Residents oppose quad bike tours
COORAN residents fear a loophole big enough to drive a fleet of quad bikes through is about to threaten the serenity of the national park.
Residents have enlisted the support of Sunshine Coast council Division 12 candidate Tony Wellington to oppose a council application to run daily motor tours through Woondum National Park, starting from a Tablelands property.
Mr Wellington said the applicant, Charles Marais, was interested in operating quad bike tours for up to 10 clients, plus two guides, twice a day and year round.
"An anomaly exists in Woondum National Park, whereby the designated tracks are not actually part of the park but instead remain under forest reserve tenure," Mr Wellington said.
"The applicant has therefore sought and received a commercial activity permit from DERM (the Department of Environment and Resource Management) to use the tracks.
"The application claims that the bike tours are aimed at increasing awareness of the natural fauna and flora of the area.
"Most likely constant operating of quad bikes will cause native animals to flee the area.
"There are also serious issues relating to increased erosion on the park trails."
He said the application said the skills of the quad bike riders would be assessed before leaving the property.
"Does that mean unlicensed riders will be traversing a public road before entering the park?" Mr Wellington said.
He also questioned the scale of the proposed operation and whether it complied with the guidelines for a home-based business.
Mr Wellington said he had met residents and they were rightly concerned for their own amenity and the impact on the national park.
"They chose to live in the area because of its tranquillity," he said.
"Imagine how much more noise they will experience when packs of quad bikes fire up."
Mr Marais said Noosa Quad Bike Tours was in the final stages of obtaining required approvals to introduce a new and unique experience for tourists and locals.
"Noosa Quad Bike Tours has received overwhelming support," he said.
"Only five households out of the whole Sunshine Coast have submitted objections to council, raising concerns which have already been addressed.
"The facts are that the Department of Environment and Resource Management have assessed and approved all relevant aspects of Noosa Quad Bike Tours.
"Noosa Quad Bike Tours offer the safest, most eco-friendly quad bike tours."
Mr Marais offered critics a free bike tour.
