Taking steps to get Wangetti Trail back on track for Far North Queensland
- Crisafulli Government to deliver Wangetti Trail along stunning Tropical North Queensland coastline.
- 94-kilometre Trail will attract mountain bikers and hikers from across Australia and the world.
- Crisafulli Government is listening to local tourism operators and key stakeholders to get project back on track after Labor blowouts and delays.
The Crisafulli Government will deliver a world-class Wangetti Trail, in a major win for domestic and international tourism in Far North Queensland.
The 94-kilometre Trail will span from Palm Cove to Port Douglas, offering an alluring adventure on foot or by bike, through Far North Queensland's stunning coastal and tropical scenery.
Under Labor, the Wangetti Trail was plagued by holdups, budget blowouts and a lack of transparency that has left locals calling the current project the Wrong-getti Trail.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering the full Wangetti Trail, understanding tourists are searching for unique, nature-based opportunities like hiking and mountain biking along some of the greatest coastline in Australia.
To ensure the project gets back on track, the Crisafulli Government convened a stakeholder roundtable in January, discussing the project with industry experts, local government representatives and tourism leaders.
The Trail will also be considered by the Tourism Cabinet Committee – one of the Crisafulli Government's key 100-day commitments.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said that while Labor bungled Stage One of the project, the Crisafulli Government would get the project back up and running.
"The Crisafulli Government will deliver this important ecotourism project while respecting Queenslanders' money," Minister Powell said.
"Labor announced the Trail in 2018 as a nation-leading project, yet the first section wasn't opened until 2024 – two years behind schedule.
"It has become the most expensive footpath in Australia – with $22.5 million spent to deliver just over seven kilometres of a 94-kilometre project.
"Almost half the budget has been spent on just eight per cent of the project – 7.8 kilometres.
"It's clear there were serious missteps with delays in approvals, uncertainly about the trail's purpose and a lack of consultation with locals who know the area and the market for activity-based tourism.
"The Crisafulli Government will deliver the world class trail that Far North Queensland deserves and the world will pay to see."
Assistant Minister for Tourism and MP for Barron River Bree James said the community was crying out for leadership to get the project back on track.
"We've engaged with local stakeholders – people who really understand this location and the opportunities – who have raised legitimate concerns about the way Labor has mismanaged this project to date," said Ms James.
"We need to get this project back on track so that local operators and tourism businesses can harness those opportunities."
