Ranger’s message on access to trail

TRADITIONAL owners of the Daintree National Park have set the record straight on a rumoured closure of a bucket-list hike through worldheritage listed rainforest.

For the past month there has been chatter about the complete closure or partial closure of the gruelling Manjal Jimalji Track at the Devils Thumb peak.

The challenging 14.5km out-and-back trail west of Mossman is a major drawcard for experienced hikers and features a high-altitude fern grove before breathtaking views from the top of a granite monolith 1065m above sea level.

Noting talk of closure following a hand back of 160,108 hectares to traditional owners – the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people – in September last year, principal ranger with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation Conrad Yeatman insists the trail would not close.

“Independent and free travellers are free to walk the national park and Devils Thumb has not been made a restricted access site, but all due diligence must be observed not to disturb the area,” he said.

“We ask that hikers enjoy the site without disturbing it, there is some sensitive cultural stuff. There is few areas that are out-of-bounds but Devils Thumb is not included in the RAA (restricted access area.)”

In an official response a Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman said the track remains open however the department declined to offer information on future access to other areas within the Daintree National Park.

“Public access to the Manjal Jimalji trail currently remains in place,” she said.

Back Country Bliss owner Jason Heffernan suspended guided tours to the mountain.

“I am just getting ahead of the game, I would rather bow out now rather than being told what to do,” he said.

Holding a permit to take groups to the Devils Thumb summit the culturally accredited tour operator said he understood 90 per cent of the track would remain open but the rock summit would be off limits. Going forward, Mr Heffernan said he expected restrictions at the mountain.

Good onya Woolworths for the very overdue initiative of locking deodorants up. Hopefully other stores will follow suit. Anything to discourage chroming is a step in the right direction. Pam, Bayview

OK, Catherine (CP, 9/05) what happens to our super invested on foreign stock markets if NATO manages to trigger the full-scale war they seem to want? It’s safer here, plus it benefits us and not foreigners.

Worker, Cairns

Indigenous people already have a voice to parliament, just like everyone else. It’s called a vote.

Grace, Machans Beach

$11m for yet another range plan? There must be an election due.

Cynic, Cairns

Mayor Manning’s delusion of grandeur football stadium, to be used a few days/year will never have a business case study or ever stack up. Is the Cairns Performing Arts Centre stacking up?

Rex, Edmonton

All these letters to the Ed saying the cops should do this, the cops should be here, there, everywhere. The cops are doing a very good job, when there’s no consequences for these youth crims there’s your problem. Imagine you’re a cop who’s just caught a car thief that’s out before you finish the paperwork. Alan, Aeroglen

We can’t afford to have another three years of Morrison and Joyce who support low wages and ignore climate change. With the probability that we’ll have a hung parliament, let’s hope it’s the Greens, not independent right-wing coal hugging, superannuation dreamers acting as king makers.

Roger, Woree

In 1972 the theme was “it’s time” with Whitlam. In 2007 the theme was “time for change” with Rudd. Neither helped Australia. In 2022 here we go again because a portion don’t know why they dislike Morrison and worse still don’t know why they are voting for Albanese. Tony, Cairns

Labor seriously. If I hear one more time from your leader “we have a plan” without telling us what the plan is and how it will be costed, I will be sick.

Don, Earlville

The religious right, with our PM as a standard bearer, just don’t get it. Leave the LGBTIQA community alone. Your pious protestations of your values and beliefs simply mask hatred and discrimination. The “Religious Freedom Bill” is being used to hide bigotry.

Rick, Redlynch

Keith Hill should change his name to Rusty. Because after the last two years of abuse by governments you’d have to be completely rusted on to vote for either ALP or LNP. It’s time we gave someone else a go.

Craig, Clifton Beach