Premier Will Hodgman says Tasmanians should back tourism operators who meet government criteria

PREMIER Will Hodgman has called on Tasmanians to support eco-tourism operators as concerns mount over a proposed luxury development within World Heritage-listed wilderness.

Premier Will Hodgman has called on Tasmanians to back tourism operators who meet governments’ strict criteria. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

PREMIER Will Hodgman has called on Tasmanians to support eco-tourism operators given the green light by state and federal governments as concerns mount over a proposed luxury development within World Heritage-listed wilderness.

Mr Hodgman, also Tourism and Parks Minister, said Tasmanians could not afford to become complacent about the state’s growing tourism sector.

“We need to [develop] new attractions to maintain this growth, and that includes in eco-tourism, which is one of our great competitive advantages,” he told the Mercury.

“And I firmly believe that if enterprising tourism operators can jump all the high hurdles that local, state and commonwealth governments set, and if they can pass all the tests that independent environmental regulators set, then they should be supported.

“Those who always want to move the goalposts to find reasons to not support them will put the brakes on our progress, will damage business confidence, and will hold our state back.”

Walker and trout fisherman Richard Webb leaves Halls Island on Lake Malbena in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and Tamsmania's World Heritage Area, where an exclusive fly-fishing eco resort has been proposed. Pictures: CHRIS CRERAR

Mr Webb is worried he and others may not be able to visit the island in the future if the proponent's exclusive use of the island is approved.

Mr Hodgman's comments came as the Wilderness Society launched a challenge to federal Environment Minister Melissa Price’s process of approving the proposed helicopter-accessed development within the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

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Launceston couple Daniel and Simone Hackett’s proposal for a standing camp on Halls Island, Lake Malbena, would involve about 120 helicopter flights into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area each year.

The Wilderness Society will argue in the Federal Court next year that a delegate for Ms Price erred in ruling the proposal would not significantly impact on the values of the World Heritage Area.

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Documents obtained by the Mercury under freedom of information laws showed advisers recommended the development get the tick because Mr and Mrs Hackett had agreed to a series of measures aimed at minimising the impact on wildlife, vegetation and the World Heritage Area’s cultural and natural criteria.

The proponents have previously told the Mercury helicopter access was more environmentally friendly than walking as it would help preserve endangered bogs and ferns.

The proposal has particularly angered anglers who fish in the area as well as the Aboriginal Heritage Council.

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Wilderness Society campaign manager Vica Bayley on Thursday pointed out the proposal could go ahead because the relevant wilderness area was rezoned by the State Government to a zoning that allowed for development.

“Considering the negative impacts this development would have on the values of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and wilderness experience of everyday users like flyfishers and bushwalkers, it’s well known that it has only got this far because of Premier Hodgman’s secret changes to management rules and government assessments that ignore the recommendations of the Government’s own expert advisory body,” Mr Bayley said.

The final decision on Lake Malbena sits with the Central Highlands Council.