General News
5 December, 2025
Putting town on state’s map
A COMMUNITY workshop has launched the Mission Beach Planning and Mapping Project.
Landholders, conservation groups, farmers, business owners and residents discussed the future of habitat protection and sustainable development across the Mission Beach region at Ninney Rise earlier this month.
The all-day workshop attracted strong attendance and covered three key themes central to the project: mapping, planning and incentives.
Participants contributed local knowledge, identified gaps in existing systems, and explored practical ways to strengthen environmental resilience while supporting the community’s long-term aspirations.
Speakers from James Cook University, the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Terrain NRM and Heaps Smart provided an overview of current planning frameworks, local habitat mapping and opportunities for improvement. The presentations set the scene for in-depth World Café-style discussions, where community members worked through challenges and potential solutions.
Friends of Ninney Rise spokeswoman Liz Gallie said it was “inspiring to see the passion within our community”.
“People came ready to explore practical, resourceful and innovative ways to safeguard what makes Mission Beach unique, while planning responsibly for the future,” she said.
Ms Gallie said across all sessions, several consistent themes emerged:
Improved environmental mapping to reflect what community members observe on the ground
Clearer, more consistent planning rules to protect cassowary corridors and high-value habitat
Recognition and support for landholders who protect and restore native vegetation
Better communication and transparency so residents can stay informed about planning and development
A strong desire to protect Mission Beach’s unique natural character for future generations.
Funded by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) and supported by James Cook University (JCU), Terrain NRM, Friends of Ninney Rise and Marine Ecosystems Policy Advisors, the Mission Beach Planning and Mapping Project aims to deliver fine-scale mapping of local habitat (MLES), updated planning guidance, and a framework for practical incentives that support voluntary conservation and community priorities.
Further community engagement activities will take place in March 2026.
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