Derek Bullock
27-10-2004, 03:03 PM
This media statement was released today. It's good to see our camping fees going back into the parks.
Cheers.
Derek
Improved facilities for Cape York camping and day-use areas
Toilets that use bacteria to break down waste on-site are being installed on Cape York Peninsula to cater for extra visitors to the region.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle said ongoing improvements to the Peninsula Development Rd had made it easier to travel in the Far North - and the extra people were placing extra pressure on public toilets.
"Cook Shire is an extremely diverse environment, encompassing the Wet Tropics, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and National Parks, so it's no surprise 28,000 visitors were attracted to the region last year," Ms Boyle said.
Work has started to install new toilets at the increasingly popular Eliot and Twin Falls recreation areas in northern Cape York Peninsula.
"We're installing a hybrid toilet invented by a consortium including James Cook University, which uses bacteria to break down effluent to 5 per cent of its original mass," Ms Boyle said.
"The new loo will smell less than the old "drop toilets", be better for the environment and cater for more people."
The State Government is spending almost $320,000 to install the hybrid toilet systems - part of an election commitment to protect Queensland's natural heritage.
"The hybrid toilet system is a north Queensland invention that has received national recognition as one of the top 100 inventions of the last century along with icons such as the Hills hoist, the winged keel and the bionic ear," Ms Boyle said.
"QPWS has installed the hybrid toilet system in various national parks across the State with great success.
"It's wonderful to be able to implement best practice using an
Australian designed and built product," she said.
Ms Boyle said the new toilets were just part of the State Government's enhancements of visitor facilities at key national parks and protected lands within Cape York.
Recent improvements also have been made at camping and day-use areas such as Kalpowar Crossing, Hann Crossing, Chili Beach and Captain Billys Landing.
"With ongoing improvements to the Peninsula Development Road, visitation to Cape York national parks and reserves is on the increase," Ms Boyle
said.
"Our Queensland Parks rangers are on the ground making sure we provide adequate facilities to ensure people enjoy their visits to the region."
Construction of the environmentally-friendly toilets is expected to be complete by the start of the 2005 visitor season.
The Minister - wearing her Local Government hat - has also approved $16,500 funding for two new composting toilet blocks at Portland Rd and Little Annan in Cooktown.
The State will contribute $7,500 towards the $25,000 toilets at Little Annan and $9000 for the $30,000 Portland Rd project.
"Little Annan is a popular picnic area for residents and tourists as they make their way to Annan Gorge and the surrounding area," Ms Boyle said.
That funding is being provided under the Local Governing Bodies' Capital Works Subsidy Scheme.
Ms Boyle said the State Government had provided more than $10.29 million in Local Government and Planning portfolio grants and subsidies to the Cook Shire Council since 1998.
Ends
NOTE FOR MEDIA: Picture of a hybrid toilet available electronically.
Media contact: Carissa Mason 3227 6424
John Algate 32278825
Cheers.
Derek
Improved facilities for Cape York camping and day-use areas
Toilets that use bacteria to break down waste on-site are being installed on Cape York Peninsula to cater for extra visitors to the region.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle said ongoing improvements to the Peninsula Development Rd had made it easier to travel in the Far North - and the extra people were placing extra pressure on public toilets.
"Cook Shire is an extremely diverse environment, encompassing the Wet Tropics, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and National Parks, so it's no surprise 28,000 visitors were attracted to the region last year," Ms Boyle said.
Work has started to install new toilets at the increasingly popular Eliot and Twin Falls recreation areas in northern Cape York Peninsula.
"We're installing a hybrid toilet invented by a consortium including James Cook University, which uses bacteria to break down effluent to 5 per cent of its original mass," Ms Boyle said.
"The new loo will smell less than the old "drop toilets", be better for the environment and cater for more people."
The State Government is spending almost $320,000 to install the hybrid toilet systems - part of an election commitment to protect Queensland's natural heritage.
"The hybrid toilet system is a north Queensland invention that has received national recognition as one of the top 100 inventions of the last century along with icons such as the Hills hoist, the winged keel and the bionic ear," Ms Boyle said.
"QPWS has installed the hybrid toilet system in various national parks across the State with great success.
"It's wonderful to be able to implement best practice using an
Australian designed and built product," she said.
Ms Boyle said the new toilets were just part of the State Government's enhancements of visitor facilities at key national parks and protected lands within Cape York.
Recent improvements also have been made at camping and day-use areas such as Kalpowar Crossing, Hann Crossing, Chili Beach and Captain Billys Landing.
"With ongoing improvements to the Peninsula Development Road, visitation to Cape York national parks and reserves is on the increase," Ms Boyle
said.
"Our Queensland Parks rangers are on the ground making sure we provide adequate facilities to ensure people enjoy their visits to the region."
Construction of the environmentally-friendly toilets is expected to be complete by the start of the 2005 visitor season.
The Minister - wearing her Local Government hat - has also approved $16,500 funding for two new composting toilet blocks at Portland Rd and Little Annan in Cooktown.
The State will contribute $7,500 towards the $25,000 toilets at Little Annan and $9000 for the $30,000 Portland Rd project.
"Little Annan is a popular picnic area for residents and tourists as they make their way to Annan Gorge and the surrounding area," Ms Boyle said.
That funding is being provided under the Local Governing Bodies' Capital Works Subsidy Scheme.
Ms Boyle said the State Government had provided more than $10.29 million in Local Government and Planning portfolio grants and subsidies to the Cook Shire Council since 1998.
Ends
NOTE FOR MEDIA: Picture of a hybrid toilet available electronically.
Media contact: Carissa Mason 3227 6424
John Algate 32278825