EXPRESS The
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Locally owned and proudly independent
Festival fever The Mareeba Multicultural Festival drew huge crowds on Saturday as Arnold Park was packed with performers and food stalls offering a taste of cultures from around the world. ►TURN TO PAGE 5 FOR MORE.
Locked out locals By Rebecca Wallis
Mareeba Shire Council is revisiting a decision to lock up a popular four wheel drive track leading to Mount Spurgeon after complaints from local four wheel drive enthusiasts. Council decided in April this year to put a
locked gate at the end of a road that leads to the mountain near Mt Carbine after it became almost impassable for residents living on it. Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore said Council had spent $30,000 fixing up the track two years ago, only for it to become eroded again by joy riders. “There are two people
PHONE: 4096 7700 Email: mail@sparmalanda.com.au
that live up the road and last year it was so chewed up those residents couldn’t even get home after a shopping trip,” he said. “The road was degraded and was at risk of being lost. But the annual cost of maintaining a road for two people is enormous and they’re entitled to that.” Cr Gilmore said the gate
was installed to allow limited access, with a key left at the Mt Carbine Caravan Park. But Julatten four wheel drive enthusiast Sharon Weston said she was shocked when she tried to access the track last week only to find the gate locked. She and her partner regularly utilise the road to visit Mount Spurgeon Nation-
al Park and said she knew nothing about a gate until she got there. “We go up there all the time and at Easter and public holidays there are always lots of people camping up there – locals and visitors,” she said. “Now we’re told we have to stay at the caravan park in order to get the key
for the gate, but we’re locals. You don’t do that if you live here. There should be more than one key and they shouldn’t have closed it without telling anyone.” Cr Gilmore said the problem was that the steep road was being abused by thrill seekers. “We don’t want it to be used as a toy and people
1911 Resta u ra n t
MALANDA
Friendly Atmosphere and Affordable Family Meals!
FAX: 4096 6136 2-10 English St, Malanda
TRADING HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM - 6PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY 8AM - 5PM
NOW OPEN SUNDAYS TILL 5PM
spinning their wheels,” he said. “But we will revisit this in council.” Ms Weston said that locking up the track was one of many examples in the region. “As four-wheel drivers we have just found that so many tracks are closed, which just makes us really angry,” she said.
PHONE 4096 7720
OPEN MONDAY - SUNDAY • Breakfast & Lunch: 10.00am-2.00pm • Dinner: Monday to Thursday 6.00-8.00pm Friday and Saturday 6.00-8.30pm TAKEAWAYS AVAILABLE!