K’gari at risk of being ‘destroyed’ by overtourism, world heritage advisory committee warns | K’gari (Fraser Island)

Curry Heritage Consulting Committee (KWHAC) The Queensland government advised that the environment risks on the island “destroyed” through “Oil”, and pressed LNP’s He promised not to increase the visit to the island.

The recommendation was mentioned in the strategic plan of the World Heritage of the Authority, which was issued on Friday and contradicts the policy adopted by the new government.

Environment Minister Andrew Powell, He announced last month that he did not do It intends to put restrictions on the visit in the 20 most crowded days per year, as planned at work.

According to the plan, the bad administration “does not destroy not only the environment, but the experience that visitors are looking for and has effects on the safety of visitors.”

“Even maintaining the current level of ventilation will require major changes to management,” the report said.

There was a continuation A series of attacks Tourists by the island protected, known as Wongari. Many victims are children.

The chairman of the committee, Sue Sargent, said the turmoil DirectlyBy contributing to the number of usual animals on humans.

In peak periods, the island visits tens of thousands of tourists. She said that a handful of garden guards is sometimes unable to maintain the rules designed to relieve rocks, such as the ban on food in the specified areas.

And she said: “The accustomed that occurs during these peak days, unfortunately, then this animal keeps it, and can lead to another event later in the year.”

The committee also warned the turmoil that it would increase significantly in the coming years. The administration estimates that 400,000 people visit K’ari annually, although the number is disputed and the committee estimates that the real number ranges between 800,000 and one million. They expect to double in the next decade, especially during the 2032 Olympics.

A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said that the number of vehicle nights and registered vehicles decreased since 2022 to 328673 in 2024.

“We do not have any plans to provide a visitor cover to K’gari.

The department does not measure the number of tourists who travel with private sector operators, nor the number of people in a vehicle allowed.

He said, “The numbers of visitors provided by BAC [Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation] KWHAC are estimates and are not based on realistic evidence. “

Lauren Walli of the indigenous Puchaola title told the indigenous people that she supports the idea of ​​maximum or drawings.

“She needs more protection,” she said.

“If you leave the island on its own, it will renew itself. We do not have enough Rangers to do the work that must be done.”

Sargent also suggested a $ 10 fee for visiting.

She said that the state effectively supports tourism, because it costs the taxpayer to keep the island more than it receives fees.

Tourists who travel actually pay a declaration fee through the operator. But the committee put a lot of blame in the so -called “free and independent” visitors, who travel to the island in their car.

“It is about creating a fair system, so that every person as a visitor contributes to K’gari in the management of the island,” she said.

The Consulting Committee contains experts in areas such as geomorphology, archeology, geography, environment, representatives of the tourism industry, local community and holders of Bochola.

It provides expert advice to ensure Australia continues to meet its obligations under the World Heritage Agreement.

Sargent said Australia was not a good hostess for its international heritage in Kagari.

“In our capacity Queensland, we are very bright about the incredibly rich heritage that we have as a country. We consider it a forefront … intolerance of responsibility is a big problem.”

K’gari will be the subject of the World Heritage Report prepared this year.

The report ruling that the total threats of K’gari were “high” and “significant negative effects on the values ​​and potential of the site” unless the management resources are increased.

He concluded that “the increasing visit, biological security interests and the effects of climate change are the main threats to property.”

The administration is drafting a new management plan for the island – the first since 1994 – at the end of the year. The plan was last updated in 2005.

The three -year period of the Consulting Committee ended on Monday.