Luxury camp inside Walls of Jerusalem WHA with heli access

[Lophophaps]

Is there not a duty of care by Hackett to maintain the hut? If he does not do this, are there any remedies? One easy remedy is to PWS to pay fair value for the island. Problem solved.

[tastrax]

Its not his island so no payment required. If he fails to maintain the hut then the licence COULD be relinquished.

[johnw]

Probably like a number of others on here I received an email from TNPA on Wednesday about further submissions to counter the latest attempt by the proponent to revive this.
For those who haven't seen the email there are links to a proforma submission page by The Wilderness Society and one for direct submissions to Wild Drake's own page.
The email contents are essentially here:
https://tnpa.org.au/lake-malbena-heli-tourism-proposal-submissions-required/

The request from TNPA etc is to customise your submission as much as possible as unique replies will have greater credibility than a "me too" copy of the proforma template.
Doesn't need to be long-winded, just original comments. I plan to revive the one I wrote for the Central Highlands Council and modify it for current circumstances.
Comments close at 5pm on 19 October.

The TWS proforma and submission advice is here:
https://tnpa.us16.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7c37acd028bea43b0bd42de42&id=c262ee189e&e=808cb669a7

[stepbystep]

Is there not a duty of care by Hackett to maintain the hut? If he does not do this, are there any remedies? One easy remedy is to PWS to pay fair value for the island. Problem solved.

Parks and Heritage Tasmania and the various ministers have been informed about Mr Hackett's neglect of the heritage listed bush hut.
He's insisted he won't do any maintenance until his commercial venture is up and running.

Great custodian, huh?

[stepbystep]

Probably like a number of others on here I received an email from TNPA on Wednesday about further submissions to counter the latest attempt by the proponent to revive this.
For those who haven't seen the email there are links to a proforma submission page by The Wilderness Society and one for direct submissions to Wild Drake's own page.
The email contents are essentially here:
https://tnpa.org.au/lake-malbena-heli-tourism-proposal-submissions-required/

The request from TNPA etc is to customise your submission as much as possible as unique replies will have greater credibility than a "me too" copy of the proforma template.
Doesn't need to be long-winded, just original comments. I plan to revive the one I wrote for the Central Highlands Council and modify it for current circumstances.
Comments close at 5pm on 19 October.

The TWS proforma and submission advice is here:
https://tnpa.us16.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7c37acd028bea43b0bd42de42&id=c262ee189e&e=808cb669a7

Thanks John.

Apologies for not posting on this latest need for action.

Submissions close 19 October.

Please get busy and have your say. Let's get Halls Island back in public hands!

[myrtlegirl]

johnw wrote:
Probably like a number of others on here I received an email from TNPA on Wednesday about further submissions to counter the latest attempt by the proponent to revive this.
For those who haven't seen the email there are links to a proforma submission page by The Wilderness Society and one for direct submissions to Wild Drake's own page.
The email contents are essentially here:
https://tnpa.org.au/lake-malbena-heli-t ... -required/

The request from TNPA etc is to customise your submission as much as possible as unique replies will have greater credibility than a "me too" copy of the proforma template.
Doesn't need to be long-winded, just original comments. I plan to revive the one I wrote for the Central Highlands Council and modify it for current circumstances.
Comments close at 5pm on 19 October.

The TWS proforma and submission advice is here:
https://tnpa.us16.list-manage.com/track ... 808cb669a7


Thanks John.

Apologies for not posting on this latest need for action.

Submissions close 19 October.

Please get busy and have your say. Let's get Halls Island back in public hands!

THIS WEDNESDAY is when submissions are due. Please have your say!

The Minister has to consider (1) impact on matters of national environmental significance (threatened species and communities plus the TWWHA) (2) economic and social matters (they are not defined so go for your life and interpret widely) (3) the precautionary principle (4) principles of ecologically sustainable development (these are defined in section 3A of the EPBC act) (5) the TWWHA Management Plan (the Minister must not act in a way inconsistent with the Management Plan and her interpretation of the Plan could be quite different to that of Jacobi) (6) feedback from public consultations.

But if you find all this a bit daunting - just make a submission and say you disagree. Numbers do count.

[Tortoise]

Thanks for the encouragement - I've spent hours going through the thread trying to make sure my info is correct, and the latest version. My brain is mush, and I still haven't made a start on my submission. Anybody got a good brief summary of addressing those issues, that we could put in our own words??

[johnw]

Thanks for the encouragement - I've spent hours going through the thread trying to make sure my info is correct, and the latest version. My brain is mush, and I still haven't made a start on my submission. Anybody got a good brief summary of addressing those issues, that we could put in our own words??

Mine has just gone in.

Tortoise, I just took my old submission and merged any relevant bits with the proforma linked below. It already details the relevant arguments, references etc.
I then culled and distilled to what I considered a concise-ish but reasonable submission.
If pressed for time just note your 10 key bullet points (and objection). Submit those, or expand them if you have time.

https://wilderness.good.do/malbena2022/wilddrake_submission/

[Tortoise]

Thanks, John. I can't remember - was Hall's Island (or part thereof?) excised from the WHA or the National Park or both to allow this commercial development? Or was it 'just' that the original lease was handed over for a pittance and a new lease added (from public land) for more of the island?

[north-north-west]

Thanks, John. I can't remember - was Hall's Island (or part thereof?) excised from the WHA or the National Park or both to allow this commercial development? Or was it 'just' that the original lease was handed over for a pittance and a new lease added (from public land) for more of the island?

The lease was passed to Hackett by the previous holder for a nominal sum, on the understanding he would maintain the buildings and land appropriately. An extended leasehold was granted by the government for a pittance, AND the area rezoned to permit "self-reliant recreation", although no-one has yet explained how luxury accomodation and helicopter transport qualify as such.

[Tortoise]

Do you know how leasehold extensions in national parks fit into their management plans?

[lefroy]

Tortoise, the 're-drawing' of the map was also part of this joke. It had to be modified by PWS to exclude Halls Island and Lake Malbena at the proponent's request.
They had 'made a mistake' apparently. PWS, Hackett, and the Liberals have definitely made a mistake, they just haven't admitted it yet...

[Lophophaps]

Can someone please advise where the submission should be sent? I can find
https://opencorpdata.com/au/623714545
and similar websites, but no email.

[Markus]

Can someone please advise where the submission should be sent? I can find
https://opencorpdata.com/au/623714545
and similar websites, but no email.

The submission should be sent to the proponent, and can be done via this link:
https://hallsisland.com.au/fourthcomment/

The TNPA are asking for a copy of submissions, so they are aware of your concerns also. The copy can be emailed to [email protected]

[myrtlegirl]

Can someone please advise where the submission should be sent? I can find
https://opencorpdata.com/au/623714545
and similar websites, but no email.

The submission should be sent to the proponent, and can be done via this link:
https://hallsisland.com.au/fourthcomment/

The TNPA are asking for a copy of submissions, so they are aware of your concerns also. The copy can be emailed to [email protected]

Submissions can be done via the Wilderness Society's page https://wilderness.good.do/malbena2022/ ... ubmission/
You can use their words, modify their words, or use your own. TWS have linked submissions to the hallsisland.com.au/fourthcomment/


It beggars belief that the proponent is the one tasked to collect and collate all the submissions - it's legal though.

[Lophophaps]

Thanks for the links. I have references to submissions in April 2018 and early 2019. The latter is to the Central Highlands Council. The former eludes me. I have a link to the former
https://www.environment.gov.au/system/f ... 181005.pdf
but it no longer exists. Can someone please clarify the 2019 submissions?

[johnw]

Thanks for the links. I have references to submissions in April 2018 and early 2019. The latter is to the Central Highlands Council. The former eludes me. I have a link to the former
https://www.environment.gov.au/system/f ... 181005.pdf
but it no longer exists. Can someone please clarify the 2019 submissions?

Trawling through old emails, I received an acknowledgment and then the notice of decision from Central Highlands Council in February 2019, if that helps Lops.
I'm not sure about 2018 though?

EDIT: I found an acknowledgement from TWS received 19th July 2018 that reads:

Thank you for emailing a submission to the Federal Government that highlights the importance of wilderness values and helps to defend it. The proposal for a luxury hut and accommodation buildings in high-value wilderness at Lake Malbena in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park will now be considered under federal environment law. When a decision is made, we’ll be sure to let you know.

But I can't find what I wrote or any links.

[Rexyviney36]

An employee of Hackett is regularly on Instagram wearing a "Keep Tassie Wild" hat.
#stoke

[Tortoise]

Finally done. Phew!! Thanks for your help, folks, to get it done and sent to the right place.

[Lophophaps]

My February 2019 submission to the Central Highland Council said:
In April 2018 submissions were made to the federal Department of Environment and Energy about a proposal by Wild Drake Pty Ltd, which is associated with Riverfly, for a standing camp on Halls Island.
That's the 2018 report that I could not find. It's hard to keep track of everything.

I sent my submission to https://hallsisland.com.au/fourthcomment/ and TNPA. Is it possible for Wild Drake to not cite the submissions when reporting to the Minister? Having made a detailed submission, is there any point making a much shorter one via TWS at
https://wilderness.good.do/malbena2022/ ... ubmission/ ?

[johnw]

I sent my submission to https://hallsisland.com.au/fourthcomment/ and TNPA. Is it possible for Wild Drake to not cite the submissions when reporting to the Minister? Having made a detailed submission, is there any point making a much shorter one via TWS at
https://wilderness.good.do/malbena2022/ ... ubmission/ ?

I sent mine via TWS rather than directly, assuming they may be able to keep the proponent honest, as they will have a record of all the submissions through their portal.
I think the potential issue around sending a second one, via TWS, is that it will result in being identified as two submissions by one person when they are reviewed.
It's reasonable to expect that some level of audit will occur, so would be picked up and open to valid criticism/objection.
I would also hope that there is transparency around all the submissions received, by an independent body.

[johnrs]

And now in a bizarre twist Daniel Hackett has been awarded a Tasmanian Fullbright scholarship to travel to the USA to study the the wilderness soundscape. Presumably so he can give expert evidence on his own behalf!
More details here https://www.utas.edu.au/about/news-and- ... to-the-us2
John

[Paul]

MPA is a 1.5 yr Course at Tas Uni, DipAq 2001 GradCert is a 0.5yr course at Charle Sturt Uni.
Hmmm, interesting pathway to USA.

Paul

[johnrs]

And here is a link to Mr Hackett's submission to the Federal Minister under tew EPBC act.
Bizarrely Mr Hackett is responsible for collecting, collating and interpreting the public's responses
Essentially he feels its "no real problems here".
https://hallsisland.com.au/fourthcommentresponse/
This is Mr Hackett's interpretation of our collective responses.
Certainly not an independent, distanced, impartial or defensible process.

Farcical really
John Smart

Last edited by johnrs on Thu 27 Apr, 2023 5:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[peregrinator]

Johnrs, the link you provided in your 29 March post was fascinating. I meant to comment on it at the time, but forgot.

Mr Hackett is quoted as stating:

The sounds and feelings associated with being in remote and wild places are an important and protected element of land managed as wilderness, from Tasmania's World Heritage Area right through to the hundreds of millions of acres managed as wilderness in the USA. Despite its importance, there is very little scientific data published on this topic . . .

I think it is more accurate to say that he believes most people who have no knowledge of this topic could readily believe there would be very little data published on it. Hackett is completely wrong. There is a lot of data. Draw your own conclusions.

[Nuts]

Studies will show, that if we all came up in Compton, a few choppers are nothing ?

[north-north-west]

Studies will show, that if we all came up in Compton, a few choppers are nothing ?

Exactly. He's trying to prepare a "scientific" rebuttal of the loss of amenity to wilderness values by all the heliicopter flights.
Fortuantely, there is data out there to counter what he'll come up with.

The levels of corruption in this business just keep getting deeper. I really want to know who is bankrolling him and what their relationship is to the state misgovernment.

[Son of a Beach]

Studies will show, that if we all came up in Compton, a few choppers are nothing ?

Exactly. He's trying to prepare a "scientific" rebuttal of the loss of amenity to wilderness values by all the heliicopter flights.
Fortuantely, there is data out there to counter what he'll come up with.

The levels of corruption in this business just keep getting deeper. I really want to know who is bankrolling him and what their relationship is to the state misgovernment.

They do have very deep pockets, and strong influence over government, that's for sure.

[Thornbill]

Bizarrely Mr Hackett is responsible for collecting, collating and interpreting the public's responses

K? Why does the proponent do this?

Does that mean the contents of my submission won't make it to the Dept/Minister unadulterated?

[johnrs]

Its actually the specified process Thornbill.
Dodgy as hell.
Follow the link and have a look at the submission's executive summary,
then please make a noise!
Thanks
John