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New recreation area to protect Cooloola's beaches for future generations
Queensland's iconic Cooloola area north of Noosa will be safeguarded for families to continue to enjoy for years to come, following the declaration of a new plan for the favourite getaway hot spot today.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said under the new plan, several priority projects will be funded for visitors including an expanded campground at Freshwater, internal road upgrades, new amenities, dune protections, visitor signage and waste facilities.
Ms Jones said the new Cooloola Recreation Area would cover more than 60,000 hectares of environmentally significant land from Noosa North Shore up to Rainbow Beach.
To provide long-term protection and safety for the area and help fund vital infrastructure, the Cooloola Recreation Area will introduce:
* A new 2.5 kilometre, vehicle-free zone between Teewah and Noosa Heads for families to enjoy without any risk of vehicle incidents;
* Commercial activity permits for the expanded conservation areas in the region;
* Vehicle permits; and
* Some dog and vehicle restrictions.
Ms Jones said the declaration, to take effect from 17 October this year, will ensure the long-term protection of this much-loved camping and fishing destination.
"The beaches along the Cooloola coastline have long been some of Queensland's most popular tourist destinations, with tens of thousands of people visiting the area every year," Ms Jones said.
"However, this popularity has caused incredible strain on the area's unique environment, and there has been increasing concern about public safety, public health and the environmental impacts of increased visitor numbers at Cooloola.
"I don't want Cooloola to be a victim of its own popularity and lose its significant appeal as a great destination. This new plan will increase the protection of Cooloola and ensure the values that make it such a special place are here to stay."
Ms Jones said the declaration enables the coordinated management of recreation and conservation across all of the different types of land within the Cooloola Recreation Area, including national park, various State and local government land parcels, road tenure and the beaches and esplanade lands (State land), and other lands exposed at low tide - down to the low water mark.
"The new management framework to be introduced at Cooloola is similar to those used in other high-use, highly sensitive areas such as Moreton, Bribie, Fraser and Green islands," Ms Jones said.
"The Bligh Government is committed to protecting these beautiful parts of Queensland.
"Today's declaration allows us to apply a consistent and sustainable recreation and visitor management approach to both Cooloola and Fraser Island.
"The declaration is the result of extensive consultation with the community and stakeholders.
"Over more than two years, 271 submissions were received on the Strategic Directions Plan and through the Regulatory Impact Statement.
"We have taken into account the wide variety of views to develop a framework to protect and preserve the area's wonderful features, while maintaining visitor access to this beloved area".
Ms Jones said under the new management framework, vehicle permits will be required for access to most beaches and tracks in the designated Cooloola Recreation Area, and people who operate tours or commercial business on beach areas, including in the southern area, will be required to obtain a commercial activity permit or agreement.
"The new vehicle permit system that starts on 17 October 2010 will drive the improvement of driver standards and compliance.
"The permits are similar to those already required to drive along the beaches at our other iconic sand-driving destinations such as Fraser Island and Moreton Island.
"As a result of feedback, a new day pass is included in the options available to visitors.
"About 2.5 km of beach between First and Third cutting on southern Teewah Beach will be a vehicle-free area so families can enjoy the beach safely - with traffic required to bypass the area using an inland track.
"Importantly, people who live at or own land at Teewah Village won't need to pay for their vehicle permits - they can apply for fee-exempt vehicle access permits to access their properties within the recreation area."
Ms Jones said all revenue generated by the Cooloola Recreation Area, including vehicle access permits and commercial tour operator fees, will be re-invested in the recreation area system.
"This important re-investment is guaranteed by law," Ms Jones said.
"The funds will be ploughed back into improving visitor facilities and services and employing more rangers in the recreation area.
"This will allow us to invest in upgraded toilets, camping and picnic facilities, new disposal facilities for human waste, and stabilisation of the dunes.
"We will also be formalising beach access and camping sites, and producing better signs and visitor guides.
"As with all national parks, domestic animals will be excluded from the national park and most beaches within the Cooloola Recreation Area. However, some dog-friendly areas will be provided for on sections of beach south of Teewah Village and from Rainbow Beach to Middle Rock, with signs to be erected to indicate these dog -friendly areas."
More information about the Cooloola Recreation Area is at www.derm.qld.gov.au
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability
The Honourable Kate Jones
22/09/2010
FURTHER INFORMATION ON VEHICLE ACCESS PERMITS:
The permits will be available for:
*one calendar day ($10 if booked via the internet, otherwise $15);
*two to seven days ($25);
*up to one month ($39.35); or
*up to one year ($197.20).
The seven-day permit is an extended permit giving greater value for money particularly for people wanting to camp over a long weekend.
There will also be a 20 percent discount for visitors who purchase a monthly or yearly permit for both Fraser and Cooloola for the same period.
The vehicle access permits will be required for travelling along the beach from north of the north head of the Noosa River to Middle Rocks south east of Rainbow Beach, and inland along the Freshwater track between Bymien and the beach, the Kings Bore Circuit track (locally known as Pettigrew Road and the eastern and western firebreaks) and the Leisha track.
Vehicle access permits are not required for any privately owned freehold land or sections of the Great Sandy National Park south of the Noosa River.
No vehicle permits will be needed for Inskip Point, nor for the beach from Rainbow Beach township to Middle Rock, the Cooloola Way, the 4WD track to Poverty Point, and the 3 km unsealed Freshwater track from Rainbow Beach road turnoff to Bymien picnic area.
Vehicle access permits will be available online at www.qld.gov.au/camping or by phoning 13 74 68, or during business hours at DERM's head office at 400 George Street Brisbane, Great Sandy Information Centre at Tewantin, QPWS Rainbow Beach office, Manta-Ray Barge Rainbow Beach, and Rainbow Beach IGA. Please check the DERM website for updates on outlets.
Permanent Link: New recreation area to protect Cooloola's beaches for future generations
Publish Date: 22 Sep 10
Brisbane
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Comments / Have your say
I have been a Noosa bloke all my life and average a trip up the beach atleast once every few weeks and now I'm going to be charged?
I never speed, take all my rubbish with me and don't damage the dunes "I tread lightly".
Why the f**k am I being charged to go where it is my right to go?
Is it because of the few spastics that come to MY town and trash MY BEACH and then take off back to there own locations?
Locals should be free and anyone outside of a certain postcode should be charged.
Locals will most of the time look after there own backyard, it's the outer towners that flood our town/beach, trash it and leave.
I'm sick of paying for other peoples stupidity and also think we should kick that RANGA, Anna out of the palament!
Oh and the no dogs bit is also bulls**t! I like how the new law makes a small section ok for pets but it is illegal to drive through the area to get to it. Another smart moove by the government. I hope they don't pay anyone to make these retarded policies
I'll still be enjoying Cooloola as I don't think the charges are all that much for what I can afford. Only the naive think that Captain Blight will be using the money to look after the area. If you honestly believe that - then no doubt you also happily vote Labor at every election (they all lie -- voting is the choice between lesser evils). Blight has recently increased rego (of all types), has a million and one speed traps out there (all in the name of "safety" of course -- police out on the road would save lives, but this costs), has started doing random road worthy's, increased license fees for shooters, increased road tolls, and now this charge -- it's all about finding the money to pay for her bloated "Public Service" (most of whom live in Brisbane, like her husband who is on a six figure salary and is head PS of the Dept of Climate Change), after all, they too all vote ALP/Green. Pork barreling at its finest!
Just think what it will cost all you Brisso's to come up here with the fuel cost, barge fair, and now this cost. Plus you will have to pay for Gizzard's "there will be no Carbon Tax in my term" tax on top of all of this soon too.
Can we raise Joh from the dead? Under him we also had corruption (as we do now under the ALP), but at least we had the absence of many taxes, had growth, were not in debt up to our eye balls, we were allowed to enjoy our State free of charge, and the Greens were a dirty four letter word.
Don't steal - the ALP hates competition.
It is the sheer popularity of this area which has demanded a more comprehensive management framework, which is clearly what this article is about. It's about making the area safe for families and protecting the environment so all our kids can grow up having the same beautiful area to have fun in that we all have enjoyed.
I'm extremely impressed that all revenue raised from permits will be re-invested into the management of the area, and even more so that this requirement is being written into law.
I'm confused by many of the negative comments on this thread, making all sorts semi-comprehsible accusations against the epa.
This is *so obviously* not a "revenue raising scheme". YOU have made the area popular, and now YOU must pay for it to be looked after. Once again, all money from permits goes back into the area.
And if it is, then the Government cannot legally place a 'toll/access' fee on this section of road.
I think there is Federal legislation in place that say that all public roads cannot have a toll or an access fee placed on them.
So unless Anna Bligh(t) has sold the beach off to a private company, the State Government may not legally be able to charge a toll/access fee for driving on a public road.
Of course, I may be wrong.
All of the other comments here are spot and well said. Next State Election should be called "Bye Bye Anna Bligh"
If you really cared about this area, which you obviously don't, then you would feel the same way.
Our children are entitled to use Teewah Beach without fear of being run over by people in a hurry to get to Fraser.
Who is going to hold these collectors accountable to what is spent and where.
What a shame we are being subjected to more fees and controls. Where will it end!
Charge people MORE money in order to reduce the numbers and protet the area but at the same time using the revenue to improve the facilites thus making it more appealing inorder increase the numbers.
Kate Jones needs a bullet.
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