Community & Business
5 July, 2024
Push for accessible bush paths, viewing towers
AFTER losing his leg in a car accident, Richard Hole has gained a new perspective on accessibility issues when it comes to the outdoors and wants to make bushwalking more accessible for everyone which could deliver multiple benefits to the community.
Prior to his accident, Richard spent much of his time bushwalking and is now keen to see more pathways in the region made more accessible for those with mobility issues or the elderly.
He also wants to make the views from some of the region’s highest mountains accessible by constructing viewing towers.
“Very few places in the world have good viewing towers in forests that go above the canopy and I could not find any on top of a high mountain where people could climb and see spectacular views,” he said.
“Our area could produce something that may be the best in the world which would be a drawcard for tourists.
“The plan could generate a lot of revenue for the economy due to increasing numbers of tourists and save on health care costs as more people would be likely to use the paths for exercise – so in some ways, it could pay for itself over time.”
Richard says while bushwalking is a healthy and rewarding activity, the lack of safe tracks is a deterrent for some. Some tracks were currently “dangerous for many elderly and disabled people that cannot afford to fall over often due to loose ground”.
Richard is trying to get Tablelands Regional Council on board to install more paths and was set to meet with councillors last week to pitch his idea.
“I am lobbying local governments to install easily accessible paths in some interesting locations including up mountains where people could safely experience a good fitness work out and experience amazing views,” he said.
“A rope handrail possibly partly supported by trees could save costs.”
Richard suggested accessible paths could be developed to access the summit on the Tinaroo ranges, to the highest point on the ranges just south-west of Atherton, and to the top of Mount Fisher near Millaa Millaa and to Mount Lewis.
“These locations currently have roads that pass quite close to them so the tracks would be reasonably short,” he said.
“Because trees block views from the above locations, a viewing tower could be built at their summits where people could safely climb and take photographs of views that are much better than can be seen from other easily accessible places.
“People could observe different levels of the rainforest canopy and scientists could gather valuable data to study the forests and climate change."
He believes high quality online cameras and weather stations could be mounted on the viewing towers and at other locations in the area. These would enable more accurate weather forecasts and help people plan scenic activities, he said.
Another idea he suggests is to install signs at intervals along the walking trails explaining about the plants, animals, geology and history of the area.
“This would be better than one sign with a lot of information near the car park. People could then read as they walk and meditate on the facts and this would make the walk more interesting,” he said.
“Some signs could be attached to trees to not only label their names but give information about their uses and how to grow them. Signs with information about smaller plants that occur on the track could appear on the trail.”
Richard is seeking feedback from the community to assist with his plan and can be contacted via email at richardhole1970@gmail.com or call him on 4095 4354. He is also seeking people to join him to do more slow, leisurely bush walks where interesting topics can be discussed along the way.
