Support split for Geeves trek bid

A PROPOSAL to extend a walking track in the state’s remote South-West has the support of the Liberal and Labor parties, but green groups are worried about the impact it could have on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Huon Valley group Geeves Effect — which includes Huon Aquaculture’s Frances Bender and Willie Smith’s Andrew Smith — is pushing for a 2.5km walking track extension to give walkers views of Lake Geeves, near Federation Peak.

It is also proposing an ecotourism hub, understood to be located outside the World Heritage Area.

The group said the walk could rival Cradle Mountain and the Three Capes Track.

A preliminary business case for the project, released yesterday, says the area’s natural values are currently only available to experienced walkers.

“The development of a high-quality track and huts based experience would provide access to [a] broader range of the community,” the report said.

The Geeves Effect wants $2 million from the Federal Government for the project.

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the money would be better spent on visitor infrastructure in public forests that were not part of the World Heritage Area.

The Wilderness Society said the proposal did not comply with the new Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan, a plan the society said was inadequate.

“How can the Federal Government be putting money in when it doesn’t even pass the first hurdle,” spokesman Vica Bayley said.

Mr Bayley said the area around Lake Geeves, according to the management plan, was zoned wilderness.

“They’re comparing it to the Three Capes Track ... which is something that’s totally noncompliant with the wilderness zoning,” he said.