Although there is only one marina owned by a yacht club (Southport Yacht Club), there are about twenty other privately owned marinas, slipways and boatyards within the jurisdiction of this unique city, which offers the proximity to two major airports, tourism attractions, theme parks and unique hinterland (Tenefrancia, 2016). It is a way to raise awareness of environmental values and it can serve as a tool to finance protection of natural areas and increase their economic importance. 17The Gold Coast City Council released the Gold Coast Harbour Study Issues Paper for public comment in 1998. (2011) estimated the economic value of Gold Coast beaches associated with tourism as high as $300 million per year. Importantly, by declaring the project as a Significant Development the local planning Authority, The Gold Coast City Council, and significantly local communities (old players), were positioned as observers with no authority to input into the project other than decreed and regulated by the State Government (new player). Bosman, C. and J. Strickland (2015). Marina Destinations: Innovation & Lifestyle, Boat Gold Coast, Aug-Oct 2016: 8-9. Although there are not as many (far from it!) Karine Dupre and Caryl Bosman, Development Versus Coastal Protection: The Gold Coast Case Study (Australia),tudes caribennes [Online], 36|Avril 2017, Online since 15 April 2017, connection on 01 May 2023. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. The main positive economic impacts of sustainable (coastal) tourism are: contributions to government revenues, foreign exchange earnings, generation of employment and business opportunities. The methodology to monitor changes and to establish biological carrying capacity is still unsophisticated. It reflected an optimistic period of policy development (Vince, 2008) that would culminate with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in 1999. Will we, one day, develop place-attachment for a cruise ship terminal or casino on the Spit? Forests often suffer negative impacts of tourism in the form of deforestation caused by fuel wood collection and land clearing. Impacts range from global contributions to climate change and ocean pollution to localized effects on endangered plant and animal species in protected areas. Despites this shift in national government approach to coastal management, conflicts still regularly make the headlines regarding the management and development of coastal areas in Australia. Bird often mistake floating plastic for fish and eat it. I have heard many stories of this and I also witnessed it first hand when I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. By June 2013 the development project was in doubt, primarily on account of fiscal arrangements. 30If we analyze the history of the development of the Spit in relation to the conflicts cycle mentioned in the introduction, it appears that this site remains a major object of desire for any new players on the Gold Coast. Destinations such as Costa Rica and The Gambia have fantastic ecotourism initiatives that promote environmentally-friendly activities and resources. If youre after affordable Gold Coast accommodation thats close to the beach and all major attractions, your best bet is to book your accommodation in Surfers Paradise. Local place meanings and values (of old players) are often subjugated and marginalised or erased. Development of marinas and breakwaters can cause changes in currents and coastlines. It is of interest to note that 50 percent of users surveyed were not aware of the development proposals for the Spit and only 15 percent were or had been involved in community action against the proposed development that threatened the Spit environs. About 77% of all ship waste comes from cruise vessels. While we acknowledge that survey data is problematic (Hay, 2000; Law, 2006) nonetheless the data collected offers some important insights into the meanings and value the Spit had for many local users. 10The failure, by planners and urban designers, to take into account local everyday meanings and values can result in the alienation of residential subjects from each other and from their own place (Cartier and Lew, 2005). Gold Coast City Council (2003). Our blog features the thoughts, ideas and original publications from our members. Implemented as part of Our Beaches Strategy, the dune restoration works program aims to: The program is delivered over 14 ocean beaches and 7 foreshore areas within The Broadwater. Our monthly newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with city news, events and business. Other tourism related developments on the Spit were also approved during this time and were subsequently built, renovated and extended: an exclusive shopping precinct, a commercial fishing wharf (now also accommodates super yacht berths), an exclusive resort complex and an international hotel and apartment complex (Figure 4). (2016). In this article I have outlined exactly how we can both protect and destroy the environment through tourism. Domestic tourism is steady with various ups and downs, depending on the visitor type. Tourism Reform, Policy and Development in Queensland, 1989-2011. This type of development and land use contravenes the newly legislated Gold Coast planning instrument, The City Plan (2015), which prohibits residential land use and has a building high restriction of three floors. A member of Parliament at the time in support of the governments Spit development proposal argued that The Beattie Government has a duty to provide, amongst other things, economic stability and employment opportunities for the people of this State (Smith, 2006). The Wider Caribbean Region, stretching from Florida to French Guiana, receives 63,000 port calls from ships each year, and they generate 82,000 tons of rubbish. (2005). Private land conservation Niche market attractions, such as artificial reefs, cruise ship holidays, or mountain bike parks were of limited mass appeal, but could be attractive for selected markets. Despite the fact that the project was eventually abandoned one year later at the favor of the new state election, ASF is still in the starting blocks to deliver mostly a casino under the official form of an integrated resort development. Sparkling beaches and waterways are synonymous with our city. Tourism is . The Issue Paper and public consultation associated with it was essentially about the making of places; viable places that were valued by new and old players alike. 15Despite multiple community values attached to the Southport Spit, it has nonetheless been dogged with development proposals since the early 1960s. Year after year, the, Read More Tourists increase spending on the Gold CoastContinue, Australias holiday capital is gearing up for summer Wow! Adolescent Urbanism: The growing pains of the Gold Coast. Dovey, K. (1999) Framing Places: Mediating Power in the Built Form, London, Routledge. Its population, which is currently at around 500,000, is growing at the rate of 16,000 per year. This condition has raised concerns and excited resistance around democratic participation in the local politics of place, contestations over ecological space, and decisions about land use (Stratford 2009), concerns that are central to the Southport Spit. Average temperature all year round is 29C (83F). Coastal Zone Management Handbook, CRC Press: 259. Best, Y. The building of marinas and ports can also contribute to the negative environmental impacts of tourism. The Gold Coast also benefited from major infrastructure investments, for example the extension of the light rail and a range of Commonwealth Games facilities. Improper waste disposal can be a major despoiler of the natural environment. 20The SOSAs objections to the state governments development proposal were founded on five key points. For instance, in 1999, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act introduced an important change as it gave the Australian Government significant powers to influence coastal environmental policy and planning (. Place as an integrating concept in natural resource politics: Propositions for a social science research agenda, Society and Natural Resources, 16: 87-104. Clark, J. R. (1995). Yachting : Tourism Development vs Coastal Protection? Vanclay, F., M. Higgins and A. Blackshaw (eds.) Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, first published 1932, Progress Publishers, Moscow. In doing this, however, different people, or different groups of people, often come to value places in different ways to one another (Cheng, 2003). Tourists on expedition frequently leave behind their rubbish, oxygen cylinders and even camping equipment. The Gold Coast enjoys almost 300 days of sunshine per year that most people, particularly those who are coming from countries with cold winters, really find comfortable. This pattern is immersed within the history of Southport as discussed below and the Gold Coast as a whole (see for example Whelan, 2006). On the other hand, the new players, the European settlers, saw the region as one of plentiful resources, and good farming potential. Kriesberg, L. (1982). 19To provide effective opposition to the state government and its plans for the Southport Spit a consortium of community groups joined to form the Save Our Spit Alliance (SOSA). The Gold Coast in Australia is one of these coastal places, which developed through taking advantage of its environmental assets, such as direct access to the sea, a white sandy shoreline, an extensive and naturally protected broadwater and several large accessible rivers. In 2021-22, 19 of 23 beaches along the Gold Coast were On Track. The tensions and differences between the two groups of players seem irreconcilable (see table 1). The City of Gold Coast is also dissected by numerous rivers and creeks that have largely been reconfigured and developed into prime real estate around artificial canals (Figure 1). Dis-placed voices: sense of place and place-identity on the Sunshine Coast, Social and Cultural Geography, 8(5): 755-773. We have created GIFT Insights blog to share project insights and latest commentary from our members on current tourism industry related news. Lazarow, N. and R. Tomlinson (2009). Belsky (2003). There are also many cases of erosion, whereby tourists may trek the same path or ski the same slope so frequently that it erodes the natural landscape. Largely because of this phenomenon, the pattern of settlement and subsequent development of the city differs from most traditional Australian settlement and development patterns. City Maintenance calculate there is approximately . 2016; Dredge, 2011) and its governance structures (Dredge & Jamal, 2013; Burton, 2009). Employing over 3.2 million people, coastal tourism generates a total of 183 billion in gross value added and representing over one third of the maritime economy of the European Union. The image of the City of Gold Coast also poses questions regarding the value of place. For seven decades now, local communities have fought to keep The Spit for low rise, low impact, marine based and tourist activities. The first major conflict in the now City of Gold Coast followed the arrival of European settlement in the region leading up to the mid-1820s. There are also many national parks, game reserves and conservation areas around the world that help to promote positive environmental impacts of tourism. Best recognises that the Yugambeh people, the traditional owners of much of South East Queensland, continue to fight a battle both social and environmental, to ensure that their cultural heritage is respected and not exploited (Best, 1994). The area at the end of Dune Street had a lot of informal paths used as shortcuts to the beach. The impacts intensify during extreme weather events. This was given support from Methven Sparkes, President of the Nerang Community Association, who said (SOSA b) On any weekend the Spit is filled with thousands of picnickers, walkers, runners, cyclists, divers and snorkelers, fishers, surfers, dog walkers, and exercise enthusiasts, all of whom value the opportunity to access such a beautiful area so close to the CBD.. Mayor Tate, backed by the newly elected Newman Liberal National Party State Government put out a call for expressions of interest to develop a range of tourist infrastructure including a casino, hotels and cruise ship terminal on the Spit (See SOSA, a). Very few Gold Coast tourists would realise just how much their holiday is helping the Gold Coast tourism industry and our residents. Trampling by tourists can damage or even kill coral. You can also look at ways to offset your carbon footprint. If youve been here before, youll have to agree with me when I say that it is really a piece of heaven on Earth. Other tourism related developments on the Spit were also approved during this time and were subsequently built, renovated and extended: an exclusive shopping precinct, a commercial fishing wharf (now also accommodates super yacht berths), an exclusive resort complex and an international hotel and apartment complex (Figure 4). The SOSAs objections to the state governments development proposal were founded on five key points. New players and new ideas are likely to result in proposals for the development of the Spit environs time and time again in the future. Dedekorkut-Howes, A. and C. Bosman (2015). ). Noise pollution from aircraft, cars, buses, (+ snowmobiles and jet skis etc etc)can cause annoyance, stress, and even hearing loss for humans. Our city is naturally unique. Raybould et al. Donning the social constructionist goggles allows us to observe the built and natural landscape as a social-spatial framework within which people, from different cultural, social and economic groups, interact and create a shared sense of place (Greider and Garkovich, 1994; Mangun, 2009). Copyright 2009-2023 HRSP.com.au. According to a study conducted by Tourism and Events Queensland, the Gold Coast has come a long way as a holiday destination. The Gold Coast has a major opportunity with the Commonwealth Games. The politics of place: Understanding meaning, common ground, and political difference on the Rocky Mountain Front, Forest Science, 49(6): 855- 866. A member of Parliament at the time in support of the governments Spit development proposal argued that The Beattie Government has a duty to provide, amongst other things, economic stability and employment opportunities for the people of this State (Smith, 2006). Yet as a coastal city characterised by extensive residential canal estates (400 kilometers of canals, ten times more than in Venice), there is limited scholarship investigating local coastal management activities within the dominating and overarching context of tourism development. The big question remains: will the proposed casino and/ or towers go ahead? 20% said that growing Gold Coast tourism has positive affect on personal quality of life and 62% said that there is a positive effect on community as a whole. URL: http://journals.openedition.org/etudescaribeennes/10496; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/etudescaribeennes.10496, Griffith University, Associate Professor, k.dupre@griffith.edu.au, Griffith University, Associate Professor, c.bosman@griffith.edu.au, Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International - CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, Privacy Policy About Cookies Report a problem, OpenEdition Journals member Published with Lodel Administration only, You will be redirected to OpenEdition Search, Journal supported by the Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales (CNRS). Place: A Short Introduction, Carlton, Blackwell. An analysis of the survey data indicated that 73 percent of the respondents had been visiting the Spit for three or more years, with 28 percent of respondents visiting the Spit for over 16 years. The Concrete Corridor: Strategizing Impermanence in a Frontier City, Media International Australia / Cultural Policy, 112: 162-173. Those that did use the Spit regularly, as the surveys testify, perhaps took the Spit for granted or felt disempowered. Ms Battista said tourism was part of the city's history and believed it was a critical component of future success. Interestingly, the Gold Coast circumstances also paralleled the emergence of an environmental prerogative in the interpretation and implementation of the Commonwealth Oceans Policy (Vince, 2008). Based on statistics published online by the Council of the City of Gold Coast, the region welcomes more than 12 million visitors per year with 22.4million annual visitor nights. Evidence suggests a variety of impacts to coral result from shoreline development. I have also created a new YouTube video on the environmental impacts of tourism, you can see this below. It is time to rethink what the Gold Coast offers and how it can maintain its position as a world class destination in a race of ever new compelling destinations around the world. These new players, not surprisingly, reinforce the cycle of development conflict on the Gold Coast. Every year, thousands of domestic and international tourists choose our beautiful region for their holiday destination due to several reasons. The government perceived the Spit to be, and valued the site as, a space of economic opportunity. Annually 90% of Gold Coast dune systems are actively maintained under this program. Animals may displaced from their habitats and the noise from construction may upset them. Carver and V. Ylli (2009). This provides an overall health score for each beach compartment. We also have complementary plans and strategies to deliver a coordinated approach to coastal management. This would inevitably have had severe consequences for the wildlife living in the area. Essentially the place becomes vulnerable as local everyday activity nodes move elsewhere and tourists do not return. These include: Caring for our coastline involves working with our partners and the community. These changes also have more and more influenced tourists by impacting the quality of vacation experiences. The answer to many of these problems boils down to careful tourism planning and management and the adoption of sustainable tourism principles. It was not until the late 1990s when some noticeable changes started to occur. feaces in the water upstream!! To ensure our beaches and foreshores retain their sparkle, we invest in a range of cleaning and management services. As a transformational event, GC2018 presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in sustainability by delivering to international standards of best practice, leaving positive economic, environmental, social and community legacies that last beyond the Closing Ceremony. Local place meanings and values (of old players) are often subjugated and marginalised or erased. Scott, N., Gardiner, S., & Dedekorkut, A. Gordon Holden (2011) writes: One challenge for planners is to find the balance between fostering new development for a rapidly growing population and preserving the heritage and character of the existing urban realm. Australia's Gold Coast: A city producing itself, in Lindner, C. This lifestyle and identity have been produced from and are synonymous with place features and characteristics of the Spit: undeveloped, natural beachside, free open and accessible public space. consumed by an average person yearly- thats a pretty shocking statistic! Tensions and differences in the cycle of conflict on the Southport Spit. While we continue to receive an increasing number of bookings year in and year out, we, like so many other Gold Coast accommodation providers rely heavily on, Read More Third Party Hotel Booking Sites Aid Gold Coast AccommodationContinue, I have always believed that the best companions for any travel are your own family, and it looks like I am not the only one who shares the same sentiment. In many destinations they have organised operations for tasks such as cleaning the beach in order to keep the destination aesthetically pleasant and thus keep the tourists happy. That was a sad reality to see. Dredge, D. (2011). A celebration of nature. One thing that did emerge from the data was that all respondents who indicated that they were unaware of the development proposals also indicated that they were against development on the Spit, but not necessarily opposed to the upgrade of facilities. Table 1. At Griffith Institute for Tourism our members take on world leading research in tourism. Yet by early 2014, the Newman State Government nominated the ASF China Consortium developer to build a cruise ship terminal in the vicinity of the Spit. The Gold Coast is one of the most popular spots in Australia with 4.2 million visitors a year. Areas that would be home to a wide array of flora and fauna are turned into hotels, car parks and swimming pools. Our dune systems absorb wave energy and act as a soft buffer from further erosion. Griffin, G. (2002). Wear, R. (2002). As with most serious development conflicts, this remains unresolved, although it has taken on a very different form, moving from physical altercations into the political realm. Review of the Implementation of Oceans Policy, Hobart, TFG International. The coastal environment of the Gold Coast is teeming with life. , St. Lucia, University of Queensland Press. Annual visitors also give business to 151 hotels, motels, and serviced apartments. , Opladen/ Framington Hills, Barbara Budrich Publishers. positive environmental impacts of tourism as there are negative, it is important to note that tourism CAN help preserve the environment! For instance, in 1999, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act introduced an important change as it gave the Australian Government significant powers to influence coastal environmental policy and planning (George, 2009). They can not digest plastic so once their stomachs become full they starve to death. The negative impact the development would have on existing tourism operators on the Spit, namely the dive industry, surfing industry, fishing industry, charter boats and kayaking. Because of this, the Gold Coast tourism industry is able to add an average of $1.5 billion in value to the local economy and it has employed about 27,000. The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most iconic coastal cities. Importantly, the survey data indicated that the Spit environs were perceived as a safe and valuable community asset. social and environmental dimensions to evolve new patterns of managing and growing tourism in a more systematic and dynamic way in this new century. Essentially the place becomes vulnerable as local everyday activity nodes move elsewhere and tourists do not return. Unfortunately, many destinations, particularly in the developing world, do not have strict law enrichments on sewage disposal. Adolescent Urbanism: The growing pains of the Gold Coast, Geodate, 25(2), 811. There are also a number of physical impacts that arise from the development of the tourism industry. It offers a breath of fresh air, scenic attractions, relaxing beaches, great shopping centers, entertainment, and much more. All decisions taken by the Government were to be, and in fact were, based upon the advice of the Board. Vince, J., A. Smith, K. Sainsbury, I. Cresswell, D. Smith and M. Haward (2015). (1995). Burchill, G. (2005). In one case a prominent Board member obtained 64 hectares on the western side of the Spit for tourism urbanisation (now the theme park Sea World). Being a Gold Coast Tourism partner, we strive to help you make well-informed choices without burning a hole in your pocket. It was not until the late 1990s when some noticeable changes started to occur. Hay, I. The region offers kilometres of pristine surfing beaches, backed by a hinterland that is littered with waterfalls and natural wonders. However, transformation or rebranding does not come without asking some hard questions and exploring new territory. For tourist areas such as the City of Gold Coast, place is not simply a location it is a culmination of social processes along with tourist perceptions, or an intersection of various global flows, not just of money or capital, but of visitors (Urry, 1995). , 2016). In part, by recognizing the importance of the coastline and its natural features, the debate has shifted slightly from a focus on economic to one that acknowledges some of the critical environmental issues related to coastal development and the local, national and global importance of coastal conservation. In order to bypass local Government planning restrictions (and we argue the views and input of local communities) the State sought absolute control over the planning and development processes by declaring the project a Significant Development. This was despite the existing framework that was established under the National Cooperative Approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and the Australias Oceans Policy. The surveys were done at various times of the day and on different days of the week throughout the survey period. The Berghof Handbook II. This corresponds to the activities of surfing, diving, fishing and dog walking; the four primary everyday activities that take place on the Spit. Burton, P. (2012). 26In an effort to save the Spit from major development a second rally took place in November 2012 and studies indicated that the Spit environs have been identified as a key environmental asset worth more than $611 million for the city (Weston 2013). Mayor Tate, backed by the newly elected Newman Liberal National Party State Government put out a call for expressions of interest to develop a range of tourist infrastructure including a casino, hotels and cruise ship terminal on the Spit (See SOSA, a). Planning legislation in the City of Gold Coast has historically favoured development rather than environmental conservation and heritage preservation (Bosman et al., 2016). POSITIVE EFFECTS OF WILDLIFE TOURISM ON WILDLIFE By Karen Higginbottom, Chelsea Northrope and Ronda Green .