Establishing that the proposed development of a helicopter-based luxury tourism development at Lake Malbena is “in accordance” with the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan 2016 is central to its assessment against the requirements of the Central Highlands Planning Scheme.
In the absence of the long promised Development Application for the proposed Cable Car, Residents Opposed to the Cable Car and the Tasmanian National Parks Association have compiled a comprehensive document outlining those issues that they feel should be addressed.
Nature Photographers Tasmania and the Tasmanian National Parks Association have called on the State Government and its agencies, the Parks and Wildlife Service and the Tasmanian Fire Service, to urgently prioritise critical wilderness fires in western Tasmania. In particular, the wildfire burning at Mt Anne imminently and directly threatens ancient and irreplaceable Gondwanic plant communities.
We welcome, in principle, commencement of work on the long-awaited Tourism Master Plan for the TWWHA but are concerned it will provide further endorsement of the state government’s policy of ‘unlocking’ the TWWHA and avoid any scrutiny of the many tourism proposals already being considered under the Expressions of Interest process.
TNPA Annual Report 2017-18 TNPA Annual Report 2016-17 TNPA President's Report 2015-16 TNPA President's Report 2014-15 TNPA President's Report 2013-14 TNPA President's Report 2012-13 Photo: Grant Dixon The Tasmanian National Parks Association offers an independent voice for Tasmania's national parks and reserves, to ensure [...]
There would be significant loss of wilderness character at Lake Malbena and in the surrounding country if the proposed helicopter-based tourism development proceeds.
The Commonwealth’s role is very limited . The main mechanism for formal assessment against the requirements of the management plan is the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service’s Reserve Activity Assessment.
The TNPA would be unlikely to support further expansion of visitor facilities into currently undisturbed areas; i.e. if visitor numbers continue to increase, an alternative approach is likely to be needed.
No clear rationale for the proposed viewing shelter has been presented and it comprises one relatively minor component of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan without there having been any opportunity to express an opinion on the merits or otherwise of the overarching plan.
Three more new tourism operations in parks on Tasmania's east coast have been approved without any public scrutiny via the secretive Expressions of Interest process.
