By Lee Rhiannon
The Queensland National Party philosophy of exploiting the wilderness for the quick buck is still alive and well in the far north.
This time the threat is to Queensland national parks — wilderness areas people assumed were safely locked away from the quick profit desires of business interests. Following a new policy by the Goss Labor government, national parks throughout Queensland are being further opened up to commercial tourist operators.
For many companies, the jewel in the crown is Hinchinbrook Island, just south of Cairns and the world's largest island national park.
A refuge for dolphins and dugongs and winter home to increasing numbers of humpback whales, Hinchinbrook is a diverse wilderness, ringed by giant sand dunes and with vegetation ranging from rainforest to mangroves.
While Hinchinbrook is still largely untouched, the island has witnessed much devastation. Large numbers of Aborigines were murdered there last century, and what was once a large tribe has since died out or been forcibly removed. Stone fish traps and large middens are now the only reminder of these local Aborigines.
Present government policy allows the public to visit Hinchinbrook, but protects it from over-exploitation with limits of 40 people on the island and a maximum of six in any one party.
The introduction of commercial activities will result in greater restrictions on non-commercial visitors. The 40-person limit will probably be filled most of the time by package tours. At present, the limit is fully subscribed by non-commercial visitors.
This is assuming the 40 person limit remains. If the limit is raised, increased usage will involve the risk of degrading trails and vegetation. Beaches, camping sites and tracks could become overcrowded, damaging unique ecosystems and ruining the isolation for which the island is famous.
Several companies are keen to exploit Hinchinbrook. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has received applications for permits to operate guided bushwalking groups, sea kayak safaris and rental yachts. All will use camping sites on the bays and parts of the east coast walking trail.
There are many national park islands along the north Queensland coast suitable, or already used, for such commercial activities. These include Dunk, Orpheus and Magnetic islands, and most of the Whitsundays.
Hinchinbrook is one of the few where an individual can experience solitude and isolation while walking for days on a track that winds and climbs from beaches and waterfalls to cloud-covered mountains. According to the Friends of Hinchinbrook, "the National Parks and Wildlife Service will give in to the greatest pressure, and at the moment that is coming from the commercial operators". The group is urging that protests be sent to the Queensland environment minister, Pat Comben, MLA, PO Box 155, North Quay, Brisbane Qld 4002.