The Bundaberg Region has been listed among the top 100 sustainable destinations in the world for 2021 in recognition of work carried out to reduce urban glow.
It means the Bundaberg Region will now be featured by Green Destinations in its 2021 Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories alongside other leading cities and regions throughout the globe.
The stories are an annual selection of destinations demonstrating innovative and effective good practice to be shared as inspirational examples to other destinations, tour operators and international visitors.
The recognition is a boon for the region with Bundaberg Regional Council working with regional stakeholders and tourism operators to seek eco destination certification.
Bundaberg Regional Council’s submission to Green Destinations highlighted the work undertaken as part of the Reducing Urban Glow project.
The project’s aim was to use smart technology to measure urban lighting levels and make that data available to the community to reduce the negative impact of lighting on both nesting and hatchling marine turtles.
Top 100 evaluators provided their comments on the Bundaberg Region’s submission, commending the community collaboration that took place to make the project possible.
“This story stood out because it is not only addressing a serious problem – how light pollution endangers the hatching rituals of sea turtles – but it also involves various stakeholders and partners to collaborate in the project and work together to reach their goal,” one of the evaluators said.
“The destination stands out for their successful conservation strategy to protect sea turtles by using both traditional and high-tech methods,” another top 100 evaluator said.
“Furthermore, they effectively engaged the local community in the conservation project and created strong local support for the measures taken in and around the destination.”
Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomed the announcement that the Bundaberg Region had made the top 100 and been recognised among the best green destinations in the world.
“Simply put, the Bundaberg Region is a naturally diverse and naturally beautiful location,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“As a Council we are passionate about preserving and protecting that beauty while promoting it to the world.
“By attaining destination certification, we will not only have a positive impact on the environment, we’ll support our local economy by boosting visitor numbers to the region.
“Being recognised in the world’s top 100 sustainable destinations is a great first step towards achieving this status.”
Bundaberg Regional Council was also invited to speak at the Green Destinations Online Conference following the announcement of the top 100 sustainable destinations.
