WA towns look to tackle overtourism as 'crazy' crowds pack car parks, beaches
/ By Austin Scott
WA towns look to tackle overtourism as 'crazy' crowds pack car parks, beaches
/ By Austin Scott
As Western Australian tourist towns experience an influx of summer visitors, some locals are worried their home towns could become too crowded unless visitor numbers are controlled at attractions and beaches.
At one of the South West's biggest attractions, the Busselton Jetty, visitation has grown by more than 60 per cent over the past decade.
As many as 10,000 people visited the jetty between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Staff have been looking at ways to avoid overtourism in the future.
Busselton Jetty CEO Lisa Shreeve said she was conscious of keeping the place 'special'.
"When you go to places around the world like the Trevi Fountain and you see 10,000 people standing there, it really impacts your experience if you have to be so congested," she said
"The Busselton Jetty is special and we don't want to lose that."
Ms Shreeve said the team would consider limiting the number of people on tours and other ways to spread out visitation.
"I don't think we would have to cap walk tickets at this stage but we definitely have to cap underwater observatory tickets and train tickets."
'Crazy' Dunsborough tourism
In the neighbouring town of Dunsborough, the chair of the local reference group said he wanted the town's visitor numbers capped by limiting accommodation spots.
Jeff Forrest has lived in Dunsborough for almost 40 years and said he had seen local beaches become increasingly busy.
"Every year we see something crazy," he said.
"There has been times where on the coast you can't get a car park at all, not even on the side of the road."
"We welcome tourists, that's important, but if we're not careful overtourism will actually destroy the character, the amenity, the natural environment, the beauty of the area that we've got to sell."
He said he was worried the region was reaching its limit.
"How many sheep can you put in a paddock before you ruin the paddock," he said
"It's about working out what the real carrying capacity of the area is and then finding ways to manage and restrict the numbers that come here."
Slice of paradise for everyone
At Meelup Beach many visitors were not keen on the idea of capping tourists to Dunsborough.
Kalia and Matt Alessi have lived in Syndey and said beaches in the eastern states were far busier.
"For a really busy time of the year, it's been quite a nice beach to enjoy," Ms Alessi said.
"Tourism boosts the economy so much [and] we want to respect locals as much as possible, but if you put a cap you might hinder other organisations."
The pair said they were happy to share the beach.
"The beach is for everyone, regardless of how busy it is, so I think to put a cap is a little bit selfish and greedy," said Mr Alessi.
Council reluctant to intervene
The City of Busselton has already cracked down on short-stay accommodation like Airbnb.
Mayor Phil Cronin said the council was unlikely to intervene further.
He said the issue would fix itself before numbers grew to levels seen in some parts of Europe and the eastern states.
"If we get to a point of saturation this won't be such an attractive place to be," he said.
"Tourism brings in $1 billion a year just to this area ... we have to embrace tourism."
Explore elsewhere
Further south, The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions warned holidaymakers on social media about 'chock-a-block' car parks at places like William Bay National Park, near Denmark.
Regional Leader for Parks and Visitor Services Peter Masters has urged visitors to "go elsewhere" if their favourite spots were full.
"A lot of national parks at times get overloved," he said
"We don't want damage to the vegetation. There's also increased risk of fire from starting underneath their vehicles so please park in the designated areas.
"Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go to the coast to have a good time, there's plenty of inland activities on offer."
At one of the South West's biggest attractions, the Busselton Jetty, visitation has grown by more than 60 per cent over the past decade.
As many as 10,000 people visited the jetty between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Staff have been looking at ways to avoid overtourism in the future.
Busselton Jetty CEO Lisa Shreeve said she was conscious of keeping the place 'special'.
"When you go to places around the world like the Trevi Fountain and you see 10,000 people standing there, it really impacts your experience if you have to be so congested," she said
"The Busselton Jetty is special and we don't want to lose that."
Ms Shreeve said the team would consider limiting the number of people on tours and other ways to spread out visitation.
"I don't think we would have to cap walk tickets at this stage but we definitely have to cap underwater observatory tickets and train tickets."
'Crazy' Dunsborough tourism
In the neighbouring town of Dunsborough, the chair of the local reference group said he wanted the town's visitor numbers capped by limiting accommodation spots.
Jeff Forrest has lived in Dunsborough for almost 40 years and said he had seen local beaches become increasingly busy.
"Every year we see something crazy," he said.
"There has been times where on the coast you can't get a car park at all, not even on the side of the road."
"We welcome tourists, that's important, but if we're not careful overtourism will actually destroy the character, the amenity, the natural environment, the beauty of the area that we've got to sell."
He said he was worried the region was reaching its limit.
"How many sheep can you put in a paddock before you ruin the paddock," he said
"It's about working out what the real carrying capacity of the area is and then finding ways to manage and restrict the numbers that come here."
Slice of paradise for everyone
At Meelup Beach many visitors were not keen on the idea of capping tourists to Dunsborough.
Kalia and Matt Alessi have lived in Syndey and said beaches in the eastern states were far busier.
"For a really busy time of the year, it's been quite a nice beach to enjoy," Ms Alessi said.
"Tourism boosts the economy so much [and] we want to respect locals as much as possible, but if you put a cap you might hinder other organisations."
The pair said they were happy to share the beach.
"The beach is for everyone, regardless of how busy it is, so I think to put a cap is a little bit selfish and greedy," said Mr Alessi.
Council reluctant to intervene
The City of Busselton has already cracked down on short-stay accommodation like Airbnb.
Mayor Phil Cronin said the council was unlikely to intervene further.
He said the issue would fix itself before numbers grew to levels seen in some parts of Europe and the eastern states.
"If we get to a point of saturation this won't be such an attractive place to be," he said.
"Tourism brings in $1 billion a year just to this area ... we have to embrace tourism."
Explore elsewhere
Further south, The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions warned holidaymakers on social media about 'chock-a-block' car parks at places like William Bay National Park, near Denmark.
Regional Leader for Parks and Visitor Services Peter Masters has urged visitors to "go elsewhere" if their favourite spots were full.
"A lot of national parks at times get overloved," he said
"We don't want damage to the vegetation. There's also increased risk of fire from starting underneath their vehicles so please park in the designated areas.
"Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go to the coast to have a good time, there's plenty of inland activities on offer."