World Heritage status at risk from proposed Springbrook cableway

Experts say a cableway proposal being pushed by Gold Coast City Council and backed by Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell will risk destroying the World Heritage values the popular destination was created to protect.

Days before public submissions into Minister Powell's 20-year tourism strategy close, Gecko Environment Council and a coalition of groups are urging the Queensland Government to withdraw support for the destructive cableway proposal.

University of Queensland environment professor Dr James Watson

There is a danger that a cableway could actually lead to a World Heritage 'in-danger' listing for Springbrook, simply because any form of development is going to erode the values of that World Heritage place.

I simply do not believe that you put a cableway in, with all the associated infrastructure, and it's not going to do any harm at all. There are good examples around the world where World Heritage Areas have been put in danger because of developments that have involved significant infrastructure.

If it goes ahead, I am sure UNESCO will be concerned because they are concerned in other parts of the world where similar kinds of activities are taking place.

The science clearly shows that once you start creating roads and unnecessary tracks, you really are opening up the door for inappropriate fire regimes and invasives and that can cause a lot of damage.

Gecko Environment Council Campaigner Lois Levy said

A cableway is a serious threat to the World Heritage listing of this global biodiversity hotspot. World Heritage listing is not easily attained and deserves every effort to ensure it is sustained.

Locals, businesses and conservationists are not willing to risk a World Heritage area for a cableway.

Instead, let’s build the first ever World Heritage Environment and Cultural centre on the Gold Coast and support local ecotourism businesses, education about our protected areas, and cultural experiences for visitors.

Queensland Conservation Council protected areas campaigner Nicky Moffat said

Gold Coast tourism does not need a Reef-type 'World Heritage in Danger' issue. These are exactly the kind of issues we need Minister Powell to be listening to for his plan for tourism to be one that protects national parks, not wrecks them.

Highly intrusive cableway towers through Springbrook National Park will be harmful and destructive to wildlife and their habitat, with other impacts including years of construction, road access, increase of fire risks, landslips, invasive species, and unsustainable visitor numbers.

To attract visitors we must strike the right balance of ecotourism 'done well' and conservation of protected areas.

National Parks Association of Queensland CEO Chris Thomas said

Tourism benefits greatly from our wonderful natural assets in Queensland, and brings visitors and prosperity to regions. But tourism in protected areas will be hindered by an approach that promotes inappropriate development and takes shortcuts around necessary community consultation.

We urge the City of Gold Coast and the Crisafulli Government to have a more considered approach and to value the opinions and expertise of Traditional owners, local residents, tour operators, conservationists, and the scientific community who all treasure this renowned world heritage area.

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