Regional Sustainability

Located on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, home to some of the most pristine reef system along the East Coast of Australia, with the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in the south pacific, Australia’s largest food bowl, producing 25% of Australia’s fresh grown produce on land of our traditional owners the Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Bailai, Wakka Wakka, Wulli Wulli, Djaku-nde, Jangerie Jangerie, and Kabbi Kabbi Peoples, the Bundaberg Region is committed to working at protecting this natural environment for future generations.

ECO DESTINATION CERTIFICATION

Bundaberg ECO Destination Certification Journey

Queensland’s Bundaberg Region, the southern-most destination on the Great Barrier Reef and the home of the nation’s most significant endangered loggerhead turtle rookery, has been awarded ECO Destination Certification from Ecotourism Australia.

The globally recognised ECO Destination Certification process through Ecotourism Australia is complex and recognises the efforts of the tourism industry, local government and the entire community towards all aspects of regional sustainability, and the Bundaberg Region is the second destination in Queensland and fifth in Australia to announce the prestigious credential.

The program was developed to identify and support genuine ecotourism and nature tourism experiences in Australia.  The ECO Destination Certification program assures travellers that certified destinations are backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and provide high-quality nature-based tourism experiences within the region.

NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR THE VISITOR ECONOMY

Sustainable tourism preserves Australia’s natural and cultural assets, and respects local communities. It is central to the visitor economy’s future success. Governments are working with industry to make the Australian visitor economy more sustainable and ensure its future success.

The Australian Government, and state and territory governments have endorsed the National Sustainability Framework for the Visitor Economy

The National Sustainability Framework for the Visitor Economy outlines 4 pillars of sustainable tourism:

1. taking a managed approach to sustainability
2. implementing environmental and climate action
3. respecting culture
4. creating positive social impact.

The framework:

- puts these pillars in an Australian context
- sets out priorities for action across the 4 pillars.

The framework’s ambition is that, in the future, ‘Australia is a world leader in sustainable tourism, delivered by thriving businesses that protect the environment, respect and nurture cultures, and empower local communities

OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

The Carbon Footprint of the Tourism Sector

As a tourism business, measuring your carbon footprint can have significant environmental benefits. By tracking your emissions, you can identify areas of your operations that are contributing the most to your carbon footprint (and consequently your bills), and then take steps to reduce your emissions. By doing so, you can help to mitigate the impact of climate change on the environment and the communities you serve, whilst creating financial savings. This can be achieved in three easy steps:

- Sign up to the EarthCheck Carbon Calculator HERE free of charge thanks to Bundaberg Tourism
- Enter your energy, water and waste data through the online system
- See how you compare to others in your sector and region and determine where your efforts can sit to reduce your impact

REEF HEALTH

Here on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, we are blessed with a year-round temperate climate perfect for visitors to experience our abundant marine life and discover the intricate details of the reef they call home.

As citizens of the reef, we can help manage the risk of marine heat waves leading to coral bleaching.

An early warning system helps us predict, forward plan, and respond to coral bleaching events.

- Climate forecasts
- Real-time monitoring of temperature stress
- Monitoring to detect and report the early signs of bleaching

Be part of and encourage your visitors to help the reef thrive with these tools:

Turtle-Safe Operations

With turtles nesting on our beaches, Queensland Parks and Wildlife lead an initiative to increase awareness of the impacts of light pollution on sea turtles.

Our turtles need dark beaches and you can make a difference. During the breeding season (mid-October to the end of April) whether you are a resident, visitor or business, you can help cut the glow of lights affecting beaches in your local area

Green Destinations Top 100 Stories Competition

The Bundaberg Region has been listed among the top 100 sustainable destinations in the world for 2021 in recognition of work carried out to reduce urban glow.

It means the Bundaberg Region will now be featured by Green Destinations in its 2021 Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories alongside other leading cities and regions throughout the globe. The stories are an annual selection of destinations demonstrating innovative and effective good practice to be shared as inspirational examples to other destinations, tour operators and international visitors.

BUILD SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR BUSINESS

Integrating sustainability into your business practices is not only a responsible choice for the planet but also a strategic decision that can positively impact your bottom line, enhance your brand image, and position your company for long-term success in a rapidly changing world. We have compiled sustainability resources for your business so you can begin your sustainability journey or strengthen your current sustainability strategy.

Sustainability Stories

Regional Case Studies

Tourism Australia's Sustainability Storytellers

As travellers across the globe look forward to travel, and ‘travel better’ is a phrase resounding across our industry, Tourism Australia’s focus on sustainability is aimed at making it easier for anyone planning, promoting or selling travel to learn about and include sustainable Australian travel products and experiences in itineraries. What better place to start to demonstrate the depth and diversity of Australia’s sustainable travel offering than with stories direct from some our great storytellers and tourism legacy-makers.