Council to secure reserve status over historic site

Date: Tuesday, 20th October 2009

An historic area of road reserve with significant heritage and environmental values at the foot of Hervey Range could soon be used for eco-tours and nature based activities.

Townsville City Council is set to take up an option from the State Government to change the Page Road Reserve to a reserve for environmental purposes to better manage the area’s unique natural and cultural assets.

The 464ha reserve is on the old stock route network and is considered one of the most significant environmental areas under Council trusteeship.

It was used as a camping stop for cattle before tackling the climb through Thornton’s Gap on the original main road from Townsville to Charters Towers and includes the oldest known headstone in North Queensland dating back to 1864.

Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee today backed a staff recommendation to take up an option from the Department of Environment and Natural Resource Management (DERM) to convert the area to an environment reserve.

Committee chairman Cr Vern Veitch said the change in use would provide better longer-term management of the site and open up opportunities for tours and other low impact recreational and educational activities.

“Page Road Reserve is of high environmental and cultural importance and we want to make sure it is managed and protected for future generations to enjoy,” Cr Veitch said.

“We believe the best option is establishing the area as a reserve that provides protection but at the same time allows the public controlled access to see and experience the many natural and cultural sites on the land.

“That can be achieved by providing public access to the reserve through properly managed eco-tours as part of an environmental management plan for the area.

“Today’s committee support is the first step but a very important one in terms of the future protection of the Page Road area.”

Page Road Reserve was recently designated as a significant cultural heritage area.

The reserve is home to rare and threatened species and ecosystems, Aboriginal and European cultural sites, areas of unspoiled natural environment and scenic vistas, and the upper catchment of the Black River.

Page Road also contains the site of the former Range Hotel and significant indigenous heritage.

The Environment and Sustainability Committee recommendation to take up the option from DERM to establish the environment reserve will go to full council on October 27.