Thumbs up to tree tents

A QUEENSLAND-first ecotourism development inside Lamington National Park could be open by Christmas, having passed Federal approvals and gaining backing from the two crucial State Ministers.

The Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing is completing final assessment of a proposal for Green Mountains campground next to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, which has conditional approval to lease it from the State Government.

The project would feature floating tents among the trees, ready-made family campsites, a communal fire pit and new cooking facilities, transforming one of the state’s most popular campsites into a Gold Coast eco-tourism magnet.

It would include 24 powered sites for campervans, 25 permanent tents with camp beds, up to 10 suspended tents, carparking and amenities on the square of former cattle grazing land, nestled in the midst of World Heritage Gondwanaland rainforest.

As the department assesses the proposal, its Minister already approves of it.

Dr Steven Miles said it was the perfect example of “lowimpact, best-practice ecotourism”.

“Of all the eco-tourism projects being delivered by this government in or near national parks, I’m most excited about what’s happening at Green Mountains Campground,” he said.

“This is a fantastic example of the government working with accredited eco-tourism providers to expand the range of options for visitors.

“Our tourism industry, and the jobs it supports, rely on our world-class parks for their livelihood.”

The process began three state governments ago when current Tourism Minister Kate Jones was Environment Minister in the Bligh Government. Ms Jones has already voiced her continued support.

The partnership would mean the Government relieved of maintaining the site and take 7 per cent of all revenue.

Managing director Shane O’Reilly said the Federal approval was an important step after working through the process for close to a decade.

“The Federal Government are able to put a controlled action on anything that might impact a National Park – the fact that this is actually in a national park and they’re still OK with it says a lot for how we’re going about it the right way,” he said.

“They feel the work that’s been done and plans we’ve put through means it won’t have any impact on World Heritage values or species.

“We could have it up and running by summer, without any doubt.”