Published Wednesday, 04 February, 2004 at 12:00 AM
Environment
The Honourable Dean Wells
Mackay Highlands Great Walk on track to open in late 2005
The four-day hike from Eungella township through Crediton State Forest to Homevale National Park is part of a $10 million project that is establishing long-distance tracks at six locations across Queensland.
Environment Minister Dean Wells said the Whitsunday and Fraser Island Great Walks would open in June, while the other four - in the Mackay Highlands, Wet Tropics, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast hinterlands, would open by the end of 2005.
"The State Government has spent $533 000 to date on the Mackay Highlands Great Walk," Mr Wells said.
"The project involves upgrading over 20km of existing walking tracks at Eungella and the construction of three new camping facilities.
"An additional 40km of marked tracks will provide the link from the existing track system at Eungella through Crediton State Forest to Homevale National Park.
"This Great Walk will boast a variety of tracks ranging from easy to moderate walks for the day-tripper to three to four day walks for the adventurous overnight walker," he said.
"Three positions have been created at Eungella for the project.
"These staff are currently engaged in the construction of the walking tracks and other facilities on the Great Walk and will remain at Eungella after the project is finished to help manage and maintain the Great Walk facilities.
"The majority of the planning work for the project has been completed, and fauna surveys along the route have been done.
"Track construction and upgrades are on schedule, with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) and local contractors assisting QPWS staff.
"The project has provided a boost for the local economy - over $100,000 worth of contracts have been awarded to local contractors to date.
"The Sky Window track has been upgraded and the team has nearly finished upgrading the Pine Grove walking track, a major project for the last half of 2003.
"The replacement of eight foot bridges along the walking track is almost complete, with the last of the bridges expected to be completed in early February 2004.
"The replacement of the bridges provides a significant boost to both visitor safety and presentation on the Eungella walking tracks.
"Planning work and designs for the three new campsites is almost complete with construction scheduled to commence in April 2004.
Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin welcomed the creation of the great walk in the Mackay highlands.
"This is great for tourism and great for the local economy," he said.
"I have been involved in this project from the beginning and I plan to see its completion."
For more information about the Great Walks, go to www.epa.qld.gov.au/greatwalks.
Media contact: Annastacia Palaszczuk, (07) 3225 1819 or 0419 679 354