Tourist Tsunami Hits WA: Desperate Locals Plead for Visitor Caps as Beaches Reach Breaking Point
- Popular South West town of Dunsborough faces overtourism crisis with locals calling for visitor number caps
- Busselton Jetty CEO warns of congestion nightmare, citing Trevi Fountain in Italy as a cautionary tale
- Locals fear for the future of their community as car parks overflow and natural environment suffers
- Visitors divided on issue, with some welcoming caps and others labelling it “selfish and greedy”
As Western Australia’s tourist season reaches fever pitch, the picturesque town of Dunsborough is facing an unprecedented crisis. With visitor numbers skyrocketing, locals are pleading for caps to be placed on the number of tourists allowed in the area.
“Every year we see something crazy,” said Jeff Forrest, chair of the local reference group, who has lived in Dunsborough for almost 40 years. “We welcome tourists, that’s important, but if we’re not careful overtourism will actually destroy the character, the amenity, the natural environment, the beauty of the area that we’ve got to sell.”
The Busselton Jetty, one of the region’s biggest attractions, has seen visitation grow by over 60 per cent in the past decade. CEO Lisa Shreeve is conscious of keeping the place “special” and is considering limiting the number of people on tours to avoid congestion. “When you go to places around the world like the Trevi Fountain and you see 10,000 people standing there, it really impacts your experience if you have to be so congested,” she said.
But not everyone is convinced that capping visitor numbers is the solution. Kalia and Matt Alessi, who have lived in Sydney, believe that the beaches in Dunsborough are still relatively quiet compared to those in the eastern states. “The beach is for everyone, regardless of how busy it is, so I think to put a cap is a little bit selfish and greedy,” said Mr Alessi.
Meanwhile, the City of Busselton has cracked down on short-stay accommodation like Airbnb, but Mayor Phil Cronin is unlikely to intervene further, believing that the issue will fix itself as visitors naturally turn away from the region if it becomes too busy.
Further south, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has warned holidaymakers about “chock-a-block” car parks at popular spots like William Bay National Park, near Denmark. Regional Leader for Parks and Visitor Services Peter Masters has urged visitors to “go elsewhere” if their favourite spots are full, citing concerns about damage to vegetation and increased risk of fire.