An economic transition
There’s a new vision
to give North Stradbroke Island a strong, green future.
The future
Over the past 50 years, the mining industry has played
an important role in the North Stradbroke Island (NSI)
economy. Currently there are approximately 270 people
employed on NSI as a direct result of mining, of which
about 145 people live on the island.
The downside to these operations is that mining has
significantly impacted on the environmental and cultural
heritage values of the island.
In the future, NSI needs to look beyond mining as
a key economic driver—to transition towards more
environmentally sustainable economic practices for the
island through creating a nature-based tourism industry,
increasing accommodation availability and promoting
recreation activities.
Over the next 17 years, the Queensland Government
expects the mining related jobs to make way for at least
400 ecotourism related jobs. The jobs that are created
in this industry will be sustainable, supporting the local
economy and the community that depends on it.
Tomorrow’s Queensland: strong, green, smart, healthy and fair
The Queensland Government’s vision for NSI is to develop a
sustainable community, founded on a nature-based tourism
industry, which will have at its core an internationally-
renowned national park.
Under the vision, by 2027, 80 per cent of NSI will be declared
national park. The island will be unique, not only because of
its natural beauty, but because of its rich cultural heritage as
well. The vision will unlock the future potential of the island.
Areas that are currently inaccessible because of mining
leases will become available for the wider public to enjoy as
a part of the national park.
Making the transition will be a complex task, but
the Queensland Government is confident about the
opportunities associated with nature-based tourism on NSI.
Much of this confidence is drawn from estimates of south
east Queensland’s expected population growth over the next
20 years. By 2031, the region’s population is expected to
have increased from 4.4 million (in 2009) to between 5.7 and
seven million people. In the context of nature-based tourism
opportunities, this will provide a critical mass of potential
visitors on Straddie’s doorstep, placing a premium on green
space near Brisbane. The Government is confident that with
so many natural values creating a national park across 80
per cent of the island will be a major drawcard for visitors.
Have your say
Share your views by calling 1300 130 372 or
email: straddie.vision@derm.qld.gov.au
For the full story, visit <www.qld.gov.au>.

Development and growth opportunities
As a nature-based tourism destination, NSI will benefit
from the development and growth of essential support
industries such as retail, accommodation, food and
recreational services and construction, which will deliver
economic growth and employment opportunities.
As the national park grows, it will generate further
opportunities for nature-based tourism employment and
tourism spending. A recent study found that national
parks make a $4.43 billion contribution to the Queensland
economy (or 28 per cent of tourism spending).
The appeal of nature-based tourism should not be
under estimated. Around 2.3 million domestic visitors
to Queensland participated in a nature-based activity in
the year ended March 2010, and 1.2 million international
visitors participated in a nature-based activity during
their trip to Australia over the same period. NSI already
promotes itself as a tourist destination on the basis of its
unique natural environment. The creation of a national park
will significantly add to the appeal of the island allowing
nature-based tourism to flourish.
The Queensland Government’s vision for NSI includes
working with the NSI community to ensure the needs
of a burgeoning tourism industry and what is valued
by NSI residents are considered and addressed for any
future island plans. It will also assist in identifying other
entrepreneurial and business opportunities consistent with
the vision.
Within this context, the national park will play a critical
role in determining the character of the tourism experience
on NSI. The Government will work collaboratively with the
tourism industry, existing NSI tourism operators and NSI
residents to address current restrictions in establishing the
island as a nature-based tourism destination. The scope of
this work will address issues such as:
• transport and access options
• infrastructure needs
• marketing of the island to ensure people think of it as
‘52 weeks a year’ destination.
The Moreton Bay and Islands Regional Tourism Investment
and Infrastructure Plan (RTIIP), released in 2008, provides
insight into project opportunities that can facilitate the
establishment of a sustainable nature-based tourism hub
on the island.
www.qld.gov.au
An economic transition
For example, the creation of a tourism pier at Dunwich,
introduction of interactive entertainment and sporting
facilities (particularly for under 18s) and the development
of quality camp sites linked to island walks.
In addition, the Redland City Council Economic
Development Strategy has identified a number of
opportunities that can be facilitated under the proposed
vision, including:
• expanding the regional market looking for new/closer
experiences
• nurturing authentic Indigenous experiences
• encouraging cultural tourism clusters (e.g. arts
communities)
• niche market opportunities (e.g. wellness, nature-based
tourism)
In addition, the Queensland Government’s proposed NSI
vision will look at ways of extending and formalising the
island’s existing profile as an educational tourism hub.
With its location so close to Brisbane, many schools now
use the island as a destination for educational camps, and
this will continue to grow into the future.
NSI is also the home of the Moreton Bay Research
station which promotes cultural understanding of the
Quandamooka people and seeks to provide a world class
marine research and teaching facility for secondary schools
and undergraduates.
Opportunities for traditional owners
The Queensland Government’s vision for NSI presents
a range of employment opportunities for the traditional
owners, the Quandamooka people.
The Quandamooka Elders are clear in their belief that the
solution to improving their economic well-being lies in
the return of their role as custodians of their traditional
land and sea country. The Queensland Government
believes nature-based tourism will provide employment
opportunities for the Quandamooka people that are
consistent with this role.
As a first step, the Quandamooka people will undertake a
management role within the newly created national park. In
the future, culturally orientated nature-based businesses,
run by the Quandamooka people, are seen to be an integral
part of the vision for the island.
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