Constructing and modifying infrastructure close to the coastline has exposed our city to significant risk from a dynamic and high energy ocean. Queensland Parliamentary Debates, (Member for Burleigh, ALP), 28/2/2006. GOLD COAST MC, Qld 9726 Ph: +61 7 5552 8116, Fax: +61 7 5552 8171 . Sense of place as an attitude: Lakeshore owners attitudes towards their properties, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21: 233-48. Point proven I guess. The Gold Coast, one of Australias tourist magnets, is typically defined by its spectacular beaches, forests, hinterland ranges, vibrant communities, and unique waterways. This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies, as well as generating a greater volume of waste water. Holidaying on the Gold Coast, In C. Bosman, A. Dedekorkut-Howes and A. Leach (eds.). ). This was partly because, as Urry (1995) argues, planners, urban designers and developers (new players) often perceive place meaning in accordance with preconceived notions and predetermined outcomes. SUSTAINABILITY. (eds), Advancing Conflict Transformation. Vince, J., A. Smith, K. Sainsbury, I. Cresswell, D. Smith and M. Haward (2015). To ensure our beaches and foreshores retain their sparkle, we invest in a range of cleaning and management services. This pattern is immersed within the history of Southport as discussed below and the Gold Coast as a whole (see for example Whelan, 2006). Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement Requirements, A digital resources portal for the humanities and social sciences, https://doi.org/10.4000/etudescaribeennes.10496, 1. Although some attempts to a better coastal policy and management were tried here and there (e.g. Donning the social constructionist goggles allows us to observe the built and natural landscape as a social-spatial framework within which people, from different cultural, social and economic groups, interact and create a shared sense of place (Greider and Garkovich, 1994; Mangun, 2009). Carter, J., P. Dyer and B. Sharma (2007). For many coastal cities such as the City of Gold Coast, the challenge is compounded, as activities in the coastal zone (land and water) significantly contribute to creating a sense of place. This is almost double what the inhabitants of an average Spanish city use. 14One place that epitomises the challenges regarding development conflicts and place value in the City of Gold Coast is the Southport Spit. It reflected an optimistic period of policy development (Vince, 2008) that would culminate with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in 1999. If you really want to help save the environment, the answer is to seek alternative methods of transportation and avoid flying. (1995). In drier regions, like the Mediterranean, the issue of water scarcity is of particular concern. Given the population figures of the City and the number of dog owners, these beaches are highly valued by the users thereof. Even if it is not successful this time around, the Spit is an asset of significance value (however that is measured) and as such it is unlikely to be ignored by the development industry on the Gold Coast. (2016). Despite multiple community values attached to the Southport Spit, it has nonetheless been dogged with development proposals since the early 1960s. In this article I have outlined exactly how we can both protect and destroy the environment through tourism. Like all tourism destinations, visitor numbers to the Gold Coast change from one year to the next, although over a longer period of time the area has seen a steady increase in visitors and future projections are for visitor numbers to continue to grow. Year after year, the, Read More Tourists increase spending on the Gold CoastContinue, Australias holiday capital is gearing up for summer Wow! The region offers kilometres of pristine surfing beaches, backed by a hinterland that is littered with waterfalls and natural wonders. The city is renowned for its natural environment, with 57 kilometres of coastal strip with pristine beaches and unique hinterland landscapes featuring several national parks. Memories and frequency of visits contributed to the high value attributed to these two indicators. Nowadays, fortunately, this is less commonly the case, however I am sure that there are still exceptions. Learn more about our environment. minimize the negative impacts of tourism in the host community. Current risks such as sea level rise, storm tide inundation and coastal erosion are compounded by the predicted impacts of climate change. This pattern is immersed within the history of Southport as discussed below and the Gold Coast as a whole (see for example Whelan, 2006). Tourism is . It can put enormous pressure on an area and lead to impacts such as: soil erosion, increased pollution, discharges into the sea, natural habitat loss, increased pressure on endangered species and heightened vulnerability to forest fires. Today, it boasts facilities that that rival most Australian capitals. The City of Gold Coast is also dissected by numerous rivers and creeks that have largely been reconfigured and developed into prime real estate around artificial canals (Figure 1). Much of our coastline is highly urbanised. In effect the State Government created its own proponent for the project, a proponent that was also to advise the Government. Carter, J., P. Dyer and B. Sharma (2007). thesis, University of Queensland. 10The failure, by planners and urban designers, to take into account local everyday meanings and values can result in the alienation of residential subjects from each other and from their own place (Cartier and Lew, 2005). Our Beaches team and the local councillor have worked together to improve the condition of a section of dunes at Tugun. In one case a prominent Board member obtained 64 hectares on the western side of the Spit for tourism urbanisation (now the theme park Sea World). The feeling of attachment that is produced from knowing a place comes from living that place. Interestingly, the Gold Coast circumstances also paralleled the emergence of an environmental prerogative in the interpretation and implementation of the Commonwealth Oceans Policy (Vince, 2008). When it comes to increased regional profile, 77% agreed that Gold Coast tourism had helped in this aspect. The notion of conflict has been well documented since Marx (1959) first wrote about it in 1844 (for example see Kriesberg, 1982; Austin, 2011). In December 2020 a new public path was installed, weeds were removed and 1500 native ground layers were planted. This provides an overall health score for each beach compartment. Moore, C. (1990). At last, the cycle of conflicts seems, currently, to have stalled with the repetitive impetus of new players (develop the Spit! Type the characters you see in the image below, Catchment & Citizen Science Grants Program, Business incentives & investment programs, Copy of decision notice or plan of development, Development application pre-lodgement advice, Lodge a submission to have your say on a development application, Appealing a development application decision, Residential plumbing & drainage applications, Commercial plumbing & drainage applications, Concurrency plumbing & drainage applications, Stormwater and sediment control on building sites, Building development on cultural heritage sites, Tree & vegetation removal on private land, City Plan: Coastal dune management policy, improve the health and function of the dune vegetation, improve the stability and resilience of the dunes. Yung, L., W.A. The supposition being that the advice from the Board would be in favour of development. For instance, in 1999, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act introduced an important change as it gave the Australian Government significant powers to influence coastal environmental policy and planning (. This will enable annual renourishment campaigns of the Surfers Paradise foreshore. Visitor Attitudes Toward Tourism Development and Product Integration in an Australian Urban-Rural Fringe, Journal of Travel Research, 42: 286-296. The Southport Spit is also an important place within the rapidly changing landscapes of the City of Gold Coast, since it is land that constitutes the last genuine ocean-side parcel of undeveloped real estate on the Gold Coast (Condon, 2006) and it has significant social and cultural meanings and attachments for many Gold Coast residents (see SOSA a; Condon, 2003; Lazarow and Tomlinson, 2009). One of the major contributing factors in this decision-making process was the lack of national approach (TFG, 2002): the Gold Coast Spit clearly demonstrated the conflict embedded in development in coastal zones and, the local-centered approach without the consideration of any wider context in term of coastal management. Safety issues relating to the use of seaway. Mitchell, C. R. (2011). Our coast provides significant economic, social and environmental benefits, making coastal management a serious and important issue for us all. Place values participate to city branding (come to surf to Kirra, whale season!, etc.). The coastline often becomes synonymous with the identity of the city and a key ingredient to its growth and prosperity, yet it is also a highly contentious place where numerous conflicts are rife. This would inevitably have had severe consequences for the wildlife living in the area. The Gold Coast coastline has, not surprisingly, been significantly impacted by the rapid urbanisation (Figure 2); specifically during the post-war period (the glorious Fifties), and continuing into the 1960s and again in the early 1990s. Some destinations have taken this further and put restrictions in place for the number of tourists that can visit at one time. That was a sad reality to see. This does not mean that one is more important, nor necessarily excludes, nor has to be dominant over the other. Transport by air, road, and rail is continuously increasing in response to the rising number of tourists and their greater mobility. We suggest that in this statement the Deputy Premier was casting local place attachment as an obstacle in the development process. As I said previously, this can have a significant knock on effect on the surrounding ecosystem. Place: A Short Introduction, Carlton, Blackwell. She said: it would be great if [the Spit] was less environmentally sensitive, if people had less emotional attachment to it that would make it a lot easier. (Courier Mail, 2006). In December 2005 the Queensland State Government created a Gold Coast Marine Development Project Board to act as the proponent for the Spit development. The report provides the City with valuable information on: The City has a comprehensive data collection regime to monitor our coastline. Renourishment will increase the resilience of the northern beaches. Hundloe, T., B. McDougall and C. Page (2015). The more this occurs, the more damage that is caused. It is important to note that the Spit is one of three (and it is the primary) off-leash dog exercise beach. Ill never forget the time that I went on a school trip to climb Snowdonia in Wales. Gold Coast City Council (2010). Lynda Schneekloth and Robert Shibley (2000) suggest that [p]lace making is the way all of us as human beings transform the places in which we find ourselves into places in which we live. The process of constructing place meanings, values and attachments is the result of a multitude of influences and factors (Dovey, 1999; Creswell, 2004; Massey, 1994; Carter, Dyer and Sharma, 2007; Vanclay, Higgins and Blackshaw, 2008). Mangun, J.C., A.D. The battle between old and new players and their place-making practices is ongoing. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. For instance, Dekker. Last year, one of the hottest travel trends was technology. Dianne, D. & T. Jamal (2013). Kriesberg, L. (1982). We also have complementary plans and strategies to deliver a coordinated approach to coastal management. Discover tips and programs that can help you live more sustainably. Even if it is not successful this time around, the Spit is an asset of significance value (however that is measured) and as such it is unlikely to be ignored by the development industry on the Gold Coast. 4.1 Economic impacts Some of the positive economic impacts of tourism are: increasing employment opportunities, generating income, spending more on infrastructure and public Kruger and S.E. Dining experiences were also very important to visitors, especially when they occur in the natural environment. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. Sewage pollution threatens the health of humans and animals. Mobilities on the Gold Coast, Australia: implications for destination governance and sustainable tourism. These were (SOSA, b): The SOSA mounted their campaign based upon these five factors. We manage the coastal zone in line with Commonwealth, State and Local Government laws and policies. Not too long ago the island of Borocay in the Philippines was closed to tourists to allow time for it to recover from the negative environmental impacts that had resulted from large-scale tourism in recent years. The report is supplemented with short-term forecasts of the macroeconomic drivers of the Gold Coast economy. Although there is only one marina owned by a yacht club (Southport Yacht Club), there are about twenty other privately owned marinas, slipways and boatyards within the jurisdiction of this unique city, which offers the proximity to two major airports, tourism attractions, theme parks and unique hinterland (Tenefrancia, 2016). Dredge, D. (2011). Caring for our dunes is a collaborative effort between Council and beach users. Local place meanings and values (of old players) are often subjugated and marginalised or erased. This lifestyle and identity have been produced from and are synonymous with place features and characteristics of the Spit: undeveloped, natural beachside, free open and accessible public space. The conflict between new and old values, interests and land uses of the different players in this game have not abated, nor is resolution any closer. Instead the augment put forward by the government was that the decision not to proceed was based on the cost to taxpayers; an economic, rationale not an environmental, nor a cultural, and certainly not a social or community rationale. This condition has raised concerns and excited resistance around democratic participation in the local politics of place, contestations over ecological space, and decisions about land use (Stratford 2009), concerns that are central to the Southport Spit. Native vegetation stabilises coastal dunes. Off the Plan: The Urbanisation of the Gold Coast, CSIRO. 19To provide effective opposition to the state government and its plans for the Southport Spit a consortium of community groups joined to form the Save Our Spit Alliance (SOSA). (eds), Advancing Conflict Transformation. Find out how you can make a difference to our environment and network with like-minded people by volunteering in one of the many programs on offer. The Gold Coast in Australia is one of these coastal places, which developed through taking advantage of its environmental assets, such as direct access to the sea, a white sandy shoreline, an extensive and naturally protected broadwater and several large accessible rivers. Tourism has the potential to create beneficial effects on the environment by contributing to environmental protection and conservation. Kruger and S.E. During this time the old players were the Aboriginal groups in the area, collectively known as the Yugambeh people, whose place values revolved around the land being sacred, rather than a resource to be exploited. Daniels, (2003). 20% said that growing Gold Coast tourism has positive affect on personal quality of life and 62% said that there is a positive effect on community as a whole. It features a state-of-the-art casino, airport, race course, and two sporting stadiums. 17The Gold Coast City Council released the Gold Coast Harbour Study Issues Paper for public comment in 1998. While many other coastal cities relied on port facilities to develop commercial and naval activities, the City of Gold . With no overriding jurisdiction covering the enforcement of planning law in coastal areas, many social, environmental and development conflicts arose. The most important resort within the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, famous for its fabulous beaches and surfing. However, historically, the Australian Constitution decreed that the planning and management of crown land was the responsibility of state and territory governments (Wescott, 2008). "The main problem in understanding environmental impacts of tourism is that few scientific tools exist to determine the more subtle changes. Increased construction of tourism facilities has increased the pressure on these resources and on scenic landscapes. CiteSeerX - Document Details (Isaac Councill, Lee Giles, Pradeep Teregowda): The Gold Coast Tourism Visioning project articulates a set of core values and principles that underpin a preferred future for the sustainable prosperity of Australia's leading tourism destination in the medium to longer term (10 to 20 years). As with most serious development conflicts, this remains unresolved, although it has taken on a very different form, moving from physical altercations into the political realm.