Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy ...

Visitor management settings
The following section describes a broad framework for
managing visitor use of islands centred on a system of
visitor management settings applied to islands and
individual sites. Settings will guide decision making,
including permit assessment, site planning, facility
development and presentation.
Approach
Islands and beaches will be managed according to the
following settings:
1. Developed 2. High use 3. Moderate use
4. Natural 5. Protected
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Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy
Classifying visitor sites in natural areas is an important
The names and broad intent of settings complement those
management process. The classification system places a adopted for the marine environment in the Whitsunday Plan
visitor site at a specified level of “naturalness”, ensuring a of Management (GBRMPA 1998).
mix of visitor sites remains available to meet park users’
Maps 2, 3 and 4 show settings applied to islands and visitor
needs. It also enables managers to decide on the amount,
sites. Table 5.1 confirms which visitor sites fall within each
type and capacity of facilities developed at visitor sites.
setting. Tables 5.2 and 5.3 describe management intent and
Desired outcomes
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A consistent and justifiable framework is in place for
managers to make decisions regarding commercial and
independent visitor use.
Integrated and simplified visitor management operates
across islands and the adjoining marine park.
Certainty exists for the tourism industry regarding
QPWS policy.
visitor use guidelines for each setting.
Policies, guidelines and actions
Manage islands and beaches according to visitor
management settings assigned in maps 2, 3 and 4, table
5.1 and guidelines in tables 5.2 and 5.3.
Assess and administer new commercial activity permits
consistent with settings and policies in this Strategy.
Manage camping areas according to visitor management
settings and policies in section 6.5.
Table 5.1 Visitor sites within each visitor management setting
Setting
Visitor site
Developed Beaches adjacent to:
Camp Island — Camp Island Tourist Resort
South Molle Island — South Molle Island Resort
Long Island — Club Croc Resort, Peppers Palm Bay Resort and South Long Island Nature Lodge
Hook Island — Hook Island Wilderness Resort
Lindeman Island — Club Med Resort
Brampton Island — Brampton Island Resort
Keswick Island — Keswick Island Development
Table continued next page
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