A review of road infrastructure development and contemporary degradation on K’gari-Fraser Island

ABSTRACT

Unpaved roads are often of poor quality in parks globally, particularly where funding and resources are limited. We review the history of road infrastructure development and provide contemporary evidence of road degradation on World Heritage listed K’gari-Fraser Island to demonstrate a need for a more sustainable transport system. Historical industry from mining and timber exploitation has established but also deeply impacted many sections of the island’s roads. Contemporary observations reveal high volumes of vehicular traffic contributing to erosion and deep-cuttings on many sections of this international tourist destination that attracts approximately 450,000 visitors per annum. Current observations of road degradation show that a more sustainable transport system should be implemented to mitigate further erosion from vehicular and weather impacts. The article provides justification for the need for sustainable transport solutions and strategies based on a history of inland sand road degradation and erosion leading to environmental impacts on K’gari-Fraser Island. Photographic evidence of varying degrees of degradation and erosion currently occurring and from past industry on K’gari’s roads is provided in this article to strengthen the argument for a more sustainable transport network.

KEYWORDS:

• Erosion
• sustainability
• road
• transport
• World Heritage

Acknowledgements

I acknowledge and respect the past, present and future traditional owners of K’gari and the rich culture and heritage of the Native title holders of K’gari: the Butchulla people. I acknowledge and respect the past, present and future traditional owners of the land upon which the University of the Sunshine Coast is situated: the Gubbi Gubbi people. I acknowledge the passionate and tireless work on fighting to secure World Heritage status for K’gari over the last five decades and generous assistance on this project from the late Dr. John Sinclair AO and the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).