A number of key private ecotourism projects in Queensland national parks have been delayed for ‘further government consideration’.
The Brisbane Times reports that a ‘whole of government committee’ will now re-evaluate Queensland’s ecotourism policy and report back by 2023, with individual projects pushed back by up to four years.
The newspaper reports that the state government has invested significantly – about $262 million in the last state budget – in ecotourism.
And four ecotourism trail pilot projects had been initiated.
These include an expanded 102-kilometre Cooloola Great Walk on the Sunshine Coast; the 94-kilometre Wangetti walking and mountain bike trail between Palm Beach and Port Douglas; a similar trail near Cardwell; and a 125-kilometre trail south of Townsville to Wallaman Falls.
A number of ecotourism walking trails are in the pipeline. PIC: Pexels
But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Last month, following an environmental outcry, the government shifted the site of cabins planned at a perched Poona Lake in Cooloola, and near endangered vegetation in the Noosa River, as part of the Cooloola Walk pilot.
That walk had been slated to be completed by early 2023, and the Wangetti Trail was meant to be progressively opened from 2023.
However, the Brisbane Times reports that the newly released Towards Tourism 2032 document only promises those two projects will be progressed by 2028.
A committee will now re-evaluate the ecotourism strategy, to be in place by 2023, and ‘review aspects of ecotourism and government‑led ecotourism projects’, including the ‘guidelines and approvals processes’.
Victorian company CABN was named more than two years ago as the contractor to place private cabins along the Cooloola Great Walk.
But after lengthy consultation with the Indigenous Kabi Kabi people, and talks with two separate government departments, a development application has yet to be lodged.
CABN chief executive, Michael Lamprell, told the Brisbane Times ‘it was still too early to say when it will be lodged’.
He said the changes around the Poona Lake and Noosa River cabin sites arose from ‘collaboration with our potential partners’.
“We’re proceeding step-by-step and community consultation is still under way,” Mr Lamprell told the newspaper. “It’s an important process, and we intend to give it the time it deserves.”
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
If you can’t carry your accomodation on your back, don’t go there for more than one day at a time !!!