WORLD HERITAGE SPRINGBROOK

I refer to the article in the Gold Coast Sun of Thursday May 23, 2013, (page 11), by Laura Nelson, Cableway to lift tourism says alliance (see below):

It is astonishing that the ghost of the cableway still lingers in the same way as all of the ‘green’ clichés do. What constantly seems to be forgotten is that Springbrook is part of a World Heritage-listed region. Its special qualities are not a figment of any extremist’s imagination. A cableway at Springbrook would be like a cableway at Uluru or Chartres cathedral. Other parts of the world that have the privilege of managing World Heritage sites do so with pride, commitment and rigour: just look at Uluru and Chartres. Springbrook is listed for its unique biodiversity, a situation that requires a special awareness, care and sensitivity, as its complex ecology is not as immediately obvious as a large rock or a building, even though the region might be just as picturesque.

The impact of tourism on the plateau needs to be very carefully controlled. While businesses would always like to be more profitable, it seems self-indulgent to start blaming others for any shortcoming or failure. The dismissive designation of ‘green groups and individuals’ as being ‘radical’ borders on the juvenile, as it is clear that the rest of the world is challenging this perception with the World Heritage listing. That ‘this policy’, a strange description for apparent ‘green’ activism, is promoted as being ‘to the detriment of the local population’ emphasises the problem with platitudes.

World Heritage Springbrook must be properly managed prior to and in parallel with the demands of the ‘local population’ and any desire to broaden ‘its tourism base’ if the ecology is to be maintained and sustained. Pressing on with commonplace banalities and ignoring the essence of this special region might soon have it being considered for the endangered list along with the Great Barrier Reef. This would be a very sad day not only for Queensland, but also for the world.

Spence Jamieson

President Springbrook/Wunburra Progress Association Incorporated

P.S.

On matters extreme and green, one wonders if promoters of the clichés might consider the ‘green’ cemetery and those who support it (see Green burial dug up again, page 3, below) as being ‘radical’ and disruptive? Then I suppose cemeteries are not great tourist attractions, even though the report notes that they do make a profit.

THE ARTICLES

CABLEWAY TO LIFT TOURISM SAYS ALLIANCE

Laura Nelson  12:01am May 26, 2013

THE president of the new Gold Coast and Hinterland Business Alliance believes Mount Tamborine has the edge over Springbrook in the cableway stakes.

Bob Janssen said his alliance supported a cableway to the Hinterland and he said Mount Tamborine had the advantage because it already had extensive infrastructure.

"It has Gallery Walk, a lot of retail stores, other attractions and it is already an established tourism destination," he said.

"Springbrook also has immense potential and it could use something like a cableway but it doesn't have the existing infrastructure like Mount Tamborine has."

Mr Janssen said the Gold Coast needed a cableway to boost its tourism industry.

"We have all this opportunity for nature-based tourism in our region but it hasn't been effectively utilised," he said.

Mr Janssen said this applied particularly to Springbrook and he said local organisations had met recently to discuss this and other issues in the area.

"In an unprecedented move, the Springbrook Mountain Community Association, Communities for Sustainable Futures, Springbrook Rural Fire Brigade (SRF), Springbrook Chamber of Commerce and State Emergency Service met at an open forum," he said.

"The three-hour meeting revealed considerable common ground between the seemingly unrelated interests of these organisations and they appointed SRF commander Ray Cavanough to act as their spokesperson."

A key issue of concern was tourism and that lobbying by 'radical' green groups and individuals had curtailed the infrastructure necessary to support the industry, Mr Janssen said.

"This policy has been to the detriment of the local population and the city in broadening its tourism base," he said.

Another issue raised was the fire risk and public safety at Springbrook.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/05/26/452260_gold-coast-news.html

GREEN BURIAL DUG UP AGAIN

Andrew Potts  12:01am May 26, 2013

PLANS for a "green" cemetery are about to be dug up again after years of being buried deep within the Gold Coast City Council's budget.

City cemeteries turned a $183,000 profit this year according to budget documents, which revealed there had been a higher than usual number of burial plot purchases.

And the number is expected to grow.

Councillors have confirmed the green concept, which involves being buried in biodegradable, cardboard coffins without a specific headstone marker, was back on the agenda.

Mudgeeraba councillor Glenn Tozer said talks were under way with cemetery custodians about the future of burials on the Gold Coast.

"We are talking about it right now and analysing different trends in the funeral industry," he said.

"We will look at how green cemeteries come into it as well as different types of commemorative services in the future."

Mudgeeraba has previously been mooted as the site of the city's first environmentally friendly cemetery but its high cost has kept the project on the proverbial morgue slab.

Burial at a green cemetery is likely to cost between $2000 and $3000, similar to existing burial costs, but the added cost would be in paying for the hi-tech GPS plot-finder system that is used to locate burial plots.

Families will be given a copy of their loved ones' co-ordinates, which will be kept on record by the council and used to prevent multiple burials.

The city has eight public cemeteries including Southport Lawn cemetery on Olsen Ave, which is expected to reach capacity by 2016.

Cemeteries at Southport general, Nerang, Lower Coomera and Mudgeeraba are expected to continue operating for 20 years.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/05/26/452269_gold-coast-news.html

see also:

http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/green-cemetery.html

http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/on-dying-astonishing-glenn-tozer-and-ex.html

 

THE JOYS OF CABLEWAYS

Angry tourists say they were left 'swinging in the breeze' after the Kuranda Skyrail attraction failed on Saturday

by: Peter Michael, Kate McKenna

From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

March 24, 2013 12:00AM

ANGRY tourists on their return to the Skyrail terminal after a power cut kept them stranded in gondolas for more than four hours. PIC: Brian Cassey Source: The Courier-Mail

OPERATORS of the Skyrail cable-car attraction near Cairns have been criticised for leaving tourists "swinging in the breeze" for hours after power was cut to the popular tourist attraction.

Approximately 54 sightseers sat suspended along the line for more than four hours yesterday afternoon after a fallen tree damaged the electrical control equipment around 4.20pm Saturday and crippled the cableway.

One cableway was back online within an hour and the other with 54 stranded tourists came back on at 8.25pm.

Visibly upset passengers, some arguing loudly with Skyrail staff, trickled back through the main terminal from about 9.30pm.

US tourist Sue Tempero said it was a terrifying ordeal.

"It was scary," she said.

"We were stuck for five hours. It was cold, dark and it was raining hard. It was just like being stuck in a lift except you are hundred feet up in the air."

She criticised Skyrail for a lack of communication.

However, a pair of honeymooning Mexican tourists said they didn't mind the delay.

"We had a lot of time on our hands," said Cinthya Prieto

"We did what all couples on honeymoon do. "Why not?"

She said she now had a story to tell.

"It was an adventure. I trusted everything would be okay. We had a great time. I thought we might have had to sleep there. I could have stayed up there all night."

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience is a 7.5km-long journey over ancient rainforest, Red Peak and Barron River Falls near Kuranda in the state's far north.

It is usually a 2.5 hour round trip but a fallen tree crashed the entire Skyrail control system about 4.20pm yesterday.

It left 54 tourists - including the lovestruck couple - stuck in their gondolas up to 40m high in places until the cable way came back online about 8.20pm last night.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/more-than-50-tourists-are-stranded-in-gondolas-metres-above-the-ground-in-the-skyrail-rainforest-cableway-at-kuranda/story-e6freoof-1226604141179

For details on Springbrook see www.springbrookrescue.org.au 

 
 

ENDANGERED SPECIES

On 26th May 2013, The Sydney Morning Herald carried a report by Andrew Darby on 400 native species in danger: see - http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/400-native-species-in-danger-20130525-2n3pf.html

The report argues for funding to prevent these losses.

Of 1232 Australian bird species and subspecies, one-quarter would do badly when exposed to the effects of climate change later this century, the report finds.

It calls for funds now, for what would eventually be a $940 million program to safeguard birds from Cape York to Tasmania.
''A billion dollars over 50 years for conserving Australia's birds in the face of climate change is paltry compared to the cost of biodiversity loss."

What can one say when governments have plenty of money to fund everything else? The great irony here is not just the funding for, e.g., the car industry, but that funding is being sought to overcome the problems caused by funding. If monies were carefully managed with just some basic commitment to the environment, then we may not have to be concerned about losses. Sadly, the environment is still seen as a 'green' issue that is driven by 'green' extremists and madmen. Australia's aggressive attitude to 'bush' lingers on latently to mock those concerned about anything to do with nature and biodiversity.

 

ON RUBBISH

Councillor,

If the reports that I have heard on garbage collection in Division 9 - including Springbrook - are correct, then it is a very sad day for the majority that did not want this to happen.

One has to wonder about Council: is it there just to do whatever it wants irrespective of the wishes of the community it is supposed to serve?

Perhaps only the minority might choose to pay for the service that it apparently wants?

Don't Councillors require a majority in order to serve?

Why ignore it?

Dear Spence,

Yesterday, at the Special Budget Committee meeting, it was resolved by the committee to recommend that at the Full Council meeting held today (Tuesday 14th May) we adopt an extended waste service that includes properties in the suburbs of Austinville, Neranwood, Springbrook and areas of western Mudgeeraba who do not already receive waste collection services. Residents in these areas currently transport their own rubbish to local transfer stations at Mudgeeraba, Springbrook or Numinbah or they use the Neranwood Bin Station (which was flagged for closure July 1, 2013 in another resolution). The cost for this waste collection service in 12/13 is $239.00.

I opposed the resolution proposing this recommendation for extension of waste collection service but am sad to say I was the only Councillor who voted in the negative. I also debated in the negative and outlined the results of community consultation on the matter. My grounds for opposition were based on several surveys conducted in the areas in question where more than 65% of respondents indicated they preferred not to have a waste collection service, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the topography of many properties made the transportation of wheelie bins from the home to the roadside prohibitively difficult.

I appreciate your feedback but you can be assured I am doing everything I can to oppose the recommendation and convince other Councillors of it's folly.

Regards,

Councillor Glenn Tozer

Division 9 - Mudgeeraba, Highland Park and the Hinterland

Councillor,

Thanks for the response.

It might be useful for you to understand just what some of the problems might be. The objection to wheelie bins is not some heroically irrational whimsy or stubborn fancy.

There is the obvious matter of the visual impact of the bins on the streetscape in this World Heritage region. Practically, there are bins that will have to be left on the road; such is the difficulty with any weekly manoeuvrings along lengthy tracks or over rough terrain, as you have noted, as well as the difficulty older folk have with these things even on good paths over short distances.

There are the road width and access problems. Even in suburbia, road systems are designed specifically for the rubbish collection trucks, for their access and turning. It would be a shame to have such a standard, mundane function determining what the character of place should be in this World Heritage area that has many delightfully intimate precincts. The problem gets further complicated with the demand for kerb and guttering to facilitate order for the easy location and pick-up of the bins. This will ensure that the area looks just like everywhere else in the world.

There is the serious matter of security. Bins are a code for habitation, its location and occupancy. Springbrook already has a real problem with robberies. Adding more clues to those that are now readily decoded will not be of any assistance, even with Neighbourhood Watch. Some residents refuse to erect the distinctive block number supplied by Council some years ago just because of this reason.

There is the matter of larger, sundry waste items that will not fit into the bins or are too heavy for them. The fear is that this rubbish will end up in the great Australian dump  - the bush. This is the last thing that Springbrook needs. It is under enough pressure now. The skips at the local transfer station are well accepted and well used by the community. Ironically this waste collection area forms a ‘community centre’ for Springbrook.

There is another issue too: given that some see tourism as a core matter for Springbrook, one has to ask if tourists would like to see an array of wheelie bins that has become the tired cliché of modern suburbia. Tourists like to go elsewhere - somewhere different: to ‘escape.’ The wheelie bin is the worldwide icon of modern waste. It will only bring every reminder of where the visitor has come from and promote the ‘flat earth’ feeling with a heightened cynicism that will further dismay. Visitors seek inspiration, motivation, and encouragement in difference, not the boredom of the same. The difference is ‘World Heritage.’

There is no nostalgic concept of maintaining some ‘ye olde character’ of place, or any quirky rejection of the wheelie bin itself. The matters have to do with being sensitive to World Heritage and its native character, and to community needs: security and central convenience.

We need better than wheelie bins for Springbrook. We need to be careful with it - to care for it. The little ‘inconvenience’ of trash is nothing compared to the benefits it confers on this astonishing place that the world has chosen to recognise along with many other wonders.

We should never forget this; just as we should never forget that the World Heritage listing is about biodiversity. It is not a built form or a pretty landscape that is being recognised. It is life itself. This is why we need to be extremely vigilant. The issues are complex, subtle, sensitive and interconnected.

For details on Springbrook see www.springbrookrescue.org.au 

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

The article, Who or what is a tourist? suggested that tourists should be catered for by developing unique centres that can replicate and enhance the experience being sought so as to protect the sensitive places from being visited: see

http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/who-or-what-is-tourist.html  

Tourism may bring in the dollars, but if the ambition is only pleasure, then we need to construct marvellous attractions well away from the real and fragile parts of our world and the world’s heritage. Play the game of fantasizing to maximise the pleasure in difference elsewhere. Don’t introduce comforts to add to the attraction in these sensitive places, in the belief that these facilities will have no impact. Such a strategy will kill the very thing that is most loved - by others.

In The Australian National Affairs, 23rd April 2013, Matthew Denholm, in his report Hut freezes in time feats of Mawson's men, see:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/hut-freezes-in-time-feats-of-mawsons-men/story-fn59niix-1226626222201
 tells of the plan to construct a replica of the huts at Hobart. The concept is to create a tourist attraction in the form of the huts so as to remove the pressure from the originals and to raise funds for their preservation. It is truly a 'win-win' situatrion with real substance rather than one with shallow, hollow spin.

Springbrook should have its own tourist centre that should be located on the theme park circuit for the convenience of the visitors. This would reduce the number of visitations on the plateau and reduce the traffic on the ever-narrowing mountain roads. Such a centre would allow tourists to discover the wonders of Springbrook without having to drive kilometres from the other attractions. The centre could explain why it was so important to protect Springbrook and would be a grand example to illustrate this strategy with its just being there, away from the mountain.

The centre could come complete with shops, restaurants, information centre and the full technological experience of various forest regions with their diverse flora and fauna, using holograms and sounds as well as the more traditional presentations.It could be exhiliarating. Tourists could learn just why Springbrook is so unique at their ease in a comfortable and entertaining environment. It could be everything a tourist attraction needs to be, and more, away from the annoying leeches and ticks, and rain and mist. The centre could have a mist/rain/cold room where visitors could experience the vagaries of weather on demand. No one would ever be disappointed! Those who were serious and concerned enough could always visit Springbrook and care for it.

For details on Springbrook see www.springbrookrescue.org.au 

BEING LOCAL

The advertisement in The Shetland Times of 30 November 2012, was headed 'DA KILN Restaurant,' and told about a special deal. Strangely, there was no mention of the location of this restaurant, so a telephone call was made to ask the question.

"Da Kiln."

"Hello. There was no mention of the location of the restaurant in your advertisement in The Shetland Times. Can you please tell me where Da Kiln Restaurant is?"

"It's a cafe next to Da Kiln Bar."

"Where is the bar?"

"In Scalloway."

Not wanting to continue with the next question that might only get a similar, clipped response requiring ever more follow-up questions to achieve the desired result, I thanked the voice and hung up.

Surely I could find this bar in little Scalloway?

Scalloway, Shetland

It was clear that this person had no understanding of the circumstance of one's not knowing where this cafe/bar might be. Any question seeking some clarification on this location appeared strange, unnecessary. This must have been why no address was given in the newspaper too. It was just irrelevant. Local knowledge knew what it knew. There was no need for any further statement.

It reminded me of the time at a petrol station in country New South Wales in Australia. We had stopped for fuel. A young man came over to serve the petrol, an unusual occasion in our self-service world. As he was filling the tank, I thought I should chat to him. Sacks of potatoes were piled beside the browser with a price scribbled on a nearby card.

"Are these potatoes local?" I asked.

"No," he answered, "they're from over there."

He raised his arm and pointed to the other side of the road.

How local can one get?

The barman at Da Kiln seemed to hold a similar scale of operation and context, and an inability comprehend space and place beyond the local need not to have to explain such things.

Scalloway

This reminds me of the time a young boy was playing on the scaffold we were working on while cleaning slates. He gabbled on and on, unstoppable. He started talking about his visits to his grandfather's place in England. To show some interest in his constant chat, the question was asked:

"Where about in England does your grandfather live?"

"Near Tescos," was the response.

The barman at Da Kiln might have appreciated this answer, but it meant very little to me.

Not only is a broad understanding of relationships needed to be able to explain directions and locations precisely, but one also needs to think beyond things local. Envisaging things local in so limited a scope only makes one unable to understand the needs of others. Everything becomes parochially introverted. The stranger and his needs are just never understood.

On the larger scale of cultures and religions, it is this lazy and careless limitation in understanding that causes so much strife. It is not only polite to show some interest in another being, it is also essential to get a true understanding and appreciation of others if we are going to live together co-operatively and peacefully. The place to begin this strategy is at home - ironically locally, intimately. It requires the ability to respond appropriately. It is our responsibility.

See also:  http://voussoirs.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/what-is-local_12.html

ON DYING - THE ASTONISHING GLENN TOZER AND EX-MINISTER BATES

. . . who are apparently bringing dying Springbrook back to life!

see

http://www.glenntozer.com.au/general/bringing-springbrook-back-to-life/

Bringing Springbrook “back to life”

May 2, 2013 | Categories : General • Glenn Tozer • 0 Comments

Lately, there’s been some public dialogue about the challenges Springbrook Mountain has faced over the past years, reportedly plagued with decisions of previous state governments that has apparently stymied growth and created prohibitive regulations for tourism businesses to ply their potentially lucrative trade.

The last 12 months I’ve had the privilege of meeting many residents and businesses from Springbrook and without wanting to make comment on previous government decisions, I’ve been trying to apply a fresh set of eyes to the challenges Springbrook Mountain faces. One characteristic I’ve observed common to many on the Mountain is a fiery passion for “the best for Springbrook”, defined by whatever set of actions the individual determines can achieve that “best”. I’m convinced that harnessing that passion into some common goals could be productive although, granted, I’m relatively new to any advocacy objectives for our local World Heritage listed area, so I do tread carefully when attempting to lead some sort of charge for better outcomes.

In a recent Gold Coast Bulletin article, Ros Bates, State MP for Mudgeeraba, was quoted as saying Springbrook “is dying (and) it has been since 2005″.

Ros would know. She’s been an active commentator and committed community partner in our area for many years now. Ros and I meet regularly to address common challenges in our constituencies, including those in Springbrook. We’ve been talking most recently regarding improving safety and signage on Springbrook Rd, delivering better pathways and infrastructure, and optimising the use of community open space. Ros and I share a similar view about the “big hearts” and fighting spirit of the Springbrook residents. 

In the midst of what appears to be doom and gloom, I thought it appropriate to outline some of the steps the City of Gold Coast has been taking over the past 12-18 months or so to enable businesses on Springbrook Mountain and supplement the State Government’s initiative to improve the economy.

• Implement Springbrook Visioning Plan 2011
• identify key management areas and implement recommendations to improve Springbrook’s tourism in accordance with carrying capacity and in turn, economic sustainability
• Complete and implement recommendations Springbrook Signage Audit 2012
• identify ways to improve visitor way-finding
• Springbrook Business Mentoring Program (Jan-June 2013)
• 6 companies are receiving one-on-one mentoring to develop and/or update marketing and business plans
• Assistance to develop the Springbrook Chamber of Commerce social media and other websites
• Springbrook Tourism Destination Action Plan (2012)
• included a community workshop to identify issues, target markets and visitor statistics, audit on product/services available, SWOT analysis and identified priority actions
• Encourage Springbrook businesses to engage with Gold Coast Tourism for promotional opportunities and align with initiatives such as Tourism Australia’s ‘Australia’s Green Cauldron’ National Landscape program.
• Currently undertaking a study to determine the most suitable site for a visitor information gateway
• Springbrook Tourism Working Group formed to progress issues and tourism projects
• (membership includes the Chamber of Commerce, Springbrook Mountain Community Association, GECKO, Communities for Sustainable Futures (CSF) and Springbrook Wilderness Appreciation Group (SWAG))

Council is very committed to play our role working with Springbrook Mountain to identify ways it can assist the development of tourism, while protecting the natural environment and preserving the lifestyle in order to provide long-term economic sustainability and certainty for businesses.

I am very much encouraged by the work of Springbrook groups lately, taking matters into their own hands to drive three particular events which I’m very proud to promote. Firstly, Springbrook Chamber of Commerce invited Jazz singer Vince Jones to the Mountain last month for a “Jazz in the Rainforest” concert. I’m told the event was sold out and a phenomenal success. Kudos to Anastasia for her work as the brainchild of this event.

ANZAC Day on the Mountain this year was a privilege to be a part of. Over 70 made the dawn service and several hundred attended the morning service celebrating the service  and sacrifice of Australians in conflicts of the past 100 years. John, Jeff and Colin did a great job.

Finally, Mfest (A Celebration of Motherhood) is being held on the 11^th May and this unique event fills an important niche for many mothers in the area around Mothers Day. Maryan is doing some excellent work raising the profile of the event in the Gold Coast community.

I want to encourage you to drive on up and check Springbrook Mountain out for yourself. Beautiful views, challenging and interesting bushwalks, great cafes and accommodation, the best fudge in the world (in my opinion), and a wonderful friendly community well worth the visit.

It seems that Mr. Tozer knows, apparently like ex-Minister Bates, that ‘Springbrook is dying (and) has been since 2005.’ Just what criteria he uses for his agreeing with this statement is unknown. Exactly what is dying? What is meant by this? It is extremely serious. If Springbrook is dying, what is Mr. Tozer intending to do about it? Just agree? Springbrook is after all a World Heritage-listed region. Governments have responsibilities to maintain this region that has been listed because of its bio-diversity. Now this has nothing to do with any picturesque, tourist prettiness or the services offered in the area. The listing has everything to do with life itself, its miscellany, complexity and its care. New species of flora and fauna are still being found at Springbrook. We need to protect it. So, if the area is ‘dying,’ as is so clearly declared and supported by Mr. Tozer in the article on his web site, then specific action is needed. It could be critical.

Mr. Tozer does spell out just what he has been doing and what he intends to do:

'improving safety and signage on Springbrook Rd, delivering better pathways and infrastructure, and optimising the use of community open space. Ros and I share a similar view about the “big hearts” and fighting spirit of the Springbrook residents.'

But Springbrook has far too many signs now: see SIGNS OF THE TIMES http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/signs-of-times.html ; and Mr. Tozer only mocked the idea to slow traffic down: see CONSULTATION  http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/consultation.html  What does he intend? What community space? What pathways? How does this relate to World Heritage? How does this enhance it; enrich it; protect it?

He continues with more detail:

'In the midst of what appears to be doom and gloom, I thought it appropriate to outline some of the steps the City of Gold Coast has been taking over the past 12-18 months or so to enable businesses on Springbrook Mountain and supplement the State Government’s initiative to improve the economy.

• Implement Springbrook Visioning Plan 2011
• identify key management areas and implement recommendations to improve Springbrook’s tourism in accordance with carrying capacity and in turn, economic sustainability
• Complete and implement recommendations Springbrook Signage Audit 2012
• identify ways to improve visitor way-finding
• Springbrook Business Mentoring Program (Jan-June 2013)
• 6 companies are receiving one-on-one mentoring to develop and/or update marketing and business plans
• Assistance to develop the Springbrook Chamber of Commerce social media and other websites
• Springbrook Tourism Destination Action Plan (2012)
• included a community workshop to identify issues, target markets and visitor statistics, audit on product/services available, SWOT analysis and identified priority actions
• Encourage Springbrook businesses to engage with Gold Coast Tourism for promotional opportunities and align with initiatives such as Tourism Australia’s ‘Australia’s Green Cauldron’ National Landscape program.
• Currently undertaking a study to determine the most suitable site for a visitor information gateway
• Springbrook Tourism Working Group formed to progress issues and tourism projects
• (membership includes the Chamber of Commerce, Springbrook Mountain Community Association, GECKO, Communities for Sustainable Futures (CSF) and Springbrook Wilderness Appreciation Group (SWAG))

Council is very committed to play our role working with Springbrook Mountain to identify ways it can assist the development of tourism, while protecting the natural environment and preserving the lifestyle in order to provide long-term economic sustainability and certainty for businesses.'

To summarise, the subject matters include:

• Tourism
• Tourism
• Business
• Business
• Tourism
• Business/Tourism
• Tourism
• Tourism

Only at the very end is there the statement about ‘protecting natural environment’ in this World Heritage region. It reads almost as an aside:

'Council is very committed to play our role working with Springbrook Mountain to identify ways it can assist the development of tourism, while protecting the natural environment and preserving the lifestyle in order to provide long-term economic sustainability and certainty for businesses.'

Just what precisely is the astonishing Glenn Tozer actually doing for the environment, for the maintenance of this World Heritage region? If one can gauge his intention through his statements - this is always dangerous with a politician, see: REMEMBER - http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/remember.html - then one might assume he is doing nothing, not one thing! Everything seems to be based on business and tourism - increasing or ‘growing,’ as the jargon goes, these activities. How does this relate to World Heritage?

The great danger with this approach has been analysed in WHO OR WHAT IS A TOURIST? - see: http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/who-or-what-is-tourist.html  Catering for tourism does not protect World Heritage interests. Tourism becomes an indulgent game in its own right that needs to be carefully managed - away from Springbrook if World Heritage is to be taken seriously. Biodiversity is critical. Tourist crowds and biodiversity do not mix well. If tourist activity on Springbrook is allowed to blossom out of control without any reference to World Heritage values, then the situation is very serious. Springbrook may indeed ‘die’ - but will the politicians care? Who knows?

Running a business on Springbrook is something that also needs to be carefully managed in relation to World Heritage matters. Killing the thing most loved is just too easy. The history of business activity on Springbrook needs to be looked at closely too. Much can be and needs to be learned. Having a Councillor apparently concentrating only on tourism and business when the core matter is World Heritage is a serious concern. That ex-Minister Bates should seemingly be happy to stand by and do nothing but attend to tourism and business issues, like Mr. Tozer, while nothing appears to be done for the environment but the blurting out of platitudes by both, is a sad case indeed. Is this the way a politician should act? World Heritage needs to be the core reference for everything that happens on Springbrook. Anything less is inadequate. Just why Springbrook as a whole should be managed to suit business and tourist activity alone remains a puzzle. Are our politicians so ignorant on matters of World Heritage that they just don’t care? Mr. Tozer has been told of this position - this need for World Heritage priority. One can only assume that perhaps he is careless, or maybe just not interested?

If our politicians mean that businesses, and tourism that uses these businesses on Springbrook, are ‘dying’ - Is this what they mean? What’s the evidence? Heresay? Self-interested business assessments? - then this is a silly statement to generalise to make it sound as though Springbrook itself is dying. Are businesses the essence of Springbrook? How many folk go to Springbrook just to enjoy the place, its World Heritage values, as compared to those who come for some distracting entertainment? People don’t go to Springbrook to go shopping. Gosh, they cannot even purchase fuel - petrol or diesel - on the mountain. Perhaps these folk who are interested in the World Heritage experience are not interested in using businesses as presently set up at Springbrook. They may have other ambitions and intentions that might be as simple as a BYO picnic. Why not? Why diminish the activity of these visitors? Why evaluate everything about Springbrook on business visitations alone? Maybe those interested in World Heritage matters choose to keep well away from tourist-supporting businesses? Gosh, even some locals do! In any case, why should folk coming to Springbrook have to use any service offered by any business? Why should anyone? Is it just because the individuals running the businesses would like more custom - greater profits - and they, perhaps, nag the politicians? Are these profits needed just to make businesses more attractive for their sale? What has this to do with Wolrd Heritage? With Springbrook? What custom is going to be enough? Is there a limit to desired profits? What are the limits of visitation on Springbrook if World Heritage values are to be maintained? What is expected? Does anyone know - or care?

It seems to me that Mr. Tozer and what appears to be ‘his mate,’ the ex-Minister Bates, need to read more on World Heritage issues, and try to understand precisely what World Heritage actually means, and then make a commitment to it. Mr. Tozer seems to think Springbrook is all about:

'Beautiful views, challenging and interesting bushwalks, great cafes and accommodation, the best fudge in the world (in my opinion), and a wonderful friendly community well worth the visit.'

The World Heritage declaration is not just another tourism slogan. It is a serious acknowledgement of the unique biodiversity in the region: truly ‘world class’ if you can overcome the cliché. To make it clearer, Springbrook sits beside Uluru, Sydney Opera House, Chartres Cathedral and the Taj Mahal on the World Heritage schedule. The listing has primary and necessary requirements that are far more critical than maintaining the health and profits of any business or having fun and fudge in the bush. This is why World Heritage issues must be the priority. One wonders just what matters are reviewed for compatibility when businesses are given free Council advice? Are there any? Businesses are not listed as World Heritage.

Left unmanaged, World Heritage matters quickly and very easily get out of control. If World Heritage values are to be sustained and enriched, then they need to be carefully considered as the prime starting point for everything that happens on the plateau. To do otherwise simply seems to be negligent. But there is no necessary need for World Heritage, tourism and business to be different. The dissimilar ambition and intent of these activities cause the problems. That either tourism or business might choose to insist on a strategy that ignores World Heritage issues, will only end up as a serous problem for all activity. Why do the astonishing Glenn Tozer and ex-Minister Bates not realise this? Why do businesses not realise this? Why are tourist operators blind to this circumstance? They appear to be, ‘eco’ or not. Only with a commitment to World Heritage will business and tourism truly thrive; but it might be a different sense of thriving to that envisaged only as desired profits and, maybe, future property sales.

P.S.  ON DYING

Was it Mr. Tozer who appeared to offer his support for vertical burials in a ‘green’ cemetery: see http://springbrooklocale.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/green-cemetery.html  ? It was interesting to hear in one television documentary - it might have been Who’s Been Sleeping in My House? - that folk in one region, I think it was in Bowral, New South Wales, were once condemned to be buried vertically as an eternal punishment, so that they might not ever be able to rest, even in death. …. MMM! How else might the "back to life" skils be exercised? Well, I suppose he might be ‘green’ in one area? It is a shame that it is at the dead end rather than the living World Heritage.

For details on Springbrook see www.springbrookrescue.org.au