At a meeting held on Tuesday 2/12/08 between Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ)  and the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG),  it was confirmed that FPQ will proceed immediately with design planning necessary to install stabilizing guy wires to the Jimna Fire Tower, also to erect security fencing around the tower site, and has agreed to maintain the tower grounds to the same standard as the FPQ  Jimna administration area. An understanding was also  reached that FPQ would e happy to consult with a nominated JFTAG engineer during the  specification development  process  as soon as relevant FPQ  reports are at hand, to ensure that the outcome of the  completed work creates a tower site workplace, compliant with “workplace health and safety regulations.” To this end JFTAG has been invited to submit draft sketches for inclusion in the planning process.

The issue of remedial and preventative treatment to the existing wood components, in conjunction with an ongoing weatherproofing  maintenance schedule, will be resolved in consultation with JFTAG, and further discussed  upon clarification of the requirements of the new maintenance  provisions of the  Queensland Heritage Act.

To finalise a very productive meeting conducted in a congenial  “spirit of co-operation”, FPQ has undertaken to liase with both JFTAG and  Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service  (QPWS)  in regard to the erection of public  access signage to the recently opened Donkey Falls Road, which links Peach Trees Camping Area to the Jimna Fire Tower. FPQ has agreed to discuss with QPWS the status of walking tracks which  provide connections from the “Maleny Great Walk to Jimna Fire Tower” and from “Jimna Township to Peach Trees Camping Area” via Yabba Creek.

PEOPLE POWER HAS SAVED THE TOWER FROM DEMOLITION:- What a great result to end year 2008!!! Heartfelt thanks to our growing legion of supporters and especially  to those who have donated much needed funds, JFTAG also recognises the pivotal  role played by the Queensland Heritage Council. However to achieve our  original strategic goal “To redevelop the Jimna Fire Tower into a self funded tourist attraction/destination” there is now a need to lobby our candidates for the forthcoming Queensland State Election regarding their policies  concerning the “future commercial and public use of State Forests and National Parks”. These policies  will be  crucial to the future management of nature based recreation/tourism,  which in turn  will  determine the “long term future of the Jimna Fire Tower”

HOPE TO SEE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE VISIT JIMNA FIRE TOWER OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON…
MERRY  XMAS  AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

FRIENDS OF JIMNA FIRE TOWER MEMBERSHIP FUNDING APPEAL:-  Please access application enquiries and forms by utilising any of the contact options below. Membership Fees are :-……. $10 Single …….. $15 Double ……… $20 Business …….and/or……… $………..Donation.