In December 2020 a new public path was installed, weeds were removed and 1500 native ground layers were planted. And dont forget to leave me a comment to say hi too!). Negative impacts from tourism occur when the level of visitor use is greater than the environment's ability to cope with this use within the acceptable limits of change. This can contribute to severe local air pollution. The Southport Spit continues to ride a wave of development abuse. As a result, by the 1980s the Broadwater and the Spit were secured by the construction of groins, channel dredging and a sand bypass system. This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies, as well as generating a greater volume of waste water. Dis-placed voices: sense of place and place-identity on the Sunshine Coast, Touristed Landscapes: Geographical Perspectives on Globalisation and Touristed Landscapes. In doing this, however, different people, or different groups of people, often come to value places in different ways to one another (Cheng, 2003). The Gold Coast, one of Australias tourist magnets, is typically defined by its spectacular beaches, forests, hinterland ranges, vibrant communities, and unique waterways. Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, first published 1932, Progress Publishers, Moscow. In part, by recognizing the importance of the coastline and its natural features, the debate has shifted slightly from a focus on economic to one that acknowledges some of the critical environmental issues related to coastal development and the local, national and global importance of coastal conservation. Sites such as Machu Pichu have been forced to introduce restrictions on tourist numbers to limit the damage caused. Since then, coastal management in Australia has been undergoing a transformation that reflects broader governance shifts, as well as raising awareness about global issues such as climate change and pollution. Mayor Tate, backed by the newly elected Newman Liberal National Party State Government put out a call for expressions of interest to develop a range of tourist infrastructure including a casino, hotels and cruise ship terminal on the Spit (See SOSA, a). Potts, R., A. Dedekorkut, & C. Bosman (2013). 20The SOSAs objections to the state governments development proposal were founded on five key points. Many destinations promote ecotourism and sustainable tourism and this can help to educate people about the environmental impacts of tourism. 2016; Dredge, 2011) and its governance structures (Dredge & Jamal, 2013; Burton, 2009). This may result in increased animals deaths, for example road-kill deaths. We urge residents and visitors to stick to public paths and avoid shortcuts on all dunes. These restrictions were put in place to ensure the existing character and amenity of the Spit, as a place communities valued, was preserved and maintained. However, historically, the Australian Constitution decreed that the planning and management of crown land was the responsibility of state and territory governments (Wescott, 2008). Destinations such as Costa Rica and The Gambia have fantastic ecotourism initiatives that promote environmentally-friendly activities and resources. 15Despite multiple community values attached to the Southport Spit, it has nonetheless been dogged with development proposals since the early 1960s. Social impacts of tourism on the Gold Coast - ResearchGate Tourism Impacts and Sustainable Developments - Environmental Protection The Waterways Authority were frequently involved in controversy over commercial development rights on public land in the city (Condon, 2006). This is a picture taken of the insides of a dead bird. Natural, this is worse in areas with mass tourism and overtourism. Construction of ski resort accommodation and facilities frequently requires clearing forested land. Annually 90% of Gold Coast dune systems are actively maintained under this program. The Economic Impacts of Tourism on the Gold Coast [West, Guy, Bayne, Barbara] on Amazon.com. Jenningss last fight to save the Spit was instigated in 1979 when the Queensland National/Liberal State Government, under the Premiership of Sir Jon Bjelke-Petersen (see Wear, 2002; Whitton, 1989), established the Gold Coast Waterways Authority to address tidal inundation and the impacts of storm surges in the Broadwater and the erosion of the Spit. The data collection instrument was developed in accordance to Sunlu's (2003) interpretation of environmental impacts of tourism development (destination landscape, ecosystem management and. Coral reefs are especially fragile marine ecosystems. Posted by Sarina Castillo | A high demand is placed upon these resources to meet the high expectations tourists often have (proper heating, hot water, etc.). Freimund, and J.M. On the other hand, the new players, the European settlers, saw the region as one of plentiful resources, and good farming potential. Impact of tourism in coastal areas: Need of sustainable tourism Gold Coast tourism is booming and forecasts indicate its only going to continue to improve. This resulted in the regions most horrific and infamous development conflict, a conflict that was mirrored in nearly all regions across Australia throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries. Domestic tourism is steady with various ups and downs, depending on the visitor type. the New South Wales State Coastal Protection Act 1979), coastal management in Australia has not been a priority for any government at any level: national/commonwealth, state/territory or local. These impacts were temporary and did not reflect the beach conditions throughout the majority of the year. Daniels, (2003). Type the characters you see in the image below, Catchment & Citizen Science Grants Program, Business incentives & investment programs, Copy of decision notice or plan of development, Development application pre-lodgement advice, Lodge a submission to have your say on a development application, Appealing a development application decision, Residential plumbing & drainage applications, Commercial plumbing & drainage applications, Concurrency plumbing & drainage applications, Stormwater and sediment control on building sites, Building development on cultural heritage sites, Tree & vegetation removal on private land, Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project, Queensland Department of Environment and Science. La ville de Gold Coast concentre malheureusement nombre de ces conflits; le dernier en date concernant le projet de construction dun terminal de bateaux de croisire et/ou dun casino avec quelques tours residentielles sur une langue de terre protge (le Spit).Lobjectif de cet article est de montrer comment lvolution et la rsolution des conflits sur le Spit de Gold Coast, tous lis des projets de dveloppements touristiques, refltent non seulement lvolution de la valeur dun lieu et lapproche nationale du dveloppement du littoral, mais aussi le changement vers une meilleure protection du littoral. The good, bad and ugly sides to a holiday on Australia's Gold Coast | South China Morning Post Sandy beaches, theme parks, shopping malls, golf courses - the city has it all. Ten years of implementing Australias Oceans Policy: From an integrated approach to an environmental policy focus, Maritime Studies, March-April. Today, it boasts facilities that that rival most Australian capitals. Wise, P. (2006). As a transformational event, GC2018 presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in sustainability by delivering to international standards of best practice, leaving positive economic, environmental, social and community legacies that last beyond the Closing Ceremony. The area at the end of Dune Street had a lot of informal paths used as shortcuts to the beach. For many coastal cities such as the City of Gold Coast, the challenge is compounded, as activities in the coastal zone (land and water) significantly contribute to creating a sense of place. The Gold Coast coastline has, not surprisingly, been significantly impacted by the rapid urbanisation (Figure 2); specifically during the post-war period (the glorious Fifties), and continuing into the 1960s and again in the early 1990s. 22Nevertheless, on Friday 03 August 2007 (just over two years from the first public announcement) the Premier Peter Beattie proclaimed that the Cruise Ship Terminal on the Spit would not proceed. Based on statistics published online by the Council of the City of Gold Coast, the region welcomes more than 12 million visitors per year with 22.4million annual visitor nights. Burton, P. (2016). Carter, J., P. Dyer and B. Sharma (2007). Lynda Schneekloth and Robert Shibley (2000) suggest that [p]lace making is the way all of us as human beings transform the places in which we find ourselves into places in which we live. ), Urban Spaces and Cityscapes: Perspectives from modern and contemporary culture, London, Routledge: 177-191. This damages the flora and fauna in the area and can cause serious damage to coral reefs. If you are studying the environmental impacts of tourism or if you are interested in learning more about the environmental impacts of tourism, I have compiled a short reading list for you below. COMPLIANCE: We are a well-established independent licensed real estate agent and are not affiliated or associated with the on-site management of the resort or hotel. The tensions and differences between the two groups of players seem irreconcilable (see table 1). She said: it would be great if [the Spit] was less environmentally sensitive, if people had less emotional attachment to it that would make it a lot easier. (Courier Mail, 2006). "Today, the Gold Coast is Australia's fourth most-visited city and remains the . For instance, in 1999, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act introduced an important change as it gave the Australian Government significant powers to influence coastal environmental policy and planning (. Making Sense of Place: Exploring concepts and expressions of place through different senses and lenses. Our coast provides significant economic, social and environmental benefits, making coastal management a serious and important issue for us all. From the great sandy dunes of South Stradbroke Island to the rocky shore at Burleigh Headland, to the coastal wetlands of. One of the major contributing factors in this decision-making process was the lack of national approach (TFG, 2002): the Gold Coast Spit clearly demonstrated the conflict embedded in development in coastal zones and, the local-centered approach without the consideration of any wider context in term of coastal management. Local place meanings and values (of old players) are often subjugated and marginalised or erased. We are working to protect our environment, recognising the critical importance of healthy natural environments in shaping a strong and sustainable future. maintaining dunes with enough vegetation to enhance the buffer against erosion. The Gold Coast also benefited from major infrastructure investments, for example the extension of the light rail and a range of Commonwealth Games facilities. In December 2005 the Queensland State Government created a Gold Coast Marine Development Project Board to act as the proponent for the Spit development. However, unlike other Australian cities, the City of Gold Coast emerged and grew as a tourist destination that reached a peak in the 1960s and continue to grow rapidly. Memories and frequency of visits contributed to the high value attributed to these two indicators. ), opposed by the steady resistance of the old players (save our Spit!). This includes tramping, anchoring, cruising and diving. Proceedings of UHPH 14 Landscapes and ecologies of urban history and planning: Passion, Power & Prejudice: A Remarkable Untold Account of a Magic City in the Making Gold Coast. According to a study conducted by Tourism and Events Queensland, the Gold Coast has come a long way as a holiday destination. Aujourdhui la ville de Gold Coast est lune des principales destinations touristiques australiennes et accueille plus de dix millions de visiteurs par an.En Australie, 85% de la population habite dans un rayon de 50km de la plage, avec les prfrences de style de vie qui y sont associes. Like all tourism destinations, visitor numbers to the Gold Coast change from one year to the next, although over a longer period of time the area has seen a steady increase in visitors and future projections are for visitor numbers to continue to grow. Weston, P. (2013). Since the 1950s the histories of the City of Gold Coast have shown little responsibility for the past and scant obligation to future generations. Bligh, A. Now that you know, youve got another reason to visit the sunny Gold Coast and enjoy all the amazing attractions that it offers. Gold Coast, Burchill Strategic Projects. There are also many cases of erosion, whereby tourists may trek the same path or ski the same slope so frequently that it erodes the natural landscape. Mobilities on the Gold Coast, Australia: implications for destination governance and sustainable tourism. Place is also read and understood as a physical site in relation to both built and natural environments, as well as through written, verbal, visual and non-verbal media and marketing. Pollution from sewage can have adverse effects. Qualitative Research Methods In Human Geography, Melbourne, Oxford University Press. The most commonly noted positive environmental impact of tourism is raised awareness. This holding pattern is perhaps the new norms. Areas that would be home to a wide array of flora and fauna are turned into hotels, car parks and swimming pools. Developing successful products for target segments that are high-yielding, align with the long term plans for the destination and provide a good match with what residents on the Gold Coast want is not a trivial task. As the landscapes of the City of Gold Coast have been subject to continual reinvention, change and transformation (Wise & Breen, 2004; Wise, 2006; Griffin, 2006), patterns of conflict, change and continual re-adjustment have become ingrained in the lived experience of the city and its development. The conflict between new and old values, interests and land uses of the different players in this game have not abated, nor is resolution any closer. Renourishment will increase the resilience of the northern beaches. 2023 Dr Hayley Stainton, all rights reserved. 3The notion of conflict has been well documented since Marx (1959) first wrote about it in 1844 (for example see Kriesberg, 1982; Austin et al., 2011). In an effort to save the Spit from major development a second rally took place in November 2012 and studies indicated that the Spit environs have been identified as a key environmental asset worth more than $611 million for the city (Weston 2013). Jenningss last fight to save the Spit was instigated in 1979 when the Queensland National/Liberal State Government, under the Premiership of Sir Jon Bjelke-Petersen (see Wear, 2002; Whitton, 1989), established the Gold Coast Waterways Authority to address tidal inundation and the impacts of storm surges in the Broadwater and the erosion of the Spit. Sense of Place and Urbanity: Challenges and Interventions at the Gold Coast, Proceedings from the 4th Making the Cities Liveable Conference, 27-29 July, Noosa. Copyright 2009-2023 HRSP.com.au. Tourism has the potential to create beneficial effects on the environment by contributing to environmental protection and conservation. The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most iconic coastal cities. A few months after a well-attended and enthusiastic protest, and in response to a continued barrage of criticism about the development proposal (see SOSA, a), the then Deputy Premier, Anna Bligh, herself a Gold Coaster by childhood experiences, summed up the situation. Austin, B. Fischer, M., Giessmann, H. J., eds. Dekker, A., Goverde, H., Makowski, T. and Ptaszynska-Woloczkowicz, M. (1992). Queensland Parliamentary Debates 29/09/2005. Addressing the impacts of tourism - Studocu Burton, P. (2012). Yet, things were about to change. While many other coastal cities relied on port facilities to develop commercial and naval activities, the City of Gold Coast emerged and grew as a tourism destination. Others emphasise that conflicts frequently emerge as a result of change, and as meanings, values and attachments to places alter (Mitchell, 2011). There is also the continual risk of pollution from hard rubbish and stormwater that can have significant effects on water quality and wildlife. Blackgins Leap: A window into Aboriginal-European Relations in the Pioneer Valley, Queensland in the 1860s. The intent of this Paper was to produce an integrated and coordinated land use and management plan for the Gold Coast Broadwater (Whelan, 2006). There are many ways you can explore our environment check out Things to do on the Gold Coast for places to visit and enjoy. The politics of place: Understanding meaning, common ground, and political difference on the Rocky Mountain Front, Ressources marines et gestion des littoraux, Technologies and Smart Tourist Destinations: between Rhetoric and Experimentation, Anthropologie de lexprience de laccouchement dans le monde, The Caribbean against the Covid-19: A Global Crisis and Local Solutions, The Caribbean faces an Emerging International Order, Biodiversity and Management of Spaces and Natural Ressources, The Caribbean City, the Cities in the Caribbean. It demonstrates the improvement of the health of our beaches since the adoption of the Ocean Beaches Strategy in 2013. The Gold Coast: context and value of place, 2. Meanwhile, 59% agreed that tourism benefited the Gold Coast because it increased local pride. This growth has been driven, primarily, by the citys features and urban characteristics (Bosman et al., 2016, Hundloe et al., 2015; Burton, 2012; Longhurst, 1993), the impacts of its tourism activities (Scott et al., 2016; Dredge, 2011) and its governance structures (Dredge & Jamal, 2013; Burton, 2009). Those that did use the Spit regularly, as the surveys testify, perhaps took the Spit for granted or felt disempowered. ), Urban Spaces and Cityscapes: Perspectives from modern and contemporary culture. This condition has raised concerns and excited resistance around democratic participation in the local politics of place, contestations over ecological space, and decisions about land use (Stratford 2009), concerns that are central to the Southport Spit. Changes in the coastline at the Surfers Paradise district, Credits: Southport Local Studies Libraries and Karine Dupre. Passion, Power & Prejudice: A Remarkable Untold Account of a Magic City in the Making Gold Coast, Australia. Although there are not as many (far from it!) 30If we analyze the history of the development of the Spit in relation to the conflicts cycle mentioned in the introduction, it appears that this site remains a major object of desire for any new players on the Gold Coast. The Berghof Handbook II. The Gold Coast Transformed, From Wilderness to Urban Ecosystem, CSIRO. The Concrete Corridor: Strategizing Impermanence in a Frontier City, Media International Australia / Cultural Policy, 112: 162-173. Beach sieving is conducted 365 days per year, with approximately 64 acres of sand sieved per night. Importantly, by declaring the project as a Significant Development the local planning Authority, The Gold Coast City Council, and significantly local communities (old players), were positioned as observers with no authority to input into the project other than decreed and regulated by the State Government (new player). Current risks such as sea level rise, storm tide inundation and coastal erosion are compounded by the predicted impacts of climate change. One thing that did emerge from the data was that all respondents who indicated that they were unaware of the development proposals also indicated that they were against development on the Spit, but not necessarily opposed to the upgrade of facilities. We have spectacular beaches, hinterland ranges, forests, and waterways. Tourists on expedition frequently leave behind their rubbish, oxygen cylinders and even camping equipment. The Gold Coast has been consistently one of the most visited regions in all of Australia. Cheng, A.S., L.E. The casuarina forest, Griffith Review 2 (Dreams of Land): 37-49. , 12-15 May, Sea World Resort, Gold Coast. Sparkling beaches and waterways are synonymous with our city. enhance the amenity and safety of the beach experience. Tourism Impacts and Sustainable Developments - Environmental Protection Importantly, the survey data indicated that the Spit environs were perceived as a safe and valuable community asset. We suggest that in this statement the Deputy Premier was casting local place attachment as an obstacle in the development process. Griffin, G. (2002). As such the production, sale and consumption of goods and services providing pleasure has become so deftly woven into the economic landscape of the City that it is not easy to isolate them in policy or practice. URL: http://journals.openedition.org/etudescaribeennes/10496; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/etudescaribeennes.10496, Griffith University, Associate Professor, [email protected], Griffith University, Associate Professor, [email protected], Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International - CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, Privacy Policy About Cookies Report a problem, OpenEdition Journals member Published with Lodel Administration only, You will be redirected to OpenEdition Search, Journal supported by the Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales (CNRS). 18Notwithstanding, the Gold Coast City Councils planning regulations, nor the lengths to which previous National Party Government officials had defended the Spit against development, nor the fact that the Government had specifically set up the Gold Coast Harbours Authority as a local approach to the management of the Broadwater and Spit environs, on 15 September 2005 the Queensland Labor Government announced its intention of developing an international cruise ship terminal and related services on this valued and valuable piece of public open space. Uncontrolled conventional tourism poses potential threats to many natural areas around the world. A member of Parliament at the time in support of the governments Spit development proposal argued that The Beattie Government has a duty to provide, amongst other things, economic stability and employment opportunities for the people of this State (Smith, 2006). the New South Wales State Coastal Protection Act 1979), coastal management in Australia has not been a priority for any government at any level: national/commonwealth, state/territory or local. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Coastal management | City of Gold Coast In recent years the body of literature on the City of Gold Coast, Australia has grown substantially. This then has a wider impact on the global marine life and ecosystem, as many animals rely on the coral for as their habitat and food source. Ship groundings can scrape the bottom of the sea bed and kill the coral. ensuring there is enough sand on Gold Coast beaches for recreation, mitigating beach erosion risks to infrastructure, keeping our ocean waters are safe for recreational activities. Vanclay, F., M. Higgins and A. Blackshaw (eds.) One thing that did emerge from the data was that all respondents who indicated that they were unaware of the development proposals also indicated that they were against development on the Spit, but not necessarily opposed to the upgrade of facilities. (2006). The last point worth mentioning when discussing the environmental impacts of tourism is the way in which physical impacts can occur as a result of tourist activities. Our monthly newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with city news, events and business. (2008). Language, and in particular advertising, is a key constructor of place, especially with regard to tourist places. Beach cleaning. Sense of place as an attitude: Lakeshore owners attitudes towards their properties, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21: 233-48. This lifestyle and identity have been produced from and are synonymous with place features and characteristics of the Spit: undeveloped, natural beachside, free open and accessible public space. 29The battle between old and new players and their place-making practices is ongoing. At the time a Gold Coast channel nine TV news program (SOSA, c) conducted a poll with the question: Will the Beattie Government lose your vote over its push for a cruise ship terminal at The Spit? and the published result showed that 86.4 percent of respondents said YES 23In order to determine what place values, meanings and attachments users of the Spit held, we carried out 88 intercept surveys on the Spit between February and September 2007. Tourism Reform, Policy and Development in Queensland, 1989-2011. Dredge, D. (2011). To heighten this inbred decision making process, the State Government called for expressions of interest from developers at the same time as it commissioned an EIS for the site (Bligh, 2005). Place meaning and values emerge out of everyday activities and are produced through and by global and societal influences. I will explain each of these negative environmental impacts of tourism below. The surveys were done at various times of the day and on different days of the week throughout the survey period. As an island-country where 85% of the population lives within 50 km of the coast (ABS, 2015), one could easily expect that Australia would be at the forefront of coastal planning, management and protection. The Gold Coast enjoys almost 300 days of sunshine per year that most people, particularly those who are coming from countries with cold winters, really find comfortable. However, transformation or rebranding does not come without asking some hard questions and exploring new territory. Positive impacts of tourism "Interesting people from different cultures, more jobs are great for the area." Gold Coast resident, 2019 i.e. The old players continue to advocate for more transparent governance and to protect the quality of life that has become intrinsic to a valued, renowned and iconic Gold Coast lifestyle (Bosman, 2016) and identity (Potts et al, 2013). Dunes buffer our coastline from the impacts of storms and erosion. In this article I have outlined exactly how we can both protect and destroy the environment through tourism. In the year ending March 2010, domestic and international tourism expenditure was $3.9 billion. (2008). Raybould et al. Therefore, we know little about the long-term environmental impacts of tourism on natural Instead the augment put forward by the government was that the decision not to proceed was based on the cost to taxpayers; an economic, rationale not an environmental, nor a cultural, and certainly not a social or community rationale.