Whitsunday Tourism Sector Discovers Tips to Move towards Lower Carbon Tourism.
Whitsunday Regional Council recently brought together experts from the fields of decarbonisation, sustainability and waste management to present a workshop to the local tourism sector.
The Moving Towards Lower Carbon Tourism Workshop, a part of the Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project (WHHP) workshop series, was supported by special guest speakers from ecoBiz and local tourism project partners.
At the workshop, Whitsunday Regional Council Climate Change Resilience Officer, Lee Hawkins provided an overview of the WHHP and explained how all local tourism businesses can access the free carbon emissions calculator, which assists reaching in decarbonisation targets and sustainability goals.
Mayor Julie Hall said the workshop was aimed at supporting the Whitsunday tourism sector in understanding decarbonisation and the impact that it may have on businesses’ reducing running costs.
“With the right tools and support, tourism businesses can commence the journey to decarbonisation as well as benefit from reduced running costs through the management of energy, waste and water.”
“Measuring the carbon footprint of your business has never been easier thanks to the Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project’s online carbon calculator and the support of the ecoBiz programme.”
When businesses become a project partner with the WHHP, they are also encouraged to join ecoBiz to access free one-on-one coaching with an expert sustainability consultant to assist in creating a cost-saving action plan.
ecoBiz Sustainability Auditor, Fiona Sleight was also present at the workshop to provide advice to businesses on how they could improve environmental sustainability and lower their operating costs.
Guests also heard from Whitsunday Regional Council’s Manager of Waste and Recycling, James Straker, about the region’s waste services and the major waste management issues that face the region.
“Local businesses can proactively address waste by developing effective onsite separation of waste components, investigating where waste can be reduced, and looking for recycling and reuse options”, Mr Straker explained.
A highlight of the workshop for many was a presentation from Evelyn Anderson, Executive Manager of Magnums Accommodation who shared the benefits of being a part of the WHHP.
Ms Anderson explained how Magnums Accommodation has been able to move closer to their decarbonisation goals thanks to the qualified support and tools of the WHHP and ecoBiz.
The Whitsunday Healthy Heart project is proudly funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Managing Director Anna Marsden said we’re already seeing the effects of climate change in many parts of our Reef and the time to act is now.
“We’re proud to be working towards a carbon neutral Reef industry in the Whitsundays as part of our Reef Islands Initiative, which is protecting the habitats of the thousands of species of marine life that call the Reef home,” Ms Marsden said.
For more information on the Healthy Heart Project, visit our website https://www.innovationhub.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/whitsunday-healthy-heart-project
The Federal Government, Queensland Government and the Whitsunday Regional Council have committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. The Whitsunday Islands is one of three key locations with projects currently underway as part of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Islands Initiative, which is working to restore critical island habitats to protect ecosystems and save vulnerable species. The 10-year program is supported by funding from Lendlease, the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Queensland Government, and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation.