Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy ...

Strategic directions
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Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy
The following section specifies policies, guidelines and
actions to help with visitor management of Whitsunday and
Mackay national park islands and beaches.
6.1 Conserving natural values
Visitors using islands may impact on natural values by:
transporting weeds from one visitor site to another
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disturbing dune vegetation which contributes to erosion
disturbing wildlife (such as seabirds and turtles) during
important breeding and roosting periods
damaging vegetation and areas of reef flat when
moving between vessels and islands
leaving rubbish and waste at visitor sites.
Many islands and beaches support significant wildlife and
cultural values that are sensitive to visitor use. Bushy and
Redbill islets are particularly important. The values of these
places will be managed to minimise visitor use through
seasonal or permanent access closures.
Desired outcomes
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Visitor use is ecologically sustainable and has minimal
impact on natural values.
Islands and sites of natural significance are protected.
Visitors are aware of appropriate behaviour when
visiting natural areas and the potential impacts they
may have on park values.
Policies, guidelines and actions
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Minimise disturbance to native plant communities and
wildlife through site planning and infrastructure placement.
Develop and distribute information on minimal impact
practices to island visitors.
Work with the tourism industry to apply minimum
impact practices to tourism operations.
Maintain the policy of no fires or domestic animals on
national park islands and adjacent beaches.
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Apply seasonal access restrictions (1 October–31 March
inclusive) to protect natural values on Armit, Double
Cone, East Repulse, Grassy, Holbourne and South
Repulse islands, Steen’s Beach (Hook Island) and
Burning Point Beach (Shaw Island).
Limit access to Bushy and Redbill islets for research and
monitoring purposes only, through declaration as
national park (scientific).
Apply a permanent access restriction to Bird Island.
Keep visitor access to Hill Inlet and wetland areas inland
from Whitehaven Beach to an absolute minimum.
Encourage tour operators to obtain eco-certification
through provision of tangible incentives, including
extended permit terms and inclusion in EPA / QPWS
marketing and promotion.
Consider tour operator access to protected settings
(setting 5) where the operator:
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has advanced eco-certification
has demonstrated experience and capabilities to
operate with minimal impact in sensitive areas
is prepared to contribute to park management at the
site (e.g. weed control, litter collection, wildlife
monitoring etc.)
can demonstrate that the site provides a significant
environmental or cultural education experience or
management benefit
can demonstrate that the activity cannot reasonably
occur in another less sensitive locality.
The Whitsunday Plan of Management provides for
commercial reefwalking at Black Island (identified as a high
use setting). This provision will continue as an exception to
this strategy for tour operators with existing permission.
Encourage commercial tour operators to provide their
own waste management facilities when accessing
islands without established toilet facilities. Phase out
permitted access for operators without such facilities.
Operators who are directly affected by this policy will be
identified and contacted to allow adequate time to
adjust their operations.