TOURISM QUEENSLAND AND CHANNEL NINE LAUNCH

_{02 July, 2010}

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Airlie Beach’s Abel Point Marina and Cruise Whitsundays will be two of a number of Queensland tourism operators to feature in a new joint Tourism Queensland and Channel Nine promotion - “Living Green in Queensland”, Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt announced today.

Ms Jarratt said the “Living Green in Queensland” 30 second segments would promote the outstanding work being done by Queensland tourism operators to become more environmentally sustainable.

“Tourism Queensland recently ran the successful Sustainable Regions pilot program, aimed at encouraging Queensland tourism operators to adopt practices that reduce the environmental impact of their operations and also encourage visitors to view Queensland as a sustainable destination,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Following on from this program, we wanted to promote participating regions by showcasing the sustainable changes implemented by tourism operators in those regions.

“Abel Point Marina and Cruise Whitsundays are two of the operators that participated in the program and as a result both businesses have embarked on waste recycling programs that will minimise their impact on the environment.

“Abel Point Marina has embarked on an ambitious waste management program and to ensure its success the Marina’s management will encourage greater responsibility for recycling from its permanent mooring tenants.

“If the Marina is able to recycle at least half its waste, around three tonnes of plastics, glass, metal, cardboard and paper will no longer take up costly space in landfill but will instead be transported to Townsville where it can be recycled into raw materials for making new products.

“This will save natural resources, create employment opportunities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Cruise Whitsundays will continue their efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and have set up recycling stations in their office and educated their staff on good recycling practices, plus have invested in environmentally-friendly office equipment.

“Other practical changes they have implemented include providing electronic versions of documents rather than hardcopy printouts, contracting a shredding and recycling company to shred office paper waste, activating ‘sleep mode’ on computers to save energy and setting air-conditioners to 24˚C at all times.

“Additionally, the business is working on making their vessel and cruises more eco-friendly by issuing reusable plastic cups to cruise-goers, using local natural products such as vinegar and bicarbonate soda rather than harsh chemicals and beginning discussions about the use of water coolers to reduce the sale of bottled water.”

Ms Jarratt said the Abel Point Marina and Cruise Whitsundays would each feature in one of the “Living Green in Queensland” segments alongside operators from North Stradbroke Island, Agnes Waters/Seventeen Seventy, Mackay Hinterland and Magnetic Island.

“In addition, Airlie Beach will feature in Nine News’ weather forecast this week with Weatherman Garry Youngberry crossing live on location,” she said.

“We hope the segments will help make visitors more aware of the hard work various Queensland regions have undertaken to become more sustainable and hopefully encourage them to plan their next guilt-free holiday in Queensland.”

The “Living Green in Queensland” segments began airing on 20 June and will run for 10 weeks.

Other Airlie Beach operators that have participated in the Sustainable Regions program are Airlie Beach Hotel, Peninsula Airlie Beach, Beaches Prosail, Toscana Village Resort, Waters Edge Apartments, Portside Whitsundays, Beaches Backpackers, Queensland Yacht Charters, Blue Horizon Resort Apartments, Mango House Resort, Southern Cross, Maxi Action, Ocean Rafting, Tall Ship Adventures, Azure Sea Whitsunday and Proserpine River Eco Tour and Croc Safari.

Media contact-

Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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