There was no consultation with interested parties, including peak Aboriginal groups, conservationists and the wider community. The rezoning is similar to Lake Pedder in 1967, effectively revoked from the national park.
The development proponent is Riverfly 1864, the new lease holder. Riverfly 1864 is currently making it hard for non-clients to go to Halls Island, part of the national park which until now was open to all. It amounts to privatisation.
Greg French has been fishing there for decades, and like most if not all of the fishing fraternity he objects to the proposal in the strongest terms. On 16 January 2019 the Hobart Mercury reported that Greg said that “The Franklin Dam and forest wars led to bad publicity all around the world. It gave us an image overseas as a petty, bigoted, redneck island that nobody wanted to go to. It is no coincidence our tourism industry has boomed after the forest wars were effectively stopped.”
Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) has about 27,000 freshwater anglers. AAT said helicopter access would have a significant impact on the “remoteness, silence and connectivity to nature” enjoyed by bushwalking anglers.
Peak groups such as The Wilderness Society, The Environment Defenders Office, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, and other groups oppose the proposal.
The Federal Government’s main heritage adviser is the Australian Heritage Council. They say that “The buildings, helipad and tracks do not conform to the zoning
prescriptions in the TWWHA Management Plan ... The proposal also raises the issue of appropriate activities in a self-reliant recreation zone (hut construction) and wilderness zone (helicopter access). The cumulative impact on both world heritage and natural heritage values would be considerable, particularly noting the impact of helicopters on the outstanding natural aesthetic value of the wilderness area in which it is situated.”
The National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council advises on TWWHA management to the Tasmanian and Commonwealth Governments, and does not support the proposal.
Sacred Aboriginal sites are at risk. There are a number of compliance issues – storm water, human waste, bushfire, monitoring, visual intrusion. As far as I can determine, none have been addressed. Environmental assessment under the federal EPBC Act has been bypassed by the federal minister.
One major issue is the helicopter flights, more than 240 per year, according to Riverfly 1864 documentation. A helicopter is audible and visible for 5-10 kilometres either side of the flight path, degrading the experience for those on the ground.
Another major issue is that this is seen by many to be the thin end of the wedge, with other so-called eco-tourism projects in the planning process. The projects come from governments and companies with scant awareness of what aspects of an area attract visitors. Too much development and the attraction fades.
The only driver is corporate profit. I analysed a similar proposal in Victoria catering for rich people. The result was clear – the return on investment was very poor.
The Central Highlands Council is calling for submissions, closing on 15 February. This issue is important because it could be a precedent for privatising Australian national parks.
Check Bushwalk.com forum for discussion and the Halls Island website for more information.
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