The release of the overdue response from the Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management study (SVCMS) has occurred, as well as the draft Cooloola Recreation Area Managenment Plan, which is now open for consultation until 4 June 2024.

During a recent briefing of the Teewah Cooloola Working Group (TCWG) by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, the following improvements to the area were highlighted, showing that our ongoing advocacy has been effective.

  • Both camping and vehicle numbers have reduced back to pre-COVID levels, which is consistent across all recreation areas in QLD. 93% of all visitors are from within QLD.
  • Number plate cameras have resulted in 1800 fines since July 2023.
  • New cameras have recently been installed with improved imagery, as well as an updated operating system.
  • Penalities for breaking road rules along Teewah Beach now align with any other road in QLD.
  • QPWS are focused on education, including on multiple social media platforms.
  • Body cameras can now be used by rangers which helps with evidence as well to modify driver behaviour when approached.
  • Fines are issued electronically rather than manually.
  • QPWS also have mobile vehicle camer arecognition units which can be stationed periodically in areas where there are no fixed cameras.
  • General compliance with portable toilets has been good, with about 7,000 litres of waste being emptied from dump points every 3 -4 weeks.
  • Health check monitoring is now showing improvements in the camping zone.

The following information is from the government’s announcement regarding the release of the SVCMS:

  • The Queensland Government has released the findings of a study into the use of the Cooloola Recreation Area.
  • The views of community members and other stakeholders were sought to understand how the area is currently being used and to anticipate future use.
  • The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will use the study’s findings to guide future management and investment.

The findings of a study into the current and anticipated future usage of the Cooloola Recreation Area has been completed.

Tens-of-thousands of people currently visit Cooloola Recreation Area each year, making it one of the most popular destinations managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Visitation has increased in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 global pandemic. This increase in usage is expected to continue as South East Queensland’s population continues to grow in the years ahead.

Balancing this expected growth in visitation and the competing demands for access and use of the area and visitor safety and experiences with the conservation of the area’s natural and cultural values requires careful planning.

The area’s traditional owners, the Kabi Kabi and Butchulla Peoples, as well as stakeholders and community members including business and tourism operators, permit holders, and specialist subject matter experts were invited to participate in the survey.

The QPWS also undertook an analysis of existing data on enforcement action undertaken, economic and visitor benefits and community issues.

A key theme for respondents was balancing growing visitor numbers with protecting and conserving the environment and the region’s flora and fauna, continuing to provide a range of user experiences, better defining camp sites to cater for changing user needs, and taking a zero tolerance approach to unsafe and unsocial behaviours related to vehicles and driving.

The study recommendations have been summarised into key themes including management capability and partnerships, conservation, capacity and permitting, visitor safety, infrastructure and visitor experience, and these are in varying stages of implementation.

The study has informed the development of a new draft Cooloola Recreation Area Management Plan, which outlines how the special features of the iconic park will be sustainably managed into future.

Members of the public will be able to have their say of the draft management plan when it opens for public consultation, with more information available on the department’s website.

The Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management Study for the Cooloola Recreation Area, and the government’s summary and response is available here

The following information has been provided by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation regarding the draft Cooloola Recreation Area Management  Plan:

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has co-designed a draft management plan for the Cooloola Recreation Area in partnership with the Kabi Kabi People and Butchulla People.

The draft plan sets the strategic direction for the management of the area to ensure an appropriate balance between recreation and conservation. It details Cooloola’s natural, cultural and social values, and outlines management directions to maintain or improve those values into the future.

The planning area for the draft management plan includes:

  • Cooloola Recreation Area
  • Cooloola (Noosa River) Resources Reserve
  • Great Sandy Resources Reserve
  • Double Island Point Conservation Park
  • Sheep Island Conservation Park
  • Goat Island (Noosa River) Conservation Park
  • Womalah Resources Reserve, and the
  • Cooloola Section of Great Sandy National Park.

Accompanying the release of the draft management plan is a resource information document (provided in survey link).

Community members are encouraged to review the documents and provide feedback by completing the online survey at https://intheloop.des.qld.gov.au/cooloola-recreation-area.

Alternatively, written submissions can be sent to:

Email: ParkManagementPlans@des.qld.gov.au

Post: Planning Manager
Management and Operations | QPWS and Partnerships
Department of Environment, Science and Innovation
PO Box 15187
City East Qld 4002

All submissions will be considered when preparing the final management plan. Submissions close at 5pm on 4 June 2024.

The TCWG are currently working on joint feedback to the draft, with members also able to lodge individual submissions if they wish.

Given our long journey working on needed changes within the management plan, some of the government’s responses lack the needed urgency, and we will be responding to this. We encourage all residents to have their say through this consultation period, while we continue to advocate for better outcomes where identified.

Further information

For those who would like to directly advocate regarding this, email the Queensland Minster for Environment via environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

For all our previous updates regarding Teewah and Cooloola, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Teewah