As is already the case in others states, change is afoot in Tasmania’s pristine national parks.
Following up on its election promises of earlier this year, the Tasmanian Government is unlocking the state’s parks and the World Heritage Area to low-impact tourism development.
It has now called for expressions of interest from investors and tourism operators.
Premier Will Hodgman told the ABC that allowing development in or near national parks would boost tourist numbers and the economy.
“We’re serious about unlocking Tasmania’s potential,” Mr Hodgman said. “Our tourism industry is one of our core competitive strengths and the Liberal Government’s right behind boosting it even further, and that means new attractions.”
The Government has said normal planning safeguards will apply.
However, the ABC reports that environmentalists have expressed concern about the move.
They fear developments will not be restricted to eco-tourism ventures and will turn into an ‘open season’ for developers.
“They are not playgrounds for resorts,” said Australia Greens leader Christine Milne.” They are magnificent areas for the people, for all time.”
The Government has said it wants to create 8,000 tourism jobs by 2020. It is estimated 16,000 Tasmanians currently work in the tourism sector, with another 22,000 indirectly supported by it.
its a mistake that future generations will not thank us for. If they like what I call camping
Older Tasmanians should not expect tourism developments to be built inside our national parks, then leave their legacies to the next generation to fix! I know they would like to see more of the distant scenes inside them, and so do I – also an elderly person who once bushwalked some of them!
As long as the homes of many forms of life are being destroyed, so will the inhabitants of them! What was once wilderness can never be restored, and if developments go ahead, nothing will have been learned from the demise of the thylacine – and thousands of other extinct species around the world!
Continue to build outside national parks and take mini bus tours daily to experience what many elderly people can’t access by walking! The future’s carers of our Earth is in the hands of all who are still here!