Construction on $41.4m Wangetti Trail due to start this year

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Public comment is now open for the southern section of the Wangetti Trail, construction of which could start by the end of this year if approved by the federal government.

Plans for the 33-kilometre path from Palm Cove to Wangetti include a public camping site and a link to Ellis Beach.

World Trail, the Cairns-based business responsible for the $41.4 million project’s initial designs, was not awarded the contract for the first section.

Instead it was given to Brisbane company Wagners Composite Fiber Technologies late last year, which will partner with Townsville’s Enviroedge.

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Tenders for remaining sections of the trail – 54 kilometres from Wangetti to Mowbray River and seven kilometres from Mowbray River to Port Douglas – are yet to be released.

A new pedestrian bridge, underpass and viewing platform is also being constructed on the Mowbray River Bridge, as well as a 2.25-kilometre mangrove boardwalk and 5-kilometre walking trail to Four Mile Beach.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the trail’s development has involved Traditional Owners, the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation and Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation.

“The proposed Wangetti Trail project will provide job opportunities for Traditional Owners during construction,” she said.  

“Once operational, [it] will be a great investment in our community’s economic recovery from the pandemic.”

The Australian Government is now asking for information to assess Wangetti Trail’s southern section, which involves a period of public comment.

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

Public comment is open here until 5pm, 10 September.

The state government has committed $33.4 million to the Wangetti Trail project, with an $8 million contribution from the federal government.