GUIDE TO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Checklist for Planning and Design of Tourism Developments in Natural Environments

The Design Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism Development prepared by the South Australian Tourism Commission are accessible on http://www.tourism.sa.gov.au/tourism/

These Guidelines provide details on all of the natural resource elements and systems to be addressed in the location and design of tourism developments. These are applicable to any site.

Locations in natural environments require even greater attention to detail. Land is made up of a number of elements and systems that interact to form natural landscapes. The checklist below provides examples of a range of issues that need to be addressed, the primary sources of information about that issue and possible responses at the planning, construction and operational stage.

HYDROLOGY – SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER FLOWS AND RAINFALL / STORMWATER FLOWS
Examples of Issues for Development	Key Information Source	Desirable Response
Increased surface water run-off and risk of erosion	DWLBC, KI NRM Board	Install rainwater tanks or other storage devices
Interruptions to and decrease in natural flow regimes	DWLBC, KI NRM Board	Avoid / minimise changes in flow regimes or remediate flows downstream of any structures
Pollution of water sources	DWLBC, EPA KI NRM Board	Avoid or minimise use of chemicals
SOILS
Loss of topsoil and essential nutrients	KI NRM Board	Limit clearance of vegetation and/or site excavations. Revegetate with local indigenous species.
Spread of soil borne disease, eg, phytophora	KI NRM Board	Implement effective machinery hygiene practices. Minimise disturbance by foot and vehicle traffic.

VEGETATION
Vegetation clearance or removal	Native Vegetation Council	Native vegetation in South Australia is protected by law. Seek advice if proposed development is in or near native vegetation. If limited clearance is required, offset by vegetation conservation initiatives to ensure net biodiversity gain.
Potential impacts on habitat of rare and endangered species	DEH, Environment Australia for nationally endangered species	Identify and protect any areas of vegetation significance and significant or endangered species.
Weed invasion or spread of existing weeds	KI NRM Board
FAUNA
Potential impacts on native fauna, eg, through interference with their habitat, movement corridors	DEH, KI NRM Board	Identify and protect important fauna habitat and threatened species.
Seasonal impacts at times of nesting and breeding	DEH, KI NRM Board	Exclude or restrict access to these areas at sensitive times for identified species.
Human behaviour can modify species behaviour and leave them vulnerable	DEH	Do not force interaction with animals or feed them to encourage dependency.
BUSHFIRE PROTECTION
Potential conflict between requirements for clearance of vegetation around buildings and minimising impacts on vegetation and providing quality visitor experience	CFS, Development Assessment Unit	Investigate and install both passive and active fire protection measures. Ensure regular monitoring and maintenance.
TOPOGRAPHY
Extensive cut and fill on sloping sites increases risk to vegetation and fauna habitat and can lead to loss of topsoil and unsightly erosion	KI NRM Board, Architects and Design Professionals with expertise on sloping sites. SATC Planning & Policy Unit	Design buildings that work with the slope of the land to minimise cut and fill.