Queenslanders invited to comment on the preservation of their World Surfing Reserves

Queenslanders are being invited to comment on how best to preserve Queensland's World Surfing Reserves for surfers and beachgoers now and into the future with consultation expected to be open online until the end of November 2020.

There are currently 11 World Surfing Reserves around the globe including two in Queensland – Sunshine Coast’s Noosa and the Southern Gold Coast - places deemed important for preserving due to their outstanding waves, wildlife, coastlines and natural beauty.

Noosa’s pointbreaks were officially dedicated as the 10th World Surfing Reserve in February this year. Coinciding with the Noosa Festival of Surf and the WSL Longboard contest, the three-day celebration was the culmination of years of work building the Local Stewardship Council, completing a Stewardship Plan and finalising an economic study of the area.

The 16km stretch on the Gold Coast from Burleigh to Point Danger was officially declared the 8th World Surfing Reserve in March 2016.

Queensland Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said that the State Government was committed to ensuring that the pristine beaches of the Southern Gold Coast and Noosa were protected for locals and tourists alike and noted “we’ve heard from experts - now we’ve opened consultation to hear from the people who visit our beaches, swim in our waters, and surf our waves.

“Our government knows the waves on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are a key driver of economic and social prosperity in these regions.

“Much of the area surrounding these surf breaks is already protected, such as the vegetation, bushland, threatened species and water quality, but initial consultation has indicated that there could be a gap when it comes to protecting these highly regarded wave zones from developments or uses that could be detrimental.”

Chairman of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Andrew McKinnon said the value of the World Surfing Reserves to the community is immeasurable and advises “they’re important in an environmental, tourism and economic sense, but especially to the thousands of surfers, beachgoers and boaties who enjoy them every day.

“Now that these two areas have been recognised globally, we have a unique opportunity to craft formal protections for the waves which ultimately support hundreds of surfboard and apparel shops, surfing schools, hotels, surfing festivals and surf life-saving competitions.”

Have your say by visiting qld.gov.au/worldsurfingreserves.

Image of Noosa courtesy of www.noosa.com/activities/surfing