‘Not good enough’: Residents raise concerns over Wangetti Trail parking plan

Angry Palm Cove residents are calling out the state government for poor consultation over a proposed car park set to be built near the trailhead of a popular walking track.

Cairns Regional Council deputy mayor Brett Olds (left) says the public consultation period for the Wangetti Trail car park is inadequate. Hideaway Close resident, Ed Petrie, says a carpark off his quiet suburban street will destroy the the sub-division’s character. Picture: Brendan Radke

Angry Palm Cove residents are calling out the state government for poor consultation over a proposed car park set to be built near the trailhead of a popular walking track.

Households near the start of the Wangetti Trail were letterboxed this week seeking feedback on the construction of 15 parking spaces at the end of Hideaway Close and Seclusion Drive, with feedback closing this Wednesday.

A 15-space car park has been proposed near the trailhead of the Wangetti Trail in Cairns northern beaches.

Resident Ed Petrie said the space, which would include waste disposal facilities and a water tap, would turn the quiet cul-de-sacs into a bustling road, leaving tourists and homeowners vulnerable to thefts.

“It just becomes a magnet for thieves,” the retiree said. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

“It would mean cars are parked here for many hours, or even days at a time. Thieves might want to look into the houses too.”

Palm Cove residents are angry over a state government plan to construct a carpark at the trailhead of the Wangetti Trail with rubbish and toilet facilities. Aerial view of the area where the carpark is planned, backing onto residential blocks in Hideaway Close. Picture: Brendan Radke

The facilities could alternatively lead to an increase in itinerants in the area, Mr Petrie said.

“You’ve got the risk of people just arriving and they start living here like we’ve seen at Ellis Beach,” he said.

“I just think that if you’re going to do the Wangetti Trail properly you’ve got to have the proper infrastructure to ensure that it’s a showpiece.

“Don’t just put down a slab of concrete, a tap and a few bins.”

Deputy mayor Brett Olds said the car park failed to live up to the community’s expectations that the trail would be a world-class tourism experience.

“This is from the same playbook and short-term thinking of the previous government,” the division 9 councillor said.

The consultation process with nearby residents is set to close this week, angering Cairns Division 9 councillor Brett Olds.

“Parking has been an afterthought. They threw mud at Labor but their first act is to do the same thing. It’s not good enough.”

Creating alternative parking spaces closer to Smithfield or Palm Cove with shuttles running to multiple points along the trail would be a more suitable option, Mr Olds said.

“If we want world class, we need to make it world class,” he said. “It’s our money that’s being spent on these projects. We need to figure out how we make this special.”

Member for Barron River, Bree James, said she welcomed feedback from residents about the proposal while highlighting the benefits of additional parking.

“The former Labor government failed to properly plan the Wangetti Trail project,” Ms James said.

Member for Barron River, Bree James, says the proposed car park would “allow safe and organised access” to the Wangetti Trail. Picture: Brendan Radke

“They delivered just 7.8km of track at a cost of approximately $22.5 million for that segment alone.

“Adding this car park would allow safe and organised access to what we see as a world-class destination for ecotourism, attracting visitors from around the globe and giving locals a new way to experience their phenomenal backyard.”

The feedback period, which closes this Wednesday, was not long enough, Mr Petrie said.

“It’s an unacceptably short window of time when there’s a long weekend and a lot of people are away,” he said.

“Our next-door neighbours are away for two weeks. You have to wonder if this is just going to be ram-rodded through against the community’s wishes.”

Upon its completion, Far North tourism leaders expect thousands of hikers to use the Wangetti Trail each year.

The Wangetti Trail is currently an almost 8km walking track linking Palm Cove and Ellis Beach.

It will eventually become a 94km dual-use path connecting Cairns’ northern beaches to Port Douglas, leading travellers through mountainous rainforest.

Tourism leaders hope the trail will become a global tourism attraction for the Far North upon completion in late 2028.

“Adventurers travelling to see the Wangetti Trail are expected to bring a significant economic boost to our region, supporting local jobs and taking our tourism industry to the next level,” Ms James said.

Originally published as ‘Not good enough’: Residents raise concerns over Wangetti Trail parking plan