The coastline often becomes synonymous with the identity of the city and a key ingredient to its growth and prosperity, yet it is also a highly contentious place where numerous conflicts are rife. The tensions and differences between the two groups of players seem irreconcilable (see table 1). Yet as a coastal city characterised by extensive residential canal estates (400 kilometers of canals, ten times more than in Venice), there is limited scholarship investigating local coastal management activities within the dominating and overarching context of tourism development. Without this vegetation, sand on the beach is blown inland, reducing the amount of sand on the beach, and impacting properties and infrastructure. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The natural environment features highly, making Cairns with its easy access to both the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest, the most sought after holiday destination in Australia. It is important to note however, that the decision by the government not to proceed was taken at the height of a state government election campaign. Social conflict theories and conflict resolution. Yet the Spit is also a well-known and targeted place of conflict with pro- and anti- development stakeholders vying for opposing outcomes for the place, and often running parallel debates to the national agenda. 16% of Queensland respondents rated tourism as affecting their personal quality of life 'positively (2)' or 'very positively (3)'. Tourism Reform, Policy and Development in Queensland, 1989-2011, Queensland Review, 18(2): 152-174. Spitfight, The Courier Mail, 08 April. Essentially the place becomes vulnerable as local everyday activity nodes move elsewhere and tourists do not return. Whelan, J. This is not surprising within the Australian national context as the federal government have historically left the responsibility of coastal zones to local government authorities to care for, manage and maintain. The Premier did not directly acknowledge that this decision reflected the views of over 22,000 local residents (SOSA, d). The Berghof Handbook II. In particular, potential visitors from other Australian cities seek the opportunity for activities where they can connect with each other (especially family and couples who are the primary markets for the Gold Coast). Visitor numbers to the Gold Coast are increasing but international tourists are staying shorter and are spending less. Gold Coast City Council (2003). This corresponds to the activities of surfing, diving, fishing and dog walking; the four primary everyday activities that take place on the Spit. Taylor, J. It may also contribute towards aggressive behaviour when animals try to protect their young or savage for food that has become scarce as a result of tourism development. 10The failure, by planners and urban designers, to take into account local everyday meanings and values can result in the alienation of residential subjects from each other and from their own place (Cartier and Lew, 2005). The feeling of attachment that is produced from knowing a place comes from living that place. Vince, J. , 2016). Anyway, air pollution from tourist transportation has impacts on a global level, especially from CO2 emissions related to transportation energy use. Potts, R., A. Dedekorkut, & C. Bosman (2013). Australias Oceans Policy: Past, present and future, Marine Policy, 57: 1-8. 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 in Australia is one of these coastal places, which developed through taking advantage of its environmental assets, such as direct access to the sea, a white sandy shoreline, an extensive and naturally protected broadwater and several large accessible rivers. Qualitative Research Methods In Human Geography, Melbourne, Oxford University Press. The battle between old and new players and their place-making practices is ongoing. Weaver, D. and L. Lawton (2004). Best recognises that the Yugambeh people, the traditional owners of much of South East Queensland, continue to fight a battle both social and environmental, to ensure that their cultural heritage is respected and not exploited (Best, 1994). (2011) estimated the economic value of Gold Coast beaches associated with tourism as high as $300 million per year. , Canberra, National Museum of Australia. 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. 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). At last, the cycle of conflicts seems, currently, to have stalled with the repetitive impetus of new players (develop the Spit! During this time the old players were the Aboriginal groups in the area, collectively known as the Yugambeh people, whose place values revolved around the land being sacred, rather than a resource to be exploited. Where green turns to gold: Strip cultivation and the Gold Coast hinterland, Transformations 2(March): 1-15. In fact, tourism accounts for more than 60% of all air travel. In addition, other smaller private and commercial development proposals continue to be lodged for this section of prime public undeveloped, somewhat raw, open space. The most important resort within the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, famous for its fabulous beaches and surfing. Ill never forget the site when I flew over the Amazon Rainforest only to see huge areas of forest cleared. The Gold Coast also benefited from major infrastructure investments, for example the extension of the light rail and a range of Commonwealth Games facilities. Belonging as a resource: the case of Ralphs Bay, Tasmania, and the local politics of place, Environment & Planning A, 41: 796-810. The role of research, including thorough monitoring of visitor trends against sustainable targets, is critical. (eds), Advancing Conflict Transformation. Scott, N., Gardiner, S., & Dedekorkut, A. A high demand is placed upon these resources to meet the high expectations tourists often have (proper heating, hot water, etc.). This declaration triggered State legislation that called for an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) which meant the Government had direct control over the way the EIS was developed, the criteria by which it was to be assessed and it enabled other legislation to be bypassed if necessary. Smith, Mrs (2006). Caring for our beaches | City of Gold Coast Because of the hot climate and the tendency for tourists to consume more water when on holiday than they do at home, the amount used can run up to 440 litres a day. Holidaying on the Gold Coast, In C. Bosman, A. Dedekorkut-Howes and A. Leach (eds.). As I said previously, this can have a significant knock on effect on the surrounding ecosystem. It was not until the late 1990s when some noticeable changes started to occur. An uneasy coexistence: An Aboriginal perspective of contact history in Southeast Queensland, Bosman, C., A. Dedekorkut-Howes and A. Leach (2016, ). We have created GIFT Insights blog to share project insights and latest commentary from our members on current tourism industry related news. Written by Professor Susanne Becken, and Dr Sarah Gardiner, Griffith Institute for Tourism. Increased construction of tourism facilities has increased the pressure on these resources and on scenic landscapes. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. consumed by an average person yearly- thats a pretty shocking statistic! The following are some of the tourism impacts which are most cited in the literature [3, 4, 9, 17, 20, 22]. Such damage can be even more extensive when visitors frequently stray off established trails. Government regulation is . The image of the City of Gold Coast also poses questions regarding the value of place. Will this be the new norm, accepted and valued by local communities, the old players? Annual visitors also give business to 151 hotels, motels, and serviced apartments. Much of the literature on the history of Aboriginal-European conflict in Australia is written with a Euro-centric perspective (Anderson, 1983; Best, 1994). Besides, largely because of the citys beach environment, a lot of literature has focused on coastal ecosystems and on the impact of human activity on both land and sea. 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). To make informed decisions it is important to ask the customers themselves what they want. thesis, University of Queensland. Griffin, G. (2002). This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies, as well as generating a greater volume of waste water. Besides, largely because of the citys beach environment, a lot of literature has focused on coastal ecosystems and on the impact of human activity on both land and sea. To provide effective opposition to the state government and its plans for the Southport Spit a consortium of community groups joined to form the Save Our Spit Alliance (SOSA). I have heard many stories of this and I also witnessed it first hand when I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Other tourism related developments on the Spit were also approved during this time and were subsequently built, renovated and extended: an exclusive shopping precinct, a commercial fishing wharf (now also accommodates super yacht berths), an exclusive resort complex and an international hotel and apartment complex (Figure 4). For example, Taylor (1967) assumes the conflict in South East Queensland arose from the Aborigines seeking to control European resources, to share in the superabundance of goods and stock that had suddenly descended upon them. In addition the Government sought direct control over the proposal, feasibility and development of the project. These changes can have vast impacts ranging from changes in temperatures to erosion spots to the wider ecosystem. Rivers, scenic areas, and roadsides are areas that are commonly found littered with waste, ranging from plastic bottles to sewage. Planning legislation in the City of Gold Coast has historically favoured development rather than environmental conservation and heritage preservation (Bosman. The Gold Coast: context and value of place, 2. This is evidenced in Machu Pichu as well as other well known destinations and attractions, as I discussed earlier in this post. Off the Plan: The Urbanisation of the Gold Coast. Importantly, the survey data indicated that the Spit environs were perceived as a safe and valuable community asset. There are also many national parks, game reserves and conservation areas around the world that help to promote positive environmental impacts of tourism. It capitalises on its almost-perfect climate, laid-back environment, and lifestyle. The Economic Impacts of Tourism on the Gold Coast
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