Cairns council approves first stage of Wangetti Trail hiking and cycling development

The basic design of the $41.4m Wangetti Trail’s southernmost stretch has been locked down with promises it will be a game-changer for the Far North tourism industry.

THE basic design of the $41.4m Wangetti Trail’s southernmost stretch has been locked down with promises it will be a game-changer for the Far North tourism industry.

Cairns Regional Council has approved the development of a 12km hiking and cycling trail between Ellis Beach and Palm Cove – the kick-off point for a 94km journey all the way to Port Douglas.

The winding track will showcase some of the most stunning scenery the region has to offer – but questions still remain over when it will be delivered.

The state government claims the project will be operational with a “progressive opening” to the public in 2022-23, with eco-accommodation coming online the following year.

Brayden Javis and Jessica Smith walk along the Palm Cove foreshore, which will lead into the 94km Wangetti Trail. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said the public was keen for details.

“When will the private contractors get a chance to put their tenders in for glamping areas?” he asked.

“I’m not trying to be negative – it’s an excellent thing, but people just want to know.”

Public consultation brought up a handful of concerns, all of which were dealt with by council officers before approvals were granted.

One submission argued mountain biking was incompatible with camping or other accommodation.

However, no camps have been proposed within the Cairns Regional Council area.

“The shared use trail will consist of natural ground and surface treatments, which will be a maximum of 1.5m wide,” the document stated.

“The 1.5m wide trail will be located within a 40m survey corridor, referred to as the construction allowance corridor, to allow flexibility for the placement of infrastructure during the construction phase, however will maintain minimal environmental disturbance.”

Potential conflict between hikers and cyclists was also raised.

Council documents stated “trail etiquette” would be crucial to the trail’s success, with education and give-way points identified through signage.

“The Wangetti Trail has been … specifically designed to appeal to a leisurely-focused, slower-pace recreational mountain biker to provide a point of comparison to the existing dedicated high-speed trails found elsewhere in the region,” they continued.

Douglas Shire Council still needs to tick off the design of its much longer stretch of the project.

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Originally published as Cairns council approves first stage of Wangetti Trail hiking and cycling development