‘Most expensive footpath in Australia’: Tourism Minister slams Wangetti Trail

A signature project for the Far North launched under Labor has been scathingly attacked by the Tourism Minister, who has described the overdue and overbudget trail as “shambolic”.

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell has criticised Labor’s efforts to complete the first stage of the Wangetti Trail last year. Picture: Liam Kidston

A signature project for the Far North launched under Labor has been scathingly attacked by Tourism Minister Andrew Powell, who has described the overdue and overbudget Wangetti Trail as “shambolic”.

First announced in 2018, the 94km hiking and biking track, set to run along the coastline between Palm Cove and Port Douglas, was flagged as being worth $300m to the region.

The first stage of the Wangetti Trail runs between Palm Cove and Ellis Beach in Far North Queensland.

But with just 7.8km completed, Mr Powell said the path had earned itself an unfortunate nickname.

“It was meant to be an iconic track, showcasing our spectacular scenery, to enjoy as a multi-day journey with overnight accommodation and camping for visitors and locals alike,” he said in parliament on Tuesday.

“Instead, what we have is what locals have ironically dubbed the ‘Wrongetti Trail’.

“After seven years, there is less than 10km of track built and almost half the budget blown. It’s become the most expensive footpath in Australia.”

The Wangetti Trail was originally estimated to cost $21m

Approval delays, unclear expectations, a failure to plan for weather challenges and a lack of consultation with key stakeholders were partly to blame for the cost blowout, Mr Powell said.

“In 2018, they said the 76km trail would be delivered by 2022 (for $21m),” he said.

“By April 2019, the project had grown to 94km, yet the first stage didn’t open until September 2024, two years late and a month before an election.

“Then they said it would be completed by 2025. Well, that’s not going to happen, is it?”

Cost increases had progressively ballooned prior to Labor losing the state election last October, Mr Powell said.

“In 2018, they announced that the trail would be fully funded and delivered for just $36m,” he said.

“In February 2021, that figure had risen to $41.4m. By July 2023, it was $47.1m.”

The Coalition held little hope of meeting the current budget figure.

“They have spent $22.5m of that budget and only delivered eight per cent of the trail,” he said.

“Under the budget set by Labor, it should have only cost $3.6m.”

Member for Barron River, Craig Crawford, Djabugay Nation Applicant Group's Richard Bing, Member for Cairns Michael Healy, Senator Nita Green, former ALP candidate for Mulgrave, Richie Bates and Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen at the opening of Stage One of the Wangetti Trail last September.

At the opening of the first stage of the trail in September, Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the trail was an important step towards providing a more diverse range of tourism offerings to visitors.

“If you Google the top 10 walking and mountain bike paths in the world, we are not listed anywhere,” Mr Healy said.

“Australia has nothing there. It took 14 years for Tasmania to build theirs (the Three Capes Track).

“We want to be in the top 10 list of trails in the world when this thing’s done.”

Member for Barron River Bree James said the community was eager to see the project back on track.

“We’ve engaged with local stakeholders – people who really understand this location and the opportunities – who have raised legitimate concerns about the way Labor has mismanaged this project to date,” Ms James said.

“We need to get this project back on track so that local operators and tourism businesses can harness those opportunities.”

Originally published as ‘Most expensive footpath in Australia’: Tourism Minister slams Wangetti Trail