Construction for new walking, cycling trail underway in East MacDonnell Ranges
A new walking trail in Central Australia is halfway through construction with plans to have it opened in June.
Centralian Advocate
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A NEW walking trail in Central Australia’s East MacDonnell Ranges is halfway through construction with plans to have it opened in June.
Traditional owners of the Yeperenye/Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park are gifting the track to the public and using more than $330,000 in rent they get for the park to fund the new 7.2 kilometre public walking and cycling trail between Anthwerrke (Emily Gap) and Atherrke (Jessie Gap).
The trail, which is biggest investment by a Central Australian Aboriginal group in public infrastructure so far, has created employment for 23 local people to date in trail construction, interpretative signage and repair and maintenance.
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“Tourists should experience the East MacDonnell Ranges as well as the West Macs,” Traditional Owner Ms Ellis said.
The trail will feature wheelchair access sections at both the Emily Gap and Jessie Gap ends, as well as seating at rest points.
The park is home to significant dreamings, the place where the three caterpillar songlines Yeperenye, Ntyarlke and Utnerrengatye intersect.
The Central Land Council hired Alice Springs company Tricky Tracks to manage the construction.
The construction crew is building the trail by following the natural contours of the landscape and causing minimal disturbance to the environment.
They are training workers in trail alignment and gradient selection, use of hand tools, erosion management and construction techniques.
The NT Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security’s Parks and Wildlife division will provide interpretative signage at the trail heads and trail marking.
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It will also repair and maintain the trail, providing ongoing employment opportunities for the construction crew.
The trail is currently under construction and is due to be completed mid-year. The traditional owners have asked people to please be patient and wait until the trail is safe and ready to be used. A launch of the trail will take place in June.
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