Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Ecotourism value of Queensland’s national parks flagged in Annual Report

Ecotourism value of Queensland’s national parks flagged in Annual Report
October 1, 2017

The Queensland Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing (NPSR) 2016/17 Annual Report shows work is underway to transform Queensland’s parks into ecotourism drawcards.

Explaining how the Department was focused on revitalising key visitor and tourism destinations, acting Queensland National Parks Minister Mick de Brenni stated “Queensland’s national parks are truly world class.

“From world famous beaches, to ancient tropical rainforests, red sandy deserts and the largest coral reef in the world.

“We have five natural World Heritage Areas, and Queenslanders visit our national parks 51 million times a year.

“The Government thinks Queensland should be the eco-tourism capital of the country.

“This is in stark contrast to the former ... government. They tried to trash our national parks, opening them up for inappropriate commercial development, removing ‘conservation’ as the sole object of the Nature Conservation Act and then allowed rolling term leases for grazing on national parks.

“We have reinstated these important protections and we are proving we can invest in our parks to create tourism jobs while protecting them.

“And thanks to our dedicated rangers, we managed to get most of our parks and forests reopened within three months of Tropical Cyclone Debbie making landfall, which was an excellent achievement.

“We’re also restoring the ranger workforce after the savage cuts inflicted by the LNP.

“The LNP slashed $10 million from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service salaries budget in 2012. That meant QPWS had around 60 fewer active and paid rangers in 2014 while the non-ranger workforce in QPWS was cut by 25%.”

Minister de Brenni said the department was also focused on progressing the Protected Area Strategy and joint national park management arrangements with Traditional Owners in the North Stradbroke Island area and on Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land national parks.

He added “revitalising national parks and enhancing nature-based recreational opportunities is a priority, as is protecting the natural and cultural values of our national parks.

“In the last year, the department has also delivered significant infrastructure to improve the visitor experience, including stage one of the Daisy Hill Koala Bushland Action Plan, which is almost complete.

“The department will also continue to implement its action plan under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, which includes the Raine Island recovery project to help protect green sea turtles.

“We will continue to invest in our national parks to make them world-class tourist destinations, and preserve them for many generations to come.”

Key points from the NPSR annual report:

• $12.8 million in conservation and compliance funding as part of the $17.2 million Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program
• $24.2 million in infrastructure and plant and equipment to support visitor experience to national parks
• Almost $9 million for fire management
• $8.4 million for pest management 

Images: Daintree National Park (below) and Lamington National Park (below).

Related Articles

27th September 2017 - Visitors return to the Whitsundays after Cyclone Debbie

9th August 2017 - Australia’s great outdoors needs to be more accessible for nature-based tourism

3rd August 2017 - New plan to support nature-based tourism in Hinchinbrook Island National Park

18th June 2017 - $40 million budget commitment to revitalise Queensland’s national parks

14th June 2017 - Sectors backed by Queensland budget

12th June 2017 - $3.3 million revamp for Brisbane’s Daisy Hill Koala Centre

29th March 2017 - Queensland tourism industry rallies following Cyclone Debbie

3rd February 2017 - UNESCO and UNWTO combine to launch 2017 as International Year of Sustainable Tourism

6th December 2016 - Queensland National Parks Minister announces significant expansion of protected area estate

22nd March 2016 - Parks Australia looks to develop ecotourism concepts on Christmas Island

3rd February 2016 - Massive growth in bushwalking as ‘green exercise’ and holiday activity

16th December 2015 - Valley Of The Giants Tree Top Walk achieves Advanced Ecotourism Certification

12th October 2014 - New tourism activities in national parks threatens natural heritage

1st February 2014 - UN Resolution recognises ecotourism as key to sustainable development

12th September 2013 - Queensland ecotourism plan released

11th October 2012 - Ecotourism leaders say Australia should focus on high-end tourism

13th September 2012 - Ecotourism the key driver of tourism yield in the Asia-Pacific


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Ticketworx Pty Ltd

Ticketworx (formerly House of Tickets) is Australia and New Zealand’s foremost ticket specialist servicing some 2,700 clients and producing in excess of 30 million per tickets per annum.…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Hydrocare Pool Services

Hydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd offer 30 years of experience in aquatic industry features, products and water treatment. Hydrocare Pools has undertaken water treatment for aquatic centres and…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Technology

 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Digonex

Digonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing

 
 

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Links Modular Solutions

Links Modular Solutions was a leading provider of high-quality, innovative software solutions for aquatic and recreation facilities. Links Modular Solutions is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Spill Station Australia

Compliant chemical storage and decanting solutions. Includes spill kits, spill containment pallets, chemical decanting decks and safety shower and eyewash equipment. See our full range of solutions

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Security / Venues

 
 

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business