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Publish Date : 20-May-2016

Boat operators invited to tender for transport of Hinchinbrook hikers.

The Queensland Government is inviting vessel operators to tender for the service of transferring hikers to rugged Hinchinbrook Island National Park off Cardwell, north Queensland, with the aim of having the extra service in business by late 2016.

National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles said expressions of interest (EOIs) opened today, 18 May 2016, and would close on 29 June 2016.

The EOI is aimed at improving the services available to Hinchinbrook bushwalkers who have come to walk the internationally renowned Thorsborne Trail, Dr Miles said.

This will provide hikers and backpackers with more options, bringing much needed tourism business through Lucinda and Halifax and helping these communities take advantage of the special values that our national parks bring.

I was disappointed to learn when I came to office that the previous government had put a comprehensive review for the Hinchinbrook area on hold. It was started in 2008 and was being finalised in 2012 when the LNP came to office.

The former LNP government put a stop to that process despite all the consultation that had occurred and the 600 submissions received from the community on the draft management plan.

It left the community struggling to resolve a discrepancy in relation to ferry permits to transfer people to and from the island.

Dr Miles said the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service had been working to address the Lucinda and Halifax communities immediate concerns while the review was finalised.

The islands management plan was amended on 17 March 2016, allowing for a new permit opportunity, with the aim of boosting the local economy and offering bushwalkers the opportunity to buy a convenient round-trip ticket from one of two operators.

In particular, applicants will need to show they can provide a regular and reliable service from the Dungeness boat ramp near Lucinda to the islands southern end, he said.

Dr Miles said a panel with representatives from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the tourism industry will assess the applications against the selection criteria.

The successful applicant would enter into a commercial activity agreement to provide boat transfers for bushwalkers of the Thorsborne Trail.

The successful applicant would also be required to hold a joint marine park permit with GBRMPA to access both the Commonwealth and State marine parks around Hinchinbrook Island.

By mid to late 2016 we expect an operator will have permission to start the service, Dr Miles said.

Hinchinbrook Island National Park, 8km off the coast from Cardwell, is the largest island on the Great Barrier Reef, and one of Australias largest national park islands.

Viewed from the mainland, Hinchinbrook is a jagged line of high peaks surrounded by heath, eucalypts, rainforest and mangroves. The islands 32km Thorsborne Trail is one of Australias great wilderness walks. Self-sufficient hikers traverse bays, beaches and headlands of the islands east coast on a challenging walk that takes around four days.

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