Close to $30m worth of projects for Douglas Shire in new state budget
Government Money
The Wangetti Trail has been allocated $18m, a Mossman water project has received $6m and two previously announced Daintree tourism projects have been granted about $5m in this week’s state budget.
Premier David Crisafulli is promoting the Wangetti Trail as a cornerstone of the Government’s Destination 2045 tourism plan, which is designed to “make Queensland the leading holiday destination in the nation” within the next 20 years.
“The Crisafulli Government is delivering for Far North Queensland,” Premier Crisafulli said after the budget dropped.
“The 2025-26 budget lays the foundation for the fresh start Queenslanders voted for.”
At least $15m has already been spent on the completed 7.8km section of the 94km-long Wangetti walking and biking trail.
The next sections to be built are reportedly from Ellis Beach to Wangetti and from Port Douglas to Mowbray.
The finished trail, from Palm Cove to Port Douglas, was originally estimated to cost about $47m, with a further $18.3m in this budget, and $13.4m to come in later budgets.
The Trail is being jointly funded with the Federal Government, which has already paid $8m.
But the small print in this week’s budget papers states that an “additional $19.7 million was allocated to Wangetti Trail in the 2025-26 Budget”, bringing the total cost of the project to about $66m.
Part of this would include the emergency repairs after large sections between Palm Cove and Ellis Beach were washed away by monsoonal rains earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Douglas Shire water security has also been given a boost in the budget, with $6m of state and federal money allocated towards building a new intake to extract water from the Mossman River.
The budget papers state this is also needed to improve the health of Rex Creek and “increase climate change resilience”.
The total cost of that project is $10m, with $1.4m spent so far and another about $2.7m still needed from future budgets.
During his budget speech, Treasurer David Janetzki said the Government was aiming to “fast-track critical infrastructure works like water, power and transport.”
And $2.7m has also been budgeted for the previously announced new $3.7m Indigenous tourism hub in the Daintree National Park, while $2.3m is going towards replacing the Jindalba Boardwalk.
The total cost of that latter project will be about $4.5m, with $2.3m still needed in future budgets.
In other broader measures affecting Far North Queensland, the Government has emphasised its tough-on-crime stance.
“In our first 200 days of government, we delivered net 240 new police officers,” Mr Janetzki said.
The Government said there would be more police helicopter activity over Far North Queensland, with an expansion of POLAIR operations.
The budget also includes $4m for upgrades to the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre near Mareeba.
In health news, Cairns Hospital will receive $67m in this budget for its previously flagged expansion, and there is about $13m in there to help refurbish Atherton Hospital.
In Cooktown, the hospital will receive $9m for upgrades and the oval will get $350,000 worth of new lighting.
And every Queensland primary school child will receive a $100 school voucher, while parents can also apply for a $200 sports rebate for each child aged 5-17.
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