Justine Keay calls for chopper flights over wilderness review

BRADDON MP Justine Keay has asked for a review of a Federal Government decision to allow helicopter flights over a Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Aerial image of the the Walls of Jerusalem. Lake Malbena is south of the Walls in this National Park. Picture: Bob Brown

BRADDON MP Justine Keay has asked for a review of a Federal Government decision to allow helicopter flights over the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Ms Keay said north west anglers were bemused over the decision to grant helicopter access to Halls Island at Lake Malbena.

“Anglers are worried that helicopter access will impact upon the experience traditionally enjoyed by bushwalkers and bushwalking anglers who have accessed this area by foot over many decades,” Ms Keay said.

Recreational anglers have proved a potent political force in the north west with preferences from the Australian Recreational Fishers party gathering 5.7 per cent of the vote in 2016 and fishing oriented independent candidate Craig Garland attracting nearly 11 per cent in the recent Braddon by election.

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Ms Keay said she had asked Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price to personally review the decision and take into account the genuine concerns of local anglers.

“Today, I have written to Ms Price and the Assessments and Governance Branch of the Department of Environment seeking answers about the decision,” she said.

“I want to know why it was not determined to be a controlled action for assessment under the Environment Biodiversity and Conservation Act.

Ms Keay said she had sought clarification of any on ground assessment conducted as part of this approval.

“It would be extraordinary if a decision was made simply from a desktop exercise,” she said.

A spokesman for Ms Price said the Department had decided that the proposal could proceed without further assessment under national environment law.

“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,” the spokesman said.

Lake Malbena looking towards Halls Island in Tasmania. Picture: LYNDSEY EVANS

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

“The Department also considered public comments on the proposal.

“The Department considered the proposed action was not inconsistent with the principles of the TWWHA Management Plan.

Ms Keay said new Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed he was “on your side” but was clearly is not on the side of local anglers.

“If he was, he would direct his new Minister for the Environment to ensure a proper assessment was carried out regarding this proposal and all stakeholders’ concerns are genuinely listened to,” she said.

Ms Keay said Labor supported sustainable development and jobs in Tasmania.

“The Thousand Lakes Lodge in the Central Highlands and Pumphouse Point at Lake St Clair are two examples of sensible development in wilderness areas,” she said.

“There is no stronger supporter of tourism in the Cradle Coast Region than Federal Labor.

Federal Labor led the way with funding commitment for the Cradle Mountain master plan and Federal Labor will fully fund a network of shared coastal pathways across the North West Coast.

“These two projects are the top to priorities for the Cradle Coast Region.