Page 36 - Port Douglas Magazine 27

PHOTO CREDIT:
Back Country Bliss

monitoring the Island’s solar power supply members of the public, are welcome to participate don’t realise the damage they do to the coral by
and the sewerage treatment plant. We report in the volunteer activities.” snorkelling too close on a low tide and touching,
regularly to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park or especially standing on the coral.”
Authority (GBRMPA), including in relation to ISLAND CHALLENGES & PERKS “As well, people leave rubbish behind, including
any compliance issues and generally matters to do cigarette butts left in the sand,” Jane adds.
Low Isles is the first island in the Great Barrier
with the Island,” he said. “This just amazes us that people think this is
Reef Marine Park where the island operations
Low Isles is also dependant on a large number a reasonable thing to do. Realistically, this is
are carbon neutral - the island operations are
of volunteers who act as support and relief for an important reason why we are here. At least
sustained completely by solar power. With an
the caretakers “We also organise the volunteer we can hopefully negate some of this negative
Energy Management Plan to ensure the carbon
activities, such as the counts of Pied Imperial impact and educate and encourage people to act
neutral status is maintained, the caretakers
Pigeons (PIP Counts) which happen monthly in a more respectful and positive way towards the
provide a working example of sustainability in
from September to March. There are also regular reef.
a remote setting, ideally encouraging regular
training weekends to organise for people who
land-dwellers to recognise the many ways to “It has to be said that the vast majority of people
are interested in becoming relief caretakers who
combat climate change. This practice amplifies are very good and understand the importance of
are trained to be a presence on the island for the
the simplicity of contribution - no-one should departing the Island as they found it, leaving only
occasional times when we’re not here.”
dismiss their actions, no matter how big or small. their footprints.”
In conjunction with the many volunteers
The Island’s “Climate Trail”, which snakes its
that support the island caretakers, the way through the centre, has several information
Low Isles Preservation Society (LIPS) is a “It has to be said that stations along its route which explain several
conservation group dedicated to the protection the vast majority of aspects of climate change such as rising sea
and preservation of the island and marine temperatures and levels and the effects that has
environment. In 1992, the Australian Maritime people are very good on our coral reefs. All the tour boat operators
Safety Authority announced it was removing offer an Island Walk and these ideas are relayed
its lighthouse keepers from the Low Isles and and understand the back to passengers, and ideally to future visitors
automating the lighthouse. A working group of importance of departing to Low Isles.
local community members organised a dedicated So, you think you’re ready to pack up all modern
group of volunteers who had a deep love for the the Island as they found
island and who would work together with marine conveniences and live out your deserted island
parks to protect it. it, leaving only their dreams? “There are many things to love about
this job,” says Jane. “Being able to swim in the
“We are contracted to the Great Barrier Reef footprints.” waters and be amongst the vast array of fish life,
Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) as the the coral and of course the many turtles would
island is owned by GBRMPA on behalf of the
definitely be one of the greatest highlights. It is
Commonwealth Government, “ explains Jane.
really exciting to us that even since June, there
“The Low Isles Preservation Society is one of “One of the biggest issues we face is simply people
has been an improvement in some of the areas
the groups that assist us with volunteer activities doing the wrong thing, most times just through
of coral.
on the Island under the authority of GBRMPA. lack of knowledge, so education is an important
“We can only hope this continues.”
Having said that, members of LIPS, like all part of our job,“ Peter says. “For instance, people
36 tourismportdouglas.com.au