Dingoes out, eco-tourism in | Gympie News | Local News in Gympie

THE dingoes being “hazed” away from human contact near Eurong on Fraser Island will make way for a government-sponsored eco-tourism resort to be marketed to private investors as part of a plan to boost visitor numbers to the island.

The plan was announced last year by Premier Anna Bligh, Sustainability Minister Kate Jones and Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor.

Coast residents have drawn a comparison between this and government attempts to ban dolphin feeding at Tin Can Bay prior to the announcement of plans for a government-favoured marina project in the dolphin feeding area.

Eurong is one of seven locations for such resorts, described by Ms Bligh as involving “eco-accommodation such as semi-permanent safari tents...established with tight environmental controls”.

Ms Jones said the new infrastructure would be operated and built by private companies but it would remain under state ownership.

“I want to raise the profile of Queensland’s significant environmental values,” she said.