Developer given lease extension despite being late with rent on wilderness island
The proponent of a controversial tourism development inside the World Heritage area had leases renewed despite running up thousands of dollars in arrears on missed lease payments.
Tasmania
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The proponent of a controversial tourism development inside the World Heritage area had leases renewed despite running up thousands of dollars in arrears on missed lease payments.
A company called Wild Drake run by tourism operator Daniel Hackett has been pursuing a helicopter-serviced tourism development on Halls Island in Lake Malbena for the last decade.
But the proposal — hotly opposed by bushwalking and fishing groups and the Greens — has not yet been given approvals it needs by from federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.
Documents released under Right to Information laws show Wild Drake and Mr Hackett owed substantial arrears on the $4500-a-year lease for Halls Island and $2200-a-year lease for Reg Hall’s old hut that sits upon it.
An invoice issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to Wild Drake in July showed an outstanding amount of $9447 — some of which had been overdue for more than a year.
It also showed $2420 due from Mr Hackett which was had been outstanding for nine months.
Both leases require the holder to pay the rent when due and provide for the lease to be cancelled if it is not.
Mr Hackett paid $2420 on September 10. It is unclear when the $9447 was paid by Wild Drake.
Mr Hackett replaced Wild Drake as the development’s proponent with federal authorities on September 12.
The company went into liquidation on September 13.
Its lease over Halls Island expired on September 30 and was renewed by the government until March 2025.
Mr Hackett said all arrears had been paid.
“The lease was paid in full, and no monies are owed,” he said.
Minister for Parks and Environment Nick Duigan also said all outstanding amounts had now been paid.
“But you know, as I say, all monies owed to the state of Tasmania paid up to date,” he said.
“I think it is reasonable for the state to continue to provide an extension to that lease.
“I think that survives the pub test, if you like.
“I would ask the federal minister to perhaps put the hurry up on providing a decision in that process.”
A Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokesman said the department had been waiting for more information for over a year.
“On 13 November 2023 the department requested additional information needed to assess whether the proposed project to build a Standing Camp on Halls Island, Lake Malbena may have an impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage,” he said.
“The deadline for the final assessment decision under the EPBC Act is 30 days after the complete information is received.”
Greens MP Tabatha Badger said the government's lease extensions were concerning.
“It is shameful the Minister didn’t step up and revoke both leases over Halls Island and Halls Hut given the invoices were not paid on time,” she said.
“Serious questions must be asked about what is happening behind the scenes when we have a company not paying invoices, now in court ordered liquidation and wind-up proceedings, yet the Liberals are renewing the exclusive lease over World Heritage listed public land. It’s outrageous.
“If leases permitting commercial use of public land subject to conditions aren’t being upheld by the Minister, it undermines confidence in the system for the community and genuine tourism operators.
“The Liberals claim that by leasing public, protected land for tourism operations they’re growing the economy. It’s ironic when the operators don’t pay their bills.”
The author travelled to Halls Island in November as part of a bushwalking party organised by the Greens under a public access permit granted by Mr Hackett.
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