‘Not a world class track’: Questions remain about possible Wangetti Trail route
Douglas Shire Council say they are worried the government may go ahead with a plan to route part of the Wangetti Trail through a suburban area.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There is renewed uncertainty about whether the 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail will veer off into a suburban area – a possibility slammed as unacceptable by the Douglas Shire Council.
The agreement Djabugay Nation allows work to begin in National Park areas from Palm Cove to Mowbray River, while protecting cultural heritage.
The $47.1m, 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail will be Queensland’s only purpose-built walking and mountain bike track in a National Park.
Plans for the Wangetti Trail include camping and eco-accommodation along the route, which will take hikers up to six days to complete.
The first stage of the trail from Palm Cove to Ellis Beach will be operational by the third quarter of 2024, the second stage from Ellis Beach to Wangetti will be open by the second quarter of 2025.
And the full trail is scheduled for completion around late 2026, eight years after the project was conceived in 2018.
Douglas Shire Council had previously voiced reservations over the trail, but Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said he was satisfied now the State Government had reassured them the council would not be held responsible or liable if aspects of the track construction “goes wrong”.
“As a small rural council we don’t have the ability to maintain the track in the years to come, that has always been our concern but we have been given government assurances that won’t happen,” he said.
However, Mr Kerr said there was still uncertainty over the proposed track route.
He said one of the designs put part of the route into a footpath meandering through suburbs.
“If they go ahead with that route. That to me would not be a world-class track” he said.
“A national park that goes through a suburban area is not a world-class track.”
The controversy is around the third stage of the trail – north of the Mowbray River – which represents approximately seven per cent of the total length of the Wangetti Trail project.
A spokesman from Minister Stirling Hinchliffe did not confirm whether or not the track would be routed through a suburban area.
“There is further work that needs to happen in co-operation with traditional owners and Douglas Shire Council,” he said.
The state government will also need to finalise Indigenous land use agreements for the final section of the track.
“There are all these arguments going on (among traditional owners,) I really hope it happens, I would love to have an Indigenous (presence) in Port Douglas and as soon as that (native title) claim is processed it will make it a lot easier for the trail moving forward,” Mr Kerr said.
“It can be really hard when you are dealing with Indigenous groups but it’s important it’s done right for the gain of everyone.”
The government also said it was still working out plans for a private operator to run eco-cabins along the trail.
“Now that an Indigenous Land Use Agreement and environmental approvals from Palm Cove to the Mowbray River are in place, work to explore potential accommodation options can begin in partnership with the traditional owners, the Djabugay Nation” the spokesman said.
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘Not a world class track’: Questions remain about possible Wangetti Trail route
School issues alert after man chases, lures students
A school in Far North Queensland is on high alert following reports a man chased students and attempting to lure them into his car.
‘Grabbed his dogs and ran’: Airbnb guest lucky to escape house fire
A Cairns Airbnb guest was lucky to escape a blaze with his two dogs unscathed after a home was completely gutted by fire, believed be caused by a phone charger. Watch the video.