Submission to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on Improving the GBRMP Permission System

Transcription

1 Submission to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on Improving the GBRMP Permission System Queensland Tourism Industry Council Po Box George Street QLD 4003 P (07) F (07) E policy@qtic.com.au December 2015

2 Introduction The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) welcomes the opportunity to provide comment to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) on improving the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park permission system. QTIC supports the Australian Government s strong ambition to protect and responsibly manage the Great Barrier Reef region consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable use and to enhance its Outstanding Universal Value attributed to the World Heritage status. Tourism is a long-term economic driver for Queensland and its 55,000 tourism businesses remain heavily reliant on the natural assets and cultural heritage to survive, with the Great Barrier Reef one of the state s most valuable assets. Tourism in Queensland Tourism is a key economic driver in many Queensland regions, supporting regional employment and community growth, employing over 230,000 people directly and indirectly, or 9.9% of all people employed in Queensland. 1 This is substantially more than the mining sector (79,000 direct jobs) or even agriculture, forestry and fishing combined (56,900 direct jobs) 2. The tourism industry in Queensland contributed $23 billion to Queensland s Gross State Product (GSP), representing 7.9% of total GSP and generated $5.8 billion in exports in the year ending June 2014, making it the state s second largest export earner behind coal 2. The Australia-wide economic benefit associated with the Great Barrier Reef in 2012 was $5.7 billion, with tourism accounting for over 90% or $5.2 billion of the economic benefits generated. Tourism activity associated with the Great Barrier Reef supports 64,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and 25% of coastal residents rely on the Great Barrier Reef for at least part of their income 3. Australia s tourism industry is internationally renowned for its ecological diversity, with Queensland s Great Barrier Reef almost certainly the most valuable asset, underpinning the growth potential and competitive advantage of our tourism industry. Queensland Tourism Industry Council QTIC is the state peak body for tourism in Queensland. As the voice of tourism, QTIC represents the interests of the tourism industry, including business operators, Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) and sector associations. QTIC is a private sector, membership-based tourism industry organisation; all of Queensland s 13 RTOs are members of QTIC as are 20 of the industry sector associations and in excess of 3,000 regional members, operating in all sectors of the tourism industry. QTIC works in partnership with government agencies and industry bodies at a local, state and national level (National Tourism Alliance), to strengthen the voice of tourism in all relevant policy forums. QTIC remains committed to working with the GBRMPA to support the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and in supporting a sustainable tourism industry. 1 Tourism Research Australia, State Tourism Satellite Accounts , released April Tourism Queensland, Tourism Economic Key Facts, September Deloitte, Economic Contribution of the Great Barrier Reef P a g e

3 FEDERAL TOURISM INITATIVES In December 2011, the Federal Government announced its national strategy Tourism 2020, with a goal of doubling the value of tourism to $140 billion by One of the key factors that will dictate the success or failure of Australia s tourism industry to meet its global potential is to meet the expected surge in demand with sufficient increases from the supply side of the tourism industry, such as tourism product, aviation capacity and transport infrastructure. In the report recently prepared by the CSIRO titled The Future of Tourism in Queensland: Megatrends creating opportunities and challenges over the coming twenty years, one of the seven identified megatrends termed A Natural Advantage explores the motivations of travel that will drive demand into Queensland over the coming twenty years. The megatrend is summarised as follows: Global biodiversity and natural habitats are disappearing at alarming rates. Those areas of remaining pristine natural habitats are of increasing value. As the world s population grows and becomes increasingly urbanised, tourists will be drawn to nature-based experiences. Queensland s natural assets will become an increasingly important draw card for locals and visitors alike. The Great Barrier Reef is a designated World Heritage site. In 2012, representatives of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and IUCN undertook a mission to the Great Barrier Reef to monitor the state of conservation and threats facing the Reef. The subsequent UNESCO Mission Report concluded that the Great Barrier Reef continues to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value, however the future conservation of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area is at crossroads and decisions that will be taken in the immediate future will be decisive for the long-term health of the property as a whole. The overarching vision of the Australian Government s recently released Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan 4 is: To ensure the Great Barrier Reef continues to improve on its Outstanding Universal Value every decade between now and 2050 to be a natural wonder for each successive generation to come. STATE TOURISM INITATIVES QTIC remains committed to working with the Queensland Government and industry to achieve industry development outcomes through the state tourism strategy. Destination Success, the 20-year tourism plan of the Queensland Government for tourism, prioritises six key themes that will grow the tourism industry; one of the six themes of Destination Success is Preserve our nature and culture. Industry has rated the importance of the theme as 5.1 out of 6 (extremely important), and scored the amount of change needed as 3.7 out of 6. The vision for the theme is: Natural assets will continue to be the heart of the Queensland experience able to be enjoyed by visitors and local alike, and preserved for future generations. Our unique, authentic character and cultural heritage will be preserved and enhanced, and will always be at the heart of the Queensland experience. The Queensland Government is committed to the goal of doubling visitor expenditure, to $30 billion by The Queensland Government and the Queensland tourism industry share an ambition to support the ongoing conservation of our natural assets, by continuing to working with organisations and industry leaders to develop a prosperous and sustainable tourism industry. Any reduction to the natural advantage of Queensland will undermine the significant efforts by the tourism industry and Government to achieve tourism 2020 targets. 4 Commonwealth of Australia, 2015, Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. 3 P a g e

4 Recommendations 1. Permit Terms and Conditions QTIC supports the GBRMPA s consideration to grant longer permit terms for low risk activities or high standard tourism operations in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. QTIC supports the GBRMPA s consideration to grant longer permit terms for operators in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), particularly for low risk activities or high standard eco-certified tourism operations. Low risk activities or high standard tourism operations should be rewarded with permit terms which reduce the hassle of undertaking frequent renewal applications. Longer permit terms would also support operator investment in facility upgrades, training, and involvement in GBRMPA conservation activities. By reducing the backload of operators requiring renewals the GBRMPA can focus more on regulating the operations themselves and on delivering communications to permit holders. QTIC also recommends standard conditions on all permits regardless of activity or scale of operation. As a World Heritage listed site, conservation guidelines for all operations is a must. QTIC recommends that all permit-holders must be eco-certified. There is concern of permit latency issues, which should be taken into consideration upon drafting new standard conditions or issuing new permits. The carrying capacity of the GBRMP needs to be reflected in the volume of permits both issued and in operation. 2. Managing Facilities QTIC supports the GBRMPA s objective to revise policies regarding the management of facilities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, to ensure the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef is maintained and improved upon. The management of facilities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) is an important concern for the conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value attributed to its World Heritage listing status, and to protect the GBRMP from any unrecoverable damage. It is important that the GBRMP is not compromised by man-made facilities that have been decommissioned, abandoned or in a state of disrepair. A revision of regulations and enforcement of sustainable facilities management and maintenance will improve the quality, safety and sustainability of tourism facilities in the GBRMP. Operator investment in facility maintenance and upgrading can be supported by issuing longer permit terms, issuing standard conditions and eco-certification requirements, and improving on GBRMPA communications with operators. 4 P a g e

5 3. Information at Time of Application QTIC supports the GBRMPA s consideration to request a minimum level of information required to assess different types of applications, which will encourage a more efficient permit granting process for all parties. Requiring a minimum level of information for assessing different types of applications will support an efficient and cost-effective permit granting process for all parties. An easier to understand and navigable permit application and renewal process, with clear information and communication from the GBRMPA, will lead to better management outcomes for the GBRMP and improved industry and Authority engagement. FURTHER ENQUIRIES We welcome the opportunity for further discussion regarding the points raised in this submission. For all enquiries, please contact QTIC Policy Team on (07) or policy@qtic.com.au. 5 P a g e