TOURISM IMPACTS

I HAVE read and listened to many views on the development and tourism boom for Hobart. Politicians and some residents of Tassie have been blinded by the mantra of “jobs and growth”. It is wonderful that others in this world have finally discovered what a beautiful jewel Tassie is. If we do not manage the onslaught of developers in a sensitive way, this lifestyle we all enjoy will be gone. Selling off our state (25 per cent already foreign owned) is highly undesirable, as well as garish buildings, inappropriate tourism, such as helicopter flights in national parks and selling off or leasing public land for profit, ruining the very thing people want to see. If you have ever been overseas at peak times you will not want similar crowds in our small state.

We need to take a deep breath and produce a well thought out plan, with consultation and hard and fast rules. Otherwise we will look like any other city that has been prostituted for money and greed. 500,000 tons of greenhouse gases just in air travel. To this add emissions from ground travel, tours, eating, accommodation, booking services and souvenirs, plus emissions from about one million domestic visitors. The true figure is unknown because no agencies have shown interest in the issue. Some countries are trying to reduce their footprints without destroying tourism. But there is no evidence Tasmania has recognised this is a problem. Establish an organisation that advocates for a more sustainable industry.