Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price says expert advice informed Halls Island decision

FEDERAL Environment Minister Melissa Price says her department received “expert heritage advice” before approving the controversial Halls Island tourism development.

Melissa Price with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove after being sworn in recently as Environment Minister. Picture: AAP/LUKAS COCH

THE Environment Department will not release advice given to federal Environment Minister Melissa Price ahead of her decision to approve a controversial tourism development within the World Heritage-listed Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

Greens Senator Nick McKim has vowed to contact the UNESCO World Heritage Committee about Ms Price’s decision, which will allow for the construction of six demountable buildings on Halls Island on Lake Malbena and the construction of a helipad nearby.

Launceston couple Daniel and Simone Hackett’s proposal would allow 120 helicopter flights into the proposed luxury camping site each year.

MORE: HALLS ISLAND ‘NOT LIKELY TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS’

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

“The department considered that the proposal is not likely to have significant impacts on any nationally protected environmental matters, including the values of the World Heritage Area,” Ms Price said.

“The department’s decision was supported by expert heritage advice and advice from Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania.”

The expert heritage advice was provided from within the department.

Ms Price added the 940 public comments received by her department in response to the proposal were “considered”.

“The department considered the proposed action was not inconsistent with the principles of the {Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area] Management Plan,” she said.

Senator McKim expressed concerns about the privatisation of the area, the potential impact of the development and the process of approval itself.

“This is thin end of the wedge stuff, this development. There are 21 different developments proposed for our World Heritage Area that we know of,” Senator McKim said.

Mr Hackett said via email: “I’d suggest to Senator McKim that the science speaks for itself.”

The final hurdle for the proposal will be the approval of the Central Highlands Council.