Lake Malbena development proponents promise public access to Halls Island

The couple planning to build a standing camp on a small island within the Walls of Jerusalem National Park say they will allow public access to the site – but there are conditions.

Walker and trout fisher Richard Webb fishing on Halls Island on Lake Malbena. Picture: CHRIS CRERAR

THE couple behind a proposal to build a standing camp in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park say they will allow public access to the small island they privately lease.

Daniel and Simone Hackett have launched a website dedicated to their tourism venture on Halls Island, on Lake Malbena, in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

The pair have a private lease for the land and have received state and federal approval to develop a helicopter-accessed standing camp on and near Halls Island.

Mr and Mrs Hackett’s proposal has drawn the ire of conservationists, walkers and fly fishers — with the latter group alarmed they could be shut out from visiting an area they had fished for years.

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But in a statement, Mr Hackett on Wednesday night said he had decided to allow the public 15 day trips to Halls Island each year — offering free access for groups of up to four people each time.

Overnight trips would be considered upon request, Mr Hackett said, and visitors would be able to use “full-capture toilet facilities” he would provide “for the benefit of the environment and public users”.

Visitors would have to organise their own access to the island, he said. But all applicants would have to send an email to “book a suitable time to visit”. They would then be asked to provide a photocopied ID and phone number, to sign an insurance waiver and carry an EPIRB device.

“Whilst visiting Halls Island, visitors must adhere to any directions given by the lessors, to ensure that environmental integrity, safety and the important values of Halls Island are maintained,” the new Halls Island website says. “All visitors must have a history of respectful relations with the hut owners.”

Mr Hackett said the journal in the historic hut already on the island indicated that over the past 26 years, just three groups had visited the island on average each year.

“The majority of these visitors self-identified as repeated visitors with a long-term connection to the hut, or bushwalking club members,” Mr Hackett said. “Very few identified as anglers.”

The new Halls Island website also contains a page stepping out Mr and Mrs Hackett’s efforts in meeting state and Commonwealth requirements for development within the World Heritage Area.

The pair have a private lease for Halls Island and have received state and federal approval to develop a helicopter-accessed standing camp in the area.

The Wilderness Society has launched a federal court challenge to the approval of the development, which also faces Central Highlands Council approval before it can proceed.