Together with other conservation groups, we have declined to participate in the consultation process on this Master Plan on the basis that it can only influence tourism policy within the parameters set by the TWWHA Management Plan and so does not represent a serious attempt to strike a considered balance between conservation and preservation.
Proposed walker infrastructure upgrades at the Walls of Jerusalem are overdue but PWS shows no sign of addressing the crucial associated issue of managing visitor numbers.
We have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Tasmania against the decision granting a permit to develop helicopter-accessed visitor accommodation at Halls Island, Lake Malbena.
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.
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.
