Traditional Owners the Kabi Kabi Peoples have given notice of a private Traditional Owner community meeting to be held on 5 November to consider the proposed ecotourism accommodation sites for the Cooloola Great Walk ecotourism project.

This best-practice environmental and cultural ecotourism experience aims to establish five small-scale low-impact ecotourism facilities and activities along the Great Walk, enhancing the walking experience through simple accommodation and guided tours, making it more accessible to a wider range of visitors.

Following public feedback, independent ecological advice and project stakeholder consultation, two sites are proposed to be relocated to alternative sites along the route.  These are:

New proposed Site B – https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/288203/CGWEP-Site-B-2500.pdf 

“Banksia” (or Site B) is located outside of the flooding inundation zone of the Noosa River, off an existing vehicle access track and approximately 400m east of the Noosa River. The proposed Site B avoids significant wetland values, in particular the Cooloola Patterned Fens, avoids potential fauna habitat, mature koala habitat and hollow bearing trees, and is close to the Cooloola Great Walk and existing vehicle access.

New proposed Site R – https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0037/288199/CGWEP-Site-R-2500.pdf

‘Ridgeline’ (Site R) is entirely outside of Poona Lake’s catchment near the existing QPWS communication tower, approximately 400m west of Poona Lake. Site R is located in previously disturbed (ex-forestry) blackbutt woodland, away from high value rainforest and undisturbed old-growth blackbutt, and requires no additional vehicle access track to be constructed.

For more information on the five proposed sites and the selection process, visit https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/management/ecotourism/trails-program#cooloola_great_walk

The Native Title holders, the Kabi Kabi people, will present the proposed changes at their community meeting. If accepted, the authorisation of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement and Cultural Heritage Management Plan will follow.

The project is being delivered through a collaborative model with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (DTIS), Department of Environment and Science (DES), Traditional Owners the Kabi Kabi People, and experienced eco-tourism company CABN.

Source
Media Release
State Projects, Tourism Division
Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport 
Phone 1800 957 852 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm AEST)
PO Box 15168
City East QLD 4002