Introduction
We commend the Government for producing the Destination 2045 discussion paper and welcome the Government’s comments about the importance of ecotourism and sustainability.
Investment Attraction
The Government has at its disposal many ways and means of attracting investment to meet the needs and desires of tourists, including: financial assistance, facilitation, provision of information.
If there are opportunities to improve the way that tourism related investments are regulated then these should be attended to. However, SEQCA would not support any blanket exemptions from normal regulatory requirements or ‘special deals’ for tourism.
The Star Casino debacle illustrates what can go wrong when special deals are done in the name of increasing tourism and economic development.
If the Government is minded to do special deals, then these should be subject to full transparency including details of any agreements which are entered into. To ensure that this transparency happens, the Government should amend Queensland’s Right to Information laws to end the ridiculous exemption which applies in the event that an agreement is negotiated with a blanket confidentiality clause.
Queensland’s attractions
The discussion paper notes correctly that Queensland has five world heritage areas. But additionally, Queensland has five Ramsar listed wetlands of international importance being:
- Moreton Bay
- Great Sandy Strait
- Bowling Green Bay
- Currawinya Lakes
- Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area.
These wetlands should be embraced as part of Queensland’s portfolio of tourist attractions.
Think local
To enrich Queensland’s tourism offerings, careful thought should be given to encouraging local governments to develop strategies which support Destination 2045. Such strategies should consider for each local government area its attractions, accommodations, special events and supporting infrastructure. Given that local councils are typically short of funding, the Government could implement a competitive grants program to support well-researched projects which enhance a local government area’s tourism offerings.
Vehicle electrification
To support and encourage visitor use of electric vehicles, the Government should pay careful attention to supplying better charging infrastructure for electric vehicles across all of Queensland’s Great Drives including adequate level 3 chargers dispersed approximately 150 km along each of these routes.
Ecotourism and conservation
The discussion paper notes the importance of ecotourism and nature-based tourism.
SEQCA supports the ongoing investigation for growing nature-based tourism provided that it is done in a way that improves the environment in subject places.
SEQCA suggests that the Government clarify that national parks and places of similar conservation status are absolutely off limits for privatisation through development of hotels, resorts, lodges and similar facilities. Such investments can be made in areas adjacent to national parks.
The Government should review its management of national parks and prepare a strategy for each area which clearly explains why it is an important part of the conservation estate and how it will be managed including allocation of human and financial resources for improving facilities and managing each park.
These park strategies should include an assessment of the number of visitors that can be allowed without negatively impacting on a park’s conservation values. An overall goal should be to encourage a dispersal of visitation across various natural areas rather than having over-visitation to a few high-profile areas.
Accommodation
Over the past few decades there have been significant changes in how people are accommodated while being tourists. Currently, much use is made of airbnb style offerings booked on-line. This has the potential to impact adversely on local communities if not well managed. Noosa Shire Council appears to be leading the way in recognizing this issue and taking steps to regulate it.
SEQCA suggests that the Government ensures that local councils can continue to protect residential amenity in areas zoned low density residential through appropriate regulation of short-term stay use of dwellings in such areas.
Climate change
Queensland’s attractiveness to tourists is being affected by climate change. Impacts include:
- Coral bleaching which diminishes the attractiveness of the Great Barrier Reef
- Increasingly severe cyclones and wet weather events affecting North Queensland
- Increasing risks of major bushfires
- Sea level rise which is impacting on natural and man-made assets along our coastline
- Increasing ambient temperatures which makes summer in Queensland increasingly uncomfortable.
To reduce the risks of Queensland’s tourism economy being adversely affected by climate change, Queensland should have a coherent State Government strategy advocating for and contributing to global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Brisbane 2032 Games will be a key opportunity for Queensland to demonstrate that it is doing everything possible to stage a climate-positive games. This should include avoidance of unnecessary construction of new stadiums which have a large amount of embedded carbon and maximizing the use of renewable energy to meet the electricity requirements of Games facilities.
When the Government’s plan for new venues and associated infrastructure has been settled, detailed figures should be made publicly available which explain the climate change impacts of each venue or other facility.This should include: construction of venues / facilities for the Games, use during the Games, and use for the asset lifetime.
Air Travel
Any plans for increasing tourism visitation through air travel should recognize that this will have two adverse impacts:
Flight Path Noise
Since the introduction of the second runway at Brisbane Airport communities in and around Brisbane have become actively engaged in a campaign objecting to flight path noise. Announcements that airlines are increasing the number of flights using Brisbane airport are viewed by many long-suffering residents as an expectation that they will experience more distressing noise. Any efforts by the State Government to increase air traffic into Brisbane should have regard to ways and means of dealing with the flight noise impacts.
Greenhouse Gas Emission
While air travel is based on the use of liquid fossil fuels it will contribute to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The global airline industry has set a target of reaching zero emissions by 2050 but this is dependent on a combination of things happening including sustainably produced fuel, new technology and offsets. The Destination 2045 discussion paper acknowledges the airline industry’s aspirations to become more sustainable but the State Government should consider, in conjunction with other Australian governments, ways and means of encouraging genuine GHG reductions associated with air travel to and within Australia.
Next steps
The final version of the Destination 2045 Queensland’s Tourism Future strategy should be followed by a detailed action plan for the next five years spelling out who is to do what by when. This plan should be supported with appropriate performance management and reporting systems. All of these documents should be made publicly available.
About SEQCA
The Southeast Queensland Community Alliance (SEQCA) is a not-for-profit umbrella organisation formed by planning and environmental advocacy groups based across SEQ. SEQCA campaigns to protect and improve the liveability of SEQ communities; to promote sustainable, resilient and nature positive development and to ensure greater transparency and accountability in all planning and development related matters.Further information about SEQCA is available at https://seqalliance.org/