Exactly a year ago Noosa Today asked the question, “Is the Great Walk off track?”
This week we finally got an answer in the form of a joint statement of intent from South Australian-based CABN, the Queensland Government-selected proponent for the ecotourism project, and the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, its proposed management partner. And while it left a lot to be desired in terms of a clear timeline and roadmap to completion, it did at least lift the cone of silence for the first time in a year to reveal that yes, the controversial “glamping” project is marching ahead, if at a somewhat slower pace than the average walker would complete the five-day walk.
The statement, welcomed and endorsed by Queensland tourism authorities, began: “CABN has confirmed that it will proceed with final design planning for the multi-day, guided cultural tourism experience following endorsement from the Traditional Land Owners, the Kabi Kabi Corporation. The collaborative project between the Kabi Kabi Corporation and CABN will introduce a sustainable, cultural tourism experience, owned and operated in partnership with the Kabi Kabi Corporation and CABN. Intrepid Travel, a shareholder of CABN, will add value in the partnership, drawing on their experience in sustainable First Nations tourism globally.”
Last May CABN and Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel, one of the world’s leading small group travel operators, announced an equity partnership that would see the sustainable travel group with impressive global reach invest almost $8 million in the growth of CABN’s off-grid accommodation business and help integrate it into their own Australian travel itineraries. While the equity partnership between CABN and Intrepid covers a range of projects around Australia, Intrepid’s vast experience and commitment to developing First Nations sustainable tourism models is expected to become a major factor in future partnerships with Kabi Kabi.
As Intrepid regional managing director Brett Mitchell told Noosa Today last month:
“We haven’t mapped who does exactly what at this stage, but the intention is to create a genuine partnership between CABN and the Kabi Kabi community, with Intrepid contributing training programs and product expertise, but a lot of this will be driven by CABN and Kabi Kabi working up the commercial models and the skill sets required.
“Intrepid has had considerable experience working with Indigenous people in Australia and elsewhere to develop training programs and to build capacity for their communities in and around tourism.
“It’s a complex business but we’ve had 33 years of managing sustainable, small group travel and we want to share that with the Kabi Kabi.”
As this week’s statement noted: “CABN has consulted extensively with Kabi Kabi in collaboration on all aspects of the proposed walk, including site accommodation locations, cultural monitoring, caring for country and the visitor experience through education and conservation. It represents the beginning of CABN’s long-term partnership with the Kabi Kabi people and the wider Cooloola community.”
CABN chief executive officer Michael Lamprell added: “Over the past four years our focus has been to listen and learn from Kabi Kabi about the importance of sharing their deep knowledge of caring for country, with focus on positive environmental impact as well as their deep, rich culture, we hope this partnership can set a platform for many more opportunities on country for the Kabi Kabi people.”
The Kabi Kabi Corporation said that the project would help to provide a culturally safe environment where Kabi Kabi are employed with the opportunity of returning on country and to showcase their traditional land to visitors, and educating everyone on culture, the environment, and Kabi Kabi history.
“We are looking forward to creating a remarkable, authentic cultural tourism experience with CABN, where visitors leave inspired and transformed to promote Cooloola as the preferred and desired eco-tourism destination within the region,” Kabi Kabi Corporation secretary Brian Warner said.
“The Cooloola Great Walk ecotourism project represents an important step in creating long term opportunities for our people and our future generations.”
Noosa Today understands that the Indigenous participation plan will offer opportunities for Kabi Kabi to work with multiple local businesses as part of the project delivery and operation of the walk. This will include construction, maintenance, food and beverage, logistics and operations.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive officer Brett Fraser welcomed the project.
“It’s great to see new partnerships being formed between First Nations communities and Queensland tourism groups. The collaboration between CABN and the Kabi Kabi people will significantly enhance the Cooloola Great Walk and will help solidify the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast regions as a go-to destination for unique cultural experiences.”
CABN will now proceed with the detailed design of the campsites and seek further approvals, which is expected to take at least the rest of this year, pushing completion into 2024.
But the long-overdue release of at least some information on the project’s future, together with artist renderings of preliminary designs for the glamping sites, will possibly quieten the jungle drums of the one or two environmental groups opposed to it. Possibly not.
