By Mitch Gaynor
THE proposed Seven Peaks Trail has taken another step towards reality, with Sunshine Coast Council commissioning a business case for the long-running hinterland project.
GC&M News can reveal preliminary council estimates put the cost of delivering the trail at about $3 million, although construction funding is yet to be secured.
Division 1 Councillor Jenny Broderick said council wanted to see the project progress “sooner rather than later”.
“This is not just for the tourists, for our locals,” she said.
“Our locals love seeing our mountains and this provides tracks and pathways for them to do it safely.”
Cr Broderick said she thought the trail could become an important driver of tourism and agritourism across Glasshouse Country, encouraging visitors to spend more time in the region and support local businesses.
“We’ve got incredible farmers growing incredible things, and just giving them the capacity to be able to open the door and open their farms for tours and things like that,” she said.
She said the trail could connect visitors with local cafes, farms and accommodation while creating a multi-day walking experience through the Glass House Mountains.
“The idea of the Seven Peaks Trail is that it’ll start at Beerburrum or at Glass House, and it will incorporate seven of the mountains that we have, and allow people to walk between those mountains and around them,” Cr Broderick said.
“You may decide to do a multi-day, which is what’s great about it. It’d be great to have some accommodation along the way.”
Council confirmed a contractor had now been appointed to undertake the business case.
“Council has engaged a contractor to undertake the business case,” a council representative said.
The total cost of the project remains subject to further investigation and agreement with project partners including Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and HQPlantations.
Cr Broderick said the business case was needed before council could seek State Government funding.
“That was our first step,” she said.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to secure some funding, both state and council, and get this thing happening.”