Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island, after Tasmania and Melville Island. It lies in the state of South Australia 112 km (70 mi) southwest of Adelaide. Its closest point to the mainland is Snapper Point in Backstairs Passage which is 13.5 km (8.4 mi) from the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Once occupied by Australian Aborigines, the native population disappeared after the land became an island following rising sea levels several thousand years ago. It was subsequently resettled from the early 19th century onwards, at first casually by sealers and whalers, and then as part of the colony of South Australia from 1836.
Since then the island's economy has been principally agricultural, with a southern rock lobster fishery and with tourism growing in importance. The largest town, and the administrative centre, is Kingscote. The island has several nature reserves to protect the remnants of its natural vegetation and native animals, with the largest and best-known being Flinders Chase National Park at the western end.
The island is 150 km (93 mi) long and between 90 km (56 mi) and 57 km (35 mi) wide, its area covering 4,405 km2 (1,701 sq mi). Its coastline is 540 kilometres (340 mi) long and highest point is Mount McDonnell at 299 m (981 ft) above sea level.It is separated from Yorke Peninsula to the northwest by Investigator Strait and from Fleurieu Peninsula to the northeast by Backstairs Passage. A group of islets, the Pages, lie off the eastern end of the island.
Kangaroo Island separated from mainland Australia around 10,000 years ago, due to rising sea level after the last glacial period. Known as Karta or Island of the Dead by the mainland Aboriginal tribes, the existence of stone tools and shell middens show that Aboriginal people once lived on Kangaroo Island. It is thought that they occupied it as long ago as 16,000 years before the present, and may have only disappeared from the island as recently as 2000 years ago.
A mainland Aboriginal dreaming story tells of the Backstairs Passage flooding:
Long ago, Ngurunderi's two wives ran away from him, and he was forced to follow them. He pursued them and as he did so he crossed Lake Albert and went along the beach to Cape Jervis. When he arrived there he saw his wives wading half-way across the shallow channel which divided Naroongowie from the mainland. He was determined to punish his wives, and angrily ordered the water to rise up and drown them. With a terrific rush the waters roared and the women were carried back towards the mainland. Although they tried frantically to swim against the tidal wave they were powerless to do so and were drowned.
The biggest town on Kangaroo Island is Kingscote. Originally established at Reeves Point on 27 July 1836, it is South Australia's first colonial settlement. It was later suggested that Kingscote could serve as the capital of South Australia, but the island's resources were insufficient to support such a large community, so the settlement of Adelaide was chosen.
There are several smaller towns on the island. Penneshaw, the second largest town on Kangaroo Island, has a population of around 300, and is located on the north eastern tip of the Dudley Peninsula, on the eastern end of the island. It contains the ferry terminal which brings most of the visitors to the island, along with all the necessary freight to sustain the local population.
Parndana, in the centre of the island, is home to a population of around 150, however most of this population do not live in the town, they are sprawled within a few kilometres. The historic area to the south-east of the township, known as the Research Centre to locals, was home to the research station that was set up in the 1940s and 1950s to research the viability of agriculture in the area, and is still home to a small settlement of about 20 people.
American River, on the north coast between Kingscote and Penneshaw, is home to about 220 residents. Penneshaw, Parndana and American River each have basic facilities, including a general store and fuel and all are home to hotels. Facilities such as banking and large supermarkets are available in Kingscote and Penneshaw, although all towns have EFTPOS facilities of some sort.
According to the 2011 Census, the island has a population of 4,417. Population growth has slowed in past years, with the attraction of mainland Australia for younger adults being the key factor in this. Censuses show the number of residents aged over 55 increased from 24.1% in 2001 to 29.8% in 2006 and 34.9% in 2011.
The economy is mostly agricultural producing grapes, honey, wool, meat and grain. Traditionally, sheep grazing has been the key element in agriculture on the Island, however in recent times, more diverse crops, such as potatoes and canola have been introduced. Cattle farming has grown as well, with good quality beef cattle being grown in the higher rainfall areas.
Tourism and fishing also play significant roles, with the island experiencing over 186,000 visitors per annum, and some of the best southern rock lobster being sourced from the island's rugged south coast. Kangaroo Island has South Australia's only eucalyptus oil distillery with oil distilled from the endemic Kangaroo Island narrow leaf mallee.
The future of over 19,000 hectares, which had been planted or due to be planted with blue gum for future harvesting is now in doubt following the collapse of Great Southern Plantation Ltd in May 2009.
The island has 30 wine growers and 12 wineries. The first vineyard was planted near Eastern Cove in 1976 and the first wine made in 1982. This was blended with Tolleys Barossa wine and sold from the cellar door of Eastern Cove Wine as KI-Barossa blend. The Florance vineyard was established under supervision of B. Hayes, who produced its first wine – Eastern Cove Cygnet – and introduced it at the University of South Australia in 1990. The wine carried a Kangaroo Island appellation label as first wine 100% of the region.
Kangaroo Island is noted for its honey and its Ligurian honey bees. The island has the world's only pure-bred and disease-free population of this type of bee. The exporting of pure-bred queen bees is a notable industry for the island. For this reason there are significant quarantine restrictions on bringing bee products and bee-handling equipment onto the island.
Kangaroo Island is one of South Australia's most popular tourist attractions, attracting over 140,000 visitors each year, with international visitors, primarily from Europe, accounting for more than 25% of these visits.
Some of the most popular tourist spots are:
- Seal Bay Conservation Park with ranger guided walks among basking Australian sea lions.
- Flinders Chase National Park which includes Remarkable Rocks, Admiral's Arch, lighthouses at Cape Borda and Cape du Couedic, and multiple walking trails and camping areas.
- Cape Willoughby
- Kelly Hill Caves
- Little Sahara, huge sand dunes on the south coast.
- Lookout Mount Thisby,officially designated Prospect Hill in 2002 to honour Matthew Flinders' original naming with a 360 degree view around the island.
- Murray Lagoon with its abundant aquatic bird life.
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
- Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre,formerly Kangaroo Island Marine Centre at Kingscote is now closed but a local tour operator, Kangaroo Island Hire a Guide is still organising nocturnal tours from Kingscote.
- Raptor Domain,In-flight bird of prey presentation and reptile show.
- The Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary koala walk and Nocturnal tour offer visitors a chance to see the local wildlife.
- A number of farms that sell honey from the Ligurian bees
- The Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery which manufacturers eucalyptus oil using a very old furnace
The Kangaroo Island Council provides local government for the entire island, and was formed in 1996 following amalgamation of the previous District Councils of Kingscote and Dudley. Kangaroo Island is in the federal Division of Mayo, represented by Rebekha Sharkie, and in the state Electoral district of Finniss, represented by Michael Pengilly, a former mayor of the Kangaroo Island Council.
A 2005 enquiry into the financial sustainability of local government in South Australia, determined that Kangaroo Island Council was unsustainable, due to its large land area, extensive road network, low population and high tourism visitation.A long term financial plan adopted by council includes a rate increase of 2% above CPI for the ten years from 2010.
On 13 May 2010 a new development plan was authorised, representing a comprehensive review of Kangaroo Island's planning regulations.
Safe swimming is possible on the northern beaches, such as Emu Bay, Stokes Bay or Snellings Beach, and at Island Beach on the Dudley Peninsula.The south coast has dangerous undertows and is more suitable for stronger and experienced swimmers only.
Kangaroo Island has several organised sporting competitions, including Australian rules football, cricket, darts, go kart racing, lawn bowls, netball, sailing, softball, squash and tennis.
Kangaroo Island is connected to the main South Australian power grid by a subsea cable across Backstairs Passage.This 33kV cable is reaching the end of its 30-year design life, and options have been explored to replace it.The Kangaroo Island power station has three standby diesel generators capable of providing a combined 6MW through the Kingscote substation to provide stability of supply if the submarine cable is unavailable.An additional 2MW generator is anticipated to be added soon.
Kangaroo Island is reliant on ferry services for the majority of its transport to and from the mainland. Ferry services are currently provided by Kangaroo Island SeaLink using two ferries, the Sealion 2000 and the Spirit of Kangaroo Island.
From 1907 to 1961, SS Karatta was the prime freight and passenger vessel operating between Port Adelaide and Kingscote.
Following withdrawal from service of Karatta, RW. Miller operated the MV Troubridge, in later years as a joint venture with the South Australian Government. Troubridge was a roll on, roll off vessel of 1,996 tons, which used specially designed loading gantries at Port Adelaide, Port Lincoln and Kingscote.
Troubridge operated until 1 June 1987, when it was replaced by the Government run A$23 million Island Seaway.Built locally in Port Adelaide by Eglo Engineering, Island Seaway used the same loading platforms as Troubridge. Island Seaway was severely criticised as being unsuitable for the Backstairs Passage crossing. Seventy-five sheep and cattle died on the inaugural trip due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and the ship was once described as 'steering like a shopping trolley'.The vessel subsequently underwent a A$1 million refit of its propulsion system in September 1989 which improved its reliability.
Island Seaway began to experience competition from Kangaroo Island SeaLink which began services from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw in 1989.SeaLink acquired the ferry service originally introduced by Peter March. His Philanderer Ferries pioneered the crossing from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw, with Philanderer 3 being a passenger and vehicle carrying catamaran style vessel. During the 1980s, two passenger only services, Hydroflite H33, and Islander, operated for a short time from Glenelg to Kingscote.
SeaLink has outlasted several competing companies since it began operations. Boat Torque, a Western Australian company, operated Superflyte from 1994 until 1997, sailing from Glenelg to Kingscote. Kangaroo Island Ferries had a short-lived venture with SeaWay, which travelled from Wirrina Cove to Kingscote from September 2004 until February 2005. SeaWay could not handle rough weather as well as SeaLink vessels which impacted the service's reliability. Under different proprietorship, SeaWay recommenced services in August 2007.
However, in May 2008, the operator of SeaWay announced suspension of services until October 2008, citing increased fuel prices.In June 2008 the SeaWay's operating company was placed in administration and the vessel advertised for sale.
With the introduction by SeaLink of the Island Navigator, the fate of Island Seaway was sealed, with the service subsequently withdrawn and SeaLink drawing on Government subsidies to operate all freight services to and from the Island. SeaLink now holds a virtual monopoly on sea transport to Kangaroo Island, primarily due to its long term lease of the Cape Jervis berth.
Sealink's agreement with the SA Government, expiring in 2024, precludes other operators from using the Cape Jervis facility for one hour before, and one hour after any scheduled SeaLink service. Kangaroo Island residents have expressed displeasure with the exclusive arrangement granted to SeaLink.
Guinea Airways operated the first commercial service to Kangaroo Island, commencing in the 1930s. In 1959, the airline was acquired by Airlines of South Australia (ASA), a subsidiary of Ansett. The airline's final service was on 4 April 1986. ASA primarily operated Convairs, Douglas DC-3 and Fokker F-27 aircraft. A Piaggio P166 was used infrequently in the 1970s, whilst Rossair operated Cessna 402s in an arrangement with ASA to replace the F27s in off-peak times.
Following the withdrawal of ASA, Kendell Airlines,another Ansett subsidiary, operated 19-seat Fairchild Metroliners and 34-seat SAAB aircraft to the Island. Upon Ansett's ultimate demise in 2002, Regional Express (Rex) acquired the Kendell aircraft and has continued services to Kingscote Airport.
In competition with the larger aircraft, and generally with more flexible timetables, a succession of smaller airlines from the 1970s tried with varying success to maintain a 'second string' presence. Island Air and Pagas operated briefly in the 1970s, whilst the most successful, Emu Airways, commenced in 1980 and made its final flight in November 2005.
Emu flew Piper Chieftain aircraft to Kingscote, American River, Penneshaw and Parndana, before air regulations dictated abandonment of all airstrips except Kingscote. Air Kangaroo Island (formerly Air Transit), flew Cessna 402s to the Island during the 1990s.
From 1986 to 1990, Lloyd Aviation operated Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante aircraft, before flying the Short 330. For several years during the 1980s, Commodore Airlines eventually becoming State Air, offered another alternative service. QantasLink briefly operated a service after the demise of Emu Airways, commencing 18 December 2005, but withdrew less than six months later. QantasLink also operated direct flights from Kangaroo Island to Melbourne, the first time the route was operated.
In January 2007 Air South commenced four services daily using Titan nine seat aircraft, but ceased flights in October 2009.
The winters between June and September are mild and wet, the summers usually warm and dry. Tempered by the ocean, particularly on the coastline, maximum temperatures in summer rarely exceed 35 degrees Celsius.
Average temperatures in August range between 13 to 16 degrees and in February, the hottest month, between 20 and 25 degrees.
Between May and September the island receives two-thirds of its annual rainfall, varying from 450 mm in Kingscote to around 900 mm near Roo Lagoon on the top of the central plateau. The wettest month is July.
Nearly half of the island has never been cleared of vegetation,and a quarter of it is conserved in National Parks, Conservation Parks, and five Wilderness Protection Areas. The main protected areas are:
- Flinders Chase National Park
- Seal Bay Conservation Park
- Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park
- Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area
- Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area
Because of its isolation from mainland Australia, foxes and rabbits are absent from and prohibited from entering the island. Registration and microchipping of cats is mandatory,and since 2016 there is a program to eradicate an estimated population of between 3,000 and 5,000 cats within the next 15 years.
The Kangaroo Island kangaroo, Rosenberg's sand goanna, southern brown bandicoot, tammar wallaby, common brushtail possum, short-beaked echidna and New Zealand fur seal are native to the island, as well as six bat and frog species. The sole endemic vertebrate species is a small marsupial carnivore, the Kangaroo Island dunnart. The koala, common ringtail possum and platypus have been introduced and still survive there.
The introduced koalas have flourished on the island, to the degree that their preferred food source, the manna gum, is at risk of local extinction.
An endemic species of emu, the Kangaroo Island emu, became extinct between 1802 and 1836.The island is the last South Australian refuge of an endangered subspecies of the glossy black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus).
Kangaroo Island has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports populations of the vulnerable fairy tern, the near threatened bush stone-curlew, hooded plover and western whipbird, and the biome-restricted rock parrot and purple-gaped honeyeater.
It also supports over 1% of the world populations of Cape Barren geese, black-faced cormorants, Pacific gulls and pied oystercatchers, and sometimes of musk ducks, blue-billed ducks, freckled ducks, Australian shelducks, chestnut teals and banded stilts.
Little penguin colonies at Penneshaw and Kingscote can be accessed by joining guided nocturnal tours. Both colonies are currently in decline. Several colonies elsewhere on the island are believed to now be extinct, or contain only 'a few' birds. Historic colonies on Kangaroo Island include Cape Gantheaume, Ravine des Casoars and Harvey's Return.In 1950, little penguins could be found at Flinders Chase in 'thousands'.
Penguins were also present at Hanson Bay on the island's south coast in the 1950s.The decline of penguin populations has prompted expanded monitoring regimes from 2011 to the present. The 2013 Kangaroo Island little penguin census revealed that numbers had decreased by 44 to 100 per cent at all surveyed colonies over the prior two years. The census includes eight survey sites.
Lightning strikes on Thursday 6 December 2007 caused several fires on the Island. Before being contained on 16 December 2007, over 900 square kilometres or 20% of the Island had been burnt, principally within National Park and Conservation Reserves.
The most serious outbreak occurred in Flinders Chase, with 630 square kilometres or 85% of the total park area having been burnt.
The northern coast of Kangaroo Island contains important fossil-bearing deposits, dating from the late Lower Cambrian, such as the Emu Bay Shale.A variety of primordial marine arthropods left their remains in this Burgess shale type preservation, but the larger grain size of the Emu Bay rock means that the quality of preservation is lower.
A few genera of non-biomineralized arthropods, among them Squamacula, Kangacaris, and the megacheiran Tanglangia, are known only from the Emu Bay Shale and Chengjiang. The site is also the source of magnificent specimens of trilobites such as Redlichia takooensis, Emuella polymera, Balcoracania dailyi, Megapharanaspis nedini, Holyoakia simpsoni, and Estaingia bilobata.
Balcoracania and Emuella are the only known genera of the distinctive Redlichiina family Emuellidae, known for possessing the greatest number of thoracic segments known for Trilobita as a whole a record of 103 in one Balcoracania specimen, and so far entirely restricted to Australia and Antarctica.
The depositional environment of the majority of Burgess-Shale-type assemblages is outer shelf, deeper water. The Emu Bay Shale in contrast, appears to represent deposition in restricted basins on the inner shelf, indicating that soft tissue preservation occurred in a range of environmental settings during the Cambrian.
Some Emu Bay fossils display extensive mineralization of soft tissues, most often of blocky apatite or fibrous calcium carbonate, including the oldest phosphatized muscle tissue – along with records from Sirius Passet in Greenland, the first thus far reported from the Cambrian. Mid-gut glands are preserved three-dimensionally in calcium phosphate in the arthropods Isoxys and Oestokerkus, as in related species from the Burgess Shale.
Fossilised footprints indicate Australian megafauna, such as the Diprotodon, Sthenurinae, and Thylacine were once distributed on the island.
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Showing posts with label Tasmania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tasmania. Show all posts
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Sunday, 5 March 2017
TASMANIA: A Top Destination For Australians
It seems folk just can't get enough of Tassie. Not that long ago it was hard to find a good coffee across Bass Strait. Now we've got a premier walk that takes you along the world's edge. We're turning heads at national awards. Millennials are chattering Tassie escapes, racing to get here first. There's even a touch of rush-hour traffic in our capital. And by the way, there's some mighty fine coffee here.
Last night, on the national stage, Tasmania humbly accepted gold across five categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Not only that, Tasmania collected seven silver, two bronze and The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel was inducted into the Hall of Fame. What's more, Tassie picked up the most awards out of every state.
Such is Tasmania's allure that Roy Morgan Research has just delivered hard evidence. Hobart now outranks Perth and Brisbane as a capital city holiday destination Australians want to visit. Come Monday, Tasmania is quietly hoping that the film Lion will bring home an Oscar.
Tourism Tasmania's CEO John Fitzgerald said "Tasmania has had another fantastic year for tourism and our popularity shows no signs of letting up as a record number of Australian and overseas visitors discover the people, the produce, the places, the stories and the experiences that make Tasmania such an exciting travel destination"
"I am really excited that we could back up our last two award-winning years with another outstanding performance at this year's Australian Tourism Awards. It reconfirms the quality of Tasmania's tourism and hospitality businesses and the amazing holiday experiences they provide for our visitors - the kind of experiences that our visitors keep returning for and talk about with their friends and family members long afterwards," he said.
Here's a look at why Tasmania tops the list of great Australian tourism experiences. But don't take our word for it, you be the judge.
There's a new frontier in walking. When Lonely Planet rated Tassie among the world's top regions in 2015, they named the Three Capes Track a must-do experience. It was boldly coined as Australia's premier coastal bushwalking experience even before the first steps were taken. Last night it lived up to expectations, winning New Tourism Business on the national stage.
The four-day Tasman Peninsula walk features dolerite chasms, architecturally-designed lodging, Eucalypt forests and towering sea cliffs. If you're going to take a walk and share a few snaps, make it along the world's edge.
Our walking winners didn't stop there. The Tasmanian Walking Company took a familiar trek to the podium, collecting Gold for Ecotourism. With over 25 years of experience beneath their boots, not only is the trekking here top-notch, it can be served with affable guides, wine and plush pillows. Walking in some of Tasmania's most iconic locations, they add more than a touch of class to the experience with the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Bay of Fires Lodge Walk (and spa) and more recently the Wineglass Bay Sail Walk.
As for our walking backyard, it's not bad either. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service – Freycinet National Park took bronze for Major Tourist Attractions. Take a few steps in the state's equally oldest national park (which celebrated its centenary last year) and there'll be no surprises why – accessible coastal wilderness, the rugged pink granite Hazards range, secluded bays and the likes of world-renowned Wineglass Bay
Mix the words luxury and Tasmania together and you'll probably get Saffire Freycinet. Saffire breathes luxury and class. It's been named the world's best boutique hotel. It's no stranger to first place. The East Coast resort can now add a new accolade – Gold for Luxury Accommodation. Saffire appears to have the indulgence recipe just right.
Tasmania's accommodation offerings are as varied as our local characters. The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel also won Gold for Business Event Venue, entering into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame. But one award wasn't enough, the corporate traveller fave also collecting silver in the Deluxe Accommodation category.
Have we mentioned diverse places to overnight? You can also stay perched out on Australia's deepest freshwater lake at Pumphouse Point. That sure is a one-off. Curling up amidst World Heritage wilderness, sipping Tasmanian single malt, or paddling around with the resident platypus are experiences that have put Pumphouse Point high on the bucket list. No wonder the industrial-style lodging won Silver in Unique Accommodation.
Avalon Coastal Retreat with its Huon pine bath, floor-to-ceiling views of Great Oyster Bay and intelligent design to effortlessly blend with its clifftop surrounds continues to strengthen its national profile, winning Silver in the Self Contained Accommodation category. Those who stay at Avalon get a touch more than your average conveniences – think designer furniture, Wursthaus gourmet larder and your very own private beach.
It seems the sheep, crops and country charm of Curringa Farm Accommodation endure as a crowd-pleaser, taking Bronze for Hosted Accommodation. Who doesn't enjoy an overnight stay served up with a dash of sheep shearing and a good old Aussie barbie? The stars here are amazing.
Let's admit it. It's all about the food! Tasmania is a foodie's delight, a craft-ale enthusiast's heaven and a cheese lover's mecca. As with every Tasmanian journey, you'll get to meet the driving force behind the local food and drink scene – the chefs, distillers and fermenters.
They draw inspiration from a pantry of clean waterways, fresh air and seasonal produce, creating delicious gourmet fare to be nibbled with decadent wine, beer, cider and whisky. So there's no raised brows that Tasmania picked up an award here. In 1950 Josef Chromy fled from his war-torn Czech home at 19 years old. In his 70s, when most might be retired, he established Josef Chromy Wines.
Last night, the business won Silver for Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services. From farm to fork, or vine to bottle, there's often little space between the restaurant plate and the source.
Where would we be without Tasmania itself? We are blessed with a natural playground where mountain peaks and ocean are in close proximity, where a short walk can feel a world away from our major cities. Niche tourism experiences are plenty.
If you've not heard of RiverFly 1864, it's time to pack your rod. The outfit just won Gold for Specialised Tourism Services and offers three-day guided fly-fishing trips up at the Western Lakes in private eco-friendly huts.
Bruny Island Cruises won silver (Tourist Attractions), the exhilarating coastal wilderness experience featuring ancient sea cliffs among the southern hemisphere's tallest, sea caves and the odd whale encounter. All with salt in your hair!
Par Avion Wilderness Tours also venture to places inaccessible on foot, taking silver for Major Tour and Transport Operators. It's rare a pilot charmingly conveys knowledge through the head sets, revs the engine of a boat and serves up lunch in a rustic cabin. All part of the day job. Versatile characters and far-flung wilderness reaches are what Par Avion do best.
In the realm of Destination Marketing, there are harder places to sell. The Great Eastern Drive follows a coastline of 176 kilometres of spectacular beauty; dramatic coastlines, world-famous beaches and unique natural attractions. Some say it rivals the best coastal drives on the planet. The Great Eastern Drive has been awarded silver for sharing the good word – putting this region firmly on the map. Just go. And then, according to the marketing, the key is to 'just stop.' Take your coastal time.
With experiences and stories that can only be penned in Tasmania, it's a good time to come and write your own. For more information on Tasmania, visit www.discovertasmania.com.au.
Awards
GOLD
- New Tourism Business: Three Capes Track
- Luxury Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet
- Ecotourism: Tasmanian Walking Company
- Specialised Tourism Services: RiverFly 1864
- Business Events Venue: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel – Australian Tourism Hall of Fame
SILVER
- Tourist Attractions: Bruny Island Cruises
- Major Tour and Transport Operators: Par Avion Wilderness Tours
- Unique Accommodation: Pumphouse Point
- Self Contained Accommodation: Avalon Coastal Retreat
- Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services: Josef Chromy Wines
- Deluxe Accommodation: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Destination Marketing: Great Eastern Drive
BRONZE
- Major Tourist Attractions: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service - Freycinet National Park
- Hosted Accommodation: Curringa Farm Accommodation
Last night, on the national stage, Tasmania humbly accepted gold across five categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Not only that, Tasmania collected seven silver, two bronze and The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel was inducted into the Hall of Fame. What's more, Tassie picked up the most awards out of every state.
Such is Tasmania's allure that Roy Morgan Research has just delivered hard evidence. Hobart now outranks Perth and Brisbane as a capital city holiday destination Australians want to visit. Come Monday, Tasmania is quietly hoping that the film Lion will bring home an Oscar.
Tourism Tasmania's CEO John Fitzgerald said "Tasmania has had another fantastic year for tourism and our popularity shows no signs of letting up as a record number of Australian and overseas visitors discover the people, the produce, the places, the stories and the experiences that make Tasmania such an exciting travel destination"
"I am really excited that we could back up our last two award-winning years with another outstanding performance at this year's Australian Tourism Awards. It reconfirms the quality of Tasmania's tourism and hospitality businesses and the amazing holiday experiences they provide for our visitors - the kind of experiences that our visitors keep returning for and talk about with their friends and family members long afterwards," he said.
Here's a look at why Tasmania tops the list of great Australian tourism experiences. But don't take our word for it, you be the judge.
There's a new frontier in walking. When Lonely Planet rated Tassie among the world's top regions in 2015, they named the Three Capes Track a must-do experience. It was boldly coined as Australia's premier coastal bushwalking experience even before the first steps were taken. Last night it lived up to expectations, winning New Tourism Business on the national stage.
The four-day Tasman Peninsula walk features dolerite chasms, architecturally-designed lodging, Eucalypt forests and towering sea cliffs. If you're going to take a walk and share a few snaps, make it along the world's edge.
Our walking winners didn't stop there. The Tasmanian Walking Company took a familiar trek to the podium, collecting Gold for Ecotourism. With over 25 years of experience beneath their boots, not only is the trekking here top-notch, it can be served with affable guides, wine and plush pillows. Walking in some of Tasmania's most iconic locations, they add more than a touch of class to the experience with the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Bay of Fires Lodge Walk (and spa) and more recently the Wineglass Bay Sail Walk.
As for our walking backyard, it's not bad either. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service – Freycinet National Park took bronze for Major Tourist Attractions. Take a few steps in the state's equally oldest national park (which celebrated its centenary last year) and there'll be no surprises why – accessible coastal wilderness, the rugged pink granite Hazards range, secluded bays and the likes of world-renowned Wineglass Bay
Mix the words luxury and Tasmania together and you'll probably get Saffire Freycinet. Saffire breathes luxury and class. It's been named the world's best boutique hotel. It's no stranger to first place. The East Coast resort can now add a new accolade – Gold for Luxury Accommodation. Saffire appears to have the indulgence recipe just right.
Tasmania's accommodation offerings are as varied as our local characters. The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel also won Gold for Business Event Venue, entering into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame. But one award wasn't enough, the corporate traveller fave also collecting silver in the Deluxe Accommodation category.
Have we mentioned diverse places to overnight? You can also stay perched out on Australia's deepest freshwater lake at Pumphouse Point. That sure is a one-off. Curling up amidst World Heritage wilderness, sipping Tasmanian single malt, or paddling around with the resident platypus are experiences that have put Pumphouse Point high on the bucket list. No wonder the industrial-style lodging won Silver in Unique Accommodation.
Avalon Coastal Retreat with its Huon pine bath, floor-to-ceiling views of Great Oyster Bay and intelligent design to effortlessly blend with its clifftop surrounds continues to strengthen its national profile, winning Silver in the Self Contained Accommodation category. Those who stay at Avalon get a touch more than your average conveniences – think designer furniture, Wursthaus gourmet larder and your very own private beach.
It seems the sheep, crops and country charm of Curringa Farm Accommodation endure as a crowd-pleaser, taking Bronze for Hosted Accommodation. Who doesn't enjoy an overnight stay served up with a dash of sheep shearing and a good old Aussie barbie? The stars here are amazing.
Let's admit it. It's all about the food! Tasmania is a foodie's delight, a craft-ale enthusiast's heaven and a cheese lover's mecca. As with every Tasmanian journey, you'll get to meet the driving force behind the local food and drink scene – the chefs, distillers and fermenters.
They draw inspiration from a pantry of clean waterways, fresh air and seasonal produce, creating delicious gourmet fare to be nibbled with decadent wine, beer, cider and whisky. So there's no raised brows that Tasmania picked up an award here. In 1950 Josef Chromy fled from his war-torn Czech home at 19 years old. In his 70s, when most might be retired, he established Josef Chromy Wines.
Last night, the business won Silver for Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services. From farm to fork, or vine to bottle, there's often little space between the restaurant plate and the source.
Where would we be without Tasmania itself? We are blessed with a natural playground where mountain peaks and ocean are in close proximity, where a short walk can feel a world away from our major cities. Niche tourism experiences are plenty.
If you've not heard of RiverFly 1864, it's time to pack your rod. The outfit just won Gold for Specialised Tourism Services and offers three-day guided fly-fishing trips up at the Western Lakes in private eco-friendly huts.
Bruny Island Cruises won silver (Tourist Attractions), the exhilarating coastal wilderness experience featuring ancient sea cliffs among the southern hemisphere's tallest, sea caves and the odd whale encounter. All with salt in your hair!
Par Avion Wilderness Tours also venture to places inaccessible on foot, taking silver for Major Tour and Transport Operators. It's rare a pilot charmingly conveys knowledge through the head sets, revs the engine of a boat and serves up lunch in a rustic cabin. All part of the day job. Versatile characters and far-flung wilderness reaches are what Par Avion do best.
In the realm of Destination Marketing, there are harder places to sell. The Great Eastern Drive follows a coastline of 176 kilometres of spectacular beauty; dramatic coastlines, world-famous beaches and unique natural attractions. Some say it rivals the best coastal drives on the planet. The Great Eastern Drive has been awarded silver for sharing the good word – putting this region firmly on the map. Just go. And then, according to the marketing, the key is to 'just stop.' Take your coastal time.
With experiences and stories that can only be penned in Tasmania, it's a good time to come and write your own. For more information on Tasmania, visit www.discovertasmania.com.au.
Awards
GOLD
- New Tourism Business: Three Capes Track
- Luxury Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet
- Ecotourism: Tasmanian Walking Company
- Specialised Tourism Services: RiverFly 1864
- Business Events Venue: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel – Australian Tourism Hall of Fame
SILVER
- Tourist Attractions: Bruny Island Cruises
- Major Tour and Transport Operators: Par Avion Wilderness Tours
- Unique Accommodation: Pumphouse Point
- Self Contained Accommodation: Avalon Coastal Retreat
- Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services: Josef Chromy Wines
- Deluxe Accommodation: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Destination Marketing: Great Eastern Drive
BRONZE
- Major Tourist Attractions: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service - Freycinet National Park
- Hosted Accommodation: Curringa Farm Accommodation
TASMANIA: Thousand Lakes Lodge Given New Life
The rescue of a building set for demolition and its transformation into an eco-tourism resort is a great show of confidence in our award-winning tourism sector and supports our plan to become the eco-tourism capital of the world.
Located in the World Heritage Area between the Walls of Jerusalem and the Great Lakes, Thousand Lakes Lodge (formerly Bernacchi Lodge) has been given new life by Tasmanian sporting identity Marcus Ambrose.
Eight jobs have been created and that’s projected to double as the business grows.
We supported the redevelopment with a $300,000 grant through the Jobs and Investment Fund, an initiative jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Liberal Governments.
Our support enabled the project to be brought forward by 12 months.
We are building Tasmania’s future by backing our competitive strengths and there is no better example than the tourism industry – it’s thriving, driving new confidence and investment and supporting local businesses and jobs.
The $1.3 million redevelopment represents not only a dramatic change of pace for Marcus but also a commitment to sustainable tourism in one of the State’s most precious natural areas.
This year’s national tourism awards demonstrated Tasmania’s great strength in eco-tourism proving that we can balance the protection of our natural areas with a growing tourism industry.
Located in the World Heritage Area between the Walls of Jerusalem and the Great Lakes, Thousand Lakes Lodge (formerly Bernacchi Lodge) has been given new life by Tasmanian sporting identity Marcus Ambrose.
Eight jobs have been created and that’s projected to double as the business grows.
We supported the redevelopment with a $300,000 grant through the Jobs and Investment Fund, an initiative jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Liberal Governments.
Our support enabled the project to be brought forward by 12 months.
We are building Tasmania’s future by backing our competitive strengths and there is no better example than the tourism industry – it’s thriving, driving new confidence and investment and supporting local businesses and jobs.
The $1.3 million redevelopment represents not only a dramatic change of pace for Marcus but also a commitment to sustainable tourism in one of the State’s most precious natural areas.
This year’s national tourism awards demonstrated Tasmania’s great strength in eco-tourism proving that we can balance the protection of our natural areas with a growing tourism industry.
AUTRALIA: Plane Crash Into Australian Shopping Mall
A pilot and four American passengers were killed on Tuesday when a small plane crashed in to the roof of a shopping mall after taking off from an airfield outside Melbourne, police said.
The twin-turboprop Beechcraft King Air plane suffered an engine failure and crashed into the mall near the end of the runway at Essendon Airport, Victoria state police assistant commissioner Stephen Leane told reporters in Melbourne.
The pilot managed to send an emergency call, describing a “catastrophic engine failure” before the fiery collision, police said. Witnesses said the plane exploded on impact.
The crash happened at around 9 a.m., about an hour before the mall was due to open and there were no fatalities other than those aboard the aircraft, the witness said.
“All five occupants were male – the pilot was Australian and the four passengers were from the United States of America,” Victoria police said in later statement.
Sky News showed burning wreckage strewn across the mall’s carpark and a thick column of black smoke rising from the crash site.
The plane had been bound for King Island in Bass Strait between the mainland and the southern island state of Tasmania and Australian newspapers reported that at least two of the men were traveling to play golf on the island’s famed links.
A spokeswoman for Airservices Australia said flights in and out of Melbourne’s main airport were unaffected. Essendon Airport, which is used mainly by light aircraft, remained closed.
The twin-turboprop Beechcraft King Air plane suffered an engine failure and crashed into the mall near the end of the runway at Essendon Airport, Victoria state police assistant commissioner Stephen Leane told reporters in Melbourne.
The pilot managed to send an emergency call, describing a “catastrophic engine failure” before the fiery collision, police said. Witnesses said the plane exploded on impact.
The crash happened at around 9 a.m., about an hour before the mall was due to open and there were no fatalities other than those aboard the aircraft, the witness said.
“All five occupants were male – the pilot was Australian and the four passengers were from the United States of America,” Victoria police said in later statement.
Sky News showed burning wreckage strewn across the mall’s carpark and a thick column of black smoke rising from the crash site.
The plane had been bound for King Island in Bass Strait between the mainland and the southern island state of Tasmania and Australian newspapers reported that at least two of the men were traveling to play golf on the island’s famed links.
A spokeswoman for Airservices Australia said flights in and out of Melbourne’s main airport were unaffected. Essendon Airport, which is used mainly by light aircraft, remained closed.
Friday, 16 December 2016
TASMANIA: Choose Between Ssalmon Farming And Tourism
Tasmania's East Coast has a choice to make between tourism and salmon farming, or it risks facing another "forestry war-type scenario", millionaire environmentalist Graeme Wood says.
The region has struggled following a downturn in the forestry industry, especially the town of Triabunna, which was once home to Gunns' woodchip mill.
Mr Wood has submitted a development application to convert the Triabunna mill into a tourism site, which would include accommodation, a restaurant and conference centre.
But he said his plans were being undermined by aquaculture giant Tassal's proposal to farm salmon nearby at Oakhampton Bay.
"I think it's pretty dumb," he said of the fish farming plan.
"There's a big choice here for the regulators and the Government to say, 'Is this east coast about tourism or do we want to go through a forestry war-type scenario between fish farmers and tourists?'"
The development application for the mill site is set to be considered by council in January. Mr Wood said he hoped work would start soon after, and that the first guests would arrive by the end of the year.
Mr Wood purchased the mill five years ago and estimated about $25 million would be spent on the project, which would pay homage to its past.
"What we're very keen to do here is read the power of the site itself," architect Rachel Neeson said.
"So we're keeping everything. I guess the design approach has been keep everything, make safe, dust off the bits that you're going to use."
But Mr Wood is concerned plans to put 28 salmon pens around the headland from his property would have a "severe impact" on the tourism venture.
"The pollution out there would be bad, the noise, the physicality of it. Right next door they're planning to put some kind of plant on land," he said.
"It would be less than optimum, shall we say."
A development application for the land-based plant has passed council and will now be considered by the planning commission.
"The fact that the DA was waved through council I find astounding, not just us but thousands of other people have objected and we look forward to fighting it in the planning commission," Mr Wood said.
Other tourism operators have also raised concerns and made submissions to a review of the salmon farming plan opposing the development.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council mayor Michael Kent said Triabunna was "decimated" by the forestry war and that his focus was on creating jobs.
"We'll take every opportunity to endeavour to get as many jobs out of these situations as we can," he said.
He said he did not believe the salmon farm would affect tourism operators.
"It doesn't affect tourism, that's what I can't get through to people," he said.
"Tourism can't see 28 pens, no roads, they just can't see them. So it won't affect tourism one iota, unless they want to get in a boat and go around and have a look."
Linda Sams from Tassal said she believed the salmon farm could actually add tourism value.
"It's a very interesting development. It's integrated, multi-trophic aquaculture, which is innovative and new. We're showing seaweed and shellfish and fin fish, so I think it'll be a bit of an attraction," she said.
Ms Sams insisted Tassal's impact would be limited.
"We know we're going to have a localised impact where we're farming and that's where the fish waste is going to drop to the bottom, but we have highly predictive models now that tell us the scope of that, we need to have that stay within our lease."
The salmon industry in Tasmania has come under scrutiny this year over the condition of Macquarie Harbour, where three companies farm salmon.
The state's Environment Protection Authority is reducing the amount of fish allowed to be stocked there because oxygen levels in the water are so low.
The EPA found one of Tassal's leases in the harbour had 14 instances of bacteria spreading outside the lease site.
"We have three sites in Macquarie Harbour and only one has had issues with compliance. We're acting on that really quickly, we're responding quickly so the site can remediate," Ms Sams said.
"We're emptying our Franklin site completely, we're in the process of organising all that, all those fish will go to harvest and we don't have any plans at this point to restock it."
Mr Wood said the salmon farm would not stop his plans.
"It won't stop it because I don't think they'll get it up. But if they do, I'll be the neighbour from hell."
The region has struggled following a downturn in the forestry industry, especially the town of Triabunna, which was once home to Gunns' woodchip mill.
Mr Wood has submitted a development application to convert the Triabunna mill into a tourism site, which would include accommodation, a restaurant and conference centre.
But he said his plans were being undermined by aquaculture giant Tassal's proposal to farm salmon nearby at Oakhampton Bay.
"I think it's pretty dumb," he said of the fish farming plan.
"There's a big choice here for the regulators and the Government to say, 'Is this east coast about tourism or do we want to go through a forestry war-type scenario between fish farmers and tourists?'"
The development application for the mill site is set to be considered by council in January. Mr Wood said he hoped work would start soon after, and that the first guests would arrive by the end of the year.
Mr Wood purchased the mill five years ago and estimated about $25 million would be spent on the project, which would pay homage to its past.
"What we're very keen to do here is read the power of the site itself," architect Rachel Neeson said.
"So we're keeping everything. I guess the design approach has been keep everything, make safe, dust off the bits that you're going to use."
But Mr Wood is concerned plans to put 28 salmon pens around the headland from his property would have a "severe impact" on the tourism venture.
"The pollution out there would be bad, the noise, the physicality of it. Right next door they're planning to put some kind of plant on land," he said.
"It would be less than optimum, shall we say."
A development application for the land-based plant has passed council and will now be considered by the planning commission.
"The fact that the DA was waved through council I find astounding, not just us but thousands of other people have objected and we look forward to fighting it in the planning commission," Mr Wood said.
Other tourism operators have also raised concerns and made submissions to a review of the salmon farming plan opposing the development.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council mayor Michael Kent said Triabunna was "decimated" by the forestry war and that his focus was on creating jobs.
"We'll take every opportunity to endeavour to get as many jobs out of these situations as we can," he said.
He said he did not believe the salmon farm would affect tourism operators.
"It doesn't affect tourism, that's what I can't get through to people," he said.
"Tourism can't see 28 pens, no roads, they just can't see them. So it won't affect tourism one iota, unless they want to get in a boat and go around and have a look."
Linda Sams from Tassal said she believed the salmon farm could actually add tourism value.
"It's a very interesting development. It's integrated, multi-trophic aquaculture, which is innovative and new. We're showing seaweed and shellfish and fin fish, so I think it'll be a bit of an attraction," she said.
Ms Sams insisted Tassal's impact would be limited.
"We know we're going to have a localised impact where we're farming and that's where the fish waste is going to drop to the bottom, but we have highly predictive models now that tell us the scope of that, we need to have that stay within our lease."
The salmon industry in Tasmania has come under scrutiny this year over the condition of Macquarie Harbour, where three companies farm salmon.
The state's Environment Protection Authority is reducing the amount of fish allowed to be stocked there because oxygen levels in the water are so low.
The EPA found one of Tassal's leases in the harbour had 14 instances of bacteria spreading outside the lease site.
"We have three sites in Macquarie Harbour and only one has had issues with compliance. We're acting on that really quickly, we're responding quickly so the site can remediate," Ms Sams said.
"We're emptying our Franklin site completely, we're in the process of organising all that, all those fish will go to harvest and we don't have any plans at this point to restock it."
Mr Wood said the salmon farm would not stop his plans.
"It won't stop it because I don't think they'll get it up. But if they do, I'll be the neighbour from hell."
Saturday, 19 November 2016
TASMANIA: Millionaire Graeme Wood To Develop Triabunna Mill For Tourism
Millionaire environmentalist Graeme Wood has lodged an application for a tourism development at the site of a former woodchip mill on Tasmania's east coast, five years after he bought it.
The Wotif founder and his then-business partner Jan Cameron bought the Triabunna mill in 2011 from the now-collapsed timber company Gunns, but the site has sat unused since.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Michael Kent confirmed the council had received an application for a $12.5 million development which includes a hotel, conference room, restaurant and units.
"It looks a bit like an eco-type set up," he told 936 ABC Radio.
"I suspect that's the start of what could become a bigger opportunity for the people of Triabunna and that part of the east coast."
The coastal town of Triabunna once thrived off logging and woodchipping but the loss of forestry jobs has left it in an economic lull.
Mr Kent said he had begun to doubt whether Mr Wood would develop the site.
"We from the council have been endeavouring to push Graeme for some time, now it's eventually happened it's the start I would believe of much bigger and better things into the future," he said.
"We will be advertising [the plans] to the general public in the next couple of weeks."
Mr Wood has been contacted for comment.
The tourism proposal as stage one, containing "unique accommodation", which will provide "a number of jobs" for the local community.
It said longevity at the site was vital for "both the development itself and for Triabunna".
It aimed to create a development which would attract people from around the world while staying true to its roots.
"The history of the site is an intrinsic part of the development; we want to celebrate it, not hide it, ignore it or try to whitewash it," it said.
"We're interested in the place itself, and the people who have been associated with it. Worldwide, there is great interest in the re-use of industrial sites — we aim to put Spring Bay Mill and Triabunna on the international map."
Resources Minister Guy Barnett said the Government had been waiting for progress on the site.
"I'm delighted to hear that there's been some progress and the development application has been lodged, so a $12.5 million development application is exciting indeed," he said.
Greens Leader, Cassy O'Connor, also welcomed the prospect.
"The people of Triabunna and Orford and on the east coast will be very pleased to know that Graeme Wood will be lodging a development application," she said.
"It's a fantastic site, it's got enormous potential."
Labor Leader Bryan Green agreed the site was full of opportunities.
"It is an amazing site and any development on the east coast would be welcomed, I'm sure, on the east coast generally," Mr Green said.
The Hodgman Government launched an inquiry into the sale and dismantling of the mill in 2014 which recommended it stay in public hands.
The Wotif founder and his then-business partner Jan Cameron bought the Triabunna mill in 2011 from the now-collapsed timber company Gunns, but the site has sat unused since.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Michael Kent confirmed the council had received an application for a $12.5 million development which includes a hotel, conference room, restaurant and units.
"It looks a bit like an eco-type set up," he told 936 ABC Radio.
"I suspect that's the start of what could become a bigger opportunity for the people of Triabunna and that part of the east coast."
The coastal town of Triabunna once thrived off logging and woodchipping but the loss of forestry jobs has left it in an economic lull.
Mr Kent said he had begun to doubt whether Mr Wood would develop the site.
"We from the council have been endeavouring to push Graeme for some time, now it's eventually happened it's the start I would believe of much bigger and better things into the future," he said.
"We will be advertising [the plans] to the general public in the next couple of weeks."
Mr Wood has been contacted for comment.
The tourism proposal as stage one, containing "unique accommodation", which will provide "a number of jobs" for the local community.
It said longevity at the site was vital for "both the development itself and for Triabunna".
It aimed to create a development which would attract people from around the world while staying true to its roots.
"The history of the site is an intrinsic part of the development; we want to celebrate it, not hide it, ignore it or try to whitewash it," it said.
"We're interested in the place itself, and the people who have been associated with it. Worldwide, there is great interest in the re-use of industrial sites — we aim to put Spring Bay Mill and Triabunna on the international map."
Resources Minister Guy Barnett said the Government had been waiting for progress on the site.
"I'm delighted to hear that there's been some progress and the development application has been lodged, so a $12.5 million development application is exciting indeed," he said.
Greens Leader, Cassy O'Connor, also welcomed the prospect.
"The people of Triabunna and Orford and on the east coast will be very pleased to know that Graeme Wood will be lodging a development application," she said.
"It's a fantastic site, it's got enormous potential."
Labor Leader Bryan Green agreed the site was full of opportunities.
"It is an amazing site and any development on the east coast would be welcomed, I'm sure, on the east coast generally," Mr Green said.
The Hodgman Government launched an inquiry into the sale and dismantling of the mill in 2014 which recommended it stay in public hands.
Thursday, 1 September 2016
MALDIVES: Trouble In Maldive Tourism
IT’S supposed to be a rich tourist’s perfect paradise, but increasingly, the Maldives’ credibility as a tropical dream is being overshadowed by the spectre of a terrorist nightmare.
The country famed for white sands and laid back locals is teetering on the edge of a coup with unrest and the threat of Islamic State terrorism set to see paradise turn ugly.
The Maldives is painted as a picture-prefect haven for tourists — many of them rich Western Europeans escaping the winter.
But increasing internal political turmoil and hard line radicalisation has the country at tipping point.
There is civil unrest as democratically-elected President Abdulla Yameen continues to lose support, and as more locals leave the Muslim country to fight in the Middle East with Islamic State and other militant outfits.
An estimated 200 Maldivians have done this, which would make the Maldives the largest foreign contributor of fighters on a per-capita basis. It’s a figure disputed by Yameen, who says the number is closer to 50 — despite the fact his government last week asked India for help sharing intelligence in light of an increasing threat form IS.
Whatever the numbers, terrorism experts say the figure is concerning, given the small population.
If there was to be a single terrorist attack on one of the luxury resorts, the billion dollar tourist industry would topple.
“It makes me very, very scared to see what is happening there,” Azra Naseem, who was born in the Maldives and now specialises in researching Islamist radicalism at Dublin University, said.
She said the government was afraid if the number of people leaving to become foreign fighters became public, it would harm the country’s exclusive tourism industry.
“Rich Western Europeans, towards whom most of the Maldives’ tourism is geared, would not want to book expensive holidays in a country known for the production of jihad,” she said.
“If the tourism industry is damaged, the minuscule percentage of rich Maldivians who control it would suffer, and many of them bankroll the government. So the current regimen downplays the number of jihadists, pretends it is a problem that does not exist and labels anyone who speaks about it a traitor.”
She said, the Maldives, which adopted Islam when Arab traders came to the islands in the 12th century, had never really distinguished between the Shia and Sunni sects of Isla, blending island traditions and Islam.
“And now the only Islam that is being accepted is Saudi Salafism,” she says.
Almost half the Maldivian population of 300,000 lives on the island capital of Male.
Unemployment and drug use is high. Few Maldivians work in the resorts, which are on islands uninhabited by locals. They tend to be managed by Europeans and Australians and staffed mainly by tens of thousands of poorly-paid Bangladeshis.
While the government has been diligent in cracking down on political opponents, it has done little to halt the flow of Maldivians heading off to fight for Islamic State.
There have been whole families who have gone over,” says Naseem. “There has been a Maldivian baby born in Syria.”
When Islamic State first emerged, the stories of people going off to fight would be reported in local newspapers as their families proudly talked of their bravery.
Naseem says the government seems to have cracked down on the publication of such reports, but “it doesn’t mean that people aren’t still going”.
Terrorism experts say the problem is what happens if some of these Maldivian jihadists, trained and radicalised on the battlefields of Syria, come home.
Maldivian jihadists recently posted a video on a website with the pictures of the three most recent Maldivian presidents — including Yameen — depicting the presidents being shot.
The video said it was a warning for the leadership of the Maldives to adopt strict sharia law.
It’s a stark contract to the idyllic weather, beaches and tropical fish showcased as the ultimate Maldives holiday.
Experts say the country’s 100-plus luxury resorts are ‘soft’ terrorism targets.
Meanwhile Yameen is trying to pacify Islamic interests, safeguard his leadership, and protect than economy where 70 per cent of the economy is directly reliant on tourism.
The result is building opposition towards him, and the growing threat of a coup.
The Maldives became a democracy in 2008 when Mohamed Nasheed became its first freely-elected leader, ending three decades of autocratic rule under Mr Yameen’s half-brother, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Since Yameen came to power in 2013, he has enacted a series of increasingly draconian laws.
Under his rule, hundreds of political activists have faced charges and several senior figures have been given long jail sentences including Mr Nasheed, who was painted as anti-Islamic, and now lives in self-imposed exile in the UK.
Last weekend, reports emerged that a group of exiled opposition leaders — including Nasheed — had met in Sri Lanka planning how to oust him.
Protests have become frequent in the past year amid fears Yameen will return the Maldives to its more repressive past.
Last month strict defamation laws, with punishments for comments or actions considered insulting to Islam and tighter restrictions on demonstrations came into effect.
Yameen plans to bring back the death penalty — after a 60-year unofficial moratorium — and capital punishment as a way of proving his “Islamic credentials’, a move which has drawn criticism from the UN, the UK, the EU and the US.
While the Maldives relies heavily on its billion-dollar tourism industry, that same industry promotes a feeling of inequality. Some locals resent the wealthy foreigners. Even more resent the uneven distribution of the proceeds of tourism.
The internal power struggle, combined with the increased terrorism fears, haven't hit the tourist trade.
But on August 25, the BBC announced it had received information that a move to oust the president is expected in the coming weeks.
About 7000 Australians travel to the Maldives every year, and the current Australian government travel warnings are to “exercise normal safety precautions” overall, but exercise “a high degree of caution in the capital, on Male Island, due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack.”
“Australians in the Maldives should avoid all demonstrations, protests, and large public gatherings, particularly in Male, as they may turn violent,” the government travel warning says.
“Australia and Australians are viewed by IS and other terrorist groups as a target for terrorist attacks. Even in cases where attacks may not specifically target Australian interests, Australians could be harmed in indiscriminate attacks or attacks aimed at others.”
Public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited in the Maldives and importation of non-Islamic religious material is illegal. In the past, foreigners have been expelled for allegedly engaging in religious preaching.
It’s at odds with the tourism brochure picture of tropical paradise perfection of year-round sun, an underwater wonderland, and rich tourists sipping cocktails on the country’s resort islands where alcohol and pork are allowed, bikinis are acceptable dress, and almost anything goes.
AUSTRALIA: Australia Tourism Bangs 7.2m Visitors
International visitors are flocking to Australia, with the latest figures showing a record 7.2 million people arrived last financial year.
The latest survey from Tourism Research Australia shows visitors came from far and wide, including Asia, the Pacific, the US and Europe.
While backpacker numbers to the Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria were down Tasmania and the ACT both had more than a 10 per cent increase.
The latest survey from Tourism Research Australia shows visitors came from far and wide, including Asia, the Pacific, the US and Europe.
While backpacker numbers to the Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria were down Tasmania and the ACT both had more than a 10 per cent increase.
Sunday, 26 June 2016
TASMANIA: Tasmanian Architects' Promote Tourism
Eco-tourism projects inspired by the Tasmanian landscape are among the winners in this year's state architecture awards.
Dale Campisi from the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Institute of Architects said local architects played a key role in the current wave of success being enjoyed in the tourism sector.
Several tourism developments took out top awards at a ceremony on Saturday, including the Devil's Corner winery near Bicheno, lodges on the Three Capes Track, and accommodation "pods" at historic Hatherley House in Launceston.
Mr Campisi said architects were often inspired by the state's untouched landscape.
"The Three Capes Track is a great example of that, a really sensitive insertion," he said.
"But then you know, compare Cumulus Studio's very bold statement at Devil's Corner on the east coast, that is a big piece of architecture but what an amazing vista you get from it, and it's a really interesting and a bold architectural statement.
"Certainly when we think about tourism in Tasmania, we need to recognise that architecture plays a key role in the success of that industry at the moment.
"The setting for architecture in Tasmania is a really important thing to our local architects."
Another of the night's big winners was the Dunalley House, built to replace a holiday home lost in the 2013 bushfires.
Architect Stuart Tanner won an award for new residential development, as well as a people's choice award.
"My clients lost their house in the Dunalley fire, it was quite an emotional experience for them, and so it's quite an honour to be asked to give them a place that they can return to and enjoy," he said.
"For it to be recognised in this way is really nice for them.
"I think everyone involved, the engineers, the builders, they all contributed and it's great in that sense that people can be recognised."
Architect Craig Rosevear, from Rosevear Stephenson, worked on Jenny's House, a Georgian home in the historic Hobart neighbourhood of Battery Point which won two awards.
He said there was a deep appreciation for built heritage in the area.
"The process requires you to do it sensitively and respect the place. I think it's come out of a bigger objective by the people who look after the city really, and it's really just up to us to make sure we engage with it properly and respect those qualities," he said.
"It was a very modest project - a very personal one too, for a retired woman whose husband had passed away ... so it was a very moving project to be involved in."
Hobart College at Mount Nelson was recognised with an Enduring Architecture Award.
The Mountain Retreat Medical Centre in South Hobart, built by Circa Morris-Nunn won the prestigious John Lee Archer Triennial Prize for the best example of commercial architecture from the previous three years.
Dale Campisi from the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Institute of Architects said local architects played a key role in the current wave of success being enjoyed in the tourism sector.
Several tourism developments took out top awards at a ceremony on Saturday, including the Devil's Corner winery near Bicheno, lodges on the Three Capes Track, and accommodation "pods" at historic Hatherley House in Launceston.
Mr Campisi said architects were often inspired by the state's untouched landscape.
"The Three Capes Track is a great example of that, a really sensitive insertion," he said.
"But then you know, compare Cumulus Studio's very bold statement at Devil's Corner on the east coast, that is a big piece of architecture but what an amazing vista you get from it, and it's a really interesting and a bold architectural statement.
"Certainly when we think about tourism in Tasmania, we need to recognise that architecture plays a key role in the success of that industry at the moment.
"The setting for architecture in Tasmania is a really important thing to our local architects."
Another of the night's big winners was the Dunalley House, built to replace a holiday home lost in the 2013 bushfires.
Architect Stuart Tanner won an award for new residential development, as well as a people's choice award.
"My clients lost their house in the Dunalley fire, it was quite an emotional experience for them, and so it's quite an honour to be asked to give them a place that they can return to and enjoy," he said.
"For it to be recognised in this way is really nice for them.
"I think everyone involved, the engineers, the builders, they all contributed and it's great in that sense that people can be recognised."
Architect Craig Rosevear, from Rosevear Stephenson, worked on Jenny's House, a Georgian home in the historic Hobart neighbourhood of Battery Point which won two awards.
He said there was a deep appreciation for built heritage in the area.
"The process requires you to do it sensitively and respect the place. I think it's come out of a bigger objective by the people who look after the city really, and it's really just up to us to make sure we engage with it properly and respect those qualities," he said.
"It was a very modest project - a very personal one too, for a retired woman whose husband had passed away ... so it was a very moving project to be involved in."
Hobart College at Mount Nelson was recognised with an Enduring Architecture Award.
The Mountain Retreat Medical Centre in South Hobart, built by Circa Morris-Nunn won the prestigious John Lee Archer Triennial Prize for the best example of commercial architecture from the previous three years.
Friday, 3 June 2016
AUSTRALIA: ACT Economy Records Solid Growth
The ACT's economy bucked a national trend to record solid growth in the first three months of the year, while a surge in international visitors has helped break spending records.
Two sets of recent data released on Wednesday painted a positive outlook for the ACT economy that will be welcome news to the government ahead of next week's budget.
The territory's final demand, an indicator of growth that measures the total value of goods or services sold, rose by 1.3 per cent in the March quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
That was the best result of any state or territory, and well above the national average of 0.1 per cent.
It continued a solid run of economic growth in the past six quarters, save the September 2015 quarter, when the ACT's state final demand fell by 1.5 per cent.
University of Canberra economist Professor Phil Lewis said the growth was not huge by historical standards, but was still good news for the ACT economy.
Professor Lewis said public service employment, so often the major driver for the ACT economy, was likely behind the figure.
"We've had some recovery in employment in the public service from that severe cut they had some time ago," he said.
"Consumer spending seems to be holding up pretty well in the ACT, and, of course, dwelling construction is quite high."
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the figures confirmed the ACT was rebounding strongly after harsh cuts to the federal public service.
The figures, he said, followed strong growth in total exports, which increased by 16.2 per cent last financial year.
"This is further evidence the ACT economy is growing, and growing strongly," he said.
"The ACT Government's strategy to support our economy and support jobs during the Commonwealth's deep cuts to spending and employment has worked."
Meanwhile, separate data released on Wednesday showed a growing number of international visitors were coming to the territory, and were spending more and staying longer.
The data was provided in the latest report by Tourism Research Australia, part of Austrade, which surveys 40,000 short-term international travellers aged 15 years and over.
The growth in visitors, expenditure, and length of stay in the year to March outpaced the national averages, significantly in some areas, and saw the ACT broke a number of its international tourism records.
The number of visitors in the year increased from 177,000 to 200,000, a growth of 13 per cent.
That was the equal highest percentage increase in the country, alongside Victoria, and the ACT government says it represents a record number of total visitors to the territory.
Despite that, the ACT still had the lowest number of international visitors of any state or territory, roughly 16,000 behind Tasmania.
But the total number of nights stayed in the territory grew the most of any jurisdiction in the country.
Visitors spent a total of 5,145 nights in the ACT, an 18 per cent increase on the previous year, and now more than both the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Visitor expenditure grew by 14 per cent to $409 million, the first time the ACT has broken the $400 million mark, and tourists were staying longer, with the average length of stay growing by 4.5 per cent.
International flights, due to start in September, are expected to bring significantly higher numbers of tourists to the ACT.
The ACT government has set itself a goal of growing the visitor economy to $2.5 billion by 2020.
Mr Barr welcomed the data, saying he expected to see further growth when Singapore Airlines begins direct international flights.
"These are fantastic results, which reflect my government'™s efforts to attract more international visitors through VisitCanberra's One Good Thing After Another marketing positioning and our lead up to international flights commencing later this year," he said.
Two sets of recent data released on Wednesday painted a positive outlook for the ACT economy that will be welcome news to the government ahead of next week's budget.
The territory's final demand, an indicator of growth that measures the total value of goods or services sold, rose by 1.3 per cent in the March quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
That was the best result of any state or territory, and well above the national average of 0.1 per cent.
It continued a solid run of economic growth in the past six quarters, save the September 2015 quarter, when the ACT's state final demand fell by 1.5 per cent.
University of Canberra economist Professor Phil Lewis said the growth was not huge by historical standards, but was still good news for the ACT economy.
Professor Lewis said public service employment, so often the major driver for the ACT economy, was likely behind the figure.
"We've had some recovery in employment in the public service from that severe cut they had some time ago," he said.
"Consumer spending seems to be holding up pretty well in the ACT, and, of course, dwelling construction is quite high."
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the figures confirmed the ACT was rebounding strongly after harsh cuts to the federal public service.
The figures, he said, followed strong growth in total exports, which increased by 16.2 per cent last financial year.
"This is further evidence the ACT economy is growing, and growing strongly," he said.
"The ACT Government's strategy to support our economy and support jobs during the Commonwealth's deep cuts to spending and employment has worked."
Meanwhile, separate data released on Wednesday showed a growing number of international visitors were coming to the territory, and were spending more and staying longer.
The data was provided in the latest report by Tourism Research Australia, part of Austrade, which surveys 40,000 short-term international travellers aged 15 years and over.
The growth in visitors, expenditure, and length of stay in the year to March outpaced the national averages, significantly in some areas, and saw the ACT broke a number of its international tourism records.
The number of visitors in the year increased from 177,000 to 200,000, a growth of 13 per cent.
That was the equal highest percentage increase in the country, alongside Victoria, and the ACT government says it represents a record number of total visitors to the territory.
Despite that, the ACT still had the lowest number of international visitors of any state or territory, roughly 16,000 behind Tasmania.
But the total number of nights stayed in the territory grew the most of any jurisdiction in the country.
Visitors spent a total of 5,145 nights in the ACT, an 18 per cent increase on the previous year, and now more than both the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Visitor expenditure grew by 14 per cent to $409 million, the first time the ACT has broken the $400 million mark, and tourists were staying longer, with the average length of stay growing by 4.5 per cent.
International flights, due to start in September, are expected to bring significantly higher numbers of tourists to the ACT.
The ACT government has set itself a goal of growing the visitor economy to $2.5 billion by 2020.
Mr Barr welcomed the data, saying he expected to see further growth when Singapore Airlines begins direct international flights.
"These are fantastic results, which reflect my government'™s efforts to attract more international visitors through VisitCanberra's One Good Thing After Another marketing positioning and our lead up to international flights commencing later this year," he said.
Monday, 29 February 2016
TASMANIA: Bruny Island Tourism Boom Affected By Human Excrement
Pictures of piles of faeces and toilet paper beside walking tracks and, in some cases, on a resident's property, have been circulated by residents to highlight the situation.
Bruny Island resident Rosemary Sandford said urgent measures needed to be put in place to deal with the problem before the Easter holiday.
"We need large rubbish skips and we also need more toilets," she said.
"Given that they will take time to construct by council, government or tourism operators in the meantime, we've got Easter coming, we need portaloos at all the tourism hubs."
Dr Sandford said the tourism hubs of Adventure Bay, Great Bay, The Neck and the Cape Bruny Lighthouse needed urgent attention.
"The toilets at Adventure Bay cannot keep up with the volume of the tourists," she said.
She said the State Government's tourism push was obviously working, but some vital details had been overlooked.
"I think it's a case of putting the tourism cart before the horse," she said.
Former Kingborough mayor Graham Berry said there was no question facilities needed to be upgraded.
"At peak tourist times there's a deficiency of facilities, and council is responsible for that as well as the State Government," he said.
Dr Berry said his council had proposed a solution to the State Government that would have helped pay for better facilities across Bruny Island.
"The levy or landing fee was first proposed about 10 years ago by the local Bruny community," he said.
"It's a no-brainer. The suggestion was that there be about a $5 additional fee that was built into the ferry fee, and that money would be quarantined and used to improve the facilities for tourists or for locals as well."
He said it was rejected "out of hand" by the tourism advisory council.
The State Government has been contacted for comment.
Monday, 18 January 2016
AUSTRALIA: A Million Chinese Visitors To Australia
The tourism milestone was revealed in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ overseas arrivals data for the 12-months to November which showed a 22 per cent growth in short term visitors from China to 1,001,200.
The massive growth has made China the country’s most valuable tourist market, worth an incredible $7.7 billion a year, and the second largest source of visitors after New Zealand.
Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan said the million visitor milestone was the result of an aggressive strategy to move away from traditional group tours and target China’s booming middle class.
“Our marketing, distribution and partnership strategies are all now geared towards targeting this new breed of young, independent travellers with the desire and the financial means to explore our country,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
“That’s where we’re focusing our resources and I’m delighted to say that is what is driving these impressive results.”
Federal Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck said China was “vitally important for Australia’s tourism industry growth”.
“Visitor arrivals from China grew three times faster than the overall increase in the past year, and spending increased 43 per cent – double the previous year’s growth rate,” said Minister Colbeck.
State-by-state, Victoria scored the biggest growth in overseas arrivals in November, with figures up 17 per cent on the same time last year.
Tasmania and New South Wales also achieved double digit growth in international visitors of 13.5 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively.
Mr O’Sullivan said those Australian tourism businesses which understood and were willing to adapt to the needs of Chinese visitors would derive the biggest benefits.
Chief Operating Officer at Accor Hotels, Simon McGrath said they had worked hard to make Chinese visitors feel welcome and comfortable with touches such as language translations, cultural training for staff and even mini-bar additions like green tea and dry noodles.
“Every key destination around the world is seeking Chinese travellers,” said Mr McGrath, who revealed one in eight Chinese tourists now stayed at an Accor property.
“They want to know they’re welcome, they’re not being treated as a vast group of people but as individuals, and they want safety and security.”
Sydney Bridgeclimb spokeswoman Charli Beale said they began a Mandarin-speaking tour in 2013 and bookings had increased 50 per cent.
“We recognise the significance of the Chinese market, and we’re doing everything we can to make Bridgeclimb appealing,” said Ms Beale.
“For Chinese New Year from February 1 to 21 we’ll be doing a karaoke climb with a microphone and two screens on top of the bridge.”
Sunday, 15 November 2015
How Tourism Is Ruining Everything
One billion tourists now roam the planet—and the world’s most pristine spots are showing the strain. In the new film ‘Gringo Trails,’ the consequences of unchecked global wanderlust.
Twenty years ago, when I first visited the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, it was already one of Mexico’s most popular attractions. Though a fair amount of visitors roamed the grounds, the atmosphere was mellow, respectful of the site’s history, and vendors were at a minimum.
That was then. On a trip there this year, tour buses stretched almost a mile down the road, its big parking lot overflowing. The entrance had been turned into a kitschy Mayan shopping mall, full of cheap restaurants, jewelry stores, and T-shirts featuring drawings of bodacious—and totally mythical—Indian princesses prancing around in next to nothing.
The pyramids were still spectacular, but you can’t climb them—they’ve been closed since an Italian tourist fell off one and died. Vendors were everywhere selling sweatshop tchotchkes. And tourist hordes had trampled all the grass, so the huge area of loose dirt that was left became choking dust with even the slightest breeze.
Chichen Itza had become an ethnic Disneyland—a monument to the kind of touristic overdevelopment that is the subject of Gringo Trails, a new film out on DVD and VOD on Nov. 17. Although director Pegi Vail’s documentary concentrates on backpacker culture and how it has hurt pristine sites around the world, the stories it tells can also be applied to spots that have already fallen to the tourist industrial complex. Spanning from Bolivia and Mali to Bhutan, Vail shows how unplanned development can turn formerly exotic spots into developing-world dumps—the ultimate horror story being Ko Pha-Ngan, a once-unspoiled Thai beach that has become home to a yearly “full moon party” that attracts upward of 30,000 revelers who leave the place looking like a New Jersey landfill.
“We’re one billion on the road right now,” says Vail. “This industry is huge. It’s estimated one in 11 people in the world have jobs related to tourism. The idea now is the planning ahead. If there’s no plan anywhere, you’ll have a museumization, like Venice, or a Disneyfication.”
“In ‘undiscovered’ places, tourism is a huge lure, and so people see it as quick, easy money,” “So they go ahead and build, build, build. It often happens they don’t do so with a long-term vision, and that’s where the problem lies.”
Travel journalist Rolf Potts, author of the wanderlust how-to book Vagabonding, notes that destination tourism seems to progress in stages. It begins, he says, “with an ‘undiscovered’—to mainstream outsiders—place known to a handful of backpackers and expats, which then becomes a ‘scene’ for bigger numbers of independent travelers, and eventually becomes developed for a larger demographic of mass tourism. How exactly that economic development happens is what makes a difference.”
Whether or not the locals have a say in the process, and how much of a say, can go a long way toward determining whether the location will have a few cool eco-lodges, or the latest outlet of the Señor Frog’s restaurant chain.
Getting tourists—the vast majority of whom are middle- or upper-middle-class travelers—to care if the place they’re headed to will soon become another Margaritaville is, however, another matter. The problem is not one of first-world arrogance, but ignorance.
“There’s an ignorance in understanding our impact,” says sustainable-tourism advocate Costas Christ. “By and large, people are generally well intentioned and want to have a positive impact. But I think a lot of them are ignorant about how their behavior impacts places negatively.”
“Oftentimes people are less sensitive when they don’t have to be, when they’re not told they have to be,” says Vail. “Learning culturally what’s happening in a place, which is easy to do, I think that’s happening more and more. There are responsible and irresponsible [travelers] at every level.”
Vail’s film is particularly effective when it shows the yin and yang of the tourism process. Incahuasi, for example, an isolated Bolivian island situated in the middle of the world’s largest salt flat, was practically unknown to the outside world until the locals decided to promote tourism. Now it attracts 300 to 400 tourists a day, and the residents are regretting it. They’re disturbed by overbuilding, garbage disposal, how vehicles coming to the island have altered the landscape, and how some local animals have been scared away by the tourist boom. “We have deteriorated the natural look of the island,” says one local.
One Bolivian island was practically unknown to the outside world until the locals decided to promote tourism. Now it attracts 300 to 400 tourists a day, and the residents are regretting it.
At the other end of the spectrum is Bhutan, a country which only opened up for tourism in 1974, and pursues what it calls a “high value, low impact” policy.
Concerned by travel overkill in nearby Nepal, the Himalayan kingdom offers all-inclusive, eco-friendly group packages ranging from $200 to $250 per day. The government approves all housing for tourists, and the day rate includes a “royalty” of $65, which goes toward free education, health care, poverty reduction, and new infrastructure. So far, it’s been attracting an older, richer, and more eco-conscious tourist trade.
There are plenty of other far-sighted places. Christ points to Plancencia, Belize, where locals and the government have partnered to protect the local barrier reef, the world’s third largest. And Tasmania, which has a master plan to protect the island’s largest rain forest
Monday, 26 October 2015
AUSTRALIA: Medical Tourism Created By Outdated Abortion Laws
Lack of legislative uniformity may be forcing some women to travel interstate, says Medical Journal of Australia, as tests for foetal abnormalities improve
Improved technology has made testing for foetal abnormalities easier and more accurate, but inconsistent state legislation means women do not have equal access to abortion should they choose to terminate their pregnancy as a result, an editorial published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday says.
The lead author of the piece, Prof Caroline de Costa, said foetal abnormality was specifically mentioned in abortion legislation in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, and was covered by the decriminalisation of abortion in Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
But despite Medicare-funded diagnosis of foetal abnormality now routinely being offered to pregnant women – with the implication that abortion may be an option if detected – abortion laws in Queensland and New South Wales do not refer to foetal abnormality.
Planned Parenthood: no Australian aid goes to programs selling aborted foetal tissue
Read more
“The implication is that in those states, abortion for foetal abnormalities is illegal,” De Costa, an obstetrician and professor with James Cook University in Queensland, said. “The law has simply not kept up with medical developments.”
It meant when doctors carried out abortions for foetal abnormalities in Queensland and NSW, “we have to work our medical notes around the legislation”, De Costa said.
“We have to look at the mental health of woman and say it will be adversely affected without the abortion. That shouldn’t be happening, we should be able to say it’s because of the abnormality.”
Other doctors were too uncomfortable doing so and referred their patients elsewhere, she said. However, with the exception of Victoria, doctors with a conscientious objection to abortion did not have to refer patients. These factors were leading to extensive medical tourism to Victoria, De Costa said.
“Children by Choice, an organisation who give options for unplanned pregnancies, in the previous year sent 77 women from Queensland interstate for an abortion, and they’re not the only organisation doing that,” De Costa said.
Why we need to talk about abortion: eight women share their experiences
Read more
Other barriers were differences in the number of weeks in which women qualified for an abortion. Victoria offers the largest window, with a woman able to terminate her pregnancy at up to 24 weeks and with a doctor’s consent beyond that.
“In 2015, there is an urgent need for legislative uniformity across Australia so that law is in step with modern medical practice, and so that women, regardless of where they live, have equal access to abortion,” the editorial concluded.
Alexis Apostolellis, the Australian chief executive of Marie Stopes, a non-governmental organisation providing contraception and safe abortion services, said women throughout Australia should have equal right to choose how and when they have children.
“In order to enable a woman to have choice, legislation needs to remove barriers to her decision making,” Apostolellis said.
“Legislation needs to be fit to the times, and we support appropriate changes that enable women with a greater range of choices.”
The Queensland senator and Greens deputy leader, Larissa Waters, called on the state premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, to bring the state’s abortion laws in line with Victoria’s.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that despite our gender-balanced state cabinet, the government is failing women by showing no signs of decriminalising abortion,” Waters said. “Our state’s abortion laws are the worst in the country.
“Women are only able to legally have an abortion in Queensland where a doctor finds their mental or physical health is at risk.
“Setting these legal hurdles limits the number of doctors who perform abortions and therefore restricts access, especially in regional areas.”
Improved technology has made testing for foetal abnormalities easier and more accurate, but inconsistent state legislation means women do not have equal access to abortion should they choose to terminate their pregnancy as a result, an editorial published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday says.
The lead author of the piece, Prof Caroline de Costa, said foetal abnormality was specifically mentioned in abortion legislation in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, and was covered by the decriminalisation of abortion in Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
But despite Medicare-funded diagnosis of foetal abnormality now routinely being offered to pregnant women – with the implication that abortion may be an option if detected – abortion laws in Queensland and New South Wales do not refer to foetal abnormality.
Planned Parenthood: no Australian aid goes to programs selling aborted foetal tissue
Read more
“The implication is that in those states, abortion for foetal abnormalities is illegal,” De Costa, an obstetrician and professor with James Cook University in Queensland, said. “The law has simply not kept up with medical developments.”
It meant when doctors carried out abortions for foetal abnormalities in Queensland and NSW, “we have to work our medical notes around the legislation”, De Costa said.
“We have to look at the mental health of woman and say it will be adversely affected without the abortion. That shouldn’t be happening, we should be able to say it’s because of the abnormality.”
Other doctors were too uncomfortable doing so and referred their patients elsewhere, she said. However, with the exception of Victoria, doctors with a conscientious objection to abortion did not have to refer patients. These factors were leading to extensive medical tourism to Victoria, De Costa said.
“Children by Choice, an organisation who give options for unplanned pregnancies, in the previous year sent 77 women from Queensland interstate for an abortion, and they’re not the only organisation doing that,” De Costa said.
Why we need to talk about abortion: eight women share their experiences
Read more
Other barriers were differences in the number of weeks in which women qualified for an abortion. Victoria offers the largest window, with a woman able to terminate her pregnancy at up to 24 weeks and with a doctor’s consent beyond that.
“In 2015, there is an urgent need for legislative uniformity across Australia so that law is in step with modern medical practice, and so that women, regardless of where they live, have equal access to abortion,” the editorial concluded.
Alexis Apostolellis, the Australian chief executive of Marie Stopes, a non-governmental organisation providing contraception and safe abortion services, said women throughout Australia should have equal right to choose how and when they have children.
“In order to enable a woman to have choice, legislation needs to remove barriers to her decision making,” Apostolellis said.
“Legislation needs to be fit to the times, and we support appropriate changes that enable women with a greater range of choices.”
The Queensland senator and Greens deputy leader, Larissa Waters, called on the state premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, to bring the state’s abortion laws in line with Victoria’s.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that despite our gender-balanced state cabinet, the government is failing women by showing no signs of decriminalising abortion,” Waters said. “Our state’s abortion laws are the worst in the country.
“Women are only able to legally have an abortion in Queensland where a doctor finds their mental or physical health is at risk.
“Setting these legal hurdles limits the number of doctors who perform abortions and therefore restricts access, especially in regional areas.”
Monday, 19 October 2015
TASMANIA: Tasmania Cleans Up At Tourism Awards, Winning 10 Out Of 29 Categories
Tourism operators in Tasmania have won 10 out of 29 gongs at the National Tourism Awards.
The winners were announced at a ceremony in Adelaide on Friday night.
Among Tasmania's winners was the Port Arthur Historic Site, which was declared the nation's best major tourist attraction.
The historic site's chief executive, Stephen Large, said it was the site's first national award.
"It's something we've been entering for 14 or 15 years and so we've been to a lot of national awards, to finally win one is really good," he said.
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which operates day trips out of Hobart to Bruny Island, won four medals.
Owner Rob Pennicott was named an Australian Tourism Legend, only the second Tasmanian to receive the title.
"Look, I'm over the moon," he said.
"I was so not expecting what happened, personally, last night."
Mr Pennicott said tourism in Tasmania is getting better every year.
"I think Tasmania has always been known for its wilderness and its heritage," he said.
"But so much in the arts and culture, with MONA [Museum of Old and New Art] and also boutique things like the walks, the golf courses, whisky, ciders, wines and the food is giving us another level that we haven't had before."
"I think it's that word-of-mouth and the promotion that is going on that is bringing more and more to Tasmania."
Tasmania 'leading the country'
Tasmania's Tourism Industry Council chief executive Luke Martin said it was an extraordinary result for the state.
"Our lead tourism operators have every right to think they're leading the country in tourism and we are well on our way to being a world-class visitor destination, which has always been our overarching goal," he said.
"We have these lead operators who are very much synonymous with the Tasmanian visitor experience and being recognised as such by the peak of the industry at a national level," said Mr Martin.
"Innovation's a critical part of it and I think when you look at who's doing well, their entire mantra has been about innovation.
"How do they contemporise their product for the new emerging markets coming to Tasmania, such as the China market?
"Those that have risen to the top are the ones I think who've captured the judges' imagination for what they're doing behind the scenes."
The State Government estimates tourism in Tasmania contributes around $2.4 billion to the state's economy each year.
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