Prime Constructions on behalf of Crystalbrook Collection
The year
2017
The challenge
Five trees needed to be removed from a site on Abbott Street to allow for the $160 million Bailey hotel development for Crystalbrook Collection. A known spectacled flying fox roost was situated nearby at the Cairns City Library. A group of flying foxes had decided to start occupying the five trees nearby. Environmental activists expressed their concern and distress publicly about the trees being removed and the negative noise being created by the opposition meant that it was unlikely the development was going to proceed and the proponent would likely take his investment to another city in Australia. The Federal Government issued a Controlled Action under the EPBC to navigate the process and ensure the correct decision was made on behalf of the environment and the endangered species. This had the potential to significantly delay, or even stop the development from taking place.
The outcome
Extensive public consultation had taken place prior to the Controlled Action under the EPBC was imposed by the Federal Government which laid the pathway for further consultation with all parties, including those opposed. Danae Jones and her team are remarkable connectors and collaborators in even the most hostile of environments and have proven to be able to turn situations around in record speed so all parties can make decisions based on fact, rather than emotion.
The situation of heightened emotions with the absence of scientific evidence was the situation in this particular case. People were making assumptions based on opinions and emotions, rather than real data collected by expert ecologists.
Through the relationships Danae Jones had already established, within eight weeks, to meet development milestones, she had single-handedly ensured all relevant Government departments were consulted and provided with detailed information to address their concerns from expert, independent ecologists. Site visits were undertaken with key ministerial advisers, ecologists and scientific experts to ensure a timely decision could be made and a level of comfort was achieved by Government to feel confident to approve the removal of the five trees on the site so the $160 million development could proceed in the city of Cairns.
Through this process Danae Jones ensured that all relevant authorities and opposing parties were given time to express their concerns and she guided and assisted them in formulating the best response to disperse the spectacled flying foxes from the site and allow them to roost in a more appropriate location away from the stresses of traffic, council maintenance and urban development. Through this process, a rehabilitation facility was fully funded and set up to care for unwell flying foxes and Cairns Regional Council established specified management plans to address flying fox dispersal in the city of Cairns which had not been done prior to this situation occurring. This was a win win, the spectacled flying foxes were better cared for, more up-to-date data on the species roosts were captured and the developer was able to commence work and adhere to government guidelines and approvals that were put in place.
