Sustainable - Hobsons Bay

H O BSON S B AY FI VE YEA R SU ST AIN AB LE TO U R I S M S TRA TEG Y
H O BSON S B AY FI VE YEA R SU ST AIN AB LE TO U R I S M S TRA TEG Y
From The Bridge to the Beach – Towards Sustainable Local Tourism. Williamstown, Newport & Spotswood
Residents’ Association Inc. June 2004.T T
SYNOPSIS &/OR KEY FINDINGS
Study Objective
This Study sought to establish the local community’s
impressions of tourism, contact with visitors, perceived
impacts of tourism activity, and understanding of
sustainability in the context of tourism & preferred future
directions & forms of tourism development. In addition,
the Study was to develop a profile of the local community,
its values in relation to the local area & its demographic
variables.
Community perceptions & attitudes to local tourism
There is a widespread perception across the community
that the number of visitors has increased greatly in
recent years.
The majority of survey respondents have very little
direct contact with visitors. When they do, it tends to
occur in popular locations.
Regarding the impacts of tourism, analysis of survey
responses showed:
The majority (57%) felt tourism had made no difference
to their enjoyment of the area, whilst 26% felt it had
reduced their enjoyment.
Respondents agreed strongly (71%) that tourism has
boosted the local economy, & that they enjoy the
restaurants & shops (78%) & the vibrant atmosphere
(64%).
67% felt that the character of the area (such as historic
buildings, workers’ cottages & factories) was being lost
to property developments.
Parking was identified as a big problem, especially at
weekends (79% of respondents). Traffic congestion was
seen to be confined to specific places by 63% of
respondents.
58% said they tolerate the inconvenience, while 45%
tend to stay away from the tourist areas. 35% said locals
have had to ‘shift camp’ to less popular spots.
60% of respondents saw noise & litter as becoming
worse.
All sources of input reflected a general appreciation of the
development that tourism has brought to the area,
especially in terms of jobs & the variety of restaurants,
shops & activities.
Concerns were expressed that there is a lack of balance
in the protection of local natural & heritage assets, in
meeting residents’ needs & priorities, & in the growth of
tourism. Many believed that further growth in (or even
COMMENT
Extensive community consultative study
covering Williamstown, Spotswood &
Newport communities
Highlights need for effective management of
tourism while acknowledging the economic &
tourism service benefits that tourism provides
The protection of local natural & heritage
assets so that that continue to meet residents’
needs & priorities into the future will be
essential in the Tourism Plan
Weekend parking is a key issue across the
community & industry needing resolution or
at least more effective management
Tourism related planning from the studies
perspective needs to cover environment &
heritage protection; improvements to signage,
transport options, facilities & community
activities
Opportunities in the plan for low impact
tourism development that utilised the existing
features & assets of the area should be
generally accepted by the community
The most popular tourism focus from a
community perspective would be heritagebased,
particularly maritime heritage. Support
for walking, coach & ferry tours &
environment-based tours should also be
within the framework of acceptability from a
community perspective as judged by the data
presented in the study
The study concerns, priorities & desirable
future directions for sustainable local tourism
can be effectively incorporated into the
tourism plan
The study provides a community base on
which to frame the Tourism Plan that this is
reflected in the brief for the Plan
From The Bridge to the Beach – Towards Sustainable Local Tourism. Williamstown, Newport & Spotswood
Residents’ Association Inc. June 2004.T T
SYNOPSIS &/OR KEY FINDINGS
current) visitor levels are having a net detrimental effect
on natural & built environments.
Comments in the forums & dialogue groups identified a
lack of ‘proper planning’ to manage the growth &
control the impacts of tourism from the Bridge to the
Beach. Such planning should cover environment &
heritage protection, & improvements to signage,
transport options, facilities & community activities.
Future directions for tourism development
Overwhelmingly people identified future protection of
the natural environment & heritage character of the area
as the highest priorities for sustainable tourism to be
achieved. Relieving traffic & parking & expanding
transport options also received strong support.
The need to create a balance between local community
needs & the demands of the tourism industry was clearly
articulated.
Very strong community support was evident for low
impact tourism development that utilised the existing
features & assets of the area. Desirable types of tourism
were identified as heritage-based (50% of respondents),
particularly maritime heritage (56%).
Strong support was evident for walking, coach & ferry
tours & for environment-based tours (30-40%).
Few respondents (10-12%) saw major new
developments such as Disney-style theme parks or large
scale conference centres or resorts as desirable.
Key findings & recommendations
General support in the local community for the benefits
that local tourism brings.
Strong concern in the community that an imbalance has
developed regarding the impacts of tourism growth, the
protection of local natural & heritage assets & the needs
of residents.
Strong concern that local natural & heritage assets be
protected & maintained.
Concern that major impacts on residents, particularly
with respect to traffic & parking, be addressed with a
view to minimisation.
Strong support for the need to expand public &
alternative transport options & signage for visitors
(in/out & around the area).
Strong support for well-planned, sustainable
development of local tourism.
A strong preference for the development of low impact
tourism, focused on local natural environments, cultural
& heritage themes, such as the maritime precinct &
COMMENT
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