December 21, 2015
The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group Inc – the group agitating to have the 47m tall wooden fire tower reopened as a tourist attraction – believes the project may be back on track.
“Since meeting with Jimna Fire Tower Action Group Inc (JFAGI) in September, the Queensland Government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has wasted no time in doing a considerable amount of background work for the purpose of determining a path forward for the tower,” JFAGI secretary David Wright said.
“Discussions have taken place with other stakeholders, including the Somerset Regional Council and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, while the DAF team of timber technical experts have evaluated remedial work carried out on the recently reopened to the public Mt Allan fire tower located in the Conondale National Park.
“The work on Mt Allan was undertaken by a Canadian company, world renowned timber experts Timber Restoration Systems (TRS).
“DAF staff have attended a TRS training course, run by TRS senior wood technology/structural engineer Dan Tingley at their Salisbury facility and also hosted a TRS presentation, which focused on TRS expertise in assessing and remediating aging timber structures, including the work on Mt Allan fire tower.
“A notable part of DAF’s background research included discussion regarding the EOI process used by the Department of Tourism for ecotourism opportunities in national parks.
“The above background work, supports the conclusion that the priority is for a structural assessment of the Jimna Fire Tower to be undertaken, to include a profile of all three poles, including new decay and remediation options.
“Any decisions about the future of the fire tower structure can only be done after the assessment report and its recommendations are considered. DAF Forest Industy is working on the terms of reference for the structural assessment, and will be inviting TRS and other interested parties to submit a quote.
“JFAGI, on behalf of its members and supporters, are extremely delighted with the progress achieved since DAF took responsibility for the Jimna Fire Tower some months ago, and wish to thank area manager Jim Burgess and staff for their regular progress reports.
“We now can only hope that events during 2016 will see this heritage-listed Aussie icon take a permanent and significant place in the development of tourism throughout south-east Queensland, and to be a symbol of recognition for our forestry pioneers for perpetuity.”
Related articles:
