About East Trinity

Park features

Formerly a natural wetland of mangroves and samphire flats, East Trinity was drained and tidal gates were installed in an unsuccessful attempt to grow sugar cane during the 1970s. The soil became heavy with acid sulfate, and sulfuric acid and heavy metals washed into creeks and Trinity Inlet after rain. The site was subsequently sold and plans for the site were developed. In May 2000 the Queensland Government purchased the 940 ha site to protect the Cairns Scenic Rim

Since the purchase, the department has repaired infrastructure, implemented pest control programs and devised an acid sulfate remediation plan involving controlled, lime-assisted tidal exchange. Fisheries Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has undertaken some on-site and off-site aquatic impact assessments. These studies show that remediation works have substantially improved water, soil and vegetation quality, and encouraged many native animals and plants to return to the site.

Park management

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages the reserve and the department is responsible for the acid sulfate soils remediation project.

DAF undertake aquatic impact assessments.

In 2006 with the department as trustee, East Trinity was declared a reserve for community purposes—an environmental reserve under the Land Act 1994. There is no public access to the reserve.

Further information

• Visit the East Trinity web site