Noosa Parks Association, the shire’s leading conservation group for more than 60 years, has walked away from its conditional support for a commercial Cooloola Great Walk, calling on the state government to do the same.
Under the heading “Update on a commercial Cooloola Great Walk” in the NPA’s latest newsletter, president Darlene Gower wrote: “In the lead up to the coming state election in October, Noosa Parks Association is calling on both Queensland’s Labor Party and Liberal National Party to withdraw support for a commercial Cooloola Great Walk. It is time for both sides of politics to face up to the fact that a Cooloola Great Walk with overnight accommodation owned and run by a private developer has failed to get past square one.”
She added that Noosa MP Sandy Bolton “has been assured that the outcome of the Cooloola Great Walk will be in line with community expectations, and that government will work with the traditional owners, the Kabi Kabi people, and the local community. However, to date nothing has been offered.
“Over the past five years the selected proponent has been unable to produce a detailed proposal for a commercial Cooloola Great Walk that is financially feasible—one that does not require both direct and indirect financial subsidy from the state government, and hence taxpayers. It is time for both of Queensland’s major parties to rule out both direct and indirect subsidies for this project. It is time that both sides of politics listened to the clear message from the Noosa/Cooloola community and said no to a Cooloola Great Walk with overnight accommodation that is privately owned and run.”
Ms Gower added in closing: “Noosa is on a precipice—we need to ensure that it is navigated in the right direction.”
Which, to many observers, would seem to be a rather different direction to that which the Parks Association has followed on the Cooloola issue over the past few years. However, since 1992 the added complexities of the Mabo and Wik judgements and the evolution of native title law have changed the way environmental organisations think about national parks, and NPA has had to adapt accordingly. To better understand its adjusted position on Cooloola, Noosa Today interviewed current NPA vice-president and long-term policy strategist for the group Michael Gloster.
Noosa Today: Is this the end of the track for a commercial Great Cooloola Walk?
Michael Gloster: NPA is hoping so. After five years, there is no commercial proposal on the table that stacks up financially, environmentally, or enjoys public support.
NT: Over the past few years NPA has been a constant, if qualified, supporter of the commercial operation in partnership with the Kabi Kabi. Why this change?
Gloster: After five years, despite the aspirations of both Kabi Kabi peoples and NPA that there would be a genuine partnership between Kabi Kabi peoples, the state and CABN, the potential operator, with built assets transferred to Kabi Kabi peoples after 25 years, regrettably there is little prospect of this happening. A condition for support has not been met. Hence NPA no longer conditionally supports the commercial walk.
NT: What do you think this means for Kabi Kabi management aspirations and employment prospects in Cooloola?
Gloster: The past five years have provided a superb learning opportunity for Kabi Kabi peoples, and they are quick learners. They are now exploring a number of interesting commercial opportunities in Cooloola, some based on re-purposing existing infrastructure within the park.
NT: We have two state government departments (environment and tourism) who have supposedly been working with the selected commercial proponent for years now, but in recent months seem to have gone very quiet on the project. Why?
Gloster: There is no specific proposal before the departments for them to consider, so each may have downed tools for the time being.
NT: In an election year there must be mounting pressure on the ministers involved to update their approach to Cooloola. Will NPA’s removal of its conditional support influence that?
Gloster: NPA hopes so. NPA wants the current Labor government to scuttle it now, before the state election. And NPA is calling on the Queensland LNP to pledge to scuttle it if elected to government. The project is dead in the water. It is time for both sides of politics to pull the plug on it.
NT: What would NPA like to see happen with Cooloola Great Walk? Continue as it is with a defined walk and limited campsites? Or is there a way to advance its commercial appeal using existing infrastructure and involving a Kabi Kabi interpretive work force?
Gloster: NPA wants the existing Cooloola Great Walk to remain a DIY experience. As indicated above, Kabi Kabi peoples are now exploring a range of opportunities for commercial Kabi Kabi interpretive services.
NT: Should the cardinal principle on commercial activity in national parks be redefined?
Gloster: NPA is seeking an amendment to Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act that reconciles the cardinal principle and the High Court of Australia Mabo and Wik judgements and evolving Native Title law. It is likely that this will require refinement of the cardinal principle to enable a degree of commercial opportunity for First Nations peoples within Queensland’s national parks.
