Key Messages
· Kur-World is a major threat to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It will sever the Kuranda Envirolink Corridor, fragmenting and inevitably reducing existing populations of endangered species.
· Climate Change will inevitably reduce the biodiversity of our planet. When inappropriate developments like Kur-World are planned for an ecologically sensitive area, we have to carefully consider our responsibility to protect our region into the future.
WRONG PLACE
The Myola Valley is a highly sensitive and unique ecological area, rich with bio-diversity and home to a number of endemic and endangered species. It lies in the narrowest section (< 1.5 kms) of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The impact of a development the size and scope of Kur-world will have devastating environmental effects on this sensitive area.
Kuranda Envirolink Corridor
The Envirolink Corridor is a 10-kilometre arc of remnant rainforest, linking World Heritage-listed rainforests to the north and south of Kuranda. As such, it allows connectivity between the northern and southern populations of a number of threatened species, including the endangered Southern Cassowary. This link is critical for growing and maintaining healthy numbers of these species. This essential corridor has already been seriously impacted by the Kur-World proponent through illegal clearing.
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Threats
Loss of endangered and endemic species
The placement of the proposed Kur-World development will significantly increase species fragmentation. Fragmentation of a population can severely reduce numbers as animals are not only separated from the resources they depend on, but will have to travel across busy roads and contend with unrestrained domestic animals to reach those resources.
Threats to Cassowaries (endangered)
· Physical barriers – buildings, fences, roads – will block access to usable habitat.
· Additional internal and external roads will increase the incidents of death by vehicle strike (a current major cause of death).
· Unrestrained domestic pets will lead to dangerous distress and dog attacks. Even small dogs can kill a cassowary chick.
· Food shortages, habitat loss and roaming domestic dogs stress cassowaries, making them more susceptible to disease.
· Light and noise pollution (helicopters, vehicles, construction) will discourage use of natural habitat.
· Cleared forest will increase vegetation loss and erosion, especially during severe weather events.
· Introduced weeds and pests, such as the Yellow Crazy Ant, could have devastating effects. These could be brought in on workboots, clothing and vehicles.
Threats to Kuranda Tree Frog (critically endangered, endemic - fewer than 750 left)
· Pristine water quality is essential for the survival of this species. As 40% of the population live in the creeks fed by water from the proposed Kur-world site, contamination is inevitable from construction, treated effluent, chemicals and increased human activity.
· Damage to waterways and consequently Kuranda tree frog habitat on the Barnwell Road Estate has already occurred before the proposal has been approved, more is inevitable.
Kur-World Proposal in Myola Valley
We need your help to stop this monstrosity
KUR-World EIS submissions open till 14 Jan ‘19
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