Recently, a Tasmanian council has blocked a controversial private tourism development with access to helicopter in the state’s world heritage wilderness.
The proposal of luxury camp for the far-flung Halls Island located on Lake Malbena, in the Walls of Jerusalem national park, had been allowed by the Morrison government in August against the recommendation of expert advisory bodies.+
The Liberal state government, which has supported the development, flagged the probability of an appeal right away.
Environmentalists explained that the choice was a win against the state’s push for more commercial tourism in national parks and the vast Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which covers about one-fifth of the island.
The proposal by eco-tourism business Wild Drake would involve tourists being flown in and out of a permanent campground built on the island. It would serve up to six visitors at a time enthusiastic about bushwalking, kayaking and learning about the cultural history of the region.
On Tuesday at a public meeting, the Central Highlands council discarded the proposal six votes to three. Few councilors were critical of state and federal authorities for leaving the decision in terms of development in the world heritage area to local officials. Few of them said they believed it did not fit with Parks and Wildlife Service policies.
Tom Allen, the Wilderness Society acting campaign manager said that it was a triumph for people power, pointing to the 1,340 objections lodged against the proposal.
“Literally thousands of Tasmanians have stepped up to protect world heritage wilderness from a profiteering government sponsoring exploitative practices,” he said.
The premier, Will Hodgman, said the councillors appeared not to have followed the planning scheme and had voted against the advice of their own planners. “The government understands there are strong grounds to appeal the decision,” he said.
