THE Gidarjil Development Corporation is a step closer to seeing stage two of the Mangrove Boardwalk come to fruition thanks to the finalisation of an agreement with Gladstone Ports Corporation to support the project.

Stage two of the Wallace Creek nature trail at Burnett Heads will soon commence, with Gidarjil Development Corporation approved to progress the trail through GPC land.

Acting CEO Craig Walker said that GPC was pleased to see the boardwalk progressing and was proud to continue the ongoing partnership with the Gidarjil Development Corporation.

“With stage one complete it’s great to see stage two forging ahead,” Mr Walker said.

“We have a strong focus on supporting our local Indigenous communities and as part of the development, Gidarjil members will be involved in building the boardwalk.

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Gidarjil Development Corporation’s CEO Dr Kerry Blackman said Gidarjil’s training and employment programs assist Indigenous people gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue their career pathways.

Training and employment manager, Jayson Kokles said the main objectives of the boardwalk were to deliver a recreational resource for the community and an educational resource for the wider region.

“The reserve is dominated by mangrove and saltmarsh wetland and is very close to both the township of Burnett Heads and the mouth of the Burnett River,” Mr Kokles said.

“The nature trail will include educational signage highlighting the ecosystem value of the wetlands, native flora and fauna identification and Aboriginal uses of flora and fauna.”

The boardwalk will be constructed with a long-lasting, durable recycled plastic product suitable for wetland environments which does not corrode, even when submerged.