Published Monday, 22 January, 2007 at 03:18 PM

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Queensland Government funds recreation canoe trail on Maroochy River
22 January 2007
The Sunshine Coast will soon have a new attraction with a recreation canoe trail set to be established along a 28 kilometre stretch of the scenic Maroochy River Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh announced today.
The new canoe trail will be funded from an $8.8 million package over the next five years to develop three regional recreation trails in South-East Queensland.
Ms Bligh said the proposed Maroochy River Canoe Trail will flow from the South Maroochy River, near Yandina, through beautiful natural and agricultural landscapes to Maroochydore.
“Of all the estuaries in SEQ, the Maroochy River offers one of the most rewarding opportunities for a new canoe trail,” Ms Bligh said.
“The river boasts outstanding scenic and historic values, and already has numerous access points on public land and river banks, making it perfect for a regional canoeing trail.
Ms Bligh said the proposed riverside parking areas and water access facilities would prove popular with residents and tourists.
The other trails being funded through the $8.8 million package are the 140 kilometre Brisbane Valley Rail Trail from Ipswich to Blackbutt and the 76 kilometre Boonah to Ipswich Trail.
“These three new recreation trails will be welcome additions to the current outdoor recreation opportunities offered in South East Queensland and deliver on key components of the Queensland Government’s election commitments under Living the Queensland Lifestyle.”
“South East Queensland already has more than 3000 kilometres of recreation trails on National Parks and State forests managed by the Environmental Protection Agency and areas controlled by individual local governments.
”These three new trails will build on the Government’s commitment to outdoor recreation and will provide health benefits to both residents and visitors to South East Queensland.
”The trails are also ideal for the development of tourism opportunities for such as providing accommodation like bed and breakfasts, farms stays and camping spots to support the trail users.”
Ms Bligh said this financial support for the trails builds on the efforts of individual local governments, the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation and the Regional Landscape and Open Space Advisory Committee.
Media contact: Steve Keating 3224 4379
The Sunshine Coast will soon have a new attraction with a recreation canoe trail set to be established along a 28 kilometre stretch of the scenic Maroochy River Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh announced today.
The new canoe trail will be funded from an $8.8 million package over the next five years to develop three regional recreation trails in South-East Queensland.
Ms Bligh said the proposed Maroochy River Canoe Trail will flow from the South Maroochy River, near Yandina, through beautiful natural and agricultural landscapes to Maroochydore.
“Of all the estuaries in SEQ, the Maroochy River offers one of the most rewarding opportunities for a new canoe trail,” Ms Bligh said.
“The river boasts outstanding scenic and historic values, and already has numerous access points on public land and river banks, making it perfect for a regional canoeing trail.
Ms Bligh said the proposed riverside parking areas and water access facilities would prove popular with residents and tourists.
The other trails being funded through the $8.8 million package are the 140 kilometre Brisbane Valley Rail Trail from Ipswich to Blackbutt and the 76 kilometre Boonah to Ipswich Trail.
“These three new recreation trails will be welcome additions to the current outdoor recreation opportunities offered in South East Queensland and deliver on key components of the Queensland Government’s election commitments under Living the Queensland Lifestyle.”
“South East Queensland already has more than 3000 kilometres of recreation trails on National Parks and State forests managed by the Environmental Protection Agency and areas controlled by individual local governments.
”These three new trails will build on the Government’s commitment to outdoor recreation and will provide health benefits to both residents and visitors to South East Queensland.
”The trails are also ideal for the development of tourism opportunities for such as providing accommodation like bed and breakfasts, farms stays and camping spots to support the trail users.”
Ms Bligh said this financial support for the trails builds on the efforts of individual local governments, the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation and the Regional Landscape and Open Space Advisory Committee.
Media contact: Steve Keating 3224 4379