C4 has now submitted its Expression of Interest to CCRC for the buildings and facilities at 55 Porter Promenade, Mission Beach. We are now waiting to hear the outcome from Council and will update members and the wider community when we have more to share.
Our submission proposes that C4 continue its long association with the site through a 30-year trustee lease, bringing the Environment Centre, theatrette, native plant nursery, Norm Byrnes Arboretum, former Visitor Information Centre and public amenities together under one long-term management arrangement.
C4 has been based at the site since 1994. C4 currently cares for and operates the Environment Centre, the C4 Theatrette, the C4 Native Plant Nursery, surrounding grounds and the Norm Byrnes Arboretum. The Centre also maintains a public environmental reference library and provides information about cassowaries, rainforest ecology, local native plants and habitat restoration.
The precinct supports a wide range of activity throughout the year. The nursery propagates locally native plants for restoration projects, local landholders, partner organisations and public sale. The theatrette is used for community meetings, films, talks, workshops, rehearsals, school activities and other local gatherings. C4 also hosts school and university groups, delivers practical conservation education, supports habitat restoration and revegetation projects, and provides opportunities for volunteering and community participation.
Our EOI sets out how these existing activities could continue and gradually expand across the wider precinct. This includes improving environmental and visitor information, strengthening education and community use, continuing public access to the arboretum and grounds, and creating space for compatible cultural, environmental, research and community partnerships. Any new activities or major works would still depend on funding, partner agreement and Council approval.
The submission also explains the broader value C4 brings to Mission Beach. Our conservation and restoration work supports local employment and suppliers, the nursery provides locally appropriate plants and advice to landholders, the site is used by community groups and visitors, and C4 works with schools, universities, Traditional Owners, government agencies and conservation organisations across the Wet Tropics.
A special thank you to Djiru Aboriginal Corporation, the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA), Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Terrain NRM, Hon Bob Katter, MP, Mr Shane Knuth, Member for Hill, Shanti Cafe, Cinema Paradiso, Friends of Ninney Rise, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC), Great Barrier Reef Safaris, BirdLife Australia and the Australian Native Bee Association (ANBA) for providing letters of support to accompany C4’s submission.
We appreciate the support members, partners and the wider community have shown for C4 and the precinct. We will share another update as soon as we receive a response from Council.