Full Court of the Supreme Court hears why plans to helicopter tourists into Lake Malbena should be knocked back
The Full Court of the Supreme Court in Hobart will soon hand down its decision into the ongoing saga of the Lake Malbena helicopter eco-tourism battle.
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THE Wilderness Society has urged a panel of judges to find errors were made when a helicopter eco-tourism venture was given the green light.
On Friday, lawyers for the environmental group appeared before the Full Court of Supreme Court in Hobart via video link, in the organisation’s latest bid to block the controversial Lake Malbena project.
The Wilderness Society and the Tasmanian National Parks Association have been fighting developer Wild Drake in a series of court clashes since the project was first knocked back in February 2019 by the Central Highlands Council.
The case has wound its way through the appeals system, with Wilderness Society campaign manager Tom Allen proclaiming that Tasmania’s natural areas were “worth fighting for”.
But Wild Drake, run by husband-and-wife team Daniel and Simone Hackett, isn’t backing down either and has won the support of the state government
Friday’s hearing pivoted on how provisions contained within the region’s planning scheme should be correctly construed.
If the Wilderness Society wins its appeal, Tasmania’s Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal could be ordered to set aside its previous approval to grant Wild Drake a planning permit, and instead make a new decision.
Lake Malbena is located in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.
Justice Michael Brett, Chief Justice Alan Blow and Acting Justice David Porter reserved their decision to a later date.
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley is yet to announce if she will approve the project.
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