October 31, 2016
The Jimna Forest Action Group (JFAGI) – who are agitating for the restoration of the Jimna Fire Tower and its eventual re-opening to the public – claim there are “serious anomalies” in the current assessment process for the tower.
JFAGI has written to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to “seek clarification regarding the proposed public consultation process”.
“JFAGI wishes to advise that your recent correspondence, resulting action that has since taken place, and recent telephone advice, has exposed a number of serious anomalies regarding the process DAF is taking with regard to the future of the Jimna Fire Tower,” the letter read.
“These anomalies have cast significant doubt as to whether all stakeholders will be afforded a fair opportunity to contribute to your proposed public consultation process.
“We believe that Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Leanne Donaldson MP, Member for Nanango and Opposition Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington MP, any public servant or policy maker, and any member of the public who have been invited to access the Jimna Fire Tower Structural Report prepared by Wood Research and Development may have been misled into believing that the only options for the future of the tower were those contained in the report.”
JFAGI requested DAF clarify:
1 A stage-by-stage brief of the intended “public consultation process” moving forward.
2. Whether or not, DAF intends to include the evaluation of JFAGI’s original proposal to have the Jimna Fire Tower redeveloped into a self-funded tourism destination, in the DAF public consultation process.
3. How does DAF intend to test the level of public support for any option that emerges from the public consultation process?
4. How does DAF intend to involve third parties as possible investors in the Jimna Fire Tower when DAF is not prepared to present a feasible investment plan that would attract local and federal government, commercial, private or public interest?
5. Given that the WRD report has clearly recommended that the tower requires “prompt attention to address the risk of an uncontrolled collapse”, what action has DAF considered to address this risk, so that reasonable time is allowed to thoroughly consider all options?
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