Far North Queensland ranger environmental warden of ambitious trail

Mel Tortike has a much-envied role, spending his days trekking the Mowbray and Macalister Range National Parks and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, overseeing the design and construction of the Wangetti Trail.

Mel Tortike has a much-envied role, spending his days trekking the Mowbray and Macalister Range National Parks and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, overseeing the design and construction of the Wangetti Trail.

The shadow ranger ensures there is only a minimal impact on the forest and that trail infrastructure, such as the width of the path, the rocks, railings and bridges, all meet the approved specifications.

“This is a very diverse role, basically ensuring the trail gets built as per the government and ecotourism standards in parks,” Mr Tortike said.

“It’s a pretty complex role, so it’s not just on the ground, it’s desktop analysis and looking at licensing, permitting, ensuring compliance and working closely with the contractor all the time.”

National Park shadow ranger Mel Tortike works alongside construction teams on the Wangetti Trail to safeguard World Heritage areas.

Mr Tortike is a point of contact for the Wangetti Trail Project Manager, site superintendent, contractors, government departments, Wet Tropics Management Authority and Traditional Owners.

“It’s important to be able to listen and communicate well and maintain that high environmental focus at all times,” he said.

“It’s also refreshing to talk to people and local business representatives who are all excited for the trail to open.”

The 94km Wangetti Trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas is one of the most technically ambitious eco-tourism trails under construction in Australia, with Mr Tortike ensuring the protection of rare species and ancient trees that inhabit the trail area.

“There are some magnificent sites, trees, animals and plants to see, so you’ve really got to look after the very things that people are going to come to see,” he said.

“There was a particularly large spider that had made its home in an excavator, and then dropped down in front of the driver’s face. I’ve never seen anyone run away as fast as that.”

While on the job, the experienced ranger is inspired by the region’s rare endemic species, huge ancient trees and views of the Coral Sea and beaches that few others have experienced.

“The track will be fantastic when it’s finished, this will be a path through a World Heritage area, and it will just be a fantastic showcase for people to see areas that are normally hard to access,” Mr Tortike said.

Hartley Creek Falls at the bottom of the Macalister Range. Picture: Supplied

Rangers’ work to safeguard the surrounding World Heritage-listed forest is vitally important, Tourism Minister Michael Healy said.

“This is an ecotourism trail built on unique, diverse and sensitive land that has had little to no access available for people to experience so protecting the flora and fauna is crucial,” he said.

“Our National Parks are of tremendous cultural significance so it’s critical the trail is built carefully and without any long-term impacts resulting from construction.”

The first 7.8km section of the Wangetti Trail from Palm Cove to Ellis Beach is expected to open to hikers and bikers later this year.

Originally published as Far North Queensland ranger environmental warden of ambitious trail