After laying rumours of suggested white ant infestation to rest in last weeks Jimna Fire Tower News Update the following important question needs to be addressed. Q - If people support the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG), to help save the tower, are they joining a protest group?. A - JFTAG is definitely not a protest group or anything like it. We simply are a publicly appointed committee with a clear objective - “to ensure that all possible alternatives to demolition of the Jimna Fire Tower are evaluated”. JFTAG is currently successfully establishing a group of professional advisors, who have generously volunteered to assist during future consultation with relevant government departments who are currently responsible for the tower and site. JFTAG is committed to dealing with both Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) in a controlled and professional manner, focussing on delivering a beneficial outcome for all. 

It is our understanding that the reason these government departments wanted to get rid of the Jimna Fire Tower was purely economic. Spending money on maintenance with nil return, understandably, does not fit within their operational charter, because the core business of both FPQ and QPWS does not include redeveloping defunct facilities into tourist attractions. Once these facts are understood the role of JFTAG, in trying to find a feasible alternative to demolition of this Heritage Listed Tourist Icon, becomes clearly defined. 

JFTAG, with strong public support, has an obligation to convince all levels of government and stakeholders that a redeveloped Jimna Fire Tower  has the potential to be of economic benefit to everybody. To date there have been dozens of good reasons to suggest that the previous statement is widely recognised, while in comparison, not one good reason to refute this ideology has been recorded. JFTAG reiterates its intention to move this matter forward with all stakeholders in a spirit of cooperation and rational dialogue.  Next JFTAG meeting will be held Friday November 10th, 10am, at “Jack’s Place”, Mary St., Kilcoy – all welcome. Dave Wright, Secretary.

 

 

 

 

Talks over recent weeks concerning the restoration of the Caloundra Lighthouse, and its future management as a tourist destination, has revealed striking similarities with the proposed redevelopment of the Jimna Fire Tower. Both structures were government owned; each facility became an unwanted maintenance liability as their original use was superseded by modern technology, resulting in both structures being condemned to the scrap heap. A combination of heritage and historical significance, public awareness, community support and eventual government assistance has been the ingredients of success for the dedicated Caloundra Lighthouse committee.

The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group, (JFTAG), were honoured by the attendance of Roger Todd and Vic Godley at our Friday meeting at Kilcoy (13/10/06 ), where many topics experienced by the lighthouse project were discussed. Roger, who is an architect, and Vic, who is a civil engineer, both displayed a sincere passion for Australian Heritage and History and have generously offered to share their extensive knowledge with JFTAG, a gesture for which we shall be eternally grateful. A varied range of issues confronting the future of the Jimna Fire Tower were tabled including structural assessment, architectural design, workplace health & safety, structural certification, financial feasibility, tenure control, infrastructure transfer, risk assessment, legal liability, as well as project management.

Before our guests proceeded to Jimna for an onsite inspection, JFTAG was delighted to acknowledge Roger and Vic’s agreement to act as advisors during forthcoming consultation with the Queensland Heritage Council regarding the proposed engineering review of the Jimna Fire Tower. Observations on site confirmed JFTAG’S long held belief that alternatives to demolition of this Heritage Listed Tourist Icon are well worth assessing, and judging by the exhilarating expressions of interest from our visitors, who were left in awe of the towers’ sheer magnificence, it is certain that the Jimna Fire Tower has inspired further professional support.

As the Jimna Fire Tower story reaches a wider audience through our recently established WEB SITE, it is extremely encouraging for the volunteer committee of the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) to now be receiving daily requests from supporters to be added to our email list, as well as some much welcome suggestions. JFTAG absolutely guarantees that email addresses are kept strictly private and are only used for the purpose of sending regular news updates concerning developments in our quest to put into place a feasible alternative to demolition of this popular tourist destination.