Another step forward for the Wangetti Trail

Wangetti Trail

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The Wangetti Trail will link Palm Cove and Port Douglas, two iconic Tropical North Queensland regions, giving national and international visitors yet another reason to explore our destination further. Image: Supplied


The public submission period is now open for the proposed $41.4 million Wangetti Trail after additional environmental information was provided to the Australian Government.

“The Australian Government has asked for more information for the assessment of the proposed southern trail under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, or EPBC Act, said Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui.

“Information requested by the Australian Government relates to the management and mitigation of potential animal and World Heritage impacts, offsets, rehabilitation and administrative matters.”

The EPBC Act allows for a period of public comment on the material through the Tourism Department’s website.

Interested parties can have their say until 5pm on 10 September 2021.

“The proposed Wangetti Trail project will provide job opportunities for Traditional Owners during construction and once operational, which will be a great investment in our community’s economic recovery from the pandemic,” Ms Lui said.

“Subject to Australian Government approval, construction could be underway by the end of the year for the 33-kilometre Wangetti South section of the trail from Palm Cove to Wangetti,” Ms Lui said.

“The 94-kilometre trail has been split into three sections of work including 54-kilometres from Wangetti to Mowbray River and seven-kilometres from Mowbray River to Port Douglas.”

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the 33-kilometre southern trail would include a public camping site and a link to Ellis Beach.

“The Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation and Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation cultural heritage monitors have been involved in the process to deliver job opportunities for Traditional Owners,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“It follows a cultural heritage survey by Traditional Owner Land and Sea Rangers and a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement with the Palaszczuk Government, depending on Federal approvals.

“The Wangetti Trail is a great example of the Palaszczuk Government working with Traditional Owners to return jobs to Country and develop new cultural visitor experiences to help tourism in Tropical North Queensland rebuild better.”

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $33.4 million to the Wangetti Trail project with the Australian Government investing $8 million from the National Tourism Icons Program.

RELATED:
- Wangetti Trail: Tenders called for next stage as construction progresses
- State Government gets behind Wangetti Trail
- Video | Wangetti bike trail hub gets nod from council
- Wangetti Trail project receives $8m federal funding boost


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