South Coast Track & Private Developments
Posted: Thu 10 Mar, 2022 5:13 pmOwnership of the permit to develop private huts on our South Coast Track appears to have been sold along with the previous owner's business (I know right, very shonky, very predictable). Also, to match this proposal, lots of public money will be demanded to bring the track up to their required 'standard'. Green's Cassy O'Connor had a bit of a chat about this one in parliament today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIKl3c9U21g
"In Tasmania’s Parliament today we asked the Parks Minister about the Queensland based, ASX listed mega-tourism company, Experience Co, who have confirmed their plans to develop five star luxury lodges along the wild, unspoiled South Coast Track. They have submitted a draft Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) which means it’s all systems go from their end.
This is an troubling move given the Parks Minister has admitted the RAA process needs a complete overhaul. Why any proposal should be considered under such a flawed, opaque process is astounding in the first instance.
The South Coast Track is heartland country of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. An Aboriginal Heritage report can’t possibly condone the construction required to build five star lodges, and you can’t have five star lodges dotted along a one star track – a track so rough it’s described by Tasmanian-based tourism operators as wading through 85 kilometres of waist deep mud.
This track also crosses a major mountain range exposed to the full force of the Roaring Forties. It’s a formidable and wild place. It’s also a life-changing adventure for generations of bushwalkers.
Consultants have estimated that upwards of $40 million is required to get the track ‘up to standard’ for the clientele of these five star lodges. That is, Overland Track standard. Presently it’s graded ‘T2’ by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service – “a rough track”. To get it up to the standard of the much lauded Three Capes Track would cost tens of millions more.
Is this government prepared to spend over $40 million of public money facilitating the pipe dreams of the Gold Coast-based white shoe brigade? Tasking our Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service with paving paradise for a private developer, rather than acting as careful custodian of the wilderness.
And, given UNESCO’s interest in Aboriginal cultural heritage, why has no Aboriginal Heritage Assessment been commissioned by the government? Minister Petrusma dismissed this requirement in Parliament on Tuesday, saying it would happen when the developer was ready to do so!
UNESCO has asked that this happen before any development is considered.
Once again, the Liberal government is putting developers before Aboriginal Tasmanians and wilderness values.
You can help by letting the Minister know why this is a half-baked proposal that should be rejected, email her today.
[email protected]
You can also let the Queensland developers know they can keep their greedy paws off our Southwest wilderness by emailing them.
[email protected]
We’ll fight this every step of the way.
For lutruwita/Tasmania and its people, always.
Cassy O’Connor MP"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIKl3c9U21g
"In Tasmania’s Parliament today we asked the Parks Minister about the Queensland based, ASX listed mega-tourism company, Experience Co, who have confirmed their plans to develop five star luxury lodges along the wild, unspoiled South Coast Track. They have submitted a draft Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) which means it’s all systems go from their end.
This is an troubling move given the Parks Minister has admitted the RAA process needs a complete overhaul. Why any proposal should be considered under such a flawed, opaque process is astounding in the first instance.
The South Coast Track is heartland country of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. An Aboriginal Heritage report can’t possibly condone the construction required to build five star lodges, and you can’t have five star lodges dotted along a one star track – a track so rough it’s described by Tasmanian-based tourism operators as wading through 85 kilometres of waist deep mud.
This track also crosses a major mountain range exposed to the full force of the Roaring Forties. It’s a formidable and wild place. It’s also a life-changing adventure for generations of bushwalkers.
Consultants have estimated that upwards of $40 million is required to get the track ‘up to standard’ for the clientele of these five star lodges. That is, Overland Track standard. Presently it’s graded ‘T2’ by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service – “a rough track”. To get it up to the standard of the much lauded Three Capes Track would cost tens of millions more.
Is this government prepared to spend over $40 million of public money facilitating the pipe dreams of the Gold Coast-based white shoe brigade? Tasking our Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service with paving paradise for a private developer, rather than acting as careful custodian of the wilderness.
And, given UNESCO’s interest in Aboriginal cultural heritage, why has no Aboriginal Heritage Assessment been commissioned by the government? Minister Petrusma dismissed this requirement in Parliament on Tuesday, saying it would happen when the developer was ready to do so!
UNESCO has asked that this happen before any development is considered.
Once again, the Liberal government is putting developers before Aboriginal Tasmanians and wilderness values.
You can help by letting the Minister know why this is a half-baked proposal that should be rejected, email her today.
[email protected]
You can also let the Queensland developers know they can keep their greedy paws off our Southwest wilderness by emailing them.
[email protected]
We’ll fight this every step of the way.
For lutruwita/Tasmania and its people, always.
Cassy O’Connor MP"
