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Flinders Ranges and Outback Integrated Strategic Tourism Plan

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Final <strong>Plan</strong><br />

Managing <strong>Tourism</strong> Activities to Protect Ecological Assets<br />

11.0 MANAGING TOURISM ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT ECOLOGICAL ASSESTS<br />

The Environmental Analysis for this project involved an audit of ecological assets from a<br />

tourism perspective. Map 4 shows the biogeographic regions that comprise the <strong>Flinders</strong><br />

<strong>Ranges</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Outback</strong> SA. These are described in the report prepared by Ecological<br />

Associates which is provided in Appendix F of the Companion Document to this <strong>Plan</strong>.<br />

11.1 Key Conservation Assets<br />

The Key Conservation Assets that are potentially at risk from poorly managed visitor<br />

behaviour are:<br />

• Mound Springs<br />

• Arid Rivers <strong>and</strong> Associated Waterholes<br />

• Large freshwater lakes<br />

• Salt Lakes<br />

• <strong>Flinders</strong> <strong>Ranges</strong><br />

• Rangel<strong>and</strong>s<br />

• Coastal Region<br />

Table Five provides a summary of the Ecological Assets in the region <strong>and</strong> the kinds of tourism<br />

activities that would be considered to be appropriate in each ecosystem. Potential impacts<br />

of poorly managed visitor behaviour are noted <strong>and</strong> management responses identified to<br />

minimize the risk of these impacts.<br />

11.2 Management Opportunities<br />

The ecological assets described above are highly sensitive to disturbance but many<br />

opportunities exist for controlling the impacts described in Table 5. Tourist developments such<br />

as shacks or retreats should be designed <strong>and</strong> managed in such a way as to limit disturbance<br />

to native fauna <strong>and</strong> flora. Provision should be made for appropriate disposal of rubbish,<br />

stormwater <strong>and</strong> effluent. Several mound springs, such as the Bubbler <strong>and</strong> Coward Springs<br />

are popular tourist destinations <strong>and</strong> have had on-site works done to reduce impacts, such as<br />

fencing <strong>and</strong> the construction of formalised car parks <strong>and</strong> boardwalks. Similar constructions in<br />

suitable areas could also be undertaken, provided that minimal damage is done to the<br />

natural vegetation <strong>and</strong> plant <strong>and</strong> animal habitat.<br />

Areas containing populations of threatened species or plant communities with a high<br />

conservation priority should be protected <strong>and</strong> the spread of pest plants <strong>and</strong> animals should<br />

be limited.<br />

Impacts from walking, cycling, horse-riding, camel-trekking, cattle-mustering, boating,<br />

camping <strong>and</strong> off-road driving could be managed by directing tourists to properly<br />

Urban & Regional <strong>Plan</strong>ning Solutions<br />

d:\frosa region istp\frosa region istp.doc Page 70

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