The wet tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area: community use of information sources

The use of protected areas by the tourism industry and the subsequent impacts on host communities has been well documented. Less is known about the levels of knowledge that communities have about protected areas and how the members of host communities learn about these areas. The research reported upon in this study examines how the residents of the communities that surround the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTQWHA) seek out information on the nearby protected rainforest area and identifies the information delivery methods preferred by the community. Data used in the study was collected via a community survey conducted in 2007. Results based on 853 valid surveys indicate that residents gained their information from the local newspaper, word-of-mouth, and television. Interpretative signage at sites was considered the best source of information provided by the environmental management agency. Increased use of signage at visitor sites and the use of the Wet Tropics website in five years since the previous community survey was undertaken in 2002 are evident. The implications for the Wet Tropics Management Authority to involve the resident community in the conservation of the WTQWHA and increase their levels of knowledge are discussed in the paper