Campgrounds on Double Island Point headland, eco-cabins at Poona Lake, guided tours, more walk options and quarantined revenue

These are just a few of the plans for the Cooloola Great Walk ecotourism project. It includes Kabi Kabi guided walks, unguided walks, a three-day walk option to Poona Lake and Double Island Point. Camping on Double Island Point may also be made available for the public.

Our National Park was selected for the Queensland Government’s Ecotourism Trails program, which focuses on culturally and ecologically sustainable ecotourism opportunities with social and economic benefits to Traditional Owners and regions.

Feedback was sought in the Community News in July 2019 and in April 2020, it was announced CABN would deliver the service. Community consultation was conducted throughout June 2021 – with sessions at Cooloola Berries and Rainbow Beach Markets, a few days before comments were due to the Commonwealth Government for environmental impact assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The evening at the Rainbow Beach Community Hall was more of a report on feedback provided, rather than an open forum.

However, state government takes submissions at any time, and after Commonwealth assessment, the project still requires state and local government approval.

Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola) campsites and proposed eco-accommodation

The current 102 km 5-night Cooloola Great Walk will not change – 1500 walkers each year pay $6.75 per night as a self sufficient camper.

Unlike the current walk, there is a set fee from the leaseholder and a percentage of revenue, and the funds are quarantined for the Great Sandy National Park.

It was estimated the six-day guided walk (87 km) with a boat ride from Noosa, would attract a $3000-4000 fee, for 5,500 people per year. However, it could be two or three treks from Noosa each week.

The three-day walk (34 km) will begin at Bymien Day Use Area, and include a loop between, and overnights at Poona Lake and Double Island Point – finishing at the Rainbow Beach trailhead.

The three southern sites will have six safari tents at each. The two northern sites include 10 cabins, to accommodate trekkers on the three-day walk. Accommodation will include two beds per cabin, with linen, ensuites with timed showers, and eco-flush toilets.

The Department representative assured the audience that there was no means for expansion of services, leases that were sold or transferred must go through the whole process again. They also detailed the environmental and ecological and other surveys undergone for campsite selection.

Benefits discussed were increased tourist visitation and diversifying the nature-based opportunities in the region, providing a broader attraction so Cooloola Section is seen as ‘more than a 4WD park’. Being included with the other ecotourism trails would showcase our region as one of the ultimate destinations in the state.

Proposed eco-accommodation on Double Island Point

Some participants appreciated that instead of the proposal restricting access, it was opening up National Parks for more use, especially camping at Double Island Point and the opportunity of a shorter walk option. It was stated that the more the public had access to experiences like this, the more educated and appreciative people would be of preservation and our environment.

It was also seen as a breakthrough that revenue was returned to our National Park, and not the state coffers.

Kabi Kabi (pronounced ‘Carbee Carbee’) involvement has been integral to the whole process with aims to maximise benefits including employment, training, business opportunities and promotion of their unique cultural heritage. Their representative is positive about the potential of the project, in engaging Kabi Kabi People to deliver an authentic experience on the walk, sharing stories and culture.

Many concerns were voiced at the meetings, including:

• Disruption to the Great Walk, particular concern over location of site N
• Increase traffic on tracks and roads, access and frequency
• Boat use on the Noosa River
• Risks to critical wetlands, and a pristine environment
• Fire and rubbish management in a highly sensitive area
• Ensuring opportunities for local business, supplies and manufacture
• Linking with existing operators to be part of the walker experience
• Guide knowledge and expertise to appreciate the ecology of the park
• Commercial viability
• Transparency of fees and funds
• Park management, trust and capacity of accommodation
• Options to avoid luxury serviced cabins
• Size of cabins
• Cabin visibility from Poona Lake
• Dingo fencing
• Buffers
• Jet skis
• Light and nocturnal animals
• Sunscreen on water quality
• Location of exclusive use areas
• Only two species recognised as affected – however concerns are this is an underestimate

Installation of the cabins is on track for 2022, and operational in 2023.

CABN will still need a final approval from the Queensland Government under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld) and local councils.

You can write a submission to the Queensland Government about the project at any stage, to Ecofacilities@des.qld.gov.au.

https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/qld-ecotourism-trails/cooloola-great-walk