Bush track battle
Greens oppose upgrades
PLANS for major upgrades to bushwalking facilities in the Walls of Jerusalem threatened to undermine the wilderness values which attracted people there in the first place, the Greens say.
Party leader Cassy O’Connor said tourism was essential to Tasmania’s economy, but the main reason people were drawn here was the rare and unspoilt nature of our wild places.
All construction within protected areas was best viewed with “a healthy level of cynicism”, she said.
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service has released its Draft Reserve Activity Assessment on upgrades to the Walls of Jerusalem National Park for public comment.
The plan says its objectives are to “enable relatively high levels of active day and overnight recreation” in “moderately challenging and largely natural settings”.
It includes extending the Wild Dog Creek campsite, closing the popular existing campsite at Dixon’s Kingdom and building a hardened site with toilets nearby and creating a new campsite at Lake Adelaide.
Track upgrades will create a multi-day circuit walk for parties of up to 13 people and commercial trips.
Camping will be restricted in surrounding areas, the plan says.
Ms O’Connor said the upgrades were part of a pattern of spending money in areas earmarked for commercial developments.
“The Liberals in Government have made it their mission to privatise and corporatise public protected areas, including the Walls of Jerusalem,” she said.
“There are three Expressions of Interest proposals in the Walls of Jerusalem — one being the controversial proposal at Lake Malbena, as well as two others for huts and lodges, and puffer pods respectively.”
A government spokeswoman said appropriate planning and infrastructure was important to manage the pressures on important areas.
“Visitor numbers have increased substantially — 48 per cent between 2012-2018 — and these works will mitigate impacts on environmental and cultural heritage values, while enhancing the visitor experience.”
Comment on the plans is open until February 10.