WORK is set to begin on a proposal for a whale-watching cultural walk to boost Straddie’s tourism industry.
The Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation will oversee consultation on a whale interpretive project for the island.
The project is part of the Queensland government’s North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy to diversify the island’s economy by expanding tourism, education and business opportunities.
QYAC chief executive Cameron Costello said research had demonstrated there was a fantastic opportunity for tourism focused on the environment and culture.
“In the coming months we will be consulting with Quandamooka traditional owners, local communities and other key stakeholders to begin a whale interpretive project that could not only showcase cultural walk experiences and the majestic yalingbila (whales) but also integrate important educational and research capabilities that can have real impacts on global whale conservation,” Mr Costello said.
“We will be engaging world-class architects to develop appropriate concepts for a sensitively designed facility consistent with the natural environment that will showcase a rare full humpback whale skeleton retrieved off the local beach that is currently housed by the Queensland Museum.”
The consultation forms part of a tourism research project by the University of Queensland Business School that started last year and will continue until 2021.
Associate Professor Pierre Benckendorff, who is co-ordinating the project with the Tourism Industry Development Department said tourism was a crucial economic activity for the growth and sustainability of Minjerribah.
“To drive tourism growth and job creation on this beautiful island we need to deliver exceptional visitor experiences and that means we need to connect with visitors and hear what they’re saying,” he said.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said the government was focused on creating new tourism opportunities on Minjerribah.
“This region is rich with local culture and natural beauty,” Ms Richards said.
“It makes sense that this is at the centre of any new tourism offering on Minjerribah.
“The island is part of the first successful native title claim in south-east Queensland and there are many opportunities for the local Quandamooka people to share their cultural values and country with visitors.”
Ms Richards said the government had received the first of three reports developed through the North Stradbroke Island Visitor Research Program.
She said the report provided data on the steady rise of visitors to the island and information on where and when they prefered to stay, play and eat and spend.
“Annual visitor numbers have grown steadily from 2009 and we are now seeing up to 380,000 visitors to the island each year,” she said.
“The report shows that visitors see Minjerribah as a sanctuary where they can relax, escape from the city and spend time with friends and family.
“The report identifies strong visitor interest in Indigenous tourism experiences that align with the economic, socio-cultural and ecological aspirations of the local Quandamooka people which will in turn promote tourism industry development as well as broader sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities on the Island.”