What is a Biosphere? Biosphere reserves are sites recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program that innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development. They serve as ‘living laboratories’ for testing and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. The program was launched in 1971. They are endorsed by national governments based on a submission Continue reading
About Fraser Island
Articles and content About Fraser Island.
A Draft Dingo Management Strategy for Fraser Island
For more than 28 years, the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation has been researching the management of Fraser Island to be in the best position to advocate the wisest use of its natural resources. The organisation has a longer history associated with the management than any other organisation, including the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Continue reading
Fighting Ferals on Fraser Island
Because it has been isolated from the mainland for the whole modern era (since European settlement) and because it was not subject to agricultural exploitation, Fraser Island escaped many invaders which have taken a heavy toll on the biodiversity of the mainland. There are relatively few weeds, no feral pigs, foxes and rabbits, but there Continue reading
Fraser Island Visitor Statistics
A Five Year “Progress” Chart Permit Type 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 Permits People Permits People Permits People Permits People Permits People (1 month) permits 30,588 111,199 33,202 120,323 33,713 122,797 35,061 128,434 36,476 130,163 (12 month) permits 403 N/A 403 N/A 370 N/A 353 N/A 267 N/A Permits to camp 20,093 81,849 20,087 82,765 Continue reading
Summary of Reviewed Fraser Island World Heritage Values
This report is the result of a comprehensive review undertaken by the Fraser Island World Heritage Scientific Advisory Committee in conjunction with other scientists. Peer review of this paper has not been completed at the time of going to press. This report contains a review of the World Heritage value of the Fraser Island World Continue reading
Values of Fraser Island Tourism
Fraser Island tourism has been burgeoning for decades. In 1971 the number of visitors to Fraser Island doubled from 5,000 in the previous year to 10,000 as a result of the publicity surrounding the sandmining controversy. It has steadily increased ever since. By 1999 it had reached over 300,000 visitors. Positive Benefits The positive benefits Continue reading
Dingos of Fraser Island
by John Sinclair Honorary Project Officer, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation This is an article written originally in response to a media request on 2 May, 2001 following the death of 9 year old Clinton Gage as a result of a dingo attack on Fraser Island on the morning of 30th April. It discusses the threat Continue reading
4WD Impacts on Fraser Island
During the first term of Queensland’s Beattie Government (1998-2001) a million people visited Fraser Island. During that period a conservative estimate of over 1 million tonnes of sand was sluiced along the roads of Fraser Island. That amounts to an average of one tonne of sand relocated for every visitor. The biggest impact of 4WDs Continue reading
Maintaining Great Sandy Region’s Environmental Flow
The Great Sandy Region’s vast flow of fresh water is not being “wasted” when it runs into the sea. There are enormous benefits from this freshwater flow which sustains the productivity of the coastal marine environment. If the freshwater flow from the region is diverted, the impacts will be far reaching. Already some of Cooloola’s Continue reading
Wilderness Values of Fraser Island
What is Wilderness? Wilderness has almost as many dimensions as the number of people who consider it. However, there is some consensus about the main elements of wilderness. It has three essential attributes – naturalness, remoteness and size. A wilderness area is defined as having, or as being capable of restoration to: a sufficient size Continue reading