Moreton Island camping changes start next week
Published Thursday, 28 June, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Visitors to Moreton Island will need to have a booking to camp on the island from 1 July and will also need to be aware of new vehicle go-slow zones and beach safety zones from September, Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said today.
Ms Nelson-Carr said a camping booking system, better-marked campsites, vehicle go-slow zones and beach safety zones were among the changes under the new Moreton Island Management Plan, which would help protect the increasingly popular island near Brisbane.
“The island is attracting more visitors each year, with camping permits up 72 percent in five years,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The island attracts more than 40,000 campers each year, and more than 70,000 day trippers.
“The plan contains the foundations for future management of Moreton Island National Park, Moreton Island Recreation Area and Cape Moreton Conservation Park.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said bookings were now being taken online and by phone for camping after 1 July, with the beach safety zones and go slow zones to be introduced in September.
“The online and phone booking system allows campers to book at one of five designated campgrounds, or at one of four camping zones along the eastern and western beaches.
“There will be minimal traffic changes for the island, but these small changes will make a huge difference to people’s safety and enjoyment, and to the protection of wildlife.
“Moreton Island has 76km of beach which can be driven on and when the plan is rolled out only 4.4km will be closed to traffic with a further 5.3km where people will need to slow down.
“The new closures will be 800m in front of Comboyuro Point campground and 600 metres in front of the North Point campground.
“There are already a couple of areas off-limits to vehicles – two kilometres in front of Tangalooma Resort and one kilometre in front of Cowan Cowan township.
“The new 30km/h safety zones at barge landing and busy meeting points total less than two kilometres and will be at The Wrecks, Ben-Ewa, Bulwer, and Reeders Point.
“Mirapool Lagoon and beach on the southern tip of Moreton is a critical roosting site for shorebirds. The new Special Protection Zone being trialled here for 12 months from September totals 3.3km.
“This critical area will be off limits to traffic between half tide and high tide, when vehicles will need to use a bypass track. The Special Protection Zone will be accessible at half tide or lower but vehicles will need to travel at 30km/h or less.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the plan was aimed at protecting the important things that draw people to Moreton Island including the beaches and wildlife habitat.
“It’s important that we manage the area for everyone in the face of these growing pressures on the island’s facilities and environment.
“The changes will improve safety, help protect groundwater quality, protect cultural heritage, and ensure wildlife is not disturbed at critical migration times.
The plan was the result of extensive work by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff with Traditional Owners and other community members, and input from more than 180 submissions.
The management plan is available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website www.epa.qld.gov.au
Book for camping online at www.qld.gov.au/camping or by calling 13 13 04, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Minister’s Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
Ms Nelson-Carr said a camping booking system, better-marked campsites, vehicle go-slow zones and beach safety zones were among the changes under the new Moreton Island Management Plan, which would help protect the increasingly popular island near Brisbane.
“The island is attracting more visitors each year, with camping permits up 72 percent in five years,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The island attracts more than 40,000 campers each year, and more than 70,000 day trippers.
“The plan contains the foundations for future management of Moreton Island National Park, Moreton Island Recreation Area and Cape Moreton Conservation Park.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said bookings were now being taken online and by phone for camping after 1 July, with the beach safety zones and go slow zones to be introduced in September.
“The online and phone booking system allows campers to book at one of five designated campgrounds, or at one of four camping zones along the eastern and western beaches.
“There will be minimal traffic changes for the island, but these small changes will make a huge difference to people’s safety and enjoyment, and to the protection of wildlife.
“Moreton Island has 76km of beach which can be driven on and when the plan is rolled out only 4.4km will be closed to traffic with a further 5.3km where people will need to slow down.
“The new closures will be 800m in front of Comboyuro Point campground and 600 metres in front of the North Point campground.
“There are already a couple of areas off-limits to vehicles – two kilometres in front of Tangalooma Resort and one kilometre in front of Cowan Cowan township.
“The new 30km/h safety zones at barge landing and busy meeting points total less than two kilometres and will be at The Wrecks, Ben-Ewa, Bulwer, and Reeders Point.
“Mirapool Lagoon and beach on the southern tip of Moreton is a critical roosting site for shorebirds. The new Special Protection Zone being trialled here for 12 months from September totals 3.3km.
“This critical area will be off limits to traffic between half tide and high tide, when vehicles will need to use a bypass track. The Special Protection Zone will be accessible at half tide or lower but vehicles will need to travel at 30km/h or less.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the plan was aimed at protecting the important things that draw people to Moreton Island including the beaches and wildlife habitat.
“It’s important that we manage the area for everyone in the face of these growing pressures on the island’s facilities and environment.
“The changes will improve safety, help protect groundwater quality, protect cultural heritage, and ensure wildlife is not disturbed at critical migration times.
The plan was the result of extensive work by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff with Traditional Owners and other community members, and input from more than 180 submissions.
The management plan is available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website www.epa.qld.gov.au
Book for camping online at www.qld.gov.au/camping or by calling 13 13 04, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Minister’s Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002