Public comment open on proposed $41.4 million Wangetti Trail

The Federal Government is asking for more information for the assessment of the proposed $41.4 million Wangetti Trail development in Tropical North Queensland under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, or EPBC Act. As such public comment is now open on additional environmental information provided to the Australian Government to assist with the approval of the Wangetti South section of the trail.

The Wangetti Trail will be Queensland’s first purpose built walking and mountain biking track in a national park and one of Australia’s leading adventure based ecotourism experiences, attracting visitors on an international scale.

Information requested by the Australian Government relates to the management and mitigation of potential animal and World Heritage impacts, offsets, rehabilitation and administrative matters

Local State Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui said development of the Wangetti Trail was an important part of the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan for tourism in the Far North.

Lui advises “the proposed Wangetti Trail project will provide job opportunities for Traditional Owners during construction and once operational, which will be a great investment in our community’s economic recovery from the pandemic.

“Subject to Australian Government approval, construction could be underway by the end of the year for the 33-kilometre Wangetti South section of the trail from Palm Cove to Wangetti.

“The 94-kilometre trail has been split into three sections of work including 54-kilometres from Wangetti to Mowbray River and seven-kilometres from Mowbray River to Port Douglas.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the 33-kilometre southern trail would include a public camping site and a link to Ellis Beach and added “the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation and Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation cultural heritage monitors have been involved in the process to deliver job opportunities for Traditional Owners.”

Minister Hinchliffe advised that this follows a cultural heritage survey by Traditional Owner Land and Sea Rangers and a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement with the State Government, depending on Federal approvals.

The Queensland Government has committed $33.4 million to the Wangetti Trail project with the Australian Government investing $8 million from the National Tourism Icons Program.

Interested parties can have their say until 5pm on 10th September 2021.

The EPBC Act allows for a period of public comment on the material through the Tourism Department’s website at: www.qld.gov.au/wangettitrail

Image courtesy National Parks Association Queensland