Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy ...

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22 Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy 6.5 Camping QPWS currently manages 50 camping areas ranging from bush camping to sites with toilets, picnic tables, shelters and visitor information displays. Camping areas are used by free and independent travellers and tour operators providing their customers with a camping experience. The large number and remoteness of camping areas represents a significant management burden. Commercial camping agreements that introduce a competitive process for guaranteed commercial access to selected island camping areas have been previously developed in the Whitsundays. Six agreements are currently in place until July 2007. Desired outcomes » » » » Varied camping opportunities are available, ranging from sites with no facilities for self-reliant campers, to sites with facilities. Camping areas provide for recreational and commercial camping, with commercial camping limited at some sites to ensure continued access for non-commercial park users. All camping areas are managed to a high standard of presentation. Campers have minimal impact on natural values. Policies, guidelines and actions » » » Manage camping areas according to Table 6.5.1. Manage commercial camping access so that free and independent travellers can continue to use QPWS camping areas, particularly those close to the mainland in school holidays. Permit limited opportunities for school groups to exceed camping capacities at Neil’s (Sandy) Beach on Carlisle Island, Cockatoo Beach on North Molle Island, Sandy and Camping at Hook Island » » » » » » » Paddle bays on South Molle Island, and Newry Island. Permit limited opportunities for school and dive groups to exceed camping capacities for Maureen’s Cove on Hook Island. School groups may only exceed camping capacities if there is no practical alternative. Close camping areas on Armit Island and Steen’s Beach on Hook Island from 1 October–31 March each year to limit visitor impacts on seabird and turtle nesting. Permit only one group at a time to book camping on Denman, Planton and Tancred islands, the hut on Outer Newry Island, Tug’s Point on Rabbit Island and Victor Bay on Keswick Island. Phase out camping at Tug’s Point, Rabbit Island by 2010. Convert the camping area at Sawmill Beach to a day-use site. Undertake a review of commercial camping agreements in 2007 and establish new agreements with existing commercial camping operators with consideration to this Strategy. In the event that TIPA is applied to commercial tourism use of Whitsunday island national parks, review commercial camping arrangements. Make available any unused camping capacity to new or existing commercial camping operators through an expression of interest process. Review waste management facilities and systems at all camping areas; progressively upgrade facilities and improve standards. QPWS will progressively develop new camping areas at Plantation Beach (Lindeman Island) and Turtle Beach (St Bees Island). Existing camping areas at South Whitehaven Beach (Whitsunday Island), Sandy and Paddle bays (South Molle Island) and Bona Bay (Gloucester Island) will be upgraded. Opportunity
Table 6.5.1 Future camping management arrangements Closures Maximum % available for commercial use Planned capacity (no. people/night) Existing capacity(no. people/night) Camper nights 2005 Site Island Setting A. New camping areas Plantation Beach Lindeman Island Moderate use not applicable not applicable 24 100 Turtle Beach St Bees Island Moderate use not applicable not applicable 24 50 B. Camping areas to be upgraded Paddle Bay South Molle Island Moderate use 673 12 36 100 Newry Island Camping Area Newry Island Moderate use 42 not available 36 100 Bona Bay Gloucester Island Moderate use 335 36 36 100 No commercial camping in school holidays Sandy Bay South Molle Island Moderate use 1522 36 36 100 No commercial camping in school holidays South Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island High use 2073 52 36 70 C. Maintain current infrastructure Denman Island Denman Island Natural 336 4 6 0 Planton Island Planton Island Natural 565 4 6 0 Armit Island Armit Island Natural 8 12 12 50 1 October–31 March to protect wildlife Saddleback Island Saddleback Island Natural 126 12 12 50 Neck Bay Shaw Island Natural 13 12 12 50 North Beach Curlew Island Natural not available not available 6 0 Prudhoe Island Prudhoe Island Natural not available not available 6 0 North West Beach South Percy Island Natural not available not available 12 100 South Repulse Island South Repulse Island Natural 39 12 12 100 1 October–31 March to protect wildlife Cockermouth Island Cockermouth Island Natural not available not available 12 0 Singapore Bay Keswick Island Natural not available not available 12 100 Victor Bay (Stanley Bay) Keswick Island Natural not available not available 6 0 Penrith Island Penrith Island Natural not available not available 12 100 Curlew Beach Hook Island Natural 400 12 12 100 Mackerel Bay / Crayfish Beach Hook Island Moderate use 1172 12 12 100 Steen’s Beach Hook Island Natural 175 12 12 100 1 October–31 March to protect wildlife Peter Bay Whitsunday Island Natural 401 12 12 100 Naris Beach Whitsunday Island Natural 205 6 6 0 Table continued next page Strategic directions 23
Page 1 and 2: Visitor Management Strategy Whitsun
Page 3 and 4: Table of contents 1 Executive summa
Page 5 and 6: Recreational boating at Hook Island
Page 7 and 8: MAP 1 Planning area locality Introd
Page 9 and 10: Tourism trends The Mackay region (b
Page 11 and 12: Hill Inlet Planning approach “ T
Page 13 and 14: Table 5.1 Setting High use Moderate
Page 15 and 16: Table 5.3 Visitor use permitted wit
Page 17 and 18: Cid Harbour Views of Shaw Island fr
Page 19 and 20: Table 6.3 Significant capital inves
Page 21 and 22: Management strategies » » » Conc
Page 23: Whitsunday Island » » » Table 6.
Page 27 and 28: 6.6 Resorts and developments The fo
Page 29 and 30: 6.8 Education and information 6.9 W
Page 31 and 32: Strategy review and evaluation This
Page 33 and 34: Acknowledgements This Visitor Manag

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