After receiving the offer from current owners Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), to repair the Jimna Fire Tower to a structurally sound condition, and to transfer ownership, the future of the tower now rests firmly in the hands of Kilcoy Shire Council. The FPQ letter of offer, sent to Kilcoy Shire Council on the 19/04/07, was subsequently followed up by a letter from the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) on16/05/07, requesting a meeting with Council, for the purpose of establishing a representative working committee. JFTAG has offered to work with Kilcoy Shire Council, to formulate a united and cohesive strategic plan, which would reflect the aspirations of all stakeholders including the council, and to also ensure that the Jimna Fire Tower’s future tourism potential for Kilcoy Shire and South East Queensland is not put at risk because of a fragmented presentation to FPQ.

 

CONGRATULATORY EMAILS FROM SUPPORTERS. News that the threat of demolition of the tower has been removed at least for the foreseeable future, has resulted in many emails of joy and elation. Due to the difficulty in replying individually, JFTAG wishes to, via this news update, sincerely thank everybody who has, or intends to send correspondence of gratitude for the tower’s progress, but as we have previously warned, as one hurdle is cleared, it seems another pops up to present another challenge. Rest assured, JFTAG is a small but extremely resolute group, dependent on the support of you, the public, so we urge you to continue spreading the Jimna Fire Tower news updates; plan a trip to Jimna, and remember that at the end of the day, it is people power who will save the tower.

 

FUND RAISING SAUSAGE SIZZLE. Final chance to venture into the great outdoors for a long weekend this coming Queens Birthday holiday, before the onset of winter. Peach Trees Camping Area, although very popular, may have a few camp sites still available.

Everybody involved with the campaign to preserve the Jimna Fire Tower over the past twelve months will be delighted to receive the news that current owners Forestry Plantations Queensland, (FPQ), have offered to carry out repair work for the purpose of restoring the tower to a structurally sound condition. This welcome and much appreciated development is of course fantastic news for the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group, (JFTAG), and the tower’s legion of supporters, who wish, through this news release, to sincerely thank FPQ, their advisors, the Honourable Tim Mulherin minister for the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, and all the Queensland Government departments and agencies who have been instrumental in this decision. While the threat of demolition appears to be abandoned at least until all other options are evaluated, JFTAG can now focus on formulating a revised strategic plan, which will initially incorporate establishing a more representative committee, for the purpose of working in consultation with FPQ, in relation to both the short and the long term management of the Jimna Fire Tower and it’s Heritage listed site. 

Confirmation has been received that the Model T Owners of Queensland will be touring Kilcoy Shire  this coming weekend 26th and 27th May 07. Club officials have advised, that the tour will incorporate a rally in support of the preservation of the Jimna Fire Tower, which once again demonstrates the present popularity, and the future potential of the Tower as a tourist destination .Public viewing of these beautifully restored vehicles is invited at the designated stopping venues, with all arrival and departure times in relation to the following itinerary approximate only. Saturday 26th May, arrival 9-30am at the Kilcoy State School oval for morning tea, staying until approximately 10-30am,then proceeding to Jimna, arrival 12noon at Bellbird Park for lunch at the Jimna Tourist Information Centre, staying till 1pm, then moving on via Leis Lookout to the Jimna Fire Tower for a photo shoot, depart around 1-30pm for an overnight stay at Kilcoy Exchange Hotel. Aston Park in William St Kilcoy is the venue for Sunday morning muster from 8am till 8-30am,after which the vehicles will proceed via Kennedy St and Mt Kilcoy Road for breakfast at Hunting Lodge Estate, from where the tour will return home via Mary Smokes Creek and Neurum Roads. The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) extends a big welcome to the Model T Owners, thank you for choosing Kilcoy Shire for this excursion, and in particular for supporting the Jimna Fire Tower.

GREAT WALKS OF QUEENSLAND. Tourist brochures featuring the great walks of Queensland, are now available at local tourist information centres, courtesy of Tourism Queensland.The booklets contain graphic illustrations of the most popular walks from the New South Wales border to Cape York, including Island and Waterfall Walks, as well as walks to the top five Queensland peaks. As previously stated, JFTAG will be presenting a strong case to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, for the Maleny to Jimna GREAT WALK (which is currently in the planning stage), to include the Jimna Fire Tower as a major highlight. Being so readily accessible to the rapidly growing centres of South East Queensland, this tourism development is destined to become a vital ingredient in the future sustainability of Kilcoy Shire.

PROMOTIONAL AND PUBLIC AWARENESS EVENTS. Local wine raffle tickets now available at Jack’s Kilcoy Eatery, Please phone 54 973 174 if you can help by selling a book of twenty tickets. Next BIG WALK for Jimna Fire Tower, Queens Birthday Weekend Sunday 10th June 07,BIG CAMP OUT for Jimna Fire Tower, weekend of 28th to 30th of September 07.

Recent announcements by the Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and the Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin, that State Forests will soon be open to all recreational use as permit requirements relax, verifies verbal advice received by the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) some weeks ago, that previously locked roads and closed beauty spots are under review, and that public use should be managed not restricted. Under the new policy, specific- area uses would include four-wheel driving, riding, bushwalking and cycling, with signs to be erected in coming weeks advising of the revised arrangements. It was also announced that people conducting commercial or group events in the 3.4 million hectares of state and plantation forest, would still need permission.

The completion of a new suspension bridge across Yabba Creek, the repairs to a walking track viewing platform, and the upgrading of maintenance work at the Peach Trees Camping Grounds, along with a proposal by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to extend existing walking tracks some four kilometres into Jimna, are all positive signs that the State Government is genuine in it’s long overdue and invigorating commitment to the development of tourism in the Jimna area.

GOOD NEWS FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER IMMINENT. If persistent rumours hold any semblance of credence, then the Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) structural assessment and future ownership recommendations for the Jimna Fire Tower should be made public shortly. Given the tremendous support demonstrated by all tourism stakeholders and the general community, it has become totally inconceivable that future tourism plans for South East Queensland would not include the hugely popular Jimna Fire Tower, and that all levels of government have a duty of care to preserve this heritage listed, historically significant, icon.

Future public awareness promotions include the next BIG WALK FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER Queens Birthday Weekend Sunday 10th June 07,and the BIG CAMP OUT FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER weekend of the 28th 29th and 30th Sept 07.

Labour day weekend proved to be a fantastic time for  tourism in Kilcoy Shire and the Jimna Fire Tower, with Peach Trees Camping Grounds booked to capacity, and a seemingly endless stream of day visitors to the area. The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group public awareness promotion and sausage sizzle held on Sunday 6/05/07 was a great success, with much interest and many enquiries for the Jimna Walking Tracks, which are being developed under the guidance of Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QP&WS). A viewing outlook which commands, from ground level, a magnificent panorama west to the Toowoomba Ranges and south to the Glasshouse Mountains as well as the Jimna Fire Tower, is fast becoming an extremely popular vantage point, situated on the site of the FPQ operated camera fire tower.  JFTAG has respectfully and pending official endorsement, named this scenic spot “LEIS LOOKOUT” in honour of the legendary Arthur Leis and his son Gary, builders of the Jimna Fire Tower.

It is patently obvious that the campaign to redevelop the Jimna Fire Tower into a Tourist Destination is generating tremendous public interest judging by the high number of people who are coming to Jimna just to see, and support the Tower. This phenomenon of course, not only gives great encouragement to the JFTAG committee, but also strengthens the argument that the Jimna Fire Tower is capable of becoming a must visit, self funding tourist attraction.

THE MOUNT BUGGERY FACTOR. Jimna is not only famous for having the tallest man made wooden fire tower in the southern hemisphere, it is also, we believe the only place in Australia where you can literally “GO TO BUGGERY”, by travelling north to or from Jimna via Mt Buggery and Imbil. A great trip highlighting Australiana all over, but strictly not recommended for caravans or motorhomes.

Please do not forget our fund raising local wine raffle now underway, JFTAG needs to keep financially viable so as to maintain, and promote it’s objectives, a small book of twenty tickets at one dollar each can be obtained for sale amongst friends, or at work by phoning 54 973 174 or email davbar41@bigpond.com .

Following last weeks discussions with officers from both Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) and Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS) regarding the development of walking tracks on land under their control, it has become refreshingly evident that the past policy of locking up State Forests and National Parks, and discouraging public access, particularly in the Jimna area, is undergoing review. Focus was concentrated on the walking tracks recently initiated by the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG), where it was noted that temporary track markers be attached to plantation pine trees by tape or similar means, and that the track routes would need to be approved by the relevant department so as to gain official designation and subsequent sign posting as a tourist facility. This development, while not in any way reflecting the future of the proposal to establish the Jimna Fire Tower as a tourist attraction, does however give (JFTAG) added confidence that the massive public support and popularity of the tower may have influenced our decision and policy makers.

BIG WALK FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER. The campaign to increase public awareness continues unabated this Sunday coming, with the ongoing promotion of Jimna’s walking tracks. For those wishing to camp over night, bookings can be made by accessing the QPWS link on the JFTAG website www.jimna.bravehost.com , while day trippers are welcome to use the day use picnic facilities provided at the Peach Trees Camping Grounds. Whatever the choice, visitors are guaranteed of a great day in the fresh air and beauty of the bush. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Jimna walking track or passive family off road maps at the Jimna Tourist Information Centre, and while there enjoy a fund raising SAUSAGE SIZZLE from 10am till 2pm.

KILCOY DISTRICT WINERIES RAFFLE. Tickets are now on sale at “Kilcoy Eatery” and the Jimna Tourist Information Centre, to be in the draw for FOUR gift packs of superb local wines generously sponsored by Hunting Lodge Estate, Nirvana Estate, Winya Wines and Woongooroo Estate, award winning wineries located in the Somerset Valley Wine Region.

With Queensland’s fire towers being replaced by modern technology such as camera and satellite surveillance, it is only a matter of time before all fire towers are demolished and an era in the development of our multi billion dollar forestry industry is lost forever. We can only hope that the engineers at Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) who are currently assessing public safety factors and future ownership options for the Historically significant Jimna Fire Tower, have inherited similar values fostered by Forestry pioneers such as the highly respected Arthur Leis.

Just as the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) believes that the Jimna Fire Tower’s iconic status within Kilcoy Shire, thoroughly deserves the attention and support it is generating, so to does next weekends Kilcoy Show. Show day offers a wonderful opportunity for both the established and emerging businesses, rural producers, tourist operators, craft and artistic persons, along with the rich and diverse community based groups to showcase their wares and skills, and to let the world know how proud we are to represent Kilcoy Shire.

Kilcoy Show also presents a forum for old acquaintances to be renewed, and for the new people who have chosen to make Kilcoy Shire their home, a convenient occasion to meet and mix, and to become involved in the ever increasing prosperity and the exciting future of Kilcoy Shire. JFTAG is certainly proud to be participating in conjunction with Kilcoy and Jimna Historical Societies, hopefully Arthur Leis and his son Garry who built the Jimna Fire Tower, will be in attendance along with a few former timber and forestry personnel who no doubt will have a story or two to tell. With such a magnificent program of events and activities put together by the hard working show committee, there is certain to be something for everyone at the 2007 Kilcoy Show, a massive public turn out would be a fitting reward. 

JIMNA FIRE TOWER RAFFLE  JFTAG sincerely thanks Kilcoy district wineries, Hunting Lodge Estate, Nirvana Estate, Winya Wines and Woongooroo Estate for their generous sponsorship of the current fire tower fund raising raffle, which will be launched at the show. Each winery will provide a gift pack of wine for the lucky winners,and tickets will be on sale in Kilcoy when sellers are available, or at Jacks Place Kilcoy Eatery.

New hope for the redevelopment of the Jimna Fire Tower into a tourist destination has been generated by the news that Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) has in fact established FOREST RECREATION as part of it’s charter. This initiative has strengthened a somewhat wavering sense, of the spirit of co-operation that JFTAG has been endeavouring to consolidate between the two parties from day one. FPQ can be assured through this news update that JFTAG will continue to work with FPQ and all relevant government departments, for the purpose of achieving the best possible outcome.

Where as media notification was recently given concerning the cancellation of the requirement to obtain permits to traverse in state forests, further advice has been received that, although this is partly true, some areas may be designated restricted access and permits may still be applicable. It is also worth noting that the relaxing of the permit system will mean that restricted access signs will have to be changed or removed, which will take some time to implement, and if in doubt it is advisable to contact Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QP&WS) for clarification. This Government initiative is seen by the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) as an indication that the issue of Public Access and Recreational Use of State Forests and National Parks may be receiving more favourable and constructive discussion in relevant policy debates, as well as enhancing the prospects of unique attractions such as the Jimna Fire Tower.

QP&WS are to be commended for the completion of the new suspension bridge over Yabba Creek at the Peach Trees Camping Area, which has provided an added facility to this popular Forest Park. JFTAG hopes that this bridge will connect with the tracks, which were launched on Easter Sunday, to provide future users with a walking track network, that will pass by the Jimna Fire Tower, Jimna itself, take in the beauty of Yabba Creek as well as magnificent views to the South Queensland Coastline.

SUCCESSFUL JIMNA WALKING TRACK LAUNCH  Easter Sunday turned on glorious weather for a steady stream of visitors to enjoy the fresh mountain air and the variety of walking tracks on offer. Many returned to the Jimna Tourist Information Centre to express their amazement at the potential of the area, and to thank JFTAG for introducing them to previously unknown experiences. It is well known that a visit to Jimna does become infectious, with such a vast and varied landscape to discover. All we want now is several inches of rain to fill the creeks and bring both flora and fauna back to its brilliant best. With in excess of fifty families registering their support for the Jimna Fire Tower over the Easter Weekend, JFTAG is absolutely delighted with the walking track promotion.