Government open to ‘sensible’ tourism in Tasmanian wilderness
Under a draft management plan new tourism developments may be permitted in Tasmania’s World Heritage Area for the first time.
The change would allow for small-scale tourism ventures, such as basic accommodation and eco-activities after Premier Will Hodgman opened a luxury hotel at Pumphouse Point inside the WHA.
Environment Minister Matthew Groom said the government was seeking proposals and would look at opening up the area for responsible tourism ventures.
"We want to be open to sensible and appropriate tourism and recreational experiences," he said.
"We think it’s important while at the same time as protecting cultural and natural values, we do something that allows access and celebrates and shares these extraordinary areas with the world."
Although the Green Party has attacked the plans, the Labor opposition tentatively supports tourism development in the WHA but that it retains Tasmania’s ‘wilderness brand.’
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it needs to be done in a collaborative way, there are many different interest groups that want to see more of this happen," said Labor’s environment and parks spokesman Craig Farrell.
A consultation period starting on Monday until March 22 is seeking public feedback to the plans.
"The Tasmanian Government acknowledges and encourages the continued widespread community interest in the way the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is managed, and we are particularly keen to make sure that anyone who wants to have a say can do so, which is why we have doubled the minimum statutory consultation period," Groom said.
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