Entry and camping fees introduced for Carnarvon's Quobba blowholes
A breathtaking place along Western Australia's coastline will no longer be free for people to access.
The Shire of Carnarvon has decided to begin charging visitors and campers at the Quobba blowholes, 950 kilometres north of Perth.
Blowholes Protection Association president Shayne Aylmore said the area was a key part of the local culture.
"It's where I learned to dive. It's where I learned to spearfish."
The site also captured global attention in 2021 after four-year-old Cleo Smith was kidnapped from the Blowholes campsite.
The fees will start on May 22 and include $30 per campsite and $10 per day pass, with a discounted $100 per year pass for locals.
All overnight campers will also be required to have a chemical toilet.
Carnarvon Shire President Eddie Smith said charging visitors was not to generate a profit, but would financially support the amenities on site and manage ecological damage, including littering.
Mr Smith said the "user pays" model was already in place at other beaches along the north west coast, and would be similar to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions fees for national parks.
"If you live in Exmouth, you still pay to go around on the west coast," he said.
The ABC canvassed the opinion of tourists at the blowholes, who expressed their disappointment in the decision.
Mel Petzke from Albury, New South Wales, said free camping was becoming less common in the state.
"With the expense it is for fuel, food, everything else; travelling as a family of four, things like that add up," she said.
"We need to have some free camping ... it's just the Aussie way."
Ms Petzke said tourists wanted to visit the region to see the iconic blowholes, but could be deterred by the fee.
"This is an iconic thing ... so why make it difficult for people in the future?" she said.
Jill and David Attroll, who had travelled from Victoria, said an entrance fee might not deter them from visiting, but they would expect improved amenities to be provided.
The couple said toilets, clean facilities and a walkway to a viewing platform would be good.
While the council's decision is based around increasing services at the remote site, blowholes food truck owner Brett said he was concerned introducing fees would reduce visitor numbers and affect his business.
The decision has frustrated local community volunteer group, the Blowholes Protection Association (BPA), which proposed to pay for ongoing maintenance of the site at no cost to locals or the shire.
The council rejected that proposal.
"We were going to do that free of charge so that the people of Carnarvon could use the blows without having to pay for it," BPA president Mr Aylmore said.
"We've spoken to several different agencies, businesses that are willing to assist us as a volunteer group in providing the service… we've got the funds to do it.
Mr Smith said he wanted the shire to work alongside the association rather than a volunteer group be fully in charge of the management of the area.
The management of the Blowholes Reserve has a long history of conflict between the state government, Shire of Carnarvon and the Blowholes Protection Association.
In 2014 the Blowholes Reserve Management Plan was put forward to establish a formal campground, provide basic amenities and environmental protection of the area, as well as resolve ongoing issues with the ownership and placement of nearby shacks.
Last October, the shire removed access to toilets at the site, and ceased servicing the reserve, citing "the inability to implement the Blowholes Reserve Management Plan".
According to Mr Aylmore, that resulted in visitors "trashing" the area, defecating in the sand dunes, and causing environmental degradation.
Mr Smith said this week's decision by council would transition into the 2014 management plan.
"This is the way forward for the area and into the future," he said.
A state government spokesperson said the department was "supportive of the shire's operations at the Blowholes Reserve".
Mr Smith said the council wanted to ensure everyone could enjoy the blowholes.
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