Walking trails opened on Takura Environmental Reserve

New walking trails through the rainforest at the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Takura Environment Reserve will give people an opportunity to see swamp wallabies, scrub turkeys and echidnas.

“About three kilometres of tracks have been developed through the remnant vegetation on the reserve,” Cr Jade Wellings said.

“The tracks take you to see some of the interesting trees and ecosystems of the block.”

Interpretive signs have also been installed to outline environmental values such as ecological processes, specialised plant and animal relationships and history of the environmental reserve.

The project has been largely funded by a $90,000 grant from the COVID Works for Queensland program.

Council bought the 60ha property on the ridgeline at Takura in 2020 to add to the regional conservation network.

Since then, Council staff have been improving access to open-up the property for residents to visit and enjoy.

“Walking through the bush can be very relaxing,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

“The network of Council environmental reserves offers a wide range of walks and insight into a lot of the different kinds of forest ecosystems and plants across the Fraser Coast.

Wildlife cameras have snapped pictures and video of scrub turkeys, lace monitors, swamp wallabies and echidnas moving through the rainforest section.

“Council bought the land to preserve its environmental values and for the benefit and enjoyment of the community,” Cr Seymour said.

“It will provide many benefits including access for residents to an area of bushland that is very close to that which covered the Fraser Coast at the time of European settlement.

“It is a great place for walking and birdwatching, as well as providing a refuge for native animals and plants – some of which are endangered.”

The elevated site, at the end of Barnett Road, Takuara, provides views of the surrounding countryside to K’gari Fraser Island and south to Bauple Mountain.

“There are not many rainforest areas left on the Fraser Coast, so it is very important that we preserve the area,” Cr Wellings said.

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said the project had been funded through the Palaszczuk Government’s 2020-21 COVID Works for Queensland Program.

“The $200 million program provided support to all Queensland councils, delivering job creating new infrastructure, as well as much needed facilities and drawcards for our region,” Mr Saunders said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to work in with Fraser Coast Regional Council to implement Queensland’s plan for economic recovery and open up Takura Environment Reserve for our community to make the most of, while preserving the stunning natural area."