Why Environment Minister Melissa Price approved the Lake Malbena development

BRIEFING documents provided to Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price acknowledged strong opposition to a proposed tourism development in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

Walker and trout fisherman Richard Webb drops a line off Halls Island on Lake Malbena in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and Tasmania’s World Heritage Area. Picture: CHRIS CRERAR

BRIEFING documents provided to Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price acknowledged strong opposition to a proposed tourism development in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

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But bureaucrats ultimately recommended she make the proposed standing camp in World Heritage-listed wilderness her first approval as environment boss on the following grounds:

THE ENDANGERED Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle was not at risk because the proponents, Daniel and Simone Hackett, had pledged not to fly within 1km of known eagle nests;

THE ENDANGERED alpine sphagnums bogs would not be affected by the helicopter’s landing site and walking tracks would be installed to “[minimise] impacts from trampling”;

ONLY TWO of eight migratory species had a moderate likelihood of using Halls Island, where the proposed development would be located;

THE DEVELOPERS considered a low probability of Aboriginal heritage being present on or adjacent to Halls Island, based on advice from Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania;

POTENTIAL noise impacts from helicopter flights into the site would be restricted, with pilots to fly at heights greater than 1000m “where possible”, and the proposed flight path was not over “known walking paths”;

POTENTIAL impacts on water quality of Lake Malbena from greywater, sewage and rubbish contamination would be “appropriately managed”.

Walker and trout fisherman Richard Webb outside the historic hut on Halls Island on Lake Malbena in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and Tasmania’s World Heritage Area. Picture: CHRIS CRERAR

Ms Price’s decision will be challenged by the Wilderness Society in the Federal Court.

The briefing document acknowledged the federal Environment Department received more than 900 submissions on the proposal (including 800 campaign submissions).

All were in opposition.

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