Notice to residents and motorists Mt Spec Road geotechnical investigations Monday 11 April to Saturday 23 April 2022 Changed traffic conditions, minor delaysThe Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) advises that contractors will be undertaking geotechnical investigation works at multiple sites along Mt Spec Road during April 2022, weather permitting. Works hours and activities 7am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Works will not take place during the Easter long weekend (15-18 April). Works each day will include site and traffic management setup, unloading and loading of drilling rig, drilling of boreholes to test soil and rock conditions. What to expect during these works Traffic controllers on site, signage and speed restrictions in place. Stop-Go traffic controllers and traffic signals will be used intermittently. Traffic reduced to single lane (one direction at a time). Minor delays of 5-10 minutes – please plan your journey and allow additional travel time. Important information for heavy vehicle operators Access for heavy vehicles (more than 4.5 tonnes) including buses and light trucks may be impacted during these works. Please contact TMR by phone on 1800 625 648 or by email at engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au if you are planning to travel on Mt Spec Road with a heavy vehicle during these works. If you require further information about these works, please contact the Northern District Customer and Stakeholder Management team by email at engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au or by phone on 1800 625 648. For the latest traffic and travel information, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au. |
Author: Admin2
Ulysses Blue Butterfly
Great weather for butterflies at Paluma right now with Cairns Birdwings and Ulysses Blues in abundance.
This Ulysses Blue (Papilio Ulysses) was very happy at Jan Cooke’s pink pentax and yellow dahlia flowers this week.
Text& Photos by Peter Cooke
QPWS Burning This Week
Attention: Paluma Residents, Visitors & Users of Mount Spec Road
QPWS are conducting controlled burning on Mt Spec Road this week.
QPWS wish to advise that they will be conducting a prescribed burn on Mt Spec Road on Wednesday March 30, 2022 (weather permitting). Approximate hours of operation are from 1500 to 1800. Please be aware that smoke may impact Mt Spec Road. Traffic control will be in place for the duration.
TMR Range Road Works in April
Good Afternoon Mt Spec Stakeholders,
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is planning a program of geotechnical investigation works on Mt Spec Road throughout April 2022. These investigations will assist TMR to plan and prioritise future works along Mt Spec Road, including high risk slopes and drainage improvements.
We are providing Mt Spec stakeholders with early notification of the proposed works and traffic impacts, and seeking feedback to assist with the planning and scheduling of the works. If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about these upcoming works, please get in touch as soon as possible to enable us to feed this information back to the project team and contractor.
Details of the proposed works are as follows:
- Expected start date: Week commencing 4 April 2022
- Expected duration of works: Three weeks, weather permitting
- Works hours: 6am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday (rotating 10 day roster)
- Works details: Geotechnical investigations including drilling of boreholes to test soil and rock conditions. The investigations will be completed at approximately 20 sites along the length of Mt Spec Road.
- Traffic impacts:
Light vehicles
o Light vehicles will be permitted to travel on Mt Spec Road at all times during the works.
o Delays of up to 30 minutes may be experienced at the start and end of the day (around 6.00-6.30am in the morning and from 5.30-6pm in the afternoon) while the drilling rig is unloaded and loaded.
o Delays of up to 5 minutes may be experienced during the remaining works hours.
Heavy vehicles including buses and trucks
o Due to the size of the drilling rig and width of the road, access will be restricted for heavy vehicles, including buses and trucks, during the Geotech works.
o Buses and trucks will only be permitted to travel on Mt Spec Road when prior arrangements have been made with TMR. (We have already been in contact with some stakeholders in regards to bus movements)
o Prior arrangements will ensure that crews can schedule works and move equipment to accommodate buses and trucks.
o Delays of several hours may be experienced if buses and trucks travel on the range without prior arrangement as the drilling rig will need to be moved off the range before vehicles can pass.
- Changed traffic conditions: Single lane closures, speed restrictions and traffic controllers will be in place during the works.
- Emergency services access will be maintained.
- Communications: TMR will issue Notices to Residents and Motorists prior to works commencing. The QLDTraffic website will include details of the works and changed traffic conditions.
We welcome feedback from all Mt Spec stakeholders about these planned works. If you believe you will be impacted by these works, please get in touch so we can discuss further and provide feedback to the project team to assist with planning of the works. If possible, it would be appreciated if you could make minor changes to your travel on Mt Spec Road to factor in the planned works.
Contact details:
Email – engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au Phone – 1800 625 648
Thank you for continued patience and understanding during works on Mt Spec Road.
Kind regards
Kelly Stolz
Customer and Stakeholder Management
Northern District | Department of Transport and Main Roads
Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8711
engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
www.tmr.qld.gov.au
OMG its an OVG…!
Whilst gardening at her Smith Crescent property last weekend, Jodie came across this beautiful Ocellated Velvet Gecko (or OVG for short!). Scientific name Oedura monilis.
These relatively large geckos are found in north eastern Australia from near Townsville, south to the New South Wales border. They are common in forested areas, sheltering by day in crevices of rock outcrops, in tree hollows or beneath loose bark.
My research suggests that Jodie’s specimen is a sub-adult due to the bright yellow dorsal markings. In adult geckoes these markings are said to be variable, but they tend to be darker brown to grey in colour. Individuals usually dwell on a home tree from which they forage widely in search of food. References indicate that these geckoes prefer dry woodland and dry sclerophyll forests rather than high altitude rainforest.
Has anyone else spotted these stunning geckoes in and around the Paluma village?
References: Stephen Swanson – Field Guide to Australian Reptiles and Stephen Wilson & David Knowles – Australia’s Reptiles: A Photographic Reference to the Terrestrial Reptiles of Australia.
Photos by Jodie Pace & Text by Michele Bird
St. Patrick’s Night Social
The Paluma community came together last Saturday evening (20 March 2022) to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. An enthusiastic crowd of about 30 people joined in the celebrations at the Community Hall, many adorned in shades of green.
As usual, there was a feast on offer with many Irish inspired dishes including colcannon, Irish stew, corned beef, Guinness pies and an array of other gourmet dishes. Just when you thought you could not possibly eat anymore, Tony arrived with BBQ chicken and the best roast potatoes I’ve eaten for a long time. What good Celt can resist a spud, so I found room for two more! Dessert then followed with apple crumble, lime cheesecake and Jennie’s Guinness chocolate cake. It was melt in the mouth.
Leprechaun Leslie entertained the crowd with some (clean) Irish jokes. Peter Cooke impressed with his vast knowledge of Irish history and culture taking out the St. Paddy’s night quiz. Jack was banned from using Google this year, so for once he didn’t win the competition. Even with some rampant cheating, Michele could not beat Peter to take out the prize of a free drink at the bar. Several patrons were lucky enough to find a ‘Shamrock Scratchy’ under their seat, but no one will be giving up their day job any time soon as there were no big winners on the night. The luck of the Irish…..?
It was great to see so many attendees at this Social and a very good time was had by all. Several of our newest residents to Paluma attended and we had the opportunity to welcome them to the village and introduce them to new friends and neighbours. It’s all about community!
Here’s some photos of the happy (green) crowd.
Text & Photos by Michele Bird
Portrait of a Python
This is a story about a painting of a python.
Long-time resident of Paluma Colwyn Campbell is a renowned artist whose life’s passion has been to paint and capture on canvas the wonders of nature and the natural environment. Her rainforest paintings inspired by the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and other places across northern Australia have been exhibited several times in Darwin and throughout North Queensland.
In 1995 whilst living in Darwin, Colwyn spent just over a year creating a rainforest-inspired painting of a large python or carpet snake. Colwyn says that the painting was basically inspired by her love for the rainforests of Australia and the creatures of the forest. Her chosen theme for her artwork in 1995 was to paint snakes! The result of Colwyn’s long year of painting is an enormous and impressive piece of artwork, measuring nearly 2 metres in height and more than 2.5 metres in width.
Colwyn exhibited her painting at an art show in Darwin in 1996. A close friend of Colwyn’s purchased the painting and he has enjoyed it in his home in Darwin for the past 25 years. In recent months, Colwyn’s friend has moved house and in down-sizing to an apartment he no longer has the room to hang this rather sizeable artwork. The painting was offered back to Colwyn and was subsequently rolled up and shipped to Townsville.
The rolled canvas made its way to Geoff Jensen at Top Frames in Townsville and it has been expertly stretched and mounted on a frame. The immense size of the framed artwork meant that it was a challenge to transport it to Paluma. None of us could fit it safely in our vehicles and Geoff recently made a special trip up the range in his large van to deliver the work to Colwyn.
In a remarkably kind gesture, Colwyn recently gifted the artwork to Wilfred who shares her love of the rainforest and the natural environment. Wilfred and Suzanne plan to hang the painting at the Cavilcade Guesthouse for locals and visitors to admire and enjoy for years to come. Indeed, there are probably few homes in Paluma that would have a wall big enough to accommodate this stunning but particularly large painting!
It seems rather fitting that this splendid painting of a python will hang in Paluma to be enjoyed by many. Pythons are of course common in our village and the surrounding wet tropics rainforest. We see them on a regular basis, especially in the warmer months of the year. A sighting always generates great news, excitement and wonder amongst the local community. These amazing creatures are also of immense cultural significance to Aboriginal people and the original inhabitants of the wet tropics rainforest region.
The Paluma village lies within the homelands of the Nywaigi People. The Nywaigi People along with their neighbours to the south, the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba People from Ross River to Rollingstone and the neighbours to the east, the Manbarra People from the Palm Island Group and offshore islands, share a common creation story. The central creation story and myth cycle is focused on Gabul – the carpet snake, whose travels between the Herbert River and the Ross River created the coastline, the eastern coastal ranges and the offshore islands in Halifax Bay and Cleveland Bay. From the Traditional Owners point of view, Gabul created this landscape and Gabul looks after this country.
It’s great to know that Colwyn’s painting inspired so many years ago in Darwin will now hang in Paluma. It has travelled a long way to be here. Thanks to Colwyn’s generosity, we will have the opportunity to admire this artwork into the future and we have our own rather unique representation of ‘Gabul’ to remind us of the immeasurable natural and cultural values of this place. As Colwyn transitions to living on the coast in the coming months, we also have a rather special reminder of our talented friend, a mentor for many and a stalwart of this little community.
Text & Photos by Michele Bird with the kind permission of Colwyn Campbell & Wilfred Karnoll.
The 2022 Paluma Social Calendar
The 2022 Paluma Social Calendar is out and it promises to be a jam-packed year of social events and activities. We have tried to cater for all interests with a diverse range of events planned over the course of the year. Whether you’re into dancing, dining, fungi, frogs, cycling, cooking, yarning, relaxing, running, raging, bird watching, bocce, gardening, history, hiking, table tennis, trivia, nature or the arts, there is surely something for everyone to participate in and enjoy. If you can’t find something to do at Paluma, then you’re just not trying!
In addition to the PDCA Social Events, there are the many other activities going on around the village from time to time with the Townsville Bushwalking Club, the Paluma After Dark Club, Outer Limits Adventures and other group activities. We will endeavour to let you know about these events as they come up over the course of the year.
The PDCA Social Sub-Committee is always happy to hear from Paluma residents with suggestions for future events and activities. We’d love to hear your ideas, so please let us know by having a chat with Lynda, Michele or Lynn.
Below is a quick snapshot of some of the many activities on the 2022 Paluma Social Calendar. Stay tuned to the website for regular reminders and updates throughout the year.
Join in people. You only live once and what a great place to live!
Planned Social Events in 2022
Saturday 19 March 6.30 PM – St. Patricks Night
Saturday 23 April 12.00 PM – PDCA Annual General Meeting & Free BBQ Lunch
Saturday 7 May 5.00 PM – Games Night with Captain Klumpp & Sausage Sizzle
Saturday 14 May 4.00 PM – Watercolours & Wine Workshop with Colwyn Campbell
Sunday 17 April – Paluma Market
Saturday 25 June 12.00 PM – Bush Dance with Wattle n Gum & BBQ Lunch
Sunday 26 June – Paluma Market
Sat/Sun 16 & 17 July – Paluma Push (Outer Limits Event)
Saturday 30 July 6.30 PM – Trivia Night hosted by Lynda Radbone
Saturday 20 August 6.30 PM – Back to the 50’s Night
Saturday 17 September 6.30 PM – International Night
Sunday 2 October – Paluma Market
Sat/Sun 29 & 30 October – Paluma Trail Run (Outer Limits Event)
Saturday 12 November 6.30 PM – Monsters and Mayhem on the Mountain
Saturday 10 December 6.30 PM – Tropical BBQ
Reminder: St. Patrick’s Day Social
Well it’s that time of the year again. In the middle of March it’s time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Paluma community will hold a Social on Saturday 19th March to acknowledge St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish. The celebrations will kick off at 6.30 pm at the Community Hall.
Come as you are, or come dressed in your best resplendent Irish gear. Everyone will be green with envy!
Please bring a dish to share. Savoury or sweet, hot or cold. It can be an Irish-inspired dish if you choose. Everybody’s favourite leprechaun Les Hyland will be at the Bar to serve low cost beverages.
Everyone is welcome, especially newcomers to the village. Come and meet your new friends and neighbours and enjoy some good conversation and fun, Paluma-style. See you there!
A Walk on the Wild Side….
Last Sunday morning (6 March 2022) saw 22 people congregate outside the old Cavilcade Guesthouse, the occasion being a bush walk organised by the Townsville Bush Walking Club under the leadership of Wilfred Karnoll to Platypus Pool and Forgotten Falls. Even at 8 am the temperature was already rising, so after doing the administrative tasks some ten vehicles headed out to Chick’s Road which was the planned end point of the bush walk. Five cars were left at Chick’s Road and the other five transported the walkers to the start point at Clapham Junction, about 4 km along the Paluma Dam Road.
We headed off and about 200 metres in along the track we admired the ‘Grandfather Tree’, a giant Eucalypt some 2 metres in diameter at the base. Unfortunately Cyclone Yasi took off most of its crown, as it was well above the canopy of the surrounding rainforest trees. What is left standing of this majestic tree is still very impressive and it must be of considerable age.
We continued along the old logging road, first through rainforest then into more open sclerophyl forest with casuarinas, turpentines, stringy barks and rose gums the dominant tree species. From the logging road we turned onto a narrow bush track that took us down to Williams Creek and the Platypus Pool, so-named after the little critters that supposedly live in it. Unfortunately we didn’t see any platypus on the day, but perhaps 22 pairs of boots and lots of lively conversation gave them ample warning to go into hiding. It was time for a well earned refreshing swim and an early lunch to recharge weary bodies.
We then continued on to Forgotten Falls, one of the tributaries of Williams Creek. Unfortunately our wet season (what wet season you might ask?) hasn’t replenished the water flow over the big rock face and there was only a trickle at this time. In a good wet season there is a spectacular waterfall at this location. The temperature of the water in the pool at the base of the falls was too warm for even the keenest of dippers, as no refreshment was to be gained from it. The big exposed rock shelf above the falls heats up what little water comes down to make it rather uninviting just now.
After taking some photos, onwards and upwards. A few keen walkers scrambled straight up the rock face, whilst the majority chose the safer track beside the falls. From there it was up a steady rise to the top of the plateau and along an undulating logging track, past an old sawmill site, still covered by lots of saw dust and discarded timber off-cuts. The cars were a welcome sight after hot and trying bush walking conditions.
A special mention and a big pat on the back to local Paluma resident Bruno, who in his mid-eighties never missed a beat all day and left some of the younger walkers well behind. Like they say – age is just a number! It was great to see some of the local Paluma residents joining in the walk to enjoy some of the unique treasures near our little village.
Article by Wilfred Karnoll and Photos provided by Jill Meads