Delay to Wallaman Falls development
THE Hinchinbrook Shire Council has delayed making a decision on an ambitious proposal for the development of the spectacular Wallaman Falls.
The council was expected to make a decision on whether to formulate business cases on three proposed developments aimed at boosting Hinchinbrook tourism and rejuvenating the local economy.
Although the Wallaman Falls and Broadwater Ecotourism Master Planning proposals were not officially tabled as part of a wide-ranging exploratory report that would serve as the basis of a master plan, it is understood the three potential options are the construction of a lookout kiosk and café, a glamping and lookout area half-way down the mountain and Aboriginal guides creating an authentic Indigenous experience to facilitate greater cultural awareness.
Mayor Ramon Jayo said the onemonth delay was to undertake additional consultations with the traditional owners and the State Labor Government.
“Obviously it’s a very difficult task, we are dealing with traditional lands so we need to engage with the traditional owners so we can talk to them about what they perceive or desire happening there, and respect their wishes,” he said.
“And also that it is located in a national park: If you look around Queensland there haven’t been too many successful developments of any nature in national parks so we are endeavouring to find ways to work through that.”
Cr Jayo said it was pointless spending $30,000 on building business cases if there was no chance of the proposals advancing.
He said he was encouraged by the momentum building behind a proposed Paluma to Wallaman Falls trek and mountain bike trail incorporating the Townsville, Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook regional councils as well as lands controlled by three traditional owner groups.
The development is expected to be a game changer for regional North Queensland tourism, and would rival the world-class, yet highly regulated, Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island.
“At the end of the day, the ideal is combine them all together, and it’s not just that, we go one over from Wallaman Falls to Broadwater (National Park), then we’re straight over the Dalrymple Track straight into Cardwell.”