Nothing like our wilderness
LAKE MALBENA DECISION
I’VE heard it said by more than one would-be developer that to keep our conservation and wilderness areas “locked up” is selfish and backward. Selfish because only those who can sail in or walk in can enjoy these globally unique places. Backward because they’re not making any money out of it. I disagree.
I’ve travelled internationally and there is nothing like our wilderness. Sadly, the voices of the developers and lure of easy money have led our Premier to attempt to crowbar the word “wilderness” out of the Tasmanian lexicon. Where is the responsible stewardship of these areas when the government has openly advertised for commercial exploitation? Where is the wilderness experience for those who can’t afford or decide not to pay for the flight to the island retreat? An estimated 240 helicopter flights a year will destroy any suggestion of being in the wilderness, so at least the Premier will have cause to smile.
These areas belong to the people, they are not unexploited resources waiting for investment nor the pathway for our public servants to return to power at the next election. It seems to me the only people not benefiting from this is everyone else. long will it take before we understand the land is not there for us to exploit and profit from, that we do not have a right to develop and degrade the precious few wild lands that still remain, and that public lands should not be used for private profit?
Bugger the quiet
THE decision to allow a fly-in, fly-out boutique fishing camp in a national park seems a bit bizarre. This camp will put money in the pockets of a handful of people while buggering up the quiet contemplation of nature for those who get off their bums to walk into these areas. If the fishermen are rich enough to charter helicopters and pay top dollar to stay in the wilderness, surely they’re rich enough to take a few extra days off work and walk in to do some fishing. No doubt there are plenty of other developments in the pipeline for our national parks to enhance the visitor experience while simultaneously stuffing it up for those of us who live here. in Tasmania without the process being soiled by the wealthy few who can afford to “chopper in”! I do not oppose high-end tourism, I welcome it, but this should not be at the cost of existing arrangements and the experiences of the many.
Setting a precedent
HOW disappointing the Lake Malbena appeal has been upheld. How is a democratic process expected to be done when there is clearly input by government ministers, an agenda by the government itself with influence from the financial backers of the project. This project if it ever finally goes ahead will set a precedent for developments within a national park. These areas need to be protected for the generations to come. Fisherman and bushwalkers are also ratepayers and voters. For those in government, remember that.
No need to explore it all
THE decision to let a development at Lake Malbena go ahead is indicative of a certain impoverished way of thinking about our planet. Why do we feel we need to develop, exploit, conquer every square inch? In fact, why do feel we even have to explore all of it? There’s a fair bit of hubris there, if you think about it. There’s something very good for the soul in the knowledge that there are places on land and in the sea where an abundance of life exists without any reference to humans. To leave it that way is a small nod to the many other beings we share the planet with.
Gentle angling
THE American writer Washington Irving said there is “something in angling that tends to produce a gentleness of spirit and a pure sincerity of mind”. But with 240 helicopter trips a season scheduled to fly over Lake Malbena there will certainly be no “gentleness of spirit” in that neck of the woods.
Fighting fire with fire
HOW odd! The State Government needs millions of dollars to put out wildfires yet they are planning to open up massive areas of protected forest for logging. There will be nothing left! Maybe they should put out the government.
Tasman Bridge the problem
THE mooted new bridge at Bridgewater is a ruse, a distraction, because the real issue is the replacement of the Tasman Bridge, which is becoming more dangerous by the day. Richard James correctly avers that the replacement bridge must be a through arch (Sydney Harbour type) or combination of two of them to span the river.
ABC has enough
THE State Government needs to explain to the people of Tasmania why they give the ABC half a million dollars of taxpayers’ money for a TV show when the taxpayers of Australia already give the ABC over one billion dollars to run their business. This to me is double-dipping and I believe does not pass the pub test.