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Douglas Shire Council has revoked its pledge to take ownership of the northern-most section of the Wangetti Trail, citing unapproved route changes, a blow-out in depreciation costs and ongoing delays.
The Mowbray North section of the trail connects the Mowbray River Bridge with Port Douglas.
Originally, the design included a 2.25-kilometre mangrove experience boardwalk and 5-kilometre trail to Four Mile Beach.
The new plan is much shorter, with a 4.2-kilometre trail taking in mostly road reserve, alongside a 395-metre boardwalk.
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Councillors today resolved to advise the Queensland Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport that Council would not accept asset ownership and would like to re-negotiate the trail alignment.
“The department has come back to us with a completely different trail,” said Mayor Michael Kerr.
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“The new proposed route basically turns the original idea of a wilderness track into a footpath meandering through the suburbs.”
According to the Council, the new design will make it more difficult to attract commercial permits, which were originally intended to fund ongoing maintenance costs.
No commercial permits have been issued to date.
The Council is also disappointed with the construction of the new Mowbray River Pedestrian Bridge, which Councillors said is blocked off on one side, while the crocodile viewing platform is not adequately wheelchair compatible.
“This bridge is now worth a lot more than what was proposed and it shouldn’t be because there is a lot wrong with it,” Mayor Kerr said.
“I agree … we leave ownership with the state government.”
“We do not believe ratepayers should be lumped with a depreciating asset and pay for its maintenance when what it actually is has changed so dramatically from what Council agreed to.”
Forecast depreciation costs have soared 435 per cent from $64,000 a year in 2019 to $343,000.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport said the decision means that section of the trail will now have to be re-evaluated.
"The Wangetti Trail was always predicated on Douglas Shire Council being a partner in the project," they said.
"Douglas Shire Council’s decision will require a reassessment of the trail’s Mowbray North section."
Main points
- The Douglas Shire Council is revoking its promise to take ownership of the Mowbray-Port Douglas section of the Wangetti Trail
- It's concerned the route has been changed without its input, while there are major issues with the new Mowbray River pedestrian bridge
- Forecast depreciation costs have also blown out by more than 400%
