A proposed 50km network of trails that would connect the hinterland to the coast is closer to becoming reality, and it could be developed within the next eight years.
It’s hoped the Nambour to Coolum Trail will be completed by the 2032 Olympics, paving the way for locals and tourists to immerse themselves in the region’s natural and cultural landscape.
Sunshine Coast Council representatives met with a recently-formed Joint Working Group that included delegates from multiple community groups, to discuss the project before outlining a strategy to make it happen.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she was eager to see the trail come to fruition.
“When complete, the trail will offer more walking, running and cycling opportunities for our region and provide a unique opportunity to access many different recreational, natural and history-laden experiences,” she said.
“The path could comprise a network of up to 50km of trails with a core route between Nambour, Bli Bli and Coolum.
“The trail’s alignment has not yet been finalised and council will continue to engage with our community, making sure we respect the views of all private landholders as the alignment is further developed.”
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
Councillor Maria Suarez said it would be a “complex project that could take many years to be developed”.
“However, there are opportunities to deliver the trail in stages over the coming years, using a hub and spoke model and we are now moving forward, one step at a time.”
Councillor David Law said council would first look to secure funding for a detailed investigation and design of the trail.
“A detailed plan would then allow council to apply for grants and funding from other levels of government for the trail’s construction,” he said.
“Some funding for this first stage could potentially come from the SEQ City Deal for the Blue Heart as well as other sources.”
Some of the trail would likely go through the Blue Heart, which covers more than 5000ha of publicly and privately held land across the lower Maroochy River catchment. Council’s website states that the project is committed to sustainable and adaptive floodplain management.
Joint Working Group secretary Fiona Hughes said the group was formed to make sure the trail was developed in a mindful way, after some concerns were raised about the proposal earlier this year.
The group consists of representatives from the Coolum Residents Association, Coolum Business & Tourism, Nambour Chamber of Commerce, an Olympic legacy group, the Sunshine Coast Active Transport Committee, and the Maroochy River Farmers and Landowners Association.
“As a group, we can be more effective at getting the message out and communicating with council and officials at all levels of government,” she said.
She said the group was formed to “ensure adequate funding is allocated to the project, to ensure it can be planned, designed and constructed in time, and with appropriate consultation”, and to look out for landowners.
She said the group was told, at the meeting, there would be no compulsory acquisitions of private land for the trail.
Ms Hughes said the main trail from Nambour to Coolum would stretch more than 20km, but additional trails would branch off it to make up a 50km network.
“Council’s plan pointed out that the proposed trail will provide route options crossing a diversity of landscapes, natural and cultural features (including a number of key indigenous sites) crossing various terrains,” she said.
“The proposed trail will provide significant outdoor and recreation opportunities for both local residents and visitors.
“The route could offer new tourism-based opportunities for local landowners.”
Ms Hughes said the JWG was told of council’s plans for funding.
“The meeting was informed that council is currently pursuing funding from the $35.3m SEQ City Deal project for the Blue Heart,” she said.
“Five million dollars of that funding is earmarked for tracks and trails in the Blue Heart.
“When funding arrives from the state, council is seeking to use that funding initially to design and construct the active transport link from Coolum to the Blue Heart and River Road.
“At the Nambour end of the trail, council is working with the state on a possible active transport connection from Nambour or Yandina train stations to the Olympic mountain biking site at Parklands.”
