Freycinet flights row

A PUSH to ban helicopter flights over one of the state’s most popular natural tourist attractions will be considered by the Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Freycinet Action Network has launched a petition to persuade Premier and Tourism Minister Will Hodgman to ban helicopter flights over the national park on the East Coast that includes the worldrenown Wineglass Bay.

Co-ordinator Sophie Underwood said local residents, business operators and shack owners had inundated her with calls after commercial helicopter sightseeing flights had started in the region.

“Until just a few weeks ago, the skies over Freycinet have been chopper-free and many are wondering just how a private company can be gifted the rights to run joy-flights and so profoundly impact the experi- ence of others enjoying one of Tasmania’s oldest and most loved national parks,” she said.

“Helicopters come with a clamour and racket matched only by jetskis and are loathed by recreationists and tourism operators alike.”

The Government has a “Fly Neighbourly Policy” for the popular peninsula that aims to strike the balance between aviation activities and conserving the area.

The flights are not part of a proposal for helicopter access in the Freycinet National Park being considered as part of the Government’s Expressions of Interest process for development in national parks.

A Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said the department would talk with the operator of the recently established helicopter flights to ensure all requirements are met.

The business already operates fixed-wing flights over Freycinet.

“The Parks and Wildlife Service looks to work co-operatively with tourism providers to balance visitor enjoyment and access to national parks with ensuring the natural and cultural heritage values are appropriately protected and other visitor enjoyment is not impacted on,” the spokesman said.

“Although the Parks and Wildlife Service does not have jurisdiction over airspace, the PWS recognises that aviation operations, even when not landing within the national park, can impact on values and visitor enjoyment.

“As part of managing this, the PWS has in place a Fly Neighbourly Policy for the Freycinet Peninsula which aims to strike the balance between aviation activities, conservation of the natural values of the parks and reserves, and visitor enjoyment in the Freycinet area. PWS will liaise with the operators of the tourism venture — which operates from outside the national park and does not land within the national park — as part of balancing these requirements.”

A masterplan for the Freycinet National Park is set to be released for public comment next month with helicopter flights expected to be covered in it.

The operator of the helicopter flights could not be contacted.