Visitors to Expedition National Park in central Queensland will now have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous explorer Ludwig Leichhardt. Attending celebrations in Chinchilla today, Environment, Local Government and Planning Minister Desley Boyle said the opening of the Leichhardt Trail commemorated the anniversary of the famous explorer's 14-month journey from the Darling Downs to the Northern Territory. While helping to open the Ludwig Leichhardt Expedition, Ms Boyle announced plans to spend almost $400,000 on tourism infrastructure, roads, and pest control for neighbours of the Expedition National Park. She said $235,000 would be made available for a new access road to Expedition National Park, $100,000 for a jointly funded tourism visitor information centre and QPWS office, $45,000 for feral pest control, and $12,000 for the control of the pest weed parthenium for neighbours. Ms Boyle said: "I am actually here today with both my Local Government and Environment Minister hats on." "Today represents the continuation of a wonderful collaboration between the Taroom Shire Council and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to increase tourism opportunities in the region. "Together they have worked to put on this event - which will continue until Sunday. "We have a major focus on tourism marketing, with our parks delivering significant economic benefits to towns across Queensland, as more than 13 million visitors each year generate over $1.2 billion in economic activity. "But supporting tourism is just one of our aims. We also work hard at being good neighbours - with the Council certainly - but, also to properties that abut our parks. "That's why we are spending $12,000 on weed control," Ms Boyle said. Ms Boyle said Leichhardt and his expedition left Jimbour Station in Queensland's southeast in 1844 and travelled for 14 months on an epic journey that ended at Port Essington, near Darwin in the Northern Territory. During his travels through the Taroom area, Leichhardt's exploration party camped at what is now Lake Murphy Conservation Park and Expedition National Park. Leichhardt named many local features after expedition members or supporters, including Robinson Creek, located within Expedition National Park. "This is a very special part of the world.
"Robinson Gorge is one of the main features of the large and remote Expedition National Park. "It has been carved over millions of years by the flowing waters of the Robinson, Glenhaughton and Spring Creeks. "Winding for 14 km between sheer sandstone cliffs up to 100m high, Robinson Gorge is unusual for it begins as a broad shallow basin before narrowing to a deep pool in a narrow gorge only 6m wide near its southern end," she said. Ms Boyle said Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) staff and the Taroom Shire Council have worked together to deliver an upgrade of the road into the Starkvale Campsite in Expedition National Park to 4-wheel drive standard. She said the funds will be utilised to upgrade sandy and dangerous sections of the road, to widen identified hazardous corners and provide additional drainage along the route into the Starkvale Campsite. "This upgrade will improve safety for visitors and QPWS staff alike," Ms Boyle said. "This outstanding collaborative approach between State and Local Government will see a balance between preserving the natural integrity of the area whilst enabling local community needs and aspirations for tourism development," Ms Boyle. MEDIA CONTACT: Louise Foley on 3227 8825 or 0407 966 829 22 September 2004
