New nature walking trails open in the Sunshine Coast hinterland

October 7, 2020

More than two kilometres of new nature trails have opened in the Sunshine Coast hinterland’s Maleny Community Precinct.

The nature trail network offers an easy walk through the wetlands with the chance to observe native bird species, frogs and aquatic wildlife.

The Maleny Community Precinct is a 126 hectare lot of former agricultural land near Porters Lane. It is divided into a range of land uses including environmental education, sport and recreation, community facilities, ecological parkland, environmental protection areas and housing. It is also home to the Maleny Golf Club and the aquatic centre.

Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston acknowledged the efforts of former local councillor Jenny McKay and retiring Unitywater chairman Jim Soorley in bringing the trails to fruition.

Johnston advises “Jenny McKay and Jim Soorley were instrumental in sourcing funding and support for the trail network.

“The Unitywater wetlands were established in the precinct in 2014 as a natural way to filter out nutrients, pollutants and sediments from treated water passing through.

“Council and Unitywater have worked closely to construct the trail network and install signs, which opens up even more of this special precinct to our community.”

Unitywater Chairman Jim Soorley said a $17 million upgrade to the Maleny Sewage Treatment Plant was undertaken in 2014 and explained “as part of the works, we established the wetland and planted an irrigated forest which form part of the sewage treatment process – the wetlands take up treated effluent discharged from the STP and remove nutrients and sediments.

“It’s a wonderful way we can use nature to help us do our job. The added benefit of this process is that we can provide a beautiful recreational area for locals and visitors to enjoy.

“Our contribution to this precinct is just one of the ways Unitywater gives back to our communities and through our commitment to innovation, we’ll continue to deliver sustainable solutions to complement our traditional water and sewerage services.”

Visit adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au for trail details

Image courtesy of Sunshine Coast Council

16th September 2020 - Foreshore revitalisation project soon to commence for the Sunshine Coast

7th September 2020 - Sunshine Coast community benefits from new initiative to improve beach accessibility

2nd September 2020 - $5.2 million investment ensures safety across Sunshine Coast beaches

16th April 2020 - Sunshine Coast to conduct Coastal Fox Control Program

8th March 2020 - Sunshine Coast to celebrate Parks Week with tree planting events

18th September 2020 - GSCORE launches plan to develop sustainable trails across the Great Southern region

2nd September 2020 - New campgrounds and walk trails under construction for Turquoise Coast

5th August 2020 - Funding announced for new parks, walking trails and open spaces in NSW

2nd July 2020 - New Collie trails completed for mountain bike enthusiasts

22nd May 2020 - Warburton Mountain Bike Trails development to minimise environmental impact

8th January 2020 - Great Southern Regional trails master plan open for public comment

23rd September 2019 - NSW councils collaborate to develop new experience trails

2nd April 2019 - Conference explores development of sustainable trails

4th February 2019 - Otium Planning Group announces the release of a Regional Multi-Use Trails Strategy

28th March 2018 - New boardwalk expands Tallebudgera nature trails

17th May 2017 - New Trails website launched in South Australia

7th January 2015 - NSW Government backs Northern Rivers rail trails

9th August 2017 - Australia’s great outdoors needs to be more accessible for nature-based tourism

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.