From FlyLife
An update from Greg French:
Hi everyone
As you are probably aware, the proponent of the Malbena development, in cahoots with the state government, has lodged an appeal against the Central Highlands Council’s decision to reject the development application (DA). So much for the proponents’ insistence that we must learn to respect the umpire’s decision. The appeal is scheduled for 24-28 June 2019.
The tribunal hearing is essentially the same as a court case. It will involve barristers and expert witnesses, and all parties will be forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars to defend themselves.
The CHC will be defending their decision. Moreover, a partnership of interested parties including the Tasmanian National Parks Association (TNPA) and several independent individuals will be supporting the council (with different barristers and expert witnesses).
The cases to be presented by the CHC and the Partners are very strong, and it seems that the state government is very scared. The Malbena development was always going to be a test case for privatising other places in the TWWHA, including the Western Lakes, and now the whole of the government’s Expressions of Interest (EOI) program is in jeopardy. Consequently the government has sought leave to argue that the CHC should never have been consulted in the first place, that developments in national parks and World Heritage areas should not be subjected to development applications at all, implying that everything should be at the minister’s discretion. The government has also sought to have the PWS support the proponent of the Malbena development should the appeal be deemed necessary. (This should be interesting as the PWS actually mandated that a DA or other consultative process be undertaken.)
Now, to the pointy bit:
The Partners helping the CHC defend its position will need at least $50,000 (perhaps much more) to run their case. To this end, the Tasmanian National Parks Association has launched its Lake Malbena Appeal Fund (
https://tnpa.org.au/donate/). If the CHC loses its case, it’s open slather on privatisation of the Western Lakes. Also, no matter whether the case is won or lost, the independent voices in the partnership will be well out of pocket if donations are not forthcoming. These independents are colleagues of mine, and have been instrumental in getting the case as far as it’s got. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
The Tasmanian National Parks Association (
https://tnpa.org.au/) is a non-profit, non-government organisation committed to the protection of Tasmania’s national parks and reserved lands. It aims to give park users a voice and involve the community in matters affecting these important and invaluable areas. I wholeheartedly support the TNPA.
If you care about the future of the Western Lakes, please donate generously.
Sincere thanks
Greg