RMPAT has issued a disappointing final decision today (18 Dec 2019) regarding the proposed Lake Malbena development. However, the battle is by no means lost. We will be carefully considering the Tribunal’s decision and will be taking advice with respect to our legal options.
The Tasmanian government has recently released, with little fanfare, a discussion paper entitled “Towards a Tourism Master Plan” (for the TWWHA). Aspects appear positive but the paper is general and our fundamental concerns cannot be allayed until we see the draft Tourism Master Plan itself, scheduled for public release and comment in March 2020.
The Australian Government's latest report to UNESCO's World Heritage Centre was released on 1 December 2019. This was one of the requirements of the 2015 monitoring mission to the TWWHA. The situation is not so good as the report makes out.
This issue features articles discussing the State government's current approach to public consultation, an introduction to some of Tasmania's 'other' reserves, notes a missed opportunity for progressive backcountry management, and includes an opinion piece arguing that the style and approach to tourism being promoted at present will ultimately fail.
The Federal Court judgement vindicates TWS’ decision to challenge the original Ministerial decision that the Halls Island proposal was not a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
In its decision on the Lake Malbena luxury tourism proposal the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal has found that it isn’t required to assess the proposal against the management plan.
The Tasmanian National Parks Association commends the Hobart City Council for now considering Halls Saddle as a location for a kunanyi/Mt Wellington visitor centre.
On 8-9 August, the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal heard the final two days of the Lake Malbena appeal. The Tribunal has reserved its decision. We expect a decision 30 September.
The environmentally-sensitive Tyndall Range has been announced as the site of Tasmania's "next iconic walk" development without any opportunity to publicly scrutinise alternatives. We also question the recreational rationale for the selection.
The Tourism Master Plan appears predicated on the assumption that the TWWHA exists as a resource for the tourism industry; that it needs to be ‘marketed’ and commercial tourism operators are essential in providing an experience for visitors.
