Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal reveals decision on Lake Malbena standing camp proposal

A tribunal has handed down its decision in an appeal against a council’s rejection of a proposal for a helicopter-accessed camp in the state’s Wilderness World Heritage Area.

A TOURISM development at Lake Malbena in the state’s World Heritage Area has been given the green light to proceed, with proponents celebrating a tribunal decision handed down today.

Daniel and Simone Hackett appealed against the council’s decision to knock back their plans for a helicopter-accessed standing camp on Halls Island, on Lake Malbena, which is in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

The council rejected the project against the advice of its planner and despite previous state and federal government approvals.

The Hacketts said they had received a decision today from the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal.

The decision has not yet been publicly released.

Simone and Daniel Hackett at the Central Highlands Council meeting on February 26 for the vote on their Lake Malbena proposal. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

“Simone and I welcome the successful appeal decision from Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal, again confirming that the Lake Malbena project is compliant with local planning scheme provisions,” Mr Hackett said in a statement.

“We are proud of what we have achieved, designing a small-scale, sensitive proposal that has passed the highest levels of scientific scrutiny ever applied to an Australia tourism project.”

Mr Hackett said the project could be delivered without significant impacts on other users or the environment.

Environment, Parks and Heritage Minister Peter Gutwein said the Government welcomed the tribunal’s decision.

“[The decision] enables the development to proceed and is a positive endorsement of the Government’s Expressions of Interest initiative,” Mr Gutwein said.

He said the Government would review the tribunal’s full findings.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Lake Malbena eco-tourism standing camp. Picture: CUMULUS STUDIO

Wilderness Society Tasmania spokesman Tom Allen said the tribunal process had failed to address the “negative impact” the project will have on wilderness.

Tasmanian National Parks Association spokesman Nick Sawyer raised concerns about what the decision meant for the Parks and Wildlife reserve activity assessment process.

“The RAA doesn’t provide for public notice and appeal rights, in this case it didn’t assess wilderness impacts,” he said. “This decision means that those wilderness impacts will not be considered by an independent body.”

In a statement, the organisations said they would examine the decision closely and would consider an appeal.

Meanwhile, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said such “nature-based tourism” proposals were important to the future of the state’s tourism sector.

Walker and trout fisher Richard Webb trout fishing on Halls Island on Lake Malbena.

The proposal is for up to 240 flights carrying tourists into the Walls of Jerusalem National Park over 60 days each year.

He said there would be no commercial operations for 240 days a year, and no helicopter use for more than 305 days a year.

“With a development application now approved, we look forward to quickly moving on with the project and delivering a small-scale, high-value project that protects and celebrates an amazing Tasmanian story: the birthplace of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.”

Central Highlands Council received 1344 submissions lobbying against the Hacketts’ application.

Tribunal hearings occurred earlier this year and included parties defending the decision, including the council, the Wilderness Society Tasmania and Tasmanian National Parks Association.