Deal now in place to assure Far North eco-tourism centrepiece
After years of wrangling, major roadblocks to the completion of the Wangetti Trail has been cleared with the securing of Indigenous Land Use Agreements and finalising of conservation approvals.
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After years of wrangling, major roadblocks to the completion of the Wangetti Trail have been cleared with the securing of Indigenous Land Use Agreements and finalising of conservation approvals.
Agreements between the state government and Djabugay Nation Elders and Leaders are now in place to allow the trail to advance from Palm Cove to Mowbray River.
On Friday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, flanked by Barron River MP Craig Crawford, Cairns MP Cairns Michael Healy and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe will seal the deal with the signing of official agreements with traditional owners at the Wangetti trailhead.
It’s understood environmentally sensitive approvals required under the Wet Tropics Management Plan, and Nature Conservation Act have also been signed off.
The $47.1m, 94km Wangetti Trail will be Queensland’s only purpose-built walking and mountain bike track in a National Park.
“Our government is proud to back job creating infrastructure that also showcases
Queensland’s great lifestyle and connection to our natural wonders,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Wangetti Trail will be the first track of its kind in a national park and a standout attraction for the Far North region.”
First proposed in 2018 the eco-tourism flagship has been plagued by delays that centred around infighting between the government’s tourism and environment departments over final trail design.
The ironing out of complicated Indigenous Land Use Agreements with traditional owners of lands spanning country from Palm Cove to Port Douglas bogged down the project and meant construction finally began on the southern section three years after it was originally meant to start.
Mr Hinchliffe said he expected the trail, when complete, would establish the Far North as a world-class mountain bike and nature-based lifestyle destination.
“Eco-tourism is growing rapidly, although few overseas destinations will match Wangetti Trail for breathtaking scenery and immersive First Nations cultural experiences,” he said.
A statement from the Djabugay Nation group said it was optimistic about business, education, training and employment opportunities for their people and trail agreements an important step toward reconciliation.
“The trail will showcase our ancient culture, stories, history, and our country’s natural wonders to share with the world,” the Djabugay Nation group said.
“By recognising the trail’s significance to the Djabugay Nations’ people, it supports the process of healing.”
Wangetti Trail has been co-designed with Djabugay Nations’ traditional owners including the Djabugay, Yirrganydji, Bulway, Nyakali and Guluy groups.
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Originally published as Deal now in place to assure Far North eco-tourism centrepiece
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