Preserving the Glass House Mountains and Greater Regions - Term Paper Example

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Preserving the Glass House Mountains and Greater Regions Institution affiliated Student’s name Course Number Date Table of Contents 1.0 ITRODUCTION 2 1.1 GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS WAR MEMORIAL 3 1.2 LANDSBOROUGH PUB 4 1.3 GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS RAILWAY STATION 5 2.0 QUEENSLAND HERITAGE REGISTER 5 2.1 IMPORTANCE OF LISTING IN QUEENSLAND HERITAGE REGISTER 5 2.1.1 MAINTAINING CULTURE 7 2.1.2 TIME ACHIEVEMENT 7 2.2 DEVELOPMENT OF SUNSHINE COAST 10 2.3 CONCLUSION 13 1.0 ITRODUCTION The sunshine coast landscape is characterized by the existence of some features that most of them act as recreational centers. The Glass House Mountains, for instance, are located in the same region offering recreational services to most Australians. These mountains are the iconic features found in the area, and most of them acts as landmarks and historical features. There are attached to a greater proportion of the cultural, natural and historical value of the region and are considered significant by most agencies. There has been an increase in the number of visitors attending the regions due to the existence of an improved recreational and nature-based facilities. There has been a recreational initiative that will ensure that the visitors to these recreational facilities are provided with increased walking, running, and other relevant networks1. 1.1 GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS WAR MEMORIAL Green House Mountains consist of some hills that are located in the coastal plain of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. The scene is attributed with some of the highest hills in the region with Mount Beerwah being the tallest. It has a height of close to 556 m above the sea level. Due to a large number of hills, some of them are more identified than others. For instance, Mount Tibrogargan is the most identified mountain and from it, some directions appear to be a face staring out to the sea. The names of these hills are very old, and Glass House Mountains are not exactly their original name2. The name was recently given out by Explorer captain by the name James Cook. The original of the name was merely a reminder of the glass furnaces that he underwent in the home country where he originates. Various heritages have been considered by the Australian government and of late, some they have been added to the Australian National Heritage. The Glass House National Landscape was added to the list on 3rd August 20063. There has been a constant campaign that is geared towards the conservation of the Australian Heritage. The lands between the peaks have been dominated by various activities. Pineapple and poultry farming are some of the activities that have dominated the regions. The consumption of the available land has been utilized by the existence of commercial forestry and quarrying. Recently, the management of the mountains were taken over by the Queensland National Parks. They have been promoted as tourists sites that replicate to the improvement of the economy’s GDP. Over the years, the mountains have been characterized by certain recreational activities such as bushwalking and climbing. Two largest mountains from the regions were unfortunately closed down by National Parks in the past few years. The reasons for the closure of the mountains was outlined by the board as being the result of a report and the development of an adjacent rock quarry. Again, the closure was due to the collapse of rock from the caves area located next to the main tourist track. Some of these closed mountains are however opened to the public for bushwalking and climbing. 1.2 LANDSBOROUGH PUB Landsborough is located in a beautiful scene in Australia4. In particular, it is found in the beautiful sunshine coast amidst the great Glasshouse Mountains. The pub is well known for the kind of meals that they provide. It has the coldest beer, and any tourists will surely feel the taste as they taste a little of the history of the land. Landsbororough is located in the northern part of the Glasshouse Mountains at the foot of the southern end of the Blackall Range. From the last census, the location has a population of 3,706 people. The location is one of the main rail or bus interchanges for various bus services in the region. 1.3 GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS RAILWAY STATION The Glass House Mountain Railway Station is located on the North Coast Line in Australia. Majorly, two towns relies on the services of the station. They include the Glass House Mountains located in the coastal region of sunshine. The station opened in around 1891 and was named as the Glass Mountain. It was later named as Glass House Mountains in 1914. 2.0 QUEENSLAND HERITAGE REGISTER The Queensland Heritage Register recognizes most of the historical buildings in the Australian context and places the most important at the state level. They have the role of identifying the most useful buildings that add value to the GDP of the Australian economy. Most of their assets are protected under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. In 2008, 360 listings were evident in these particular type of register. Some of them includes the Glass House Mountains and Beerburrum Forest Reserves. Various local governments’ mountains are incorporated in the listing strategies, but not all managed to adopt the register of the National Estate Listings. It includes around thirteen thousand Australian natural and cultural heritage places that were compiled between 1976 and 2003. The register is managed by the Queensland's Heritage Council. 2.1 IMPORTANCE OF LISTING IN QUEENSLAND HERITAGE REGISTER Placing of the historical sites on the register is of much importance to the general public. First, the cultural landscape concept is important in alerting the planners to the value of heritage landscapes in the region5. It also helps in creating the public dimension of the structures. Once these structures are not listed, they remain to be a threat of destruction by subdivisions of greater landholdings into smaller units often for residential use. Certain challenges such as weathering and erosion might also affect these particular locations making them vulnerable and loss of productivity. The listing also helps in improving the value of the historical location since it only accommodates those buildings that have an outstanding heritage value to the nation. For instance, The Glass House Mountains National Landscape was entered on the register in around 2007. Since its involvement in the list, it does not trigger any further management requirements other than an accredited management plan. It only requires any other management plan outlined under the heritage provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2003 which trigger severe penalties. It is also imperative to note that the management principles presented by the National Heritage respects all their values of the given place and tend to integrate all the responsibilities of all levels of government for the place6. On the contrary, the listed areas only include the already protected volcanic plugs that are national parks and not the surrounding farmland abutting the basis of the plugs which gives the area its distinctive landscape7. Listing the landmarks with the Queensland Heritage Register ensures that they are recognized and outlined as places at the heart of the economy. Due to that, there exist an exclusive protection that concentrates almost exclusively on the protection of such buildings. Although there has not been a consistent consideration of the elements of the cultural landscape in all heritage instruments, there has been a need to include most of the Australian historical landmarks into the register with an aim of ensuring that they are protected. Even though there is no prescribed approach to the integration of the cultural heritage protection in Queensland planning instrument, some opportunities however exist. That is not limited to the fact that the only existing mechanism is the Queensland Heritage Register. It is imperative to list the particular buildings into these bodies since most of the mechanisms available and to be presented by the organizations cover the protection of the artifacts, buildings, sites, monuments, and townscapes. With the inclusion of all the factors, it is about the note that the Green House Mountains will benefit lot from their listing into the register8. 2.1.1 MAINTAINING CULTURE The inclusion of these historical sites and buildings in the register is useful as it set a particular example of the existing cultural place. The culture of different places is dynamic, and it can be embraced when there is an integration of different components. The register is characterized by a particular culture that ensure that the practices and policies of the sites are maintained. 2.1.2 TIME ACHIEVEMENT Significantly, it has been noted that the register is in a position to keep the statistical data concerning the period of the sites. That includes their development periods as well as their population set up during a particular error. It is, therefore, important to ensure an inclusion of the sites into the register. It helps in indicating a high standard of creativity and technical achievements in the period of its existence. The milestone realized during such particular period can be identified which makes the site stand out in ensuring that it meets its set objectives. Queensland register contributes to a clear understanding of the history of the land. With the inclusion of the Glass House Mountains, it remains significant that a clear understanding of the whole regions is most likely to be understood. It is important to note that the inclusion of such sites require that the pace is in a position to provide an archeological artifacts that will be used in providing relevant information about the history of Queensland. That makes the inclusion process a challenge since some of the artifacts and information from other places might be considered of less importance. However, the placement of these buildings will ensure there is a clear flow of information in their development even for the new generation9. The importance of aesthetics can also be realized with the inclusion of these particular buildings in the register. Nature has to be appreciated, and its beauty be withheld for a considerable period. Especially in artwork, it is important to ensure that the taste of beauty is withheld in ensuring that in remains maintained. There is a need to appreciate the natural scenes found in our environment and ensuring that they are well conserved to promote the future developments10. Various people tend to work in a given context that needs to be appreciated over the period. The inclusion of the particular buildings in the Register of the Queensland helps in ensuring that they are associated with the life or work of most of the important and prominent people as well as organizations found in the region. Despite the existence of various policies concerning the register, it might seem that only scientifically documented evidence for the existence of tangible cultural heritage could indicate the platform for successful application for land purchases. In some instances, it is noted that some stone artifacts have been located on the adjacent property, it is unlikely that archeological materials directly related to Gummingurru would have survived. Regardless of the existence and survival of most of the physical buildings from the region, the importance of the adjacent block of land to the traditional custodians does not depend on the tangible heritage that might have been considered to survive or became extinct11. In most instances, the importance depends on the contribution that the location brings to the protection of the surviving and very visible stone arrangement. In other dimensions, it depends on the living heritage activities associated with the resurrection of the various sites. 2.2 DEVELOPMENT OF SUNSHINE COAST The protection of the Heritage requires the identification of some of the key challenges that pose threat to its development. Since the region is rapidly growing, it is characterized by an increase in population which puts much pressure on the available economic resources. With the existence of the current management, it is important to note that the management of cultural heritage ensures the recognition and protection of the cultural heritage values. That should be done in their current state. Apart from the limited number of activities, it is important to ensure that the ongoing restoration and cultural events are supported and encouraged in ensuring the realization of the entire development agenda. There has been a consideration evolution of the cultural heritage hence the management does not have to keep it away for safe keeping. It is, however, prudent for the management to look constantly for the new opportunities that will ensure that the citizens can celebrate their particular culture. People should be in a position to learn and enrich their thinking through their local heritage. In most cases, that will help in promoting the growth and development of a particular culture. The future challenges should also be addressed to ensure that the heritage is properly documented and stored for future reference. Sunshine Coast have recorded a significant improvement in the GDP over the past two decades. There is an increase in the Gross Regional Product to almost A$13 billion. Over the next two decades, it is recorded that the economy is most likely to increase reaching a predicted level of A$33 billion. Such an increase will result in an improvement in the level of employments and household income. In Queensland, Sunshine Costa has stood out to be the fastest and highest growing region and represented an increase of 4.05% in their capital income. In comparing with other regions within the same state, the region has noted a considerate economic strength and resilience. Over the period, the Australian average annual growth was surpassed by almost 1% The Sunshine Coast economy has doubled in size in the last decade, with a current Gross Regional Product of more than A$13 billion. The economy is predicted to grow in a strong and sustainable pattern over the next 20 years to reach A$33 billion in 2033, accompanied by an increase in high-value employment, export, and household income. Most of the development activities are as a result of the Sunshine Coast Council and the leading business, industry and university representatives. Due to the growth of the region, it is important to note that most of its historical features and landmarks might be subjected be greater risks that might make them extinct. They should, therefore, be preserved and monitored to provide a historical dimension in the future12. At times, though, mandate technologies affect the senses not just through the visual dimension but as well as through the smell and taste. Even though the region is characterized by faster development, it is most likely that the rate of the automobiles will increase which have the power in modernity to develop the strong theme of descent. It tends to challenge the authentic aesthetics and perception of slowness that permeates smaller townships. Apart from that concept, it is also evident that an increase in civilization will result into profound side effects of stress and anger which are mostly as a result of congestion. However, as development continues to construct momentum within the region, the inevitable build-up of the population leads to an increased use of roads and streets. Being under the leadership of various parties, the local authorities of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council have made an attempt of trying to solve the challenges that result from the development of the region over the past decade. They have evolved controls and instruments that tend to work to inhibit visual impact. It is feasible even at the very micro level of construction. For instance, it is prudent to install objects such as fences that in some cases provide a boundary and protects properties from beaches and waterways. That helps in reducing the level of conflicts that are likely to be created due to the growth and expansion of the region. An area of growing importance to contemporary culture should embrace the construction of buildings and structures that have heritage status. It is important to protect the historical buildings as if they are religious artifacts, sacred to the community. The act of destroying these buildings or locating them within inappropriate areas should be discouraged, and rather they are protected from the threats in the external environment that might make them extinct. The construction of the new infrastructure that value the heritage values is importance in ensuring these areas relics of the bygone era that contribute to an overarching authentic error. In protecting the region, there is a need to formulate the most appropriate policies in the town. Within the region setting, the municipality has enacted measures that favor the town against the oncoming tide of urbanization. The ability to achieve such strategies lies in the preservation of both heritage and s historical inspired built environment. That is important since the image of the region is highly important for community identity but also for visitors seeking distinction and individuality. 2.3 CONCLUSION The report was majorly concerned with the identification of the particular historical sites located in different part of Australia. Most importantly, it should be noted that the recognition and preservation of the historical sites can help in taking the economy to greater levels in maintaining a given culture that dominates the region. The preservation of these resources will ensure that the economy of the country is well maintained and will significantly lead to an improvement in the tourism sector. Bibliography Australian Music Centre. Sounds Australian: Australian Music Centre Journal. Broadway, NSW: The Centre, 1987. Cultural Heritage Background Study | Sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/addfiles/agendaattachments/om081009/attach3.pdf [Accessed 24 Aug. 2015]. Flood, Josephine. The Riches of Ancient Australia: An Indispensable Guide for Exploring Prehistoric Australia. St. Lucia, Qld: University of Queensland Press, 1999. Glass House Mountains RSL War Memorial | Monument Australia. [online] Monumentaustralia.org.au. Available at: http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/91474-glass-house-mountains-rsl-war-memorial [Accessed 24 Aug. 2015]. Jones, Roy. Geographies of Australian Heritages: Loving a Sunburnt Country? Aldershot [u.a.]: Ashgate, 2007. Landsboroughpub.com.au, (2015). The Pub | www.landsboroughpub.com.au. [online] Available at: http://www.landsboroughpub.com.au/Pub [Accessed 24 Aug. 2015]. Matthew Flinders Cairn | Monument Australia. [online] Monumentaustralia.org.au. Available at: http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/landscape/discovery/display/98807-matthew-flinders-cairn/photo/1 [Accessed 24 Aug. 2015]. Matthews, Anne. Driving Tours Australia. New York: Macmillan USA, 1995. 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