Prince Harry and Meghan's visit to K'gari (Fraser Island) will no doubt reinforce the Island's World Heritage values and help bolster International recognition.

K'gari was added to a Commonwealth Conservation Program by Prince Charles in April as part of the Queen's Canopy Initiative. With recognition comes responsibility and it is critical that government protect this unique and significant environment .

To maintain the natural integrity of the island more funding and resources must be forthcoming. Tourism figures for the Fraser Coast region are worth in the region of $360 million (Tourism & Events Qld 2014). Accurate figures for Fraser Island are unknown, but in terms of revenue raised very little is going back to the Island.

Fraser Island is a substantial money spinner for the government and tourism will only increase after the Royal visit, therefore funding must also increase to meet the ongoing challenges.

Potential threats to the Island include, climate change, habitat changes, rising sea levels, bushfires and tourism. It is estimated that the Island receives over 500,000 visitors per year, again accurate numbers are not recorded.

What impacts are these visitors having on the Island's wildlife and vegetation and what is the government doing to mitigate them? A new, sustainable funding model is needed to adequately address these concerns.

The Fraser Island dingo requires special recognition, their conservation is of national significance and as apex predator they play a vital role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Dingo management has always been a contentious and controversial subject, monitoring and maintaining a healthy and viable population still remains an issue.

Ongoing research is paramount in determining best management practices but since the handing over of Native Title to the traditional owners there has been a freeze on all research, this must be resolved.

Protecting the World Heritage values of Fraser Island should be a priority and we call upon the government to face the challenges ahead, provide the necessary funding and research and focus on protecting and preserving the Island for future generations.

Save Fraser Island Dingoes Inc.