Tourism Sector Celebrates Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project

The completion of the Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project (WHHP) was celebrated at Mantra Club Croc, last week with dozens of local participating businesses in attendance to commend the success of the overall intiative.
The WHHP is a four-year program funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Whitsunday Regional Council as part of the Reef Islands Initiative Whitsundays Project, aiming to drive and facilitate greener, more sustainable business practices in the Whitsundays tourism sector, including the reduction of carbon emissions.
Between 2021-2024, around 50 participating tourism businesses have entered energy, fuel and waste data into an online carbon calculator which has quickly calculated a carbon footprint and listed decarbonisation and sustainability actions that businesses may implement.
A broad network of motivated tourism businesses has been identified and mobilised, and the collected emissions data has provided a deeper understanding of the Whitsunday tourism sector’s emissions data base.
Mayor Ry Collins said, “Well done to all involved, past and present, including project coordinator Lee Hawkins who has done a great job bringing the industry together on the initiative. Eco-tourism is an area of great future potential and it’s assuring to know we’re leading the way.”
A steering committee was established at the beginning of the project and included representatives from Reef Catchments, Whitsunday Charter Boats Industry Association, Whitsunday Conservation Council, Tourism Whitsundays, Ocean Rafting, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Cruise Whitsundays and Whitsunday Regional Council.
The steering committee provided guidance and recommendations, offered advice on methods to improve the project’s engagement with the tourism sector, identified potential subject matter for project workshops and steered the development of decarbonisation activities and advocacy in the region.
Steering Committee member, Adrian Bram, commented, “The Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry joined the Healthy Heart Reef Partnership because it presented the opportunity for collaboration on ideas and actions that can contribute to reducing our carbon footprint.”
Additionally, the WHHP has introduced and aligned over 56% of participating businesses to the Business Chamber Queensland’s, ecoBiz program.
The ecoBiz program has provided additional support to businesses in sustainable operations and will ensure that the WHHP’s long-term legacy actions can continue.
“One of the most inspiring outcomes of Whitsunday Healthy Heart has been the creation of the network of businesses from across the tourism sector.
“More than 50 businesses, from across the region, have come together to work towards a shared goal: a healthier Reef.
“This incredible network reflects the commitment of our community to preserving the Reef, not just as a natural treasure but as an essential part of our lives and livelihoods. This collaboration is something Whitsunday Regional Council can be truly proud of,” commented Reef Catchment Chief Executive Officer, Katrina Dent.
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Managing Director, Anna Marsden, said we’re already seeing the effects of climate change in many parts of our Reef and the time to act is now.
“We’re proud to be working towards a carbon neutral Reef industry in the Whitsundays as part of our Reef Islands Initiative, which is protecting the habitats of the thousands of species of marine life that call the Reef home,” Ms Marsden said.

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Steering Committee

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