Growing ecotourism in Queensland

Tabled Report 12: 2022–23

Tabled date

2023-05-09

Report year

2022-23

Economic development Environmental protection Tourism and events

Entities audited

Not identified in the published HTML audit scope.

Recommendations

1. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport and the Department of Environment and Science, in consultation with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet

   We recommend that the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport and the Department of Environment and Science, in consultation with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, develop an overarching statewide policy position on ecotourism for both on and off protected areas (Chapter 4) that:

   • clearly defines ecotourism, and the scales and types of ecotourism development acceptable to the state
   • identifies the state’s priorities for ecotourism opportunities both on and off protected areas. This should include any differences in priorities and tolerances for developments within and outside national parks while respecting the cultural and traditional ownership of First Nations people
   • sets a clear direction for achieving the vision of Queensland becoming a world leader in ecotourism, providing improved consistency and clarity for government entities, industry operators, and potential developers in understanding and implementing government’s ecotourism priorities.

2. QAO's text Addressed to: Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport; Department of Environment and Science

   Following the development of a statewide policy position on ecotourism, we recommend that:

   • the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport leads the development and implementation of an ecotourism roadmap for Queensland (aligned under the Towards Tourism 2032 – Transforming Queensland’s visitor economy future strategy), with a focus on supporting private investment and development in ecotourism outside Queensland’s protected areas (Chapter 4)
   • the Department of Environment and Science leads the implementation of ecotourism in protected areas through its Ecotourism Plan for Queensland’s Protected Areas 2023–2028 (Chapter 4).

3. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport; the Department of Environment and Science; and Tourism and Events Queensland

   We recommend the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport; the Department of Environment and Science; and Tourism and Events Queensland develop, finalise, or update individual plans that clearly define how they will achieve the government’s vision of Queensland becoming a world leader in ecotourism, within their area of responsibility (Chapter 4).
   
   
   
   This includes:

   • aligning individual ecotourism-related strategies and plans with the Towards Tourism 2032 – Transforming Queensland’s visitor economy future strategy and the statewide policy position on ecotourism and ecotourism roadmap (once developed)
   • developing investment priorities to ensure government funding is directed to/aligned with the vision and policy position on ecotourism
   • using available information on nature visitor preferences for planning and prioritising ecotourism facilities, activities, and projects
   • having clear goals, measurable indicators of success, and performance targets in all strategies and plans and regularly monitoring and reporting on progress.

4. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Environment and Science, in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport

   We recommend the Department of Environment and Science, in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport:

   • consider ways to further reduce the complexity of obtaining government approvals for ecotourism facilities
   • provide greater support to proponents in navigating the legislative, engagement, and approval processes for ecotourism facilities.

Authoritative report — Queensland Audit Office

Report PDF on QAO