Raw beauty a drawcard

By SARAH WEBBSept. 21, 2008, 12:30 p.m.

QUEENSTOWN'S degraded landscape could help it qualify as a rare tourism gem worthy of international status. Italian expat and foreign affairs journalist Mario Rimini believes the region's ...

QUEENSTOWN'S degraded landscape could help it qualify as a rare tourism gem worthy of international status. Italian expat and foreign affairs journalist Mario Rimini believes the region's mining industry would be a major player to help gain Geopark listing - which essentially means a global rank based on cultural assets. While only one other Australian domain has gained the Geopark gong, he felt Queenstown's proximity to West Coast wonders and raw beauty made it worthy. "It's colonised wilderness," he said. "All this area around Queenstown altogether has incredible value." Mr Rimini discovered the area while studying an environmental politics PhD at the University of NSW. He said contrary to popular belief, it was the true gateway to the West and a well-preserved historic town. "Queenstown is really second to none in terms of potential." He felt the region would require a long-term sustainable alternative to mining, which sooner or later would end. Mr Rimini nevertheless assured that if the community and council could pool together to gain the Geopark, the mining industry would not be affected. "It would be actually an integral part of the heritage of the Geopark. "Things like stealing of minerals or removal of geological heritage would not be possible obviously, but a regulated and official mining activity is not incompatible with the Geopark status. "And it would benefit itself in terms of public relations and image from the Geopark, given that a controversial legacy like the moonscape would be transformed from a loathed disaster to a cultural heritage object," he said. Mr Rimini felt the community should expect an active involvement of the mining industry in the project, including, where possible, financially. Among the requirements for a Geopark he said there must be some kind of structure in place when submitting the nomination, a project that would benefit the community and plans for sustainable tourism in it. West Coast Mayor Darryl Gerrity is yet to hear solid plans to push the Geopark but said Queenstown's unique qualities provided great possibilities. "But it's a worthwhile concept," he said. Cr Gerrity said the project would need to discussed in depth, and possibly look at forums to explain the idea and review the pros and cons of Geopark status.

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Raw beauty a drawcard