Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy November 2007
This Strategy provides the framework and guidelines for managing visitors to national park islands in the Whitsunday and Mackay area. It sets out the considerations, outcomes and strategies that will form the basis on which day-to-day management decisions will be made. Particular emphasis is placed upon integrated planning and policies across islands, beaches and the surrounding Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy has been developed to ensure that:
- Tourism is environmentally sustainable
- The regions outstanding values are professionally presented
- Visitor have a rewarding experience
- The QPWS, partner organisations and tourism industry work together effectively.
The Strategy provides a policy framework for sustainable tourism and visitor use. Key initiatives include:
- Apply a system of visitor management settings to islands and sites to help guide management decision making, including permit assessment, site planning, facility development and presentation.
- Identify high use sites that will be managed in partnership with tour operators to ensure a very high standard of visitor facilities and services are provided.
- Identify key visitor destinations requiring new or upgraded facilities and information signage.
- Develop an investment plan that provides a strategic basis for seeking funding for facilities improvements from a range of public and private sector sources.
- Manage visitor use to sensitive sites through seasonal or permanent access closures.
- Establish mechanisms to protect cultural heritage sites and advance the interest of Traditional Owners.
- Establish a diverse range of camping opportunities for commercial operators and independent visitors.
- Ensure effective communication and engagement forums are in place between QPWS, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the tourism industry.
- Negotiate agreements with resorts adjoining national parks to ensure co-operative management, public access and contributions to park management.
- Form a joint QPWS - GBRMPA - industry forum to investigate enhanced management of aircraft throughout the area.
- Set the scene for the potential introduction of the Tourism in Protected Areas (TIPA) initiative into the Whitsunday area.
Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy November 2007 (PDF, 1.2M)*
Map 2 'Whitsunday' (PDF, 1.2M)*
Map 3 'Mackay' (PDF, 1.8M)*
Map 4 'Enlargements' (PDF, 858K)*
*Maps 2, 3 and 4 are easier to view when printed on A3 size paper.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 13 October 2005