Walking guides say Expressions of Interest program damages state’s wilderness brand

The heritage values of Tasmania’s wilderness are at risk of being compromised by the Government’s EOI program, bushwalking guides have warned.

Tasmanian walking guides, from left, Kate Brown, Alina Rodriguez, Anna Wylie and Jacob Robinson. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A NEW group representing the state’s professional walking guides says it is worried a rush for development in national parks could threaten the state’s reputation as a wilderness destination.

The Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association represents 200 to 300 guides who are passionate about Tasmania’s wild places and sharing them with tourists.

Association spokeswoman Hayley Kingsley said guides were concerned about a lack of consultation surrounding the Government’s Expressions of Interest (EOI) program for developments in national parks.

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“The Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association is a group of individuals with a shared concern that the Tasmanian landscapes and their internationally recognised heritage values are at risk of being compromised by an open-ended EOI process that lacks sufficient framework,” she said.

“As guides, we are the interface between guests and these natural places, and collectively we are concerned about the future of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

“As stakeholders, we are interested in maintaining the inherent values that pertain to these places, operating with environmental sensitivity while continuing to build healthy and sustainable tourism and wilderness industries.”

A walker on the Three Capes Track on the Tasman Peninsula. Picture: Tasmanian Walking Company

Ms Kingsley said the proposed development at Lake Malbena, in the state’s central highlands was of particular concern.

She said there had been inadequate consultation and a lack of transparency.

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Recent Australia Institute Tasmania polling showed 53 per cent of those surveyed supported a ban on private development in World Heritage areas, Institute spokeswoman Leanne Minshull said.

And two-thirds of those surveyed were against the Lake Malbena proposal.

“A clear majority of Tasmanians want to see their World Heritage areas and national parks remain open to everyone rather than locked up for private developers,” Ms Minshull said.

“The Government and private companies simply don’t have the support of the people on this issue and are attempting to forge ahead despite strong and reasonable community concern.”

A community “walk-in” to Lake Malbena is planned for December 7 and 8 — along with an Occupy Halls Island Protest at the site of the proposed development.