While Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) continue to assess public safety, repair costings, and possible new ownership options for the Jimna Fire Tower, signs are promising for a big turn out of campers at Jimna’s popular Peach Trees Camping Area over the Easter long weekend. The number of visitors checking out possible camp sites over recent weeks has been very strong, along with members of the public wishing to support the campaign to preserve the Jimna Fire Tower which all adds up to an expected bumper weekend. Preparation for the first of three BIG WALKS FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER, which will take place on Easter Sunday, is well under way. Track markers will guide walkers around a choice of dozens of walking tracks, all varying in length and levels of difficulty, and souvenir maps will also be available at the Jimna Visitor Information Centre.

Without in any way attempting to gain sympathy or notoriety from my nasty experience of suffering a heart attack on Saturday 10th March 07, I wish to use this extremely dangerous and traumatising event to highlight the need for all of us to become aware of the risk factors, act immediately to have your ticker tested, and adjust your lifestyle habits accordingly. My sincerest thanks to Geoff Pattie for getting me into Jimna after belting his vehicle through thick lantana and logs, to the Mogg family of Wacol who swiftly drove me to Kilcoy, to Dr Mark Weller, RN Rose, and the wonderful staff of Kilcoy Hospital, to the fantastic doctors and staff of Prince Charles Hospital and last but by no means least, to my dear wife Barbara, family,and friends for the many messages of concern and support.

The positive message from this twist of fate, is that it happened while preparing existing walking tracks, which have become neglected, to not only complement the campaign to preserve the Jimna Fire Tower, but to also promote the natural attractions of the Jimna area. The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) unerringly believes, that the rim of mountains surrounding the major growth areas of South East Queensland, stretching in an arc from the New South Wales Border, taking in the Toowoomba Range, the Bunya Mountains, and the Jimna and Conondale Ranges, will be increasingly called upon to provide forest recreation for the burgeoning population of this region.

All of these areas have their nature orientated individual attractions and features such as Rain Forest Walks, Deep Gorges, Waterfalls, Fresh Mountain Streams, and the abundant wildlife that thrives in their unique environments, but none have the tallest Fire Tower in the Southern Hemisphere - the Heritage Listed Jimna Fire Tower, with views to Moreton Bay. Ever-growing public support and corporate interest has revealed the possibility of  combining disused Government buildings in Jimna, with other infrastructure that is suffering from lack of maintenance, into a total package for redevelopment into a Tourist Destination, with the Jimna Fire Tower as the centre piece attraction.This proposition appears to have much merit, and is now firmly entrenched in JFTAG’s strategic plan as an option worth further consideration.

Although slightly under prepared, JFTAG’s first public awareness day Sunday 18/03/07 saw a steady stream of visitors coming and going throughout a picture perfect autumn day. Many thanks to ex Jimna-ites John  Webber from Nanango, Grace Hopkinson who travelled from Maidenwell, along with Bill & Sylvia Justo from Burpengary who entertained with fantastic reminiscing and stories of early life at Jimna.

THE BIG DAY OUT FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER, will be the first of monthly fun filled family events, organised by the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG), to promote public awareness and support for the preservation of this heritage listed tourist icon. Although the days main activity will focus on the use of walking tracks emanating from Jimna Township, you may prefer to: camp at Peach Trees Camping area, tour the area, picnic at Peach Trees day use area, maybe go bird watching, have a swim, or just relax under a gum tree and soak up the fresh mountain air - there’s plenty of it, and it’s free!!. There is a smorgasbord of forestry roads and snigging tracks in the surrounding hills, which provide a paradise for 4WD and MOUNTAIN BIKE enthusiasts (please check Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service conditions). For those inclined, there will be five (5) designated walks to chose from, all rotating anticlockwise from the Bellbird Park bus shelter which is located right in the centre of Jimna Township, between the Jimna Public Hall and the Jimna  visitor information centre.

WALK DESCRIPTION AND GRADING  

LEVEL (1) – for the not so fit, is a leisurely 500m amble down to Persimmon Tree Park on the banks of Yabba Creek and back.

LEVEL (2) - an easy 2k stroll via Yabba Creek, taking in the historic features of Jimna’s timber milling days.

LEVEL (3) – a moderate 4k walk, via the Jimna Fire Tower, featuring the panoramic view from the tower site. For the more serious

LEVEL (4) is a 6k circuit which passes through a diversity of native scrub and hoop pine plantation, and includes the Jimna Fire Tower site.

LEVEL (5)  consists of a 10k loop which requires a high standard of physical fitness, but rewards participants with the best variety of terrain, forest types, flora and fauna, while also including the Peach Trees Camping Area and Jimna Fire Tower site

While the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) awaits concurrence from Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), regarding the “memorandum of understanding” from the 19/01/07 FPQ/JFTAG meeting, JFTAG is focusing on planing a program of fund raising and public awareness events. It is important to note that these events are not flag waving rallies, they are not protest or demonstration forums, but are intended to be peaceful, fun, family occasions, that may inspire Mums and Dads to plan an adventure into the beautiful Conondale National Park/Jimna State Forest Area.

JFTAG has officially endorsed the following calendar of events for readers to chose, and don’t forget slip slop slap and good footwear if participating in any of the walks. While social clubs and bus groups are most welcome, JFTAG would be grateful to receive prior email notice regarding numbers wishing to facilitate the sausage sizzles for catering purposes.

BIG DAY OUT FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER – when – Sunday 18/03/07. This is an open day for participants to plan their own individual itinerary, (see link to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Web site for area map). But be warned!!, it’s a big area and there is lots to see and explore. Be sure to give plenty of thought to your route, and allow plenty of time for unplaned stops at beauty spots. NO FUEL past Kilcoy, Kenilworth,Imbil, Nanango or Murgon. PUBLIC TOILETS at Peach Trees Camping Grounds and beside Jimna Public Hall. SAUSAGE SIZZLE from 10am till 2pm at the Jimna Tourist Information Centre, 4 Currawong St., Jimna, right opposite Bellbird Park, Jimna, where off road PARKING is recommended and available.

BIG WALKS FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER – where – from Peach Trees Park to Jimna Fire Tower approx 3klms. When – Easter Sunday 8/04/07 — Labour Day Sunday 6/05/07 — Queens Birthday Sunday 10/06/07. Please note that as Peach Trees Park will be heavily booked on these dates, a parking area will be designated outside the camping area for day trippers, as well as a walkers muster area –more details later.