FINALLY: Wangetti Trail edging closer to opening construction works
TRAIL
It’s been five long years since the State Government announced it, but maybe, just maybe, we’ve edged closer to seeing it finally start to eventuate.
Plagued by political bickering, delayed approvals, funding issues and track alignment complications the much-vaunted Wangetti Track, in which the State described at the time would be “Queensland's first purpose-built walking and mountain biking track” has proved nothing but another broken pipedream ever since.
Now, it seems, a little progress.
“The Wangetti Trail project is set to be the most technically complex and longest trail development ever delivered in Queensland,” a Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport spokesperson exclusively explained to Newsport.
“The trail spans a World Heritage area, three national parks, two local government areas, three separate native title claims, and also freehold and reserves held in trust landholdings.
“Noting those complexities, we need to get this right and follow the relevant assessments before construction gets underway.
“To ensure this project is a success, all geotechnical risks, agreements with Traditional Owners and State Environmental assessments must be resolved.
“This project is a priority for both the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport as well as the Department of Environment and Science who have been working in close partnership.
“It should be noted that while each department is working to finalise these approvals and assessments, most of these assessments are broader than the Queensland Government.
“The following approvals and assessments are currently being resolved in anticipation of a 2023 construction commencement for the Wangetti South Portion (Palm Cove to Wangetti):
· Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003) and Indigenous Land Use Agreements (Native Title Act 1993) with the newly formed Djabugay Nation Native Title Claim Group.
· Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Referral Wet Tropics permit under Part 4, Division 1, sections 34 and 35 of the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998.
· Section 34 Authority of the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
· Section 57 of the Land Act 1994 for Trustee leases with Douglas Shire and Cairns Regional Council.
. Development Applications under the Planning Regulation 2017 and Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 with Douglas Shire and Cairns Regional Councils.”
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