Addressing overtourism

"Experts and operators say overtourism isn't just a matter of overcrowding, but also change to local areas in ways that disadvantage residents. The biggest impact of overtourism is the loss of a region's original value and character."

"When too many tourists concentrate in one area, the focus of the town gradually shifts from daily life to tourism."

"Businesses naturally begin prioritising tourists over local residents because it becomes more profitable. As a result, everyday convenience for residents decreases, and the unique local identity can slowly disappear."
>>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-07/japan-addressing-overtourism-as-travel-booms/106390090
#tourism #Bellingenshire #culture #overtourism #NeverNeverRiver #rivers #TourismIndustry

Two drownings at the Never Never River

"Sachin Khillan (left) and Sahil Batra (right) died after falling into a deep water hole in the Never Never River.The group had booked accommodation at Gleniffer that featured private access to the Never Never River. Rivers are the leading location for drownings in Australia." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-29/family-tribute-gleniffer-drowning-victims-nsw/106277648
#drowning #rivers #NeverNeverRiver #Gleniffer #tourism #SafetyEquipment #Bellingenshire

The biggest likely source of microplastics in California coastal waters? Our car tires
Driving is not just an air pollution and climate change problem — turns out, it just might be the largest contributor of microplastics in California coastal waters.

“No one had looked at all the water rushing off the streets during rainfall events to see whether that had plastics in it...That makes all that driving we do something to think about, not just in the Bay Area, but any setting where there are cars.”

“...It’s about individual behavior change, it’s about more corporate responsibility. Together, we can make a big change.”

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2019-10-02/california-microplastics-ocean-study
#runoff #tyres #cars #roads #traffic #pollution #plastic #Bellingen #TheDrive #parking #Bellinger #rivers #NeverNeverRiver #water #catchment #ocean #biodiversity

Rooster among hundreds dumped in recent years due to suburban sprawl.

"Suburban areas, dumped cockerels are a growing problem. Livestock has taken up residence in a strip of protected bushland nestled between the highway and the beach, in what's traditionally been brush turkey territory."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-25/gold-coast-rooster-thinks-it-is-a-brush-turkey/102767142
#dumped #poultry #livestock #native #birds #feral #animals #Bellingen #NeverNeverRiver #BrushTurkey

Many now flock to natural places for the best selfie background

"Trampling plants, damaging rock art, risking your life: taking selfies in nature has a cost."

"Someone goes swimming, puts it on social media and suddenly there’s 100 people a day coming to go wild swimming where the platypus and the glow-worms live. And in a wet year, suddenly all the vegetation around the rock pool is trampled, it turns into a muddy mess."

https://theconversation.com/trampling-plants-damaging-rock-art-risking-your-life-taking-selfies-in-nature-has-a-cost-211901
#Gumbaynggirr #Bellingen #PromisedLand #NeverNeverRiver #tourism #OverTourism #locals #selfie #nature #wildlife #platypus #NoGeotags #travel

Worldwide there is a growing commitments to swimmable rivers and clean natural waterways.
https://theconversation.com/olympic-swimming-in-the-seine-highlights-efforts-to-clean-up-city-rivers-worldwide-210714

The case of the Bellingen's scenic swimming hole
Bellingen just smashed in a "$5.2M “gate way to the Promised Land” so that mass tourism can speed along the new 'highway' (Gleniffer Road) to the Never Never Creek. It is the town's main 'tourist destination' (but has no public toilet).

In January the Promised Land swimming hole near Bellingen recorded faecal contamination of water. "Council advised swimmers to stay out of the Never Never River.” Humans and dogs were blamed for the faecal matter. "It has been very popular over the holiday period and there are certainly indications that people have been using the riparian area there along the banks for toileting purposes”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-18/promised-land-swimming-hole-bellingen-faecal-contamination/101844606

“Tell the city you want your river back”
https://popupcity.net/insights/the-renaissance-of-urban-swimming/

#swimming #SwimmingHole #Bellingen #rivers #OverTourism #SocialMedia #roads #traffic #climate #holidays #stormwater #wastewater #runoff #dogs #pets #EnterococcusBacteria #FecalContamination #ArthurKeoghReserve #NeverNeverRiver #ThePromisedLand #TheDrive #TuckersNobStateForest #wildlife #biodiversity #platypus

More roads will bring more #FossilFuel tourists.
Imagine being on the Waterfall Way Scenic #Drive in #Bellingen and you cannot charge your electric vehicle.

“The 185 kilometre Waterfall Way scenic drive links Coffs harbour and Armidale, passing rainforest, river valleys and waterfalls, including New England and #Dorrigo National Parks”.
https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/coffs-harbour-area/bellingen/attractions/waterfall-way-scenic-drive

“Popular getaway towns reliant on #tourism are struggling to deal with a surge in visitors driving electric vehicles. Businesses rush to install electric vehicle charging to keep tourists coming back. "Imagine showing up in a #petrol car and you had to wait an hour and a half to fill up your car. You just wouldn't do it.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-26/businesses-rush-to-install-electric-vehicle-charging/102246716

The 'upgrade' for petrol drivers: "Gleniffer Road provides access between Gleniffer and Bellingen as well as access to the popular #TouristDestination of the #PromisedLand and the #NeverNeverRiver. #GlenifferRoad is also a key #detour route to the Dorrigo Plateau when Waterfall Way is closed."
https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Services/Major-Projects-Capital-Works/Major-Projects-RoadBridge-works/Roads/Gleniffer-Road
#Energy #FossilFuel #Cars #Roads #50sEngineering #EV #Access #WaterfallWay #ScenicDrive #Climate

Roaming dogs at the sh*thole.

"The Never Never river in The Promised Land has been dubbed 'Australia's best kept secret.' But authorities are concerned overcrowding is turning it into a sh*thole.Testing of the waters found concerning levels of what was essentially faecal matter, with human and dog excrement the suspected source"
https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/nsw/i-swam-in-australias-best-kept-secret-it-was-full-of-sht/news-story/2659e561c43e5be61a2263ca6a995fb9

Responsible Pet Ownership - FAQs
https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/dogs-cats/responsible-pet-ownership/faqs/
#Bellingen #PromisedLand #Swimming roaming #Dogs #NeverNeverRiver #Pollution #Wildlife