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Douglas Shire Council says it remains committed to the proposed 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail that would link Palm Cove to Port Douglas.
The State Government announced the project in 2018, pledging to build Queensland’s first purpose-built walking and mountain biking track.
It was due for completion in March this year but is significantly behind schedule.
Douglas Shire Council today resolved to provide a trustee lease over land it owns on the Trail route, to facilitate construction and delivery.
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It follows a decision earlier this year not to take ownership of the northern-most section.
Sections of the trail would be on land controlled by Cairns and Douglas local government areas, requiring both councils to enter a trustee lease with the state.
Cairns Regional Council agreed to the same arrangement earlier this month.
Douglas Shire Mayor, Michael Kerr, said the trail has always been an exciting proposition and Council remains committed to the project.
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“We believe it has significant potential to be one of Australia’s leading wilderness and adventure tourism experiences.
“Council is eager to ensure it is built that way and keenly awaits further detail from the State Government to understand the ongoing management arrangements for the trail.”
Earlier this month, the Member for Cairns, Michael Healy, said the project was long overdue, but it will proceed as planned.
“Yes, the project is definitely behind schedule. There’s a thing called COVID that’s had a huge impact on it.
“There’s a bridge that’s been built, there are things underway, scoping documents have been done, there have been significant environmental approvals at Federal and local government level.”
Mr Healy said he expected work to begin soon on the project in Palm Cove.
Main points
- Douglas Shire agrees to trustee lease to help get the Trail built
- Cairns took the same step earlier this month
- The 94-km walking and mountain bike trail project was to be completed in March this year
