Tourism plays a pivotal role in powering Queensland’s economy. Welcoming millions of visitors each year and generating over $56 million a day in overnight visitor expenditure, the industry is responsible for creating jobs, attracting investment, and sustaining communities.
As the state works towards delivering the world’s first climate positive Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050, it’s important that the tourism industry continues to grow sustainably, ensuring the needs of residents, the environment and visitors are met and maintained.
That’s why the state government has released ‘Towards Tourism 2032: Transforming Queensland’s Visitor Economy Future’, a collective framework intended to set the direction of tourism in Queensland for the next 10 years.
As part of this framework, the Eco-Certified Tourism Destination Program provides grant funding of up to $150,000 to Queensland destinations to achieve globally recognised sustainability certification.
This funding is intended to help these destinations deliver improvements to their sustainable practices, and adapt to future demand for high-quality, nature-based tourism experiences.
Five Queensland destinations have received funding through the program to join EarthCheck’s Leading Destinations of the World™, a global network of destinations that share a vision and passion for achieving improved sustainability outcomes.
Noosa Shire recently became the first of these five Queensland destinations, and the first local government area in Australia, to be awarded EarthCheck’s Sustainable Destinations certification, which is recognised and respected worldwide.
Now they’ve been joined by another Queensland destination that’s delivering on its commitment to sustainability – City of Moreton Bay.
Championing sustainability in Moreton Bay
Situated between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, City of Moreton Bay is a thriving region that incorporates a range of environments, from coastline and hinterland ranges to rural land. It boasts over 14,000 hectares of Council reserves and parks, with key spaces including the Pumicestone Passage, the Moreton Bay Marine Park and its RAMSAR wetlands, and the D’Aguilar mountain range, among other waterways and bushland corridors.
Combined with the area’s rich cultural heritage – City of Moreton Bay is home to the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal Peoples, recognised as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea – these natural assets create incredible opportunities for sustainable tourism.
Mayor Peter Flannery says that joining EarthCheck’s Leading Destinations of the World™ program and achieving Sustainable Destinations certification demonstrates City of Moreton Bay’s commitment to preserving its natural and cultural assets, and ensuring its sense of place is maintained and protected.
“Our communities tell us that Moreton Bay’s natural wonders are core to our City’s great liveability,” he says.
“We’ve made a commitment to ensure environmental sustainability and community wellbeing is prioritised, so it’s wonderful to see this being recognised by a global leader such as EarthCheck.”
The tourism industry of Moreton Bay is governed by its Destination Management Plan (DMP), prepared by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) in collaboration with a wide range of local stakeholders. The DMP is part of a broader suite of strategies that includes the City’s Regional Economic Development Strategy, Tourism Opportunity Plan, and Environment and Sustainability Strategy.
Since City of Moreton Bay joined the Leading Destinations of the World™ program in 2023 and began working with EarthCheck to benchmark its environmental, social and economic performance, it has taken a number of steps to include the wider community in its sustainability journey.
These have included running sustainability training courses for the local tourism industry; leading dedicated sessions for cross-Council engagement with MBRIT and key City of Moreton Bay Council stakeholders; and keeping the community informed of Moreton Bay’s progress every step of the way, providing opportunities for input.
Dr Natasha Montesalvo, EarthCheck’s Principal Consultant for Destinations, Strategy & Insights, says Moreton Bay exemplifies what can be achieved when stakeholders within a destination work together.
“A Leading Destination of the World will feel empowered to deliver strategic planning and sustainability outcomes across the destination, and we see that in Moreton Bay,” she says.
“Moreton Bay has taken a holistic approach to their sustainability journey, bringing community, industry and Council on the journey with them. As a result, they’ve been able to build capacity and deliver sustainable outcomes.
“This is a great example of an approach that a Leading Destination takes – understanding that sustainability cannot happen in isolation, and encouraging everyone to be involved in the path forward.”
To achieve EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations Silver Certification, City of Moreton Bay has had to measure its performance against EarthCheck’s rigorous standards, and have that performance verified by an independent auditor, in the following metrics:
- Energy efficiency, conservation and management
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Air quality protection, noise control and light pollution
- Management of freshwater resources
- Wastewater management, drainage and streams
- Ecosystem conservation and management
- Land use planning and development
- Transport
- Solid waste management
- Management of environmentally harmful substances
- Cultural and social management
- Economic management
Maintaining this status will require Moreton Bay to continually monitor and optimise its performance, with regular independent audits to confirm the City’s commitment. After five years, the City will be eligible for EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations Gold Certification.
Towards 2032
Mayor Peter Flannery says City of Moreton Bay’s sustainability certification is crucial to the role the region expects to play as an increasingly popular tourism destination in the lead-up to 2032.
“We’ve worked hard to affirm that the City of Moreton Bay, and our local tourism leadership, demonstrate environmental stewardship,” he says.
“Our proven practices and vision as a sustainable destination are now recognised at an international level, and this positions City of Moreton Bay as a destination of choice for nature-based and sustainable destination experiences.
“This is particularly important as we head into 2032, with the expected influx of international travellers coming to South East Queensland for the Olympics and Paralympics, who are looking for authentic and eco-conscious experiences.”
EarthCheck Founder and CEO Stewart Moore says globally recognised sustainability certification for destinations like Moreton Bay will help to supercharge the reputation of Queensland’s tourism sector – and ultimately lead to better social, economic and environmental outcomes for his home state.
“I would like to congratulate the whole team at City of Moreton Bay on their achievement,” he says. “Sustainability certification is a vital tool for ensuring that Queensland’s tourism destinations meet the highest environmental and social standards, and providing conscious travellers with confidence that they’re making a positive contribution to the communities they visit.
“As more Queensland destinations like Moreton Bay join certification programs like EarthCheck, the exchange of knowledge and ideas across the state will grow, strengthening our position not only in preparation for the Olympics, but also in shaping the sustainability framework of the future.”
Learn more about EarthCheck’s Leading Destinations of the World™.
