VIDEO: We could see Wangetti washout coming, residents say

Trail Troubles

Shaun Hollis

Journalist

Email Shaun
Last updated:
There is no timeline set for the reopening of the Wangetti Trail.

Residents have reacted strongly to images of large sections of the Wangetti Trail washing away following heavy monsoonal rains in the region throughout this month.

Wangetti local Christine Fry told Newsport she had walked the entire length of the trail recently and she had seen a “lot of erosion”.

“A lot of the banks that were cut into on the ridge are falling down,” Ms Fry stated.

“There’s erosion from the trail itself that’s going down into the watercourse.”

In an online comment, Daphne Timms asked whether locals would ever be listened to by the relevant State Government authorities.

“This trail will end up costing us a continuous heap of money, like it already has,” she wrote.

Others questioned whether rebuilding the Captain Cook Highway should be a higher priority.

I’d be using that money to fix the road first!, “ Diana Andresen stated.

A small number of readers have defended the track construction.

"The makers of the track can't prevent what comes down the hill though?,” Monika Kirstin said.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has no timeline set for when the 7.8km trail, which stretches from Palm Cove to Ellis Beach, may reopen - a spokesperson has said more may be known next month.

Not far south of the Ellis Beach pub there is extensive damage to the popular walking and cycling trail, with rocks strewn across the path and parts completely washed away.

A large yellow sign near the venue states “Wangetti Trail closed due to wet weather”.

QPWS put out an alert about the controversial Macalister Range National Park trail earlier this month that it had been closed due to recent heavy rains.

“Seek alternative options. Visit another open park or plan ahead to explore when conditions improve,’’ the advice stated.

The $47m Wangetti Trail plan has been dogged by controversy across the past decade, but Premier David Crisafulli said last month his government was still committed to completing the 94km route from Palm Cove to Port Douglas.

The previous state government committed to finishing the entire trail by 2026, backed by $8m of Federal Government money.

 

Support public interest journalism

Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.

Got a news tip?

Send a news tip or submit a letter to the Newsport Editor here.

Comments

Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.