Riders Fear End of North Qld's Tableland Trail

Maria Van Zelderen is urging horse riders on the Tableland to keep the pressure on the State Government.
Story: www.cairns.com.au
Photograph: Darryl Day



A Millaa Millaa (Far North Qld) couple, say the greatest part of Australia's heritage will be lost if the State Government succeeds in closing off forestry tracks to horse riders.

Maria and Ed Van Zelderen are the Far North Queensland co-ordinators of the Bicentennial National Trail (BNT), a 5,330km multi-use route down the Great Dividing Range of eastern Australia for non-motorised trekking.

More than half the BNT runs through Queensland, starting at Cooktown and stretching through Bloomfield, Mossman, Julatten, Mt Molloy and Atherton. The Van Zelderens said if the State Government’s proposal to convert 91,000ha of state forest into national park goes ahead, horses would no longer be able to take part in the trail.

"R.M Williams founded the BNT 34 years ago, he would be turning in his grave if he knew it was in jeopardy," Ms Van Zelderen said.

She said the trail reminded her of the way of life before the arrival of extensive road networks and heavy vehicles. "This country wouldn’t be what it is today without horses and now the government wants to lock them out, it’s craziness," she said.

Mr Van Zelderen said the BNT had a huge historical significance to the Tableland, which has been chosen as the site for the BNT board’s AGM in 2011.

"A dairy farmer from Millaa Millaa was the original co-ordinator for the trail," he said.
The couple urged every concerned group and individual to contact them. "We need to keep the pressure on and present a united front, there is much more power in numbers," Ms Van Zelderen said.

To contact the Van Zelderen's about the Tableland Trail, call 07 4097 2349 or email the.longyard@bigpond.com