Queensland Government rebuilds Dubuji boardwalk at Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation’s Dubuji boardwalk in far north Queensland is being rebuilt from recycled materials at a cost of $1.643 million, to retain the well-known tourist attraction and improve safety.

National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles said the Queensland Government had worked with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation (representing the Traditional Owners), Douglas Shire Council, the Wet Tropics Management Authority and the local community to find ways to replace and upgrade the entire boardwalk.

“The Daintree region is an integral part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, and it deserves special attention for its outstanding values,” Dr Miles said.

“Replacing aged assets in the Daintree National Park is a challenging and potentially costly issue, but one that needs to be sensitive to community aspirations.

“There had been community concern over whether the aged Dubuji boardwalk, which had deteriorated in the tropical conditions, would be rebuilt or partially removed,” Dr Miles said.

“I’m happy to say the boardwalk is being totally rebuilt using recycled plastic and fibre composite materials that won’t rot in the damp rainforest environment. The new boardwalk will last long into the future and require less maintenance.

“The replacement work started at the section leading from the day use area, with about 730 metres already completed.

“This includes replacement of the boardwalk from the carpark and the section leading to Myall Beach. A new linking section has also been constructed, allowing visitors to opt for a shorter 550 metre loop walk if they do not have time to do the entire boardwalk.

“QPWS works closely with traditional owners in managing our parks and forests and has employed two traditional owners from the Daintree area on the project. An additional two rangers, from the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, will work on the project in the 2017–18 financial year,” he said.

Dr Miles said the project was currently on budget and ahead of time, with a forecast for completion in the 2018–19 financial year.

“We’re proud of this Government’s record and will continue to invest in visitor infrastructure that brings tourists to our World Heritage areas and provides vital employment for regional communities,” he said.

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu welcomed the outcome for the community.

“I congratulate the Queensland Government which has listened to Council and the community, and agreed to replace this vital and much-loved tourism asset which has become an important element of the traditional World Heritage Daintree experience,” Mayor Leu said.

“Council appreciates working with the Queensland Government and other key stakeholders including the people who live and work in the Daintree to continue the revitalisation of tourism assets in our magnificent Daintree Rainforest,” she said.

ENDS

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