Safeguarding Gold Coast assets - people and the environment.
Australia’s Gold Coast holds a rich treasure of natural riches.
- Australia’s most biologically diverse regions.
- Kilometres of natural waterways and rolling ocean.
- Rare plants and endangered fauna.
The environment is also big business. As one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, Gold Coast City has met the challenge of balancing human demands with environmental sustainability.
Gold Coast City has nearly 2000 environmental service businesses on issues such as water protection and management, energy-seeking efficiencies and coastal management. This sector contributes around $200 million to the economy. Gold Coast educational institutions offer specific environmental courses such as coastal engineering.
Biotechnology firms cover innovative waste technologies. Australia’s Co-operative Research Centre on Sustainable Tourism is based at the Gold Coast. Research focuses on sustainable destinations, enterprises and resources. www.crctourism.com.au
Many Gold Coast tourism operators are also concerned about ongoing protection of natural resources. Some have certification within Eco Tourism Australia, a peak national body for ecotourism.
Look for certification which shows tour companies and operators have competencies and standards within this industry.
www.ecotourism.org.au Other eco-tourism operators have involvement with worldwide benchmarking and certification program Green Globe 21.
www.greenglobe21.com