Cairns Regional Council to vote on Wangetti Trail deal
Cairns councillors will discuss the region’s stake in a 94km sport and tourism project along a paradise stretch of coastline. Read what the collaboration will mean.
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CAIRNS Regional Council is set to vote on its involvement in the proposed 94km Wangetti Trail joint trustee agreement at its meeting on Wednesday.
According to the agenda, the recommended option is that Cairns Regional Council and Douglas Shire Council become joint trustees on the project with the Queensland Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.
Whatever the voting result on the world-class hiking and mountain bike trail, the issue has been complicated by neighbouring Douglas Shire’s June 28 bombshell when the council announced it would pull out of the joint project.
On Tuesday, Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said councillors “remain fully supportive of the Wangetti Trail as a world-class regional tourism attraction”.
“While the construction delays are frustrating, council looks forward to the start of work on the Palm Cove to Ellis Beach section,” he said.
“We will continue to work with the state government to finalise arrangements to progress the Wangetti Trail at the Mowbray North section.”
Cairns Division 9 councillor Brett Olds wants a yes vote to achieve progress.
“I feel the state government is dragging their arse on this,” he said.
Cr Olds said the Cairns distance of the trial features “only 1.2km”.
“The Wangetti Trail will be fantastic for walkers, mountain-bikers and for tourism in the region,” he said.
Cairns MP and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy blamed Douglas Shire for delays.
“They had raised some issues, we were working with them,” he said.
“I am extremely disappointed.”
FNQ mountain biking advocate Tony Trafford, 46, said he hoped the project will be constructed as originally designed.
“It’s disappointing its slowed down such a glacial speed,” he said
“We only have one chance to get this right.”
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Originally published as Cairns Regional Council to vote on Wangetti Trail deal
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