popular swimming hole Cree Mena

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? PALMERSTON HWY No Highway Highway Major highway (INNISFAIL-RAVENSHOE)

Utchee Ck Tk No Local Access Local Access Community access McNamee Creek Road No Management Management QPW management; Misty Mountains camping site access Mt Fisher Track Yes Management Not Shown Previously access for research. No current identified vehicle access requirement. Old Palmerston Hwy No Presentation Presentation Scenic loop roads Maalan Rd Yes (part) Not shown Local Access Community Access Maalan Rd Yes (part) Presentation Presentation Access between Maalan to the (restricted) Palmerston Highway. K tree Rd Yes Presentation Presentation Access to Misty Mountain trailhead and (restricted) QPW South Johnstone River camping ground Jordon River Goldfields Tk Yes Management Not Shown Powerlink to decommission infrastructure and rehabilitate Maple Creek Rd Yes Presentation Presentation Johnstone Loop road (restricted) Bora Ground Tk No Management Management QPW management access Sutties Gap Rd Yes Presentation Presentation Johnstone Loop road (restricted)

Millaa Millaa Special Special Millaa Millaa Sth Johnstone Powerline Tk Yes Management Not Shown Powerlink to decommission infrastructure and rehabilitate H Rd Yes Management Not Shown Powerlink to decommission infrastructure and rehabilitate Arthur Baillie Rd Yes Not shown Local Access Community access Powerline Tk No Management Management Powerline Infrastructure access Tully Falls Rd No Local Access Local Access Visitor access to Tully Gorge National Park and management access to Koombooloomba Dam Tully Falls, Chalumbin power sub station. Some through traffic to Kirrama.

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Ebony Rd Yes Management Not Shown Misty Mountains walking track. NRW access to Guaging Station off this road via WTMA maintenance permit. Cochable Creek Rd Yes (part) Presentation Presentation Access to Cochable Creek carpark and restricted camping site. Cochable Creek Rd Yes (part) Presentation Presentation Access to Cochable Creek carpark and restricted camping site. Cochable Creek Rd Yes (part) Management Not Shown Above causeway; part of Misty Mountains walking track network. Tully Gorge Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to popular Tully Gorge National Park and gorge viewing area. Tully Intake Rd No Presentation Presentation Stanwell management access to Kareeya Power Station offtake and infrastructure. Open to the public. Oakes Knob Tk No Management Management Stanwell management access to tower and tip. Kara Outstation Rd Yes Management Not Shown No identified road use requirement. Alternative access to powerline infrastructure exists. Chulumbin Access Rd Yes Not shown Management Management access to Chulumbin power station and powerline

Tully Falls Special Tully Falls infrastructure Red Rd Yes (part) Local Access Not Shown Not trafficable, bridge out, overgrown (substituted Nitchiga Ck Rd as alternative access) Red No (part) Presentation Presentation Through access to grazing lease areas. Small amount of recreation use. Access through to Kirrama Range Rd. Nitchiga Ck Tk Yes Management Presentation QPW management and quarry access; through access to grazing lease areas and Red Rd; some recreation use. Wall Ck Tk No Management Management QPW management use and through access to grazing lease areas and Red Rd

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Quarry Tk Yes Management Not Shown Old quarry used in construction of Koombooloomba Dam; walk-in access Koombooloomba Dam Rd No Local Access Local Access Access to Koombooloomba Dam for management and recreational use. Koombooloomba Tk No (part) Presentation Presentation Stanwell management access Koombooloomba Tk Yes (part) Not shown Management Stanwell management access Boatramp Tk No Presentation Presentation Access to boatramp and picnic area. Culpa Rd Yes (part) Presentation Presentation Connection from Koombooloomba to restricted Kirrama Range Rd presently not trafficable. QPW to manage access as required Culpa Rd No (part) Presentation Presentation Connection from Koombooloomba to Kirrama Range Rd presently not trafficable. QPW to manage access as required Nyletta Tk No Management Management Access to water supply intake Bulgan Ck Tk No Management Management Not identified Road to Boulder Ck No Management Management Access through locked gate to Tully water supply Road to Boulder Ck No Local Access Local Access Community access Tully Bulgun Rd No Local Access Local Access Community access Tully - Cardstone Rd No Local Access Local Access Community access Silky Oak Creek Rd No Local Access Local Access Community access Bingal Bay Rd No Presentation Presentation Community access EL ARISH - MISSION BEACH No Presentation Presentation Community access ROAD Licuala Tk No Presentation Presentation Access to Licuala Walking Track. TULLY-MISSION BEACH ROAD No Local Access Local Access Community access Clump Point Clump Point

Smoko Creek Rd No Management Management QPW and stock management access Kirrama Kirrama

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Murray Falls Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to Murray Falls picnic and camping area. Kirrama Range Rd No Presentation Presentation Forms part of tourist loop drive from Kennedy to Blencoe Falls and Mount Garnet; also is part of regional roads network Kennedy Falls Tk Yes Presentation Not Shown Access to Kennedy Falls restricted Carron Ck Tk Yes (part) Presentation Not Shown Rough track proposed to be closed due restricted to unsafe access to Kennedy Falls; access to scout hut at top of Sullivans Tk. Carron Ck Tk Yes (part) Management Not Shown Rough track proposed to be closed due Bilyana to unsafe access to Kennedy Falls; access to scout hut at top of Sullivans Tk. Baird Ck Tk No Management Management Seasonal access for management to control pigs and fire. Permit access to old boatramp. Permits rarely sought. Rockingham Bay Rd No Presentation Presentation Tourist and recreational access to beach picnic area and boardwalk in Edmund Kennedy National Park. Edmund Kennedy Mgt Rd No Management Management Gated. QPW management access. Dalrymple Gap Tk No Presentation Presentation Access to beginning of Dalrymple Gap Walking Track. Blady Grass Ck Tk No Management Management Locked gate. Fire access for management vehicles.

Cardwell Firebreak Tk No Management Management Fire management access Fishers Creek Boatramp No Presentation Presentation Community access to boatramp Girrigun NP Access Tk Yes Not shown Management QPWS Fire management access (water point) Yamanie Tk No Management Management QPW management track Mount Graham Graham Herkes Creek Falls Tk Yes Management Not Shown QPW advise walking access only ekin Burd Back Back

River River Herkes Creek Tk Yes Not shown Management QPW fire management track

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Eastern Fence Rd Yes Not shown Management QPW fire management track Christmas Camp Tk Yes Management Not Shown Landholder access Dalrymple Tk No Management Management Affected by locked Wallaman-Princess Hills Rd. Used by grazing leasees Wallaman-Princess Hills Road No Management Management Locked gate: Access for management and leaseholder only. Access to CSIRO plot. Oak Hills Rd No Management Management Access to freehold and pastoral holdings west of the WHA Garrawalt Rd No Management Management Wallaman Falls Day Use Area No Presentation Presentation Access to popular Wallaman Falls picnic and camping area

Wallaman Falls Special Special Falls Wallaman Wallaman Falls Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to popular Wallaman Falls picnic and camping area and rural areas to the west of the WHA. Mt Fox Rd Yes Not shown Local Access Community access

Western Raspberry break Yes Not shown Management QPW fire management road Falls Wallaman Wallaman Attachment

Jacobsons Tk No Management Management QPW management road Benhams Tk No Management Management QPW and Townsville Water management access Jourama Falls Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to Jourama Falls picnic and camping area. Paluma Dam Rd No Presentation Presentation Community access to Paluma Dam

Paluma (Camp ground & Boat No Presentation Presentation Access to camping ground and boat ramp) ramp Mt Spec Special

Spiegelhauer Rd No Presentation Presentation Access to Big Crystal Ck picnic and camping area.

Map Sheet Road Name Classification Previous Proposed Comment changed? Intake Rd \ NQ pipeline intake No Management Management Access to water supply intake through road locked gate. Mt Spec Rd No Local Access Local Access Community access Ewan Paluma Rd No Local Access Local Access Community access Paluma

Bluewater Range Rd Yes (part) Presentation Presentation QFS close seasonally by gate outside restricted WHA. Recreational 4WD use and use by Defence Forces to access Defence lease area. Bluewater Range Rd Yes (part) Presentation Not Shown QPW have advised that they would like restricted to see section of road above visitor site closed Rollingstone Special