Petition lodged against ‘glamping’ plans at Cooloola Great Walk

A plan to build eco-tourism cabins in the national park between Rainbow Beach and Noosa has been met with backlash as a new petition calls on the state not to segregate the rich from the rest.

A proposed “glamping” ecotourism experience along the Cooloola Great Walk between Rainbow Beach and Noosa has been met with backlash from conservationists and residents, who have called it a “misuse of public funds”.

A State Government plan to open a “glamping” eco-tourism experience at the Great Sandy National Park has been slammed as a “misuse of public funds” by residents eager to put a halt to the project.

Conservationists and residents have launched a petition against the plan to build almost a half dozen cabins along the 100km Cooloola Great Walk trail between Rainbow Beach and Noosa.

According to the plans, the cabins, if approved would more than double the number of campers drawn to the national park each year.

However, the petition, lodged by Noosaville’s Matthew Noffke and sponsored by Maiwar MP Michael Berkman, calls the plan “inappropriate, unnecessary, and works to segregate community members by providing exclusive ‘high end’ infrastructure and services”.

Five cabins are proposed to be built along the 100km Cooloola Great Walk.

Mr Noffke’s petition says residents support ranger programs, Indigenous management and cultural experiences in the park but not “non-essential” built infrastructure, commercial activities from those buildings and “any proposal that segregates members of the community based on their financial position”.

“The Recreation Area is currently accessible to anyone willing to experience it,” the petition says.

“The spending of millions of dollars to cater for 5,500 out of over 300,000 park users is a gross misuse of public funds.”

“Commercial enterprises seeking to profit from eco-tourism experiences may consider the ample freehold land surrounding the National Park that is available for purchase.

The State Government says the proposal would more than double the number of campers drawn to the park.

“Increased visitor numbers can easily be achieved by using existing infrastructure, improved management practices, and helping advocate for a long overdue international World Heritage listing.”

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman defended the proposal as “ecologically sustainable” and “in line with best practice ecotourism guidelines”.

It will not interfere with ongoing public use of the walk.

“Community consultation showed support for the project and acknowledged that improving access to the national park can also improve its protection through greater awareness, education, respect and appreciation,” he said.

The project is now moving to secure state and council approvals and finalise agreements with Kabi Kabi native title holders.

More than 1000 people have signed the petition since it launched on the Queensland parliament website on Wednesday 11 August.

It closes on Friday February 11, 2022.

The cabins are proposed to be built at five locations.

These spots include: along the Noosa River, 11km upstream from Lake Cootharaba; adjacent to the Litora walkers camp 18km south of Rainbow Beach; on the high ridge line of the Cooloola sand mass, 12km south of Rainbow Beach; 60m-180m west of Lake Poona, 6.5km south of Rainbow Beach; and at Double Island Point.

South Australian-based CABN has been named as the preferred group to deliver the project.

The petition can be viewed here.