Greens demand answers over plans for Mt Field National Park huts
The Greens have accused the government of hiding details about $7.8 million accommodation plans for Mt Field National Park after documents revealed five development options.
The government needs to be more transparent about plans to improve accommodation options in one of the state’s best-loved national parks, the Greens say.
The Liberals promised money for upgrades in the Mt Field National Park during the 2024 state election campaign, but was light on the specifics projects it would fund.
“As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, the Tasmanian Government is investing $7.8m to make Mount Field a year-round destination.
“This includes improved signage, wayfinding, track upgrades, and new public huts to improve visitor safety and amenity,” the pledge read.
Documents released in response to a Right to Information request reveal that the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, dated March 11, listed five options, including new huts in the park’s alpine area and a new remote overnight accommodation node.
The preferred option, the redevelopment of the Government Huts site, would include new “serviced public cabin or hut” type accommodation, new interpretation materials, and a relocated visitor carpark plus upgrades to walking tracks and existing shelters.”
Parks Minister Nick Duigan told budget estimates committee hearings that “something new in accommodation” was being contemplated at Mt Field, but did not go into detail.
Pressed over how the money had been allocated, bureaucrats said that only a broad description of works had been produced
Greens National Parks and public land spokeswoman Tabatha Badger called on the government to be more open with the public about what was being planned for the much-loved site.
“An RTI received by the Greens two days after Budget Estimates clearly shows that in March, Minister Duigan was presented with a variety of development and infrastructure project options for the $7.8m allocated to Mount Field.
“Given these proposals were with the Minister nine months ago, he should have provided the details of the government’s plans when we asked him direct questions, but he didn’t even try.
“While these RTI documents highlight there are some welcome basic upgrades proposed for Mount Field, others – such as new serviced accommodation huts – have raised concerns given this Government’s history of significant and inappropriate new development in sensitive and remote wilderness areas.
“The Liberals have a long track record of using secrecy to pursue inappropriate developments in our Parks and Wilderness World Heritage Area.
“With the Minister refusing to provide Tasmanians with the project details, we are worried about what he might be trying to hide.”
Originally published as Greens demand answers over plans for Mt Field National Park huts
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