Five major issues bogging down Wangetti Trail linking Port Douglas and Palm Cove

It’s been lauded as a world-class attraction, set to bring in tourism dollars from all over the globe. But there are some key sticking points with the Wangetti Trail. Here’s what’s delaying it.

Complicated Indigenous land use agreements have been cited as contributing to delays on the beleaguered Wangetti Trail, amid a scathing critique of the state government’s approach to delivering the Far North attraction.

At its ordinary meeting on Wednesday, a recommendation before Cairns Regional Council advised the approval of a three-year joint trustee arrangement with Douglas Shire Council and the state government during the construction of the mountain bike and walking trail.

Brad Jones with Steph Garner with their bikes at Flagstaff Hill Lookout. The Wangetti Trail, is a proposed 94km dual use track in North Queensland stretching along the coastal plains and mountain hinterland between Palm Cove in the South and Port Douglas in the North. Picture by Romy Bullerjahn

Councillors expressed strong support for the idea of the 94km trail linking Palm Cove and Port Douglas.

The tenure deal was supported unanimously but not before allegations of being left in the dark on the troubled project.

Mayor Bob Manning led the criticism of the trail, dubbed a world class attraction through heritage-listed wilderness.

“There has been very little progress,” he said.

A potential lookout location above Ellis Beach as part of the new $21 million Wangetti Trail. Picture: World Trail.

The council is yet to receive any indication from the state that construction on the first 6km section will begin this month as planned.

A state government 2022/23 budget allocation of $9.4m has been earmarked for the project but problems have plagued the trail from the outset, when local firm World Trail was overlooked by the state government when tendering for the construction contract.

Then came concerns about a bridge across the Mowbray River, redesigns to significantly shorten a mangrove boardwalk and trail to Four Mile Beach.

Angie Johnson from Bike Shop and Hire Port Douglas, rides along Four Mile Beach where the Wangetti Trail will end. Picture: GIZELLE GHIDELLA

And in June, Douglas Shire Council revoked its pledge to take ownership of the northernmost section.

Cairns council meeting heard a discussion had been set up with the Douglas Shire Council to iron out previous reluctance of the trail’s ownership amid Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr showing support for the project this week.

Cairns MP Michael Healy defended the project, stating much work had been done in the background ahead of construction.

Mowbray North plan of the Wangetti Trail.

“It’s good to go, a lot of people say nothing has happened but we have built a bridge and there has been a huge amount of work in the environmental space,” he said.

Mr Healy confirmed three Indigenous groups have been part of a voluntary Indigenous land use agreement.

“This is the first time that a development in the wet tropics area has ever been attempted, there is environmental and Indigenous (issues), there are a lot of complexities to this,” he said.

Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said it was highly unusual that the council has not negotiated maintenance and operation of the trail at this stage of the project.

“And that’s significant,” he said.

The Spring Creek waterfall as part of the $21 million Wangetti Trail. Picture: Bligh Tanner

“It worries me greatly that if we don’t negotiate the ongoing maintenance and operational agreement within that three years it will revegetate and bring the trail back to its original state.”

While Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan urged all to “let’s just get it started”, Division 9 councillor Brett Olds supported the motion based on potential financial risk to the ratepayer.

“This is only for a short section of track so the risk to the ratepayers if something goes pear-shaped in three years is very minimal,” he said.

Cr Manning told the meeting the time had come to get the project started.

“There has been such a conflict, in what you’re saying and others are saying and what councillors are saying … it needs to be sorted out,” he said.

“This is not moving the way it was meant to move … it was real hype for the tourism industry and was sold that way as a spectacular ride and walk.”

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Originally published as Five major issues bogging down Wangetti Trail linking Port Douglas and Palm Cove