Making money from the rainforest
It only took a short visit to an Agnes Water property for John Massurit’s life
to radically change.
Three years ago, the Australian born marine engineer decided he wanted to do
something different. After a long career in the United Kingdom, he returned to Australia and decided
to “have a bit of a look at Agnes Water.” He discovered a property which would change his life and that of his family.
“Straight away I could see the potential of the place,” he said.
John discovered that the 600 acre property not only contained 200 acres of unlogged
rare rainforest with giant
staghorns, Hoop pines, Red cedars and ferns, it also contained the best lookout
in the district.
“The 360 degree view just astounded me – I could see right across to Agnes Water,
north to Pancake Creek, south to Bundaberg and west to the mountains of the Great
Dividing Range.”
He purchased the property, moved back to Australia with his wife and 3 daughters,
and became an eco-tourism operator by establishing “1770 Rainforest Tours.”
“That’s when I realised what a big job I had created for myself,” he said.
“The property was badly infested with Lantana and Giant Rat’s Tail grass – two
noxious environmental weeds which were degrading the vegetation.”
“We tackled the Lantana patch by patch, first by slashing with the tractor, then
spraying the young weeds with
glyphosate. Then we still had to pull out a lot by hand – it’s an ongoing job.”
John said the areas that have been treated are
showing good signs of recovery.
“You can see the native pioneer species coming back, like White Cedar and some
of the native vines.”
The Burnett Mary Regional Group supported the project under the Rainforest Recovery
program.
John’s guided tours of the property attract backpackers, local tourists and overseas
students.
“I explain to them what we have done with the weed control program, so it’s educational
as well as enjoyable,” he said.
As well as the daily guided tours, John’s
business includes growing palms and cycads for commercial property clients and
developing an equestrian facility – one his other passions.
“I’ve never worked so hard in my life, but also never had such a buzz,” he said.
John’s wife Stacy and their three daughters, Morgan, Rowen and Estien help to
maintain the property.
“We all love the diversity here,” Stacy said.
“We have the huge Grass Trees, Cycads which are 500 years old, two types of rainforest,
a very rare plant called Alyxia magnifolia and two types of fern growing together,” she said.
“You never need to go on holidays – paradise is right here.”
John said that botanists from the Queensland Herbarium have visited the property
and helped to prepare a plant species list.
“They were very excited with some of the plants, particularly in the rainforest. We also had an ornithologist who is compiling a bird list after seeing some colourful
species like the Rose Crowned Fruit Dove,” he said.
John is planning extra facilities for visitors, including two campgrounds, toilets,
walking tracks, maps and a horse trail. He said the biggest threat to the rainforest was fire.
“I try to keep the firebreaks in good order, and a close eye on fuel loads because
fire will just kill the rainforest,” he said.
“It all takes a lot of ongoing management, so it keeps me very fit.”
For further information about the weed control project or to book a tour of the
property, contact 1770 Rainforest Tours on ph 4974 9191 mobile 0488 376 030, or
email
johnmassurit@bigpond.com.
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