Sandy has continued advocacy on the issues impacting Cooloola and the Noosa North Shore including for the release of the overdue recommendations that emanated from the Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management study. As part of these efforts, Sandy asked a Question on Notice (QON) in Parliament to the Queensland Minister for Environment requesting information when these recommendations will be released. This QON is below including the Minister’s full response.

Sandy’s QON

With reference to the Cooloola Recreation Area and Teewah continuing to experience unacceptable dangerous driving and environmental damage to dunes and turtle hatcheries from 4WD’s during and around high tide— Will the Minister advise when the government will release the long fought for recommendations to see an end to this devastation?

The Minister’s response

The Cooloola Recreation Area, which includes Teewah Beach and Teewah camping zone, is one of the most popular locations for day and overnight visitors managed by the Queensland Government in south east Queensland.

Importantly, this is also the traditional lands of the Butchulla and Kabi Kabi peoples. Careful planning and management is required to balance visitor safety and experience with the conservation of natural, cultural and social values.

Ensuring there are opportunities for visitors to experience unique natural areas in memorable, safe and sustainable ways is important so that current and future generations may continue to enjoy them.

A statutory management planning process is in progress for the area. Importantly for the first time, this is being done in partnership with Traditional Owners.

The Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management study (the study) is an initial part of the planning process. The study assessed current site demands and impacts, and surveyed user and stakeholder groups to identify values and views regarding current visitation and sentiment towards visitor management options and priorities for inclusion in the planning process. The Queensland Government plans to release the study and Government response in early 2024.

The findings and recommendations from the study informs the draft Cooloola Recreation Area Management Plan (the plan), which is projected to be released for public consultation in early 2024. The plan will build on and enhance the current management strategies in place. It will look to balance the needs of multiple user groups and Traditional Owners without negatively impacting on the natural, cultural and social values of the area and the quality of visitor experience.

Turtle protection along Teewah Beach

Our office has been advised previously by the Minister’s office that the Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management study, once released, will have recommendations relating to turtle protection. The following is the full advice from the Minister’s office:

Background

  • A small number of turtles are known to nest along the Teewah Beach annually.
  • The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (the department) works hard to achieve an appropriate balance between safe access for legitimate recreational users and residents and the protection of our cultural and natural values.
  • The high visitor numbers indicate the Cooloola Recreation Area plays an important role in providing a significant contribution to community health and wellbeing, and the local economy.
  • To protect turtle nesting and hatching, the department actively manages beach access through existing regulations and education, including compliance efforts.

Key issues

  • The department provides extensive education on driving and visitor safety on the department’s website, camping booking site, park alerts, conditions report and signage.
  • Large `Protect turtles during breeding’ permanent signage is located at Rainbow Beach, Leisha Track, Freshwater Track, first  and third  Cuttings on Noosa North Shore.
  • Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships rangers conduct regular compliance patrols and issue penalty infringement notices for visitors parking or driving on dunes or otherwise demonstrating inappropriate beach driving behaviours.
  • The department also works closely with volunteer groups including the Cooloola and Coolum Coastcare groups in supporting the protection of turtles during the nesting and hatching seasons, including the relocation of nest sites at risk of coastal erosion or inundation.
  • The department is considering several complementary measures to improve compliance and visitor management following the Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management study process and will continue to engage with the Member for Noosa and Teewah Beach Working Group.

Further Information

For those who would like to directly advocate regarding Teewah’s environment, please contact 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, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Teewah