RiverFly operator Daniel Hackett’s lease at Skullbone Plains cancelled in “political” decision

The proponent of a controversial tourism development says the decision to end his lease on another site is “political”.

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THE proponent of a controversial wilderness development has condemned a conservation group’s decision to end his lease on another tourism site as “political”.

Award-winning tourism operator Daniel Hackett is behind the push for a helicopter-serviced standing camp in Lake Malbena in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park under the state government’s controversial Expressions of Interest process.

Since 2012, his company RiverFly 1864 has operated an tourism operation from a similar camp at Skullbone Plains in the state’s central highlands, on a site leased from the Tasmanian Land Conservancy.

Daniel and Simone Hackett who are the proponents of a luxury camp on Halls Island in the Walls of Jerusalem. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

But the TLC — which buys land to protect its environmental values — has called an end to the arrangement.

“This agreement had a fixed term and is due to expire in May 2021,” a spokeswoman said.

“Due to operational priorities, the TLC Board recently decided not to enter into a new access licence agreement with RiverFly, or any other operator, for the foreseeable future.

“We gave RiverFly eight months advance notice so they have time to make alternative arrangements.”

Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) was awarded second place in the Australia’s Best Bathroom 2018 competition, for its remote area, waterless pod-designed toilet on beautiful Skullbone Plains Reserve. Picture: CHRIS CRERAR

The spokeswoman said the decision was nothing to do with Lake Malbena.

But Mr Hackett said he believed the decision “was a political decision made by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, due to our role as proponents of the Lake Malbena proposal.”

“We regretfully confirm that the Tasmanian Land Conservancy have informed us that they will not be renewing our licence to operate our Australian tourism award-winning standing camp at Skullbone Plains,” he said.

“No reason was given for the decision, other than thanking us and our guides for the consideration shown to the reserves during our time.

Mr Hackett said the decision came as a blow.

“We are devastated and shocked at the decision. It is incomprehensible to be receiving this shattering decision during the middle of a global-pandemic, where tourism operators are shouldering the burden of border closures and shutdowns in order to protect the community. It is simply heartless.”

Halls Island at Lake Malbena. Pic, Rob Blakers

Mr Hackett said he was proud of the work his company had done at Skullbone Plains, which had won two Tasmanian and one national tourism award and had generated more than $170,000 in benefits to the TLC, from lease payments to direct cash donations.

He said that the land at Skullbone Plains was part of the former Gunns forestry estate and the presence of his tourism operation there had helped to reduce illegal four wheel drive access and associated environmental damage.

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